Best view for the money, without question
Written: Dec 22 '02 (Updated Feb 07 '03)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Value for money. Lightest weight 8X40 available. Ergonomics. A new strap attachment fitting. THE VIEW!
Cons: None...full stop.
The Bottom Line: The best-bang-for-the-hard-earned-buck in high-performance, bincos. Be sure the model you buy is has the newly designed strap attachment fitting (not the old snap on/snap off type)
|
|
|
| steveczu's Full Review: Zeiss Victory 524030 Binocular |
This is an update to my original review below.
After using my Victory 8X40's I did notice that that the positioning of the strap attachment fittings was a bit annoying as WADESAM had described in his review. So, I sent an email to Zeiss and told them my opinion. Well, as it turns out, because of customer comments like mine, Zeiss has redesigned the strap attachment fitting so it is much like the fitting on their Classic binoc series.
And, to demonstrate that Zeiss is a company that gives its customers a fair shake, they offered to modify mine to the new design at no charge. I spent about US$20 to send the binocs to their factory in Germany and a few weeks later the binocs arrive back at my place (they paid for the return shipping) and now, the binocs are absolutely perfect. I'm simply amazed every time I look through them. The image is a real pleasure and very very easy on the eyes. The Victory 8X40's are an engineering masterpiece!
ORIGINAL REVIEW
I bought the Zeiss Victory 8X40 binoc from Al Sayad Hunting Supply Company in Dubai for an outstanding price of US$725. At nearly 50% less than the Swarovski 8.5X42's that I was also considering, the Zeiss Victory is the clear winner in the value-for-money category.
When I first picked up the glasses, my first reaction was "wow, these are lightweight!". My wife, a diminutive 5' tall Filipina had exactly the same reaction.
Optically, this binoc is perfect. The image is bright, clear, easy-on-the-eyes and 100% compatible with long hours of viewing. Seriously, I challenge anyone in a blind test to tell these binocs from any other ones including the dreadfully high priced Swarovs, overweight Nikons or bulky Leicas.
The physical construction of the Victory 8X40's is unique as well. The shape of the glasses encourage the user to rest the binoc weight on the "crook of the thumbs" instead of supporting the weight by "squeezing the tubes" (which for me causes fatigue in my hand and wrist ligaments). I find the ergonomics to be truly outstanding.
The focus adjust is perfect and MUCH smoother than the Zeiss Classic Dialyts or Leica Trinovids or Nikon Venturers. The diopter adjustment is easy-to-use and precise and there is a clear scale that allows two or more users to share the binocs.
One other item of note is the rubber armoring which I find to be an absolute delight. There are no "ribs" like you'll find on Leicas or Zeiss Classics and this is, at least for me, an improvement.
Finally, Zeiss has acknowledged a "problem" with the strap attachment points of the Victory 8X40 and 10X40 and have changed the design of the binoc housing as a result. They've even offered to retrofit my binocs to the new attachment point configuration at NO CHARGE. Clearly, Zeiss is a company that listens to its customers!
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
steveczu
|
|
Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.