8x56 BGAT

[imagedude]

Are these bins suitable for birding? I'm surprised that there is no mention of them on the forum.

[trealawboy]

Are these bins suitable for birding? I'm surprised that there is no mention of them on the forum.

Too big for me

[Wehr]

Are these bins suitable for birding? I'm surprised that there is no mention of them on the forum.

These continously improved bins have been the only classic standard for hunters, foresters and rangers in the last fifty years. They are robust, but not waterproof, and very suitable for birding. Compared with modern designs (Victory) they are a bit bulky and usually to expensive.

[Bryant]

I've owned and used a pair of the 8x56 BGAT Zeiss binos since 1997, and they have never disappointed for either daytime terrestrial purposes or for night sky viewing. They do exhibit some slight flaring on Venus and Jupiter due to their respective brightness, but it is minor. Optical, mechanical, and build quality of the 8x56 is excellent, though heavy for some. One of my all-time favorite binoculars.

Bryant

[leicaeddy]

Four years ago, I had an opportunity to try several Zeiss glasses in one shot, including 8x56BGAT and 8x56Zeiss Victory. IMHO, the sample (BGAT) I tried was optically inferior to its younger sibling. First off, the FOV was narrower. Secondly, I could see a greenish snake creeping on the tree at first glance. Oh, on closer look it turned out to be color fringe. Ergonomically it couldn't be beaten. Maybe the one I tried was lemon. Anyway, try b4 u buy.

[raymondjohn]

I tried and old pair just a couple of days ago. Very solid and well built but not as crisp or bright as modern lenses but great for building up the biceps.

It must have been interesting following a small active group of birds through shrubland
with these binos. Having said that they would have been good in their time for waders and seabirds.

best wishes

raymondjohn

[jcbouget]

These continously improved bins have been the only classic standard for hunters, foresters and rangers in the last fifty years. They are robust, but not waterproof, and very suitable for birding. Compared with modern designs (Victory) they are a bit bulky and usually to expensive.
Walter,

What do you mean by “continously improved bins” ? Do they have now the same coatings than the new victory FLs for example, or the same than the big Victory ?

I remember looking through the 8x56 BGAT a long time ago, before the emergence of phase coating. They had two main drawbacks : an awful feeling in my hands, causing very shaky views, and a ridiculously small sweet spot, well below the size of best sharpness in the 10x40 Classic. I also experienced blackout problems, probably because of a too long eye relief.
On the other hand, I was very impressed by the brightness in terrestrial viewing at night, and sometimes I would like to know again this experience with an excellent 8x56.

Jean-Charles

[Wehr]

Walter,

What do you mean by “continously improved bins” ? Do they have now the same coatings than the new victory FLs for example, or the same than the big Victory ?

I remember looking through the 8x56 BGAT a long time ago, before the emergence of phase coating. They had two main drawbacks : an awful feeling in my hands, causing very shaky views, and a ridiculously small sweet spot, well below the size of best sharpness in the 10x40 Classic. I also experienced blackout problems, probably because of a too long eye relief.
On the other hand, I was very impressed by the brightness in terrestrial viewing at night, and sometimes I would like to know again this experience with an excellent 8x56.

Jean-Charles


Jean-Charles,

if they are marked with T*P*, they have all modern coatings. There are samples in the market with B/GA, B/GAT* and B/GAT*P*. I own the Dialyt 7x42B/GAT*P*, produced in 1999, and they are excellent. The T* and the P* coating is not always the same. It describes a procedure of coating, which is every time adapted to the respective glass, which is used in the binocs.

Walter

[jcbouget]

Walter,

Thank you for the clarification.
I have checked the prices for the 8x56 binoculars, and actually the Victory is less expensive than the Classic BGAT. Very strange.

Jean-Charles