Leica Geovid HD-B 10×42 rangefinder-binocular serves dual purposes of observing as well as rangefinding. While the 42mm objective lens diameter ensures that adequate light passes through the glass into the device and enhances image brightness, clarity, and quality. The 10x magnification helps users range as well as observe targets located at medium to long range distance. This optical device is a proven one and is capable of ranging device anywhere from 25 yards to 2,000 yards. Many hunters and shooters have praised this Leica product and this is when we decided to give this optical device a closer look. You can buy this product in the $2,500-3,000 price range (may be cheaper, if available on offer). As you are getting two high quality devices in a single one, the price is justified. Before going into details of this Leica Geovid HD-B product, let’s have a look at the 5 amazing features.
5 Important Features
1. Ability to make precise shot because of in-built Ballistic System
We found out that Geovid HD-B is a highly capable binocular-cum-rangefinder that has the ability to range targets located up to 1,825 meters or around 2,000 yards. Range measuring duration of this device is extremely fast, which is 0.3 seconds max.
To make this device an indispensable part of a long range shooter or hunter’s luggage, Leica has incorporated Advanced Ballistic Compensation (ABC). The hunters will be able to get bullet drop compensation as well as point of aim correction for different kinds of reticles. In fact, the shooters can also incorporate their own ballistic parameters for meeting specific hunting situations and individual requirements. This has become possible due to the presence of microSD memory card in this device.
Three ballistic applications (ABC Function 1, Function 2, and Function 3) can be chosen in the integrated intelligent ABC ballistics system, which is capable of calculating impact-point correction correctly through ballistics along with precise air pressure, temperature, and angle of inclination automatically.
i. ABC – Function 1
With this system in place, point of impact can be precisely determined in safer and more accurate manner. The binocular in this binocular-cum-rangefinding device displays not only the target distance from the user but also the correction in terms of inches or centimeters. In fact, you can get measurement of the required deviation at point blank range.
ii. ABC – Function 2
With the help of Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC), a shooter or observer can correct the point of impact. In fact, with this function in place you can also get the required numbers of clicks for adjusting the reticle. Adjustment requirements are displayed in multiple formats in both mm/m and MOA such as 5mm / 100 m, 10mm / 100 m, 1/4 MOA, 1/3 MOA, and 1 MOA.
iii. ABC – Function 3
This function is especially important for the long range hunters and shooters because it helps them in proper determination of safe distance so that they can fire a precise shot through their arm for bringing down the target. More importantly, the hunters will get 3 different correction formats in ABC system. With all the formats, you will be able to know angle of inclination, air pressure, and temperature automatically.
2. Brilliant Optical Clarity, Contrast, and Color
Leica uses Perger Porro prisms so that the glass produces vivid colors, extremely crisp and high contrast images. Light transmission through the lens has been amazing and the application of nano structure Aqua Dura Coating helps in repelling dirt and dust. You can clean the lens rather easily because of the presence of this special coating.
3. Comfortable Usage due to Open Ergonomic Bridge Construction
Leica has manufactured this optical device with an open ergonomic bridge construction that helps users get fatigue-free viewing. For ease of use, this binocular-cum-rangefinder has been incorporated with a simple two-button operation, coupled with 5 click-stop settings. Use of magnesium body gives it a durable and rugged surface. The rubber-armor over the body helps users use it in all kinds of field conditions including the harshest ones.
4. All Weather Device
This is an all weather device and can be used in the harshest weather conditions, be it monsoon, sweltering summer, or freezing cold. It is absolutely waterproof and is completely fog proof (ensured through filling of the body with nitrogen). No matter what weather condition you are using this device, you will never confront fogging from inside.
5. Accurate measurement ensured
While testing Leica Geovid 10×42 HD-B Binocular 40049, we found out that the measurements are absolutely accurate. This has become possible due to the incorporation of laser, which helps in precise as well as quick distance determination. Whether the target is located at medium or long distance, users will never lose sight.
Specs – At a Glance
Leica Geovid 10×42 HD-B Binocular Rangefinder 40049 has 7.1 inch × 5.7 inch × 3.0 inch dimension and weighs just 39.4 oz. It is waterproof/fogproof, comes with an optional adapter, has a Contoured Neoprene strap, and most importantly comes with a non-transferable 5 year limited warranty.
It is capable of ranging targets from 10 yards to around 2,000 yards (1,950 yards to be precise). The accuracy level is ± 1 to 550 yards and ± 2 to 1100 yards. On an average, this device can make 24 ranges per minute. Some other important specifications of this ranging device are usage of 904 nm laser type, 50 nanoseconds pulse duration, 1 CR2 Lithium battery type, multiple advanced ranging modes including Equivalent Horizontal Range and Scan, availability of Ballistic figures (mentioned in the features section above), 2,000 measurements battery life, and availability of equivalent horizontal range function.
Optical specifications of this binocular-rangefinder combo include 10x magnification, 42mm objective lens diameter, 20mm eye relief, 4.2mm exit pupil, 342 feet field of view at 1,000 yards, 6.5° objective angle of view, 17.6 relative brightness, 20.5 twilight factor, 1.7 measured focus rotations, central focus system, usage of HD Fluoride Glass, and availability of variety of coatings including P40 Phase Corrective coating, hydrophobic Aqua-Dura coating, Anti-Reflective coating, and HDC multi-layer coating.
Reviewing Different Aspects of Leica Geovid 10×42 HD-B Yards Binocular 40049
What about the Optics?
Leica has made some serious changes in the roof prism design in Leica Geovid HD-B, when compared with that in the original Geovid HD. Here, at Leica Geovid 10×42 binocular-rangefinder combo Perger-Porro prism has been used, enabling the user to get a compact and lighter device in all kinds of weather and field conditions.
While testing optical clarity of the bino, we compared it with 6 other similar devices from different manufacturers and the end result was very much in favour of Geovid HD-B. It must be mentioned here that the optical clarity, brightness, and contrast are checked in this testing in the 600 to 1,400 yards range. To be very specific in terms of finding, we saw that this binocular-rangefinding device had the widest field of views (342 feet at 1,000 yards) among all the devices tested. Though Leica claims field of view of this product to be 374 inch at 1000 yards in many promotional brochures, our reading found it to be 342 feet.
What’s the Performance of the Rangefinder?
Engineers at Leica had done some serious upgrades in this Leica Geovid HD-B in comparison to Leica Geovid HD, especially in the ranging capability. The most notable aspect is that we were able to range target twice as much as we did with the original Leica Geovid HD device.
This needs to be mentioned specifically that while testing Leica Geovid 10×42’s ranging capabilities, we took small objects for ranging. The targets were just 2 MOA in size. While ranging these small objects from a distance of 1,950 yards, we found out that the readings were absolutely bang on. In fact, we went beyond the usual 2,000 yards range and tried to range larger objects (side of a hill actually). Here too the results were impressive and precise.
When testing the 2MOA targets, we ensured that the testing is done 10 times under the same conditions. The only thing that changed is the location and surrounding. They are tested in all kinds of light conditions, right from bright daylight to low light (sunset actually) conditions. The results have been accurate in all cases but one. Therefore, the rate of accuracy during testing of Leica Geovid 10×42 has been impressive, no matter what the size of the target is.
During the test procedure we found that the range finding capability has been absolutely bang on target (10 out of 10 times tested) at 1,200 yards or less than that. In fact, the rangefinding result has been better at 3 hours before sunset than after sunset. Therefore, we found out that this Leica product worked exceptionally well during moderate to low light conditions but worked fine in case of very low light condition (as after sunlight, especially during twilight and after). Overall standard deviation of Leica Geovid 10×42 HD-B Binocular 40049’s readings is the best among all other optical devices tested during the testing process.
What’s the Bottomline?
Whether it is the optical clarity, ergonomic quality, or rangefinding ability, Leica Geovid 10×42 rangefinder-binocular is one of the best products we have tested so far. If your requirement is to range target up to 1 mile range, this is the best device to have in your possession. In fact, the quality of optics is also worth noting. Therefore, a definite go ahead for a buy decision from our side on Leica Geovid 10×42.
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