8x30s, the Conquest and the ClassiC

[RobConnel]

Is there any difference in the optical quality between these two models?

[engineer]

Rob, I've been wondering about this, too. I hope that someone can answer it.

[Pinewood]

Does not the Classic have a wider field? That would certainly mean different oculars.

Arthur Pinewood

[John Russell]

Rob,

The Conquests are Zeiss' mid-price range and are, AFIK, made in Hungary.
The 8x30 Classic is an old but well-regarded design, which is focussed by moving the objectives. This saves 2 glass/air surfaces per side but cannot be waterproofed.
It is nearlytwice the price of the Conquest and has a FoV of 133m at 1000m (Conquest 120m).

Now that Zeiss have introduced the 8x32 Victory, I would expect the Classic to be phased out in the near future.

John

[engineer]

John, in your opinion, is the view of the Classic or the Conquest superior to the other?

[John Russell]

Engineer,

I have not had an opportunity to compare the two but, unless you can get a very good deal on the Classic, I don't see them as direct competitors.

The Conquest is, no doubt, very good value and is one of the lightest 8x30 bins on the market but some aspects of its performance are likely to be lacking, when compared to the 8x32 Victory or the Victory's competitors from Leica, Nikon (HG), or Swarovski.

Zeiss' service is second to none and I have a high regard for their products, some of which I own, but my prime birding binocular is a Swarovski 7x42 SLC because that is what suits me best.

Your best buy is what suits YOUR eyes, hands, neck and wallet.

Regards,

John

[engineer]

Thanks, John.

[RobConnel]

The 150th Anniversary ClassiC can be had for $600, just above the Conquest.

[John Russell]

That's good - RRP in Germany is €1039 against €549 for the Conquest.

[RobConnel]

The 8x30 conquest recently scored very highly in the Cornell review as far as image quality. (I wish I had found that site sooner, it is great.)

[Pileatus]

The 8x30 conquest recently scored very highly in the Cornell review as far as image quality. (I wish I had found that site sooner, it is great.)

I took a long look at this bin today and was very impressed with its image quality. Extremely sharp, easy to use, and exceptional value for its $550 price tag.

The Cornell site
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/winter2005/Age_Binos.html
seems to agree.

John

[xenophobe]

I've never viewed the Conquests, but I have a number of Classics. Overall, they're still equal to the Swarovski SLCs (based on my numerous 10x40B vs 10x42 viewing) and probably comparable to Trinovids.

The Classic used to be "top of the line" bins and are still very wonderful optics, which is why a few models are still being produced. The Conquest are designed as a mid priced alternative. Since Classics and Conquests are still being made, I'd assume that they're not supposed to be direct competition with each other. The latest update Classics are still probably optically superior to the Conquests, if not, why would theys till produce them?

For that matter, I'm looking at purchasing a pair of the 7x42 Classics, just to have a great lower power binocular that isn't going to cost me >$1000.