Swaro EL VS Leica Ultravids

[Justin Spies]

I have decided to bite the bullet for quality optics. I am looking heavily at both of these. Anyone on here have first hand experience comparing the two against the other. I don't have access to go and view both here in Lufkin. I will likely have to order online. I was thinking of buying used SLCs also. But it seems that with the NLs out the ELs have pretty good pricing for new now.

[Texas Made]

I have no experience comparing those two, but I have compared some older Leicas to Swaro SLC and preferred the SLC over the Leica. I love my 10x42 SLCs and have heard very good things about the NL and EL glass.

[freerhunter16]

I don’t have experience with the Ultravid. But, I have the SLC 10x42, Geovid 10x42 and a pair of Geovid 15x56 RF. The glass in my swaros is better.

[TransPecos]

I own both of of these in 10x42, but my Swaros are the range-finding. I also have a pair of regular EL 8.5 x 42’s. To my eyes, the Leica’s are superior, and they are 20 years old.

[Mayhem]

Lufkin isn't too far, I would make a trip to bass pro in spring and Carters country and look at them both before I dropped that money.

[Artos]

Go with the swaro EL's...leica has a horrible reputation for warranty work.

[Mexdeer19]

Flip a coin bc both are great. I have both brands and use Leica’s more often but love the swaros as well. Sorry, not much help here

[Justin Spies]

Flip a coin bc both are great. I have both brands and use Leica’s more often but love the swaros as well. Sorry, not much help here

What makes you choose the leica more? Which models do you have in each?

[Greylight]

I have sold a lot of optics over the years, and both of your options are great and you'll likely love either. The reality is that is comes down to personal preference and the individual's eyes. When I bought my Leica's, they were just a hair clearer in the shadows than the Swaros. The best thing to do is to go and try both out side by side. Look at objects as far away as you can, and in dark/shadows such as up in the rafters of the building, etc. to see if you can see any difference. See if they will let you take both outside and compare them at distance, expecially at first/last light. It may boil down to preferring the position of the focus knob, how they adjust, or how the eyecups feel. If you are glassing for hours, those will make a difference for sure.

[Shane]

If you want to get really into the weeds, google binocular reviews on birder forums. Those birders are generally very detail-oriented folks who love to split hairs over the most minute details of optic performance.

I don't have either of those that you mention. I have some Zeiss 10x42s that are fantastic. Once you get into the top tier, it gets pretty hard to decide which is best. They're all really nice. Just minute differences here and there that mostly boil down to personal preference.

[Justin Spies]

If you want to get really into the weeds, google binocular reviews on birder forums. Those birders are generally very detail-oriented folks who love to split hairs over the most minute details of optic performance.

I don't have either of those that you mention. I have some Zeiss 10x42s that are fantastic. Once you get into the top tier, it gets pretty hard to decide which is best. They're all really nice. Just minute differences here and there that mostly boil down to personal preference.

I thought my mind was made up this morning but I keep digging and it just adds to the list lol. I actually found a decent amount of folks claiming that once you pass the $1k threshold the difference is hard to notice. So I went to search for $1k binos and found some good stuff on the Zeiss Conquest HDs with the only complaints being the eye relief and the non locking diopter adjustment. Well, Zeiss has recently fixed this problem with the all new Conquest HDX. So now I am trying to decide if I try quality German optics for half the price or will I be missing out. Which Zeiss model are you running?

[Mexdeer19]

What makes you choose the leica more? Which models do you have in each?

Bc I owned the Leicas before the EL’s lol. I currently use the Leica noctivids 10x42 which are extremely clear and probably my favorite pair so far.

[trophy8]

I thought my mind was made up this morning but I keep digging and it just adds to the list lol. I actually found a decent amount of folks claiming that once you pass the $1k threshold the difference is hard to notice. So I went to search for $1k binos and found some good stuff on the Zeiss Conquest HDs with the only complaints being the eye relief and the non locking diopter adjustment. Well, Zeiss has recently fixed this problem with the all new Conquest HDX. So now I am trying to decide if I try quality German optics for half the price or will I be missing out. Which Zeiss model are you running?

Stop lol. You’re squirreling bad 😆


Leica and Swaro reign supreme for a reason. Both have amazing glass. I’ve owned both. Swaro seemed clearer to me. I tried the Leica RF binos and hated the range finder. My dad has the newer ones and they work great. Leica has had lots of CS issues. Swaro is amazing. Send em in for a once over and cleaning for free every now and then. Resale on swaros will be better when you decide to upgrade to the newer pair.


Example. My current ones I paid $1550 used for. I can still get that. And upgraded to NLs. But I don’t use em as much as I once did so these are fine.


Both have great glass. It’ll be the single biggest investment in hunting equipment to help your success. Buy right.

Euro optic is a great place for used and demo units as well.

[Shane]

I thought my mind was made up this morning but I keep digging and it just adds to the list lol. I actually found a decent amount of folks claiming that once you pass the $1k threshold the difference is hard to notice. So I went to search for $1k binos and found some good stuff on the Zeiss Conquest HDs with the only complaints being the eye relief and the non locking diopter adjustment. Well, Zeiss has recently fixed this problem with the all new Conquest HDX. So now I am trying to decide if I try quality German optics for half the price or will I be missing out. Which Zeiss model are you running?

I have the Victory. It's in the same price range as the Leica and Swaro you're looking at. Great binocs.

Where you can tell the difference between $1K and $3K is in the dark up until about 15 minutes before sunup and then again at 15 minutes after sunset through dark. Is that difference worth $2,000? It's definitely nice, but lots of folks would say no.

[Traildust]

Once you make your mind up, give Doug a call at https://cameralandny.com/?srsltid=Af...ULPFMv-8V6gp8D