Q, Lieca or Swarov's

manny15 · Feb 10, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Feb-10-09 AT 06:31PM (MST)[p]

looking at getting a used pair of glass, anybody care to tell me their opinion if you have had both thanks......

Leica 10x50BA Binoculars

SWAROVSKI SLC HABICHT 10X42WB BINOCULARS

both are around 5 years old.?????????????????????????

westelkman · Feb 10, 2009

I currently have the Leica 10x Geovids and the 10x Swaro slc's. I don't think its fair to compare my 15 yr old Swaros to my 3 yr old Leicas. Both are better than great but the newer Leicas get the edge. Both warranty depts are excellent.

The Leica 50s will be the bright as heck in low light but a tad heavy. That is my only complaint with the Geovids- weight and the fact they only have a 5 yr warranty. All other Leica models are lifetime.

It depends on what you are doing with them to say whether the extra weight of the 50s is worth it- not to me.

"In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are consequences"
Robert Green Ingersoll

TFinalshot · Feb 10, 2009

go with the swaros if your choice is the 10x50 leica. The leica's are great, but you will like the swaro's better. . . what's the price difference between the two, and condition?

www.tonybynum.com

"Roadless areas, in general, represent some of the best fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The bad news is that there is nothing positive about a road where fish and wildlife habitat are concerned -- absolutely nothing." (B&C Professor, Jack Ward Thomas, Fair Chase, Fall 2005, p.10).

walleye1121 · Feb 10, 2009

You can't really go wrong from a quality stand point with either. I have the Leica 10x50 and use them for scouting. They are great but you do need to consider the weight of that pair. You may not want them around your neck when you are hunting.

Mule_Deer_Crazy · Feb 11, 2009

I have both in 15X56 and both are good glass. However, if you put both of them on a tripod and look through them side by side, the Leica's are a crisper view. But again, if you didn't have them right there together you probaby wouldn't know the difference.

As for the weight issue of a set of 10X50s, not sure I'd worry about it one way or the other? With a harness system I wear the bigger ones all day long and don't get the neck/shoulder fatigue like you would with a neck strap alone.

Foreman4x4 · Feb 11, 2009

FWIW, Swarovski covers items purchased secondhand, Leica doesn't....

grizzly · Feb 11, 2009

I believe you will like a 42x more than a 50x, most people do. But go with the glass your eyes like the best. I prefer Swarovski.

manny15 · Feb 11, 2009

thanks guys for helpin me narrow it down, I'm bidding on a pair of lieca's on the bay right now....

TFinalshot · Feb 11, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Feb-11-09 AT 11:31AM (MST)[p]
LOL - manny, you wont be able to afford them now!

REDDOG · Feb 11, 2009

I have both brands and they both are best at what they do.

one thing i can add, if it is your only pair get the 10x42's. the 10x50 will give you a better picture all day long, but are much bigger, it really isnt fair compairing 10x50's to 10'42 opticly, even if they are the same brand, 10x50's win...but size is cumbersum.

manny15 · Feb 11, 2009

>LAST EDITED ON Feb-11-09
>AT 11:31?AM (MST)
>
>
>LOL - manny, you wont be
>able to afford them now!
>

what you mean, I'm in the lead.....LOL

338RUM · Feb 11, 2009

Chevy or Ford.....yeah some will get dodge, but why settle for Vortex....Coke or Pepsi....Bud or Coors....etc. etc. etc..Whatever fits YOU best!

"We can have no "50-50" allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all".
Theodore Roosevelt

sageadvice · Feb 11, 2009

Good luck winning those Manny. Probably would be very pleased with either brand.

Hate to say it but darn few "leading" bidders on e-bay ever win when it's all said and done. You've said that you sell a lot on there, ought to know how it goes. I refuse to bid up an item i want. I wait until the last 10 seconds to click the "commit to buy" button, my bid always being the very most i'm willing to pay.

Sometimes i win sometimes not but my advice is to not try at the last second with a bid lower than the most you were willing to spend. You still may win it for less but it sucks to loose something by $5 when you gladly would have paid $50 more if you knew that's what it would taken to win. Good luck!

Joey

tagsoup · Feb 11, 2009

If weight is nont an issue I would go with the 10x50 slc's. I sold mine and bought a pair of 10x42 el's. Now I wish I had my 10x50's. They were a lot heavier but I like them a lot more than I like my 10x42 el's.

manny15 · Feb 11, 2009

hey joey, ditto man, was joking

dryflyelk · Feb 12, 2009

I've had the 10x50 BA Leicas. I now own the 8x42 Geovids and some 15x56 swaros.

IMO, leicas are a bit better optically and a bit sturdier. However Swaros have a much better customer service department. Either would be great. Buy according to what is most important to you and whatever you get a better deal on.

rradams · Feb 12, 2009

Leica's customer service has taken a beating lately; most of which is self-induced. All things being nearly equal, I would go with the Swaros.

elkhunter7pt · Feb 12, 2009

I also have both and are both great. My top choice and can look through all day are the Swarov's 10x42 EL the very top of the line and a great warranty.

cabinfever · Feb 13, 2009

having owned both I'd say optically they are about the same. Swarovski has a much better warranty than leica, and for that reason I am back to using the swarovski's...10X42 el's are my go to glass.

Mike

NMPaul · Feb 14, 2009

Manny, go with the Swaros. I have both and Swaro warranty is way better than Leica and most likely at some point you will use it.

I will never buy Leicas again. Warranty dept is a joke. I have posted my experiences before so I wont bother to again.