Swarovski 12x50 EL vs. Leica Duovid 8-12x42

Joined
Sep 14, 2019
Messages
91
Looking to upgrade my optics for an upcoming sheep hunt.

Will also be used for Montana elk hunts, maybe deer on the plains.

Currently have a Leupold 6x32 Katmai and 8x42 Kahles.

Use the Katmai for treestand bow hunts, Kahles for out west.

Thinking of selling the Kahles to offset the new binos.

The Leicas are a do it all type of bino, should do well out west, in AK, and in a tree.

Swaros are more suited for AK, elk.

Thoughts?
 

idig4au

WKR
Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Messages
708
Location
On one of the 7 continents….
The 12x50 EL’s are magical on a tripod. I seem to see more with this setup than with my Swaro 15x56’s. However i can’t hold them steady off hand.

For sheep hunting up north, I would be more inclined to stick with something in the 10x power range as more versatile.

I don’t have experience with Leica optics...just Swaros.
 
Joined
Aug 14, 2016
Messages
393
I would go with the ELs over the Duovids 100%. The glass in the duovids is not there HD or hd+ it’s the same glass as the ultravid BRs. They are also pretty heavy..... I would go with Leica ultravid 12x50 hd+ or the Els
 

Steve O

WKR
Classified Approved
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
2,879
Location
Michigan
I love my Duovids but they ARE heavy. I would not take them on a Dall sheep hunt. I wouldn’t take 12 ELs either. I would take my 10x42 ELs; Dall sheep aren’t that hard to spot and I would always prefer my spotter than a bigger, heavier binocular than my 10s.
 

tdot

WKR
Joined
Aug 18, 2014
Messages
1,888
Location
BC
The 12x El's have such a wide field of view, that I barely notice a drop in FOV when I switch between my 8x and 12x. Once I realized this, my interest in the Duovids stopped.

I also didnt like the ergonomics as much, also I felt that the weight would have effected handholding at 8x, which was the only benefit that I could see.
 
OP
NYRifleman
Joined
Sep 14, 2019
Messages
91
Guide will have a spotter, told me no need to bring my own.

The 10x42 EL are on my radar as well.
 

Steve O

WKR
Classified Approved
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
2,879
Location
Michigan
Guide will have a spotter, told me no need to bring my own.

The 10x42 EL are on my radar as well.

YMMV. My guide for the Stone in my avatar had spotter; a Bushnel...we used my Zeiss. I don’t care what they tell me I’m taking MY spotting scope.
 
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
1,979
Location
BC
In the NWT on a Dall hunt in 2017, all the guides in camp had 10x42 binos and 20-60x65mm Swaron spotters as I remember. (Am sure on the spotters, and not 100% sure on the guide's. binos. My guide used a pair of Leica 10x42 Geovid Perger prism style binos for sure.

This combo of bino size/power and spotting scope works very well and are what I use sheep hunting down in BC as well.
 
Joined
Dec 4, 2018
Messages
2,238
I tried the 8-12 duovids and was not terribly impressed. At 8 power the FOV was barely better than my 10x42s. At 12x there was not enough extra detail compared to the 10x42 to justify the whole thing. That being said I love my 10-15 duovids. Whole different story there but also
 
Top