Leica and Swaro Rangefinding Bins

[BigSurArcher]

Any idea why on earth Leica continues to place the button on the left side?? And why the new Swaro EL Range has it on the left side too??? I would love to have a pair of the EL Range, but being a right handed bowhunter makes it very hard to use them. So you get in bow range, holding the loaded bow in the left hand, need to range animal with right hand... and your forced to somehow reach your index finger clear across the bridge to push the button while holding them still enough to lazer what might be a pretty small target. I've tried it with the Leicas and it isn't easy or comfortable. I'm shocked Swarovski put the button "over there" also. Anyone else (whos a righty) notice this as a failure in design? Or am I missing an obvious reason for the placement?

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

BSA, they may have had rifle hunters in mind, thinking they would have the rifle in the strong hand. I am just spit ballin' here. It really doesn't make much sense.

I agree completely that a right handed button would work much better in most cases.

 

[Drhorsepower]

They should make a lefty model! That would be cool. I've always been interested in those.

 

[packer58]

Quite possibly there are no bow hunters within the research and development departments. Even large well known companys drop the ball every now and then.

 

[HuskyMusky]

My nikon is awesome and on the right side

my swaro scope is perfectly designed btw, although I believe the magnification rotation is reversed from US scopes...ie leupold/nikon...

honestly I don't think left or right would really bother me much at all.

 

[BKC]

I have a pair of the leica 10 x 42 geovids also. I love them but also questioned why they put the ranging button on the left side. I am primarily a rifle hunter but I even find that when you are close to a possible close shot with a rifle it is still a pain in the a$$ to have to the button on the left side. When I do bow hunt and I get in close, I tip the binos up vertically and just look thru the bottom (right side) eye piece and it is a little easier to push the button with my middle finger. It feels more like a rangefinder at this point. I am going to try and use them with the s4 lockdown, when I buy it, hopefully it is not to awkward doing this.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

Why don't you look at the Zeiss victory rf binos.....buttons are on the right.....

 

[Muleys 24/7]

I always see alot of the Leica RF bino's used up for sale, I wonder why that is?

 

[BKC]

Why don't you look at the Zeiss victory rf binos.....buttons are on the right.....

Main reason: I've got about $2,300 into them. The button is the only thing I do not like. Everything else is perfect

 

[Elkoholic307]

The new Swaros are supposed to be small enough that you can reach your finger to the other side to range.

 

[BigSurArcher]

Why don't you look at the Zeiss victory rf binos.....buttons are on the right.....

I've used them, don't like em though. Like I mentioned on another thread, the image is way too blue biased for my eyes. That, and they are huge!

 

[Whisky]

Swaro screwed up royally. Yeah, the button is on the left. I could have worked through that, albeit a pain in the butt. But why on god's green earth would they come out with a combo unit that has a minimum ranging distance of 33 yds??? They most definitely weren't thinking of archery hunters at all when designing the EL Ranges.

The Zeiss is the best option for a bow hunter right now.Button is on right, and min distance is 10 yds. I'm currently debating if I'm going to drop the coin on them, or wait a year and see what comes out. I think the LRF/bino combo units are becoming more and more popular, so maybe we'll see some upgrades soon.

 

[BigSurArcher]

But why on god's green earth would they come out with a combo unit that has a minimum ranging distance of 33 yds??? They most definitely weren't thinking of archery hunters at all when designing the EL Ranges.

Now that's pathetic!

 

[Whisky]

Now that's pathetic!

Sure is. I was ticked. I was all set to buy them. Had communication going with a dealer and everything. Loved the glass, ergonomics, weight, dependable LR ranging capabilities etc, but for some reason I overlooked the minimum ranging distance. Read that online somewhere and got to play with them in the store again and sure enough, 34 yds I got repeatedly, 33 I got occasionally, nothing under 33 ranged. Talk about a disappointment.

Zeiss has a nice rebate going on their combo unit right now. But I have a hunch they will come out with something new as soon as I buy the current model (usually the way it works for me). I'd like to think they are developing a unit utilizing their new HT glass, and better ergonomics....We will see.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

I bow and rifle hunt,...for bow hunting,why would you want a range finder with 10x42power for under 30 yards..., I don't get it, just to have a two in one deal? I can see why they would have rifle hunters in mind, those range finding binos are made for longer than bow range hunting. I wouldn't want a pair of those just for bow hunting.Everyone may not agree with me and I'll probley hear some crap,but that's just my opinion?

 

[BigSurArcher]

Less to carry, less to fumble with, less noise (binos banging against rangefinder can be costly). If it's too close to use your 10x binos to range it, chances are it's a top pin shot anyway.

 

[Whisky]

Yup, less to carry, ie, less crap hanging around my neck. A big thing for me is, I shoot LR so I need a RF that works both close and far. There is no stand alone compact RF that works well for LR (Leica CRF's suck). I currently have the Zeiss PRF and it's by no means a compact RF. Carrying that around my neck and binos on my chest is a PITA. I have thought about the 10 power when ranging for archery. I have no experience using a 10x combo, but for open country ground hunting, spot and stalk, etc I'd think they'd work OK. I probably wouldn't use them in a tree stand hunting whitetails though. I don't carry any binocs with me hunting in treestands anyways.

Which leads me the next idea I've been pondering. Thought about buying the EL Ranges for rifle hunting and target shooting use and use them as binocs for archery hunting, and buy a cheap pocket RF for the treestand and open country archery hunting. I need a new pair of binocs anyways.

 

[BKC]

I just got my S4 lockdowns yesterday. They were made for my Leica's, a perfect fit! They will be great for stalking without hanging down to the ground when on your hands and knees and they won't bounce up and down when on my horse. I wish they were'nt so proud of their logo that they had to make it so large but that is what duct tape is for. I would highly recomend these.

 

[huntin_fool01]

I guess it would feel more natural to a lefty. Other then that I cant figure it out either. I bought a pair of the Zeiss Victory RF Rangefinder Binoculars last fall and love them. If you are in the buying market, then the price range is the same as the 2 you are already looking at. I highly recommend them.