Leica 77 Owner's manual

Leica Sport Optics

Binoculars, rangefinders and spotting scopes for successful hunting

3See more / The hunting experience / Observe and preserve

6Hunting in the United Kingdom

13 The Duovid class 16 LEICA DUOVID 10 +15 x 50 / 17 LEICA DUOVID 8 + 12 x 42

18 The Duovid class : Key features at a glance

21 The Ultravid class 24 LEICA ULTRAVID BR 50 series / 25 LEICA ULTRAVID BR 42 series /

26 LEICA ULTRAVID BL 42 series / 27 LEICA ULTRAVID BR 32 series / 28 LEICA ULTRAVID BR 25 series /

29 LEICA ULTRAVID BL 25 series / 30 LEICA ULTRAVID BR 20 series / 31 LEICA ULTRAVID BL 20 series

32 The Ultravid class : Key features at a glance

37 The Trinovid class 40 LEICA TRINOVID BN 42 series / 41 LEICA TRINOVID BN 32 series /

42 LEICA TRINOVID BCA 25 series and LEICA TRINOVID BCA 20 series

43 The Trinovid class : Key features at a glance

47 The Televid class 50 LEICA TELEVID 77 series / 51 LEICA APO-TELEVID 77 series /

52 LEICA TELEVID 62 series / 53 LEICA APO-TELEVID 62 series

54 The Televid class : Key features at a glance

56 Leica Digiscoping

59 The Geovid class 62 LEICA GEOVID BRF 56 series / 63 LEICA GEOVID BRF 42 series

64 The Geovid class : Key features at a glance

67 The Rangemaster class 70 LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 1200 /

71 LEICA RANGEMASTER 1200 scan

72 The rangemaster class : Key features at a glance

75 Technical Data

87 Very useful binocular equipment

91 Glossary

Grey wolf / Canis lupus

2 / 3

See more It is our eyes that guide us through the world. They

shape our perception of our surroundings and all we encounter.

Especially while hunting, it becomes clear that our natural sight is

insufficient to meet our demands. Leica has dedicated itself to giving

the discerning hunter the highest quality in optical instruments.

Where distances are too great or light conditions are poor, the large

selection of innovative sport optics, open new dimensions of human

sight. They open new dimensions of optical performance and go

beyond natural limitations, while at the same time ensuring un-

mistakable Leica quality. Our engineers and developers thrive on the

challenge put forth by people with the highest standards and expect-

ations in optical performance. As multi-faceted as their applications,

so too are the methods used to create sport optics products that

display images rich in contrast and with outstanding color rendition.

Glass containing fluorite or those with corrected spectral dispersion,

aspherical and achromatic lenses, as well as modern multi-layer

coatings like HDC™ and HighLux-System HLS™ allow for unforget-

table viewing experiences. Through our high standards, knowledge,

and dedication we create optical masterpieces, which become the

benchmark of their class.

Red lynx / Lynx rufus

The hunting experience Conservation, preservation, and

wildlife management are important principles of hunting. However,

for you the hunter, hunting means so much more. It means respect

for wildlife and nature, as well as a true passion. Besides experience,

knowledge and a bit of luck, a hunter needs high quality optics to pro-

perly pursue game during low-light conditions. Our quest is to bring

enthusiasts closer to nature, and coupled with our Leica expertise,

make our optical instruments the ideal field companions. Even under

the most grueling conditions, such as extreme temperature changes

and constant physical abuse, our products exceed expectations. The

reason for this being that Leica binoculars, spotting scopes, and laser

rangefinders are the result of many years of experience, uncomprom-

ising quality standards and a continuing dedication to excellence.

Leica’s product development is driven by international “Innovation

Teams” comprised of experts and users. This approach has resulted in

numerous patents, e. g. the multifunction center drive of our full-size

binoculars, the dual-focusing device of our spotting scopes and our

unique laser rangefinding technology.

Observe and preserve We see it as our duty to protect the

environment. Therefore, Leica only uses environmentally friendly

materials and technology. As such, all glass is lead- and arsenic-free,

and has been so for years. Leica is also active worldwide in protecting

endangered species and conserving crucial habitat.

Mouflon / Ovis ammon musimon

Hunting in the United Kingdom Every country has its own

hunting laws and to the visitor the UK might appear restrictive and

traditional, in fact nothing could be further from the truth ! First and

perhaps most importantly is the fact that you don’t need a hunting

permit, as you might in America.

This might take the form of land you

have permission from the owner to use,

or that has been set aside for commer-

cial deer hunting (an estate), where you

pay the owner an amount per animal

or per day. Smaller but similar might

be a stalker who owns their own land

and hires it out to shooters. Quite

often trophy and guide fees are added

on top of that. And though the majority

of stalkers own their own rifles, you

don’t need one, as if you decide to go

to an estate you can hire a gun and

ammunition from them.

Species wise we have Red, Sika,

Fallow, Roe, Muntjac and Chinese

Water Deer, with only the Red and Roe

being true native animals. The rest have

been imported over the years, some

as ornamental animals for deer parks,

others for hunting. A good example

might be the Fallow, which is said to

have been brought over after the

Norman conquest of 1066. We also

have one hybrid animal the Red/Sika

cross, depending on your location and

view point these are seen by many as

vermin that’s weakening the traditional

Red deer strain due to inter breeding.

Hence in England and Wales there’s

no closed season on this species.

The Red stag is perceived as the most

sought after trophy animal in the UK and

people will pay a lot of money to go up

to Scottish highlands for the pleasure

of a stalk up on the hills and heather.

Stalking can be hard up there with

potentially long shots and a good deal

of crawling and climbing to get into

position due to the lack of cover.

However and despite their apparent

reputation, the Scottish Red is not as

big as you might imagine ; certainly in

comparison to southern Reds who have

better grazing on arable crops. Whereas

their fodder is of a much lower quality.

Down in Anglia a good Red Hind that’s

been feeding on root crops will often

match the weight of a supposedly big

Scottish stag.

Fallow, which is a medium sized

animal tend to be gregarious and also

migratory. Herds of between 20-40 are

reasonably common. Striking too are

the melonistic strain, which can be in

some cases pure black, which makes

for a very impressive animal and trophy.

Roe tend to move in smaller groups

with a buck and a few does, at some

times, or does and their young at others.

Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer are

more singular by nature and are encoun-

tered more in thick woodland than in

the open. Whatever, it’s not about size

and antler, as all species will give you

a decent and challenging hunt.

There is wild boar in the UK and they

are hunted, though they are not that

widespread, but they are breeding and

expanding at a rate. And in the not so

distant future they will probably become

a quarry species like deer.

Hunting in the UK is done a lot from

high seats, which is a highly practical

method. Firing downwards gives you a

safe backstop, so the seats can be sited

in areas where a horizontal shot might

not be safe. Plus and usually on estates

they can be positioned overlooking

where the deer will appear to feed, so

very much guaranteeing the client the

possibility of an animal. But there is also

a lot of foot stalking if you prefer the

thrill of the chase. But both methods

have there plus and minus points.

However, shooting deer from a vehicle

is not allowed, nor is taking them at

night with a lamp. Though it is possible

to apply for a night shooting licence,

but not for sporting purposes, only if

you need to cull for reasons of over-

population of excessive crop damage.

But for the sports shooter deer hunting

is dawn to dusk only. Also no shot may

be taken within 100-yards of a road,

for safety reasons.

Terrain-wise the UK has a lot to offer

with woods, moorland, forests, hills and

even mountains. Shots can be close up

or long range, with the more experienced

seeing 300-400-yards as an acceptable

distance. Like the Europeans and

Americans we hunt in all weathers

and seasons ; so be prepared …

Legal requirements are simple as to

the rifle and ammunition, it has to be

a Centrefire calibre and a minimum of

6 mm and able to produce a minimum

muzzle energy of 1700 ft/lbs. And the

bullet must be of the expanding type –

soft point, hollow point or ballistic tip.

For most entry-level stalkers the top

choice is either 243 or 308 Winchester.

Also popular though perhaps less

prolific are 6.5 x 55 mm Swedish, 30-06

Springfield and to a lesser degree 270

Winchester. Any and all of these are

more than capable of taking a big Red

stag ; given correct bullet placement and

choice. You also see a few 25-06s and

even 7 x 57 mm Mauser etc and the

308-based calibres like 260 Remington

or 7 mm-08 Remington are becoming

more popular.

Currently there is one exception to

the 6 mm/1700 ft/lb law and that’s

in Scotland where you are allowed to

take smaller species like Roe with a 22

Centrefire. Here calibres like 222, 223

and 22-250 Remington and to a lesser

degree 220 Swift are favoured. Current-

ly this is not allowed in England or Wales

who still operate the 6 mm minimum.

However, this might change in the near

future with Roe, Muntjac and Chinese

Water Deer allowed to be taken with a

22 Centrefire.

For example in the USA you would buy a deer tag, which allowed you

to hunt one animal only. Technically the amount of animals you can

shoot here is limitless ; though and as ever good sense, opportunity

and moderation prevail. And all you need is a place to shoot and per-

mission to do so.

6 / 7

There are no limitations on sighting

systems, though the telescopic sight is

universally favoured and it’s rare to see

a hunter using iron sights ; unlike in

Europe. For deer hunting in the UK the

most popular rifle is a bolt-action

repeater, with very few shooters opting

for lever-actions, double/single barrels

or even combinations. Pump-actions

and semi-automatics are banned from

ownership and have been since 1988.

Though they are still legal to own in 22

Rimfire format in all of the above

actions.

Hunting or Target Shooting ? The law

insists upon a firearms licence for the

private citizen to be able to own guns

and sees target shooters and hunters as

two separate entities. With the latter

having to nominate land to shoot over or

show that they have access to land, in

the case of buying a day’s stalking on

an estate. So owning a rifle to shoot on

the range does not necessarily allow you

to take it hunting …

However, as a private individual ; once

permission to hunt has been granted

there’s no legal requirement to show

how many animals you have shot. Like-

wise on training courses, which are not

mandatory. But our own British Deer

Society (BDS) runs levels of training for

novice and more experienced stalkers,

as does The British Association for

Shooting & Conservation (BASC). They

teach things like deer recognition,

rifle/calibre choice, shot placement,

marksmanship, gutting, skinning and

meat preparation techniques. This is not

mandatory, but good training as always

turns out a better shooter not matter

what their discipline. Since 2006 and if

you run a commercial shoot, such as an

estate and sell the wild/game meat into

the food chain, then it must conform to

European guidelines, as to how it’s be

prepared and offered to a game dealer.

And it also has to be checked by a vet

for diseases and infection. Currently the

private stalker is under no such obliga-

tion, as their meat is for private con-

sumption only. However and again good

sense should prevail and attending a

BDS or BASC course will show you what

to do and more importantly what to look

out for.

Deer species are reasonably evenly

spread around the UK, though places

like Scotland are considered the home

of the Red Deer, which is in fact far from

the truth as they are quite widespread.

Perhaps the most specialised is the

Chinese Water Deer, which sticks to

wetland areas as the name suggest. We

naturally have open (hunting) and closed

(no hunting) seasons, as to gender and

species type, these differ as to the

country with England and Wales being

the same, though Scotland is different.

It’s interesting to note that the Red/Sika

hybrids are treated like vermin species

in England/Wales (no closed season)

though not in Scotland, yet the Muntjac

and Chinese Water Deer can be shot at

any time of the year wherever they are

found in the UK. Deer in the UK are shot

for a number of reasons and levels,

which includes trophies and meat,

which is becoming more popular in

restaurants, super markets, as well as

specialised butchers. But also to keep

numbers down, as we do have a massive

population of wild animals, which do a

lot of damage to crops and forestry.

Shooters tend to fall into three main

groups, at the bottom we have those

who just want to experience shooting

a deer once or twice a year and maybe

get a bit of meat. Next are the more

traditional stalkers who shoot mainly for

trophies and tend to approach it in a

more stylised manner, which includes

equipment choice. Then there are the

professional shooters who see it as a

living, or as a job that needs doing.

They tend to approach it a bit more

technically with semi or full custom

rifle with bipods, range finders and even

camouflage clothing. They’re job is to

keep numbers down and sell the meat

to game dealers. And it’s this need for

well made, tough and accurate rifles

that has given rise to the spread of the

more technically advanced gunsmiths.

Hunters and shooters them-selves, they

know what the customer wants and are

capable of giving it to them. Deer hunting

is most definitely on the increase across

the whole of the UK and from a European

hunter’s view point the country offers

some fine and challenging sport !

Peter Moore, Editor Shooting Sports,

United Kingdom

Closed saisons

Species Sex England/Wales Scotland

Red M May 1 – July 1 Oct 21 – June 30

Red F March 1 – Oct 31 Feb 16 – Oct 20

Fallow M May 1 – July 31 May 1 – July 31

Fallow F March 1 – Oct 31 Feb 16 – Oct 20

Sika M May 1 – July 31 Oct 21 – June 30

Sika F March 1 – Oct 31 Feb 16 – Oct 20

Roe M Nov 1 – March 31 Oct 21 – March 31

Roe F March 1 – Oct 31 April 1 – Oct 20

Red/Sika

Hybrids M no closed season Oct 21 – June 30

Red/Sika

Hybrids F no closed season Feb 16 – Oct 20

Muntjac M/F no closed season England, Wales and Scotland

Chinese Water

Deer M/F no closed season England, Wales and Scotland

A friend of mine owns a large estate near

Strafford Upon Avon and has a big Fallow

heard, which is maintained purely for

hunting. And many Europeans come over

for the pleaser of stalking one of these

black beasts. He also runs pheasants, so

as you can imagine the deer feed well on

the corn he puts out for the birds, as they

knock over the feeders for that purpose.

All shooting is done not from high seats,

but from raised boxes, which and as I was

to discover is a rather fine way of hunting,

if a bit lazy. I would call it rich man’s

stalking …

I was up there in the rut and the first

time I saw one of the big melanistic bucks

was from a 20 foot high shooting tower.

That almost primordial, grunting noise

they make as they call the does in and

issue challenges to other males is a little

chilling and makes you feel a bit unsettled

and very close to nature. One really nice

male walked right past the tower and I had

a very good view of him. However, he had

already been ear marked for a Swedish

client, so I was just observing.

The shooting boxes are set up all over

the land, which is heavily wooded and I

was in another with the keeper waiting to

thin out the standard Fallow population a

little. Typically the deer get used to the

boxes and will approach very near. We

spotted a small family group – a young

buck, a doe and two fawns, who walked

right up to the box. The male was in

absolutely beautiful condition and his

coat was as rich and glossy as that of a

mole. He was so close that I could have

put my hand out to touch him. I have had

moments like this before when you can

just get really close to wild deer and they

are not frightened. And without doubt this

one will remain with me for ever…

But it was the does that we were after

that day and in another shooting box we

sat at the end of a ride in a wood. The

box is roofed so no problems about the

rain and has three rifle ports. We saw a

lot of deer that afternoon, mainly bucks

and as the light was drawing in I spotted

a doe coming up through the foliage.

She was with other who had fawns but

we couldn’t see if she had one in tow,

as it was they were weaned, but and by

the same token we did not want to take

the chance. Unlike most of my shooting

this was close range and I tracked her

through the scope with the keeper telling

me to stand by to fire if he said so. As

he was checking to see if she had a

young one.

The group came on and the keeper

was still not sure, soon the opportunity

for the shot would disappear. Despite the

number of deer I’ve shot I still get tense

in moments like these, as it’s very much

a yes/no/wait situation. Finally the

keeper said that she was alone and I

could proceed ; checking the sights I

flipped off the safety and bang, down she

went. This all happened in slow motion

and as I operated the bolt to reload,

I recall seeing the empty case eject and

hit the shooting port and started spinning

and come to rest in perfect balance on

the edge of the woodwork. Like seeing

the melanistic Fallow up close, hunting to

me is defined by moments like this, which

is why it’s so special …

Peter Moore, Editor Shooting Sports,

United Kingdom

8 / 9

Black Deer Quite the most striking looking deer in the UK is the

melanistic Fallow, which due to their genetics produces an animal

that in extreme case is pure black. Physically they look no different

to the traditional spotted variety in size, sex, shape or antler, but their

colouration is amazing. And I have had the pleasure of seeing these

animals up close.

A particular group of six had been

feasting on the sugar beat on one of

the farms I do deer control on and the

farmer was after results from me. Shots

on this land are necessarily long by

nature as the fields are big and the only

cover is in the wooded headlands that

border them. So it’s more ambush

shooting, as stalking up to a group of

alert Fallow looking in all directions on

flat open land is never easy ! So I tend to

use larger and flatter-shooting calibres

with my favourite being 270WSM.

The week before I had taken two out

of the group and was up very early the

next Sunday to carry on the work. With

a near two mile walk from the farmyard

to the fields I skirted the woods staying

in cover as much as possible. Just as the

sun was coming up I glassed across the

field and saw that parcel of four bucks

was moving towards me. It was just then

that my body decided it had to answer

an important call of nature and one that

would not be delayed.

With a final rueful look at the ap-

proaching animals I ducked into the

woods and attended to my needs. Rifle

down, pack and coat off and all the time

the deer were getting nearer. When I

had finished I looked up to see them

about 200-ayrds away in the same field.

Luckily I was in cover so bent down

to put my coat on and ready my rifle.

Looking up again and they had gone, it

was almost as if the earth had swallowed

them up. That’s how it happens

sometimes …

Not angry but disappointed I waited

on the off chance, but after about 30

minutes realised that it was all over for

the morning and started walking back

around the field to the farm. The field

dips down to a deep ditch then up again

into another hill field of sugar beat. To

my surprise another big Fallow buck

appeared at the top left of the far field,

instinctively I threw myself down and as

luck would have it he didn’t see me.

If I wanted him I was going to have to

work for it, as he was in a ‘no shoot’

position being in front of a road. Once

and if he moved to his left about 50-

yards he would be on the hill, which was

a safe back stop. The only answer was to

crawl from where I was to make the

ditch. Slithering down the slope I made

the cover only to finds it was a bit high.

I didn’t want to be seen so setting up my

shooting sticks for a sitting shot was out

of the question. I deployed my bipod and

waited, hoping he would move far

enough left where I could point my rifle

through the cover to get the shot.

Waiting I heard the mosquitoes buzzing

around and they started to bite me,

but I kept still. He started left as I had

hoped and eventually walked into the

area where I could see to shoot and

that was that …

A funny day, I missed out on my

main target due to unforeseen and

uncontrollable circumstances, but by

sheer luck managed to get another

deer in the bag by a bit of hard work

and patience. That’s hunting.

Peter Moore, Editor Shooting Sports,

United Kingdom

Black-chested buzzard eagle / Geranoaetus melanoleucus

The Call of Nature Unlike Roe, which tend to move in very

small groups or singly, Fallow are far more gregarious and I have

seen them in herds of up to 40 animals. Like the Roe I have shot a

lot of them, and the big bucks with their large antlers do make some

nice trophies. Quite often the dominant male will drive the younger

mature bucks out of the herd and they tend to join up to make

bachelor groups.

12 / 13

The Duovid class : Two binoculars in one

The LEICA DUOVID 8 +12 x 42 and 10 +15 x 50 are the only premium

performance binoculars with two magnifications. No matter what

the situation, whether it is over long distances or during critical low-

light conditions, the Leica Duovid adapts to it perfectly. The lower

magnification (8 x with the 42 Duovid or 10 x with the 50) allows for

shake-free viewing and a large field of view. By switching to the higher

magnification (12 x or 15 x respectively) one achieves greater detail

recognition. In contrast to monocular add-on power boosters, a

binocular booster is already integrated in the Duovid – lightweight,

easy to operate and with a large field of view. Both models are

well balanced and feature an outstanding ergonomic design, thereby

allowing for virtually shake-free viewing, even at high magnification.

Other technical innovations, such as the Leica HighLux-System HLS™

and the Automatic Diopter Compensation ADC™ when switching

between powers, make the Duovid a unique and versatile instrument.

Red fox / Vulpes lupus

LEICA DUOVID 10 +15 x 50

LEICA DUOVID 8 +12 x 42

The most flexible hunting binocular : The Duovid’s 12 x and 15 x magnifications are ideally

suited for viewing game over great distances, as well as rendering a detail rich image. On the

other hand, the 8 x and 10 x magnifications allow for a large field of view when glassing an

area for game.

“My Duovid is indispensable when hunting wild boar. It is fantastic how effortless

it makes nighttime viewing.”

(Peter Grieder, hunter and freelance journalist, Switzerland)

LEICA DUOVID 10 +15 x 50 – the binocular-spotting scopes With its

15 x magnification, the Duovid with 50 mm objective lens bridges the gap between binocular

and spotting scope.

LEICA DUOVID 10 +15 x 50

This Duovid is a high performance binocular that,

with a flick of the wrist, becomes a binocular-

spotting scope. The 10 x magnification allows

for shake-free viewing and a larger field of view.

By switching to 15 x one achieves a level of detail

recognition previously found only in spotting

scopes. Due to its excellent image quality, the

50mm Duovid is ideally suited for low-light

hunting. To allow for longer, fatigue free viewing,

a tripod is included with the binocular.

The ergonomic design and the soft-

touch rubber armoring allow for a secure

and shake-free handling of the binocular,

even while wearing gloves.

16 / 17

LEICA DUOVID 8 +12 x 42 – the most flexible 42 mm binoculars

Unique 12 x magnification in a 42 mm glass, which allows for great detail recognition.

LEICA DUOVID 8 +12 x 42

The compact 42 Duovid offers 8 x magnifica-

tion for a large field of view, as well as 12 x

magnification for greater detail recognition. As

with the 50 mm model, this Duovid features

the sliding eyecups with two click stops, which

ensure the ideal eye relief for every user.

To switch between magnifications, one

must adjust the ring on each tube according-

ly. Due to the Automatic Diopter Compensa-

tion ADC™ your previously set diopter will

automatically adjust itself to the new magnifi-

cation.

“The Duovid is the most versatile hunting binocular. No matter what the situation or the

quarry, the Duovid delivers the perfect optical solution."

(Matthias Suuck, Sales Manager Leica Sport Optics)

Due to its extreme twilight performance, the Duovid achieves great detail recognition

at 12 x and 15 x magnification, even under poor light conditions. However, with continued

deteriorating light conditions, one should switch to 8 x or 10 x magnification, since the

binoculars render brighter images at lower power settings.

The Duovid class : Two binoculars in one

Key features at a glance

Two magnifications

The flexible binocular class with both – high magnification and a large field of view –

in one product. High magnification for long distances and minute details. Low magni-

fication for image stabilization and a large field of view.

Extreme brilliance

Extremely high resolution and a color-fringe-free image due to the Leica HighLux-System

HLS™, an innovative multi-layer lens coating with Leica HDC™ and a four-lens objective

with an achromat.

Easy to use

Automatic Diopter Compensation ADC™ : when switching between magnifications the

diopter automatically adjusts. Multifunction center drive : comfortable, smooth focusing

and easy diopter setting.

Robust

Strong aluminum die-cast housing and soft-touch rubber armoring protect the binocular

from damage, while at the same time ensuring secure handling of the product, even

when wearing gloves. Functions perfectly under all environmental conditions from

- 25 °C to + 55 °C (-13 °F to +131 °F), waterproof to 5 m (16.4 ft), nitrogen-filled.

Mountain goat / Oreamnos americanus

LEICA DUOVID 8 +12 x 42 – the most flexible 42 mm binoculars.

In black rubber armoring : Order No. 40 400

LEICA DUOVID 10 +15 x 50 – the binocular-spotting scopes.

In black rubber armoring : Order No. 40 420

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Leica 77 Owner's manual

Leica 77 Owner's manual

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