RF/Bino-Yes I know this is the Reloading Forum

Title explains it. The knowledge for LR shooting seems very knowledgeable here. Thinking about a combo RF/Bino, specifically the Leica HD Geovids, instead of a dedicated LRF. Any pros/cons to this approach for ranging targets specifically for LR shooting? Trying to combine two needs because of cost.

So why not put it in the Optics section?

I've read good reports about the Leicas.

I have used the Leica HD-B with the built in ballistic program. As far as the rangefinder it's really a good RF and of course the Glass is nice. The Ballistic portion of the bino is not up to others such as The G7.
If you need bino's not a bad way to go.
If I were focused on both LR target and LR hunting I think I would wait on the new Bushnell ConX that will Bluetooth to the brand new Kestrel 5700 and or the Sportsman version.The Sportsman Kestrel will come packaged with the ConX next spring .... So they say.

For the price of the Leica you are buying a great pair of binoculars with a very good laser rangefinder built into them. What you are not getting is a true ballistic computer. If you use one of the preloaded ballistic curves it will probably be close enough to get on target at 500 yards or maybe even to 600 yards. The better route is to program a custom ballistic curve using their website, download it to a micro SD card and then load that curve into the Leica.

I have used Leicas before and was impressed with the image and accuracy of the rangefinder. Not so much by the ballistic solutions. It still works better than Zeiss or Swarovski for getting your shot onto target at short to midrange.

You won't find a rangefinder that will match the optical performance of the Leica, Swarovski or Zeiss. You will also find that these Bino/LRF combos won't match ballistic accuracy of the G7 or the range finding accuracy of Vectronix LRFs. They also perform as rangefinders better than the current offerings from Leupold, Vortex, Bushnell or Nikon.

It's difficult to find a product that will excel in all three functions. If optical performance is your primary need they are great. If an accurate, long range LRF is the primary duty they are great. They are a compromise as a ballistic rangefinder. Since they do determine shot inclination, temperature and station pressure, you can use them with a good program like Shooter or Applied Ballistic or even a Kestrel with AB or Horus and overcome their only real shortfall.

I personally went with the G7 so I didn't have to depend on using a phone/app/kestrel for the ballistic solution and carry a pair of Swarovski SLC's for glassing duty.

I don't see where he mentioned wanting a ballistic program built in.

I did not, but as always good information.

I had a pair of the 12x bushnells arcs for a long time. They worked great and I was ranging targets out to 1800+ yards.

The cons are that they're big and bulky. I ended up with a Bushnell range finder that's a lot more compact.

This was my original thought and may be coming back full circle to this.

The new Leica HD- R has the ballistic program built in and can be customized.