Range finder binoculars

[Georgey300]

I’m after some advice on some range finder binoculars I’m tossing up between the vortex ranger 3000hd or the kahles helia or the Steiner predators or is there another brand I should be looking at apart from Swarovski

[Wapiti]

Can I off a suggestion mate?
I've had three sets of rangefingers, be very careful and do your due diligence.
One set of Leupolds and one set of Vortex, both may-in-China. Both crapped out just outside of the warranty and I never bothered to make a claim, although I should've. But because those binos were also Chinese and quite frankly, not nice to look through, the focus wheels were loose-ish and just the overall feel was that of a cordial bottle, I didn't.
Then, out of two small pocket range finders use on foot made in China, a Vortex and Leupold, the Vortex crapped out too.

Out of the three binos I have left, a US made Golden Ring Leupold, a European Meopta Optika, and Swaro Rangefinder set, all 10x42, these are the only things I will ever spend hard earned money on ever again. And the Swaros are absolutely incredible.

[Georgey300]

Can I off a suggestion mate?
I've had three sets of rangefingers, be very careful and do your due diligence.
One set of Leupolds and one set of Vortex, both may-in-China. Both crapped out just outside of the warranty and I never bothered to make a claim, although I should've. But because those binos were also Chinese and quite frankly, not nice to look through, the focus wheels were loose-ish and just the overall feel was that of a cordial bottle, I didn't.
Then, out of two small pocket range finders use on foot made in China, a Vortex and Leupold, the Vortex crapped out too.

Out of the three binos I have left, a US made Golden Ring Leupold, a European Meopta Optika, and Swaro Rangefinder set, all 10x42, these are the only things I will ever spend hard earned money on ever again. And the Swaros are absolutely incredible.

I do like the Swarovski just not the price tag and vortex has lifetime warranty

[deye243]

LEICA optically the best I ever look through even their small handheld laser range finder considering how small the lenses are in that the Clarity contrast you name it is unbelievable fantastic warranty too

[Wapiti]

Can I off a suggestion mate?
I've had three sets of rangefingers, be very careful and do your due diligence.
One set of Leupolds and one set of Vortex, both may-in-China. Both crapped out just outside of the warranty and I never bothered to make a claim, although I should've. But because those binos were also Chinese and quite frankly, not nice to look through, the focus wheels were loose-ish and just the overall feel was that of a cordial bottle, I didn't.
Then, out of two small pocket range finders use on foot made in China, a Vortex and Leupold, the Vortex crapped out too.

Out of the three binos I have left, a US made Golden Ring Leupold, a European Meopta Optika, and Swaro Rangefinder set, all 10x42, these are the only things I will ever spend hard earned money on ever again. And the Swaros are absolutely incredible.

I do like the Swarovski just not the price tag and vortex has lifetime warranty

No they don't, they have a time limit on the Chink electronics inside.
But I've moved on, no more Land Of China.
Buyers beware, prepare to try your luck.

[Fester]

The Vortex won't even be in the same league as the Euro glass, and with rangefinder binos that you intend to do some glassing with, that's when you would really see the clear glass benefits.

Could end up with eye strain or headaches, glassing with cheap binos.
Too big an investment with good binos to go cheap, but they are gonna cost a bomb.

I use cheap to mid-range rifle scopes, but not looking through for an hour solid.

[Georgey300]

The Vortex won't even be in the same league as the Euro glass, and with rangefinder binos that you intend to do some glassing with, that's when you would really see the clear glass benefits.

Could end up with eye strain or headaches, glassing with cheap binos.
Too big an investment with good binos to go cheap, but they are gonna cost a bomb.

I’m pretty sure kahles is made by Swarovski

I use cheap to mid-range rifle scopes, but not looking through for an hour solid.

[Wapiti]

None of us have the ways to judge quality except in comparing side by side, and by using them for long periods.

It's why my stupid description of "making your eyes look in two directions ".

On a buggy I use daily, I bought a set of Votex binos because the conditions on it are frankly, terrible for gear and I didn't want to wreck my Leupold Golden Ring ones which I very fond of. The Vortex ones do the job, and have copped a caning.
The rubber is peeling, the lenses scratch easily, but they do the job. I think, what's going over there, and the binos show me.
But strangely, l9oking through them is not a pleasure, they are not aligned properly, or something is wrong. As well as being dull and the images are not crisp. They cost $399 and are not worth half that.

Then, my rangefinding Leupolds, not the Golden Ring ones, crapped out. Then the Vortex. Leaving just a pretty low-end set of binos, which are frankly, really tiring to use.

Out the back of the house where we sit and watch the animals, I have the Golden Rings and some of the last European Meopta Optika's, they get a bit dusty and some rain blows in on the table but the images are bright and they are not tiring to look through.
My wife bought me some EL range 10×42 Swaros after cheating death yet again and the difference is incredible. I only ever take them to NZ or for hunting strolls in the excellent Combat-Pro chest harness by NZ company Bushbuck. I'm very lucky to have a few Swaro scopes too, and you will not believe the difference. Unfortunately it sours you to the stuff you've had before.
So I just say, if you can wait and save awhile longer, you will have something incredible for life. I know cost of living pressures are terrible. But if you are staying in the hunting game for life, no matter what the f*ckwit politicians try and do to you, try and get the best you can.