A Short(ish) discussion of the merits of Leica Geovid Pro 32's vs Sig Kilo 10K - HDs A number of folks have been interested in comparing the Sig Kilo 10k's with the Leica Geovid pro's since the release of these two new flagship products. Quite frankly, I think the consumer is right here in looking to make this comparison. I also find this amusing as neither company actually seems to view the other as a primary competitor in the marketplace. The crux of the comparison comes partially down to the aspects of performance in which both binoculars equally satisfy the basic needs of most users and at a similar price point and partially to how wildly different the two are outside of satisfying those core needs. I believe these core needs are ranging reliably out to 1,000yds, and providing excellent ballistic solutions onboard. Both binos do these two thing remarkably well, and they not terribly far apart in price. Currently, the Sig's are being advertized for $2,499 at most web retailers with the Leicas at 2,899 (+$150 for AB elite). I should add here that I recommend buyers generally call retailers and ask if they can get a better price as often retailers are willing to sell below MAP.
Lets start with how each of these binos is actually quite similar when it comes to the performance of the basic things I think most shooter is looking for in them. This comes down to mid distance ~1,000yd ranging and ballistics. Under the hood, both of these binos are running the same software (we will assume for the purposes of this comparison all Leica users upgraded to AB Elite as all long range shooters already dropping that much coin really should). Not only are both binos running the same AB formulas, but the same app developer, the one AB uses, actually did the software on each. The skin looks different, but the numbers are the same and I'm really impressed with those numbers. The custom and personal ballistic models AB is putting out are really good models, much better than the G7 based models I have used in the past. Several times now I have been surprised to not need to true one of these AB elite models. It was correct right out the gate to the tenth mill all the way until the bullet reached transonic. I have not seen this before with ballistic models and therefore I see a huge appeal in going with LRF binos that have this baked in. Both of these do, and both are usable in this fashion, unteathered from the smartphone app.
Out to around 1,000 yards both rangefinders are also quite similar in ranging performance. They both have pretty tight, if slightly different beam divergence and in practice, they perform quite similarly at these distances. Both are having no trouble ranging near everything here and when they can't catch a plate because it is too small they have no issue ranging the ground at the base of post hanging it. There are probably a few situations where the ranging modes of the sig might be able to catch something that the Leica can't, but in practice, I haven't actually encountered any of those situations. Both basically ranged everything out to 1k yds.
Now, if both of these rangefinders, due to the afore mentioned factors, meet your basic needs, which should you choose? Both the Sig 10k's and the Leica Geovid pro's offer some unique areas of excellence.
Sig Kilo 10K vs. Leica Geovid Pro live smartphone ranging screens. I'll start with the areas in which the Sig 10k's uniquely excel. As you go out beyond 1,000 yards, the 10k's increasingly are able to range more targets than not only the Leica Geovids, but also any other rangefinder anywhere near their price. These things can range a person at more than 2,000 yards and will hit a tree line at 4,000. If your usage involves ranging targets, really, really, far away, you probably don't need me to tell you this though. You probably already have 10k's because they are currently pretty much standing alone as the only 905nm ranging product that is reliably ranging actual targets beyond a mile. They are an obvious ELR choice. Also of interest to the competitive shooter is the Sig 10k's unique pixel based display. Most rangefinders use a segmented display similar to older digital clocks. Sig is using a 304x256 pixel AMOLED display that allows lots of stuff to be able to be simultaneously displayed. The post range display includes the yardage, compass bearing, DA, inclination, drop, drift, terminal velocity, and terminal energy. It is all right there the moment you range. This display also gives you a robust menu system that is easy to navigate without three letter acornyms you will forget. This makes it easy to change ranging mode or to switch between the 30 ballistic profiles you can store onboard. Other plusses for the 10k are the BDX system, nice extras such as a wind meter that is included and can communicate directly with the binos, and a nice carrying harness. It's has the downside, that due to the constraints of the coatings required for the excellent display, things look blue through the 10k's. This is mostly cosmetic, but it is quite noticeable.
The biggest thing that the Leica Geovids excel at outside of meeting those basic rangefinding and ballistic needs is performance as binoculars. These things look, feel, and perform like high end bird watching binoculars. Their open frame and general shape is super comfortable. Their controls are butter smooth, and the image they deliver is excellent. If you want to use your rangefinding binoculars a good deal outside of rangefinding duty, these are the obvious choice. In this way they would be in the vein of the Swarovski EL ranges or Zeiss Victory RF's except that they are significantly cheaper, and, when you add AB Elite, they have better ballistic software. The Leica Geovid Pros are also currently in 32mm, though 42's are coming next year. You have, or will soon have, a lot of choices in both magnification and size. The 10k's only come in 10x42mm with no other options planned. Lastly, when compared to the Sig's, Leica currently gives you a lot more access to AB's functions when not connected to the binoculars. You can true the muzzle velocity and DSF using existing data and access range cards and target cards unconnected. So, you can easily spitball loads or compare ballistics on different calibers you might be looking into. You can also true muzzle velocity at distances below 300yds, I must for slower cartridges such as .22lr. Hopefully Sig will open this stuff up in the future. Software can change, and I've pushed for it, but right now, only Leica lets you easily muck about.
So, there you go, a quick comparison of the Sig 10k's with the Leica Geovid pros. I think both of these binos will meet most long range shooters most central needs and each sure offers some unique, different, and excellent characteristics beyond that.