Leica

Does anyone here use Leica binocs or scopes? Are they worth the cost?

I use there 1600yrd range finder and binos best one out besides the G7 range finder, I'm sure there scopes are good but can't say I use NF and Zeiss for scopes

On the bino's it depends what you are looking for.

Swarovision Bino's are better then Lecia but the lecia's are better range finders. With that said lecia is still top tier glass, so ya the are worth it to some. Those "some" will be the guys that spend a lot of time behind them. For the guys that use their binos a good bit but don't spend all day behind them no- vortex, meopta, and a few other will save you $$$ for a very limited drop in performance.

I have Leica 10x42 Geovids and love them. I spend a lot time glass when in a deer stand or while hunting mule deer. Never had any eye fatigue with mine. The range finder is just one less thing to carry since it is built into the binos. I use it for bow hunting or spotting and glassing longer ranges. Best things I can tell you to do is go to a Cabelas and put Swaro, Leica and Zeiss all side by side to look through. Your eyes will fit one better than the other. My eyes like Zeiss but at the time they had no built in Range Finder. When the Swaro EL came out I loved the feel and how good I could see through them at first or last light, just no built in Range Finder. The older Geovids I have are a bit heavy but nothing I can't live with. The reticule is small and much better than the old Swaro Range Finder I had.

Don't pick up the new Leica geo range!!! You will buy them.
I'm still confused over the el range and the leicas. I fully went in thinking I was going to use all my cabrlas points finally on a the Swarovski el range. I walked out empty handed. I just couldn't make one a clear winner. Swarovski was best glass with good range finder. Leica glass wasn't as good but better range finder and better fit, better eye caps but bigger and heavier. Now The swaro sale is over so it's really even more of a toss up.

In one word, yes. They are worth it. I had the 12 x 50 ultravids, sold them to get the 10 x 42 Geo's with the rangefinder. Absolutely love them. I have a Leica spotter, and I am slowly upgrading all the scopes on my hunting rifles to Leica. Colors really pop, you can see into shady areas better, and in low light they are brighter than any scope I have tried, and I have tried them all. To MY eyes, they are better than Swarovski and the Zeiss Victory series.

If I ever upgrade my RF, I'll go with Leica. As for binocs, I have some old Leica 10x40 Trinovids that I won't replace. Just too darn good, and light and handy. Without a doubt, my Trinovids are the smallest 10x40's I have seen from any maker.

I've been using my 10x42 BAs for around 20 years now. The Leica ergonomics just seem to fit me better than Swaro or Zeiss. Your eyes and hands may prefer a different brand. But when it comes to the performance of top shelf Euro lenses, I doubt the average person with average eyes can tell the difference. It all boils down to which bino "feels" right, just as my feet may prefer Lowa boots while yours are comfy in Vasque.

That's why you need to make your own decision regarding what's best for you.

As for Leica scopes, I can't say, having never owned one. But Leica spotters are among the cream of the crop, so I imagine their rifle scopes are too.

If you really want the lowdown on fine glass, hang around the bird watching forums; those folks are far more demanding of their optics than hunters are.

One more thing. Alpha glass is like anything else in this sport. If you are going to use it 2 or 3 times a year, then it is probably not worth it unless you have money just burning a hole in your pocket. If you hunt or shoot ALOT, then it is worth it.

The geovid binos are probably the best I have ever used. If you hunt in open areas spot and stalk they are worth every cent.

Top quality glass is always "worth" it IF you can afford it!

Can't see how you compare the Leica's against the Swarovski's inside a Cabela's and can say either is a clear winner. I've sat on the tops of mountains with both and it's a tough call. I've had both and can honestly say I choose my Leica's.

I've used both the swaro's with swarovision and the lecia geo's out side. I spent 10 days in CO playing with the lecias geo's while mule deer hunting. And about the same time glassing pronghorn with the Swaros el's w/swarovision on my ranch in the panhandle.

The egonomics of the the lecia new geo fit me better but the swaro with Swarovision clearly has more pop to them. The new el range don't have swarovision and you can notice it pretty quick, none the less still edge out the Kecia imo. The eye cups on the el range also arent near as comfortable as the lecias, any pressure on the swaro eye cups they depress pretty quickly.
Like I said above both are great glass neither will disappoint.

Yep, the only way to truly judge glass is outdoors at varying ranges and in low light.