Repair Costs? Carl Zeiss 8 x 30B Dialyt

[Eduardo]

The internal focus mechanism on my Carl Zeiss Dialyts 8 x 30B has broken on one side. They did not like a trip to the Netherlands in February and seized up and broke. (The right side is good) I would prefer to repair them rather than trying my luck with another model. I bought them second-hand 10 years ago and have never been happier; the optical quality is still very high and they have survived many hours of hard birding in tropical conditions. These old model roof-prism Zeiss were precision made and better than some of the newer Zeiss.

Question: Assuming I don't have a warranty how much does it cost to fix these things nowadays? I am very attached to them. The only binoculars I have had access to that compared favourably cost at least US$1500. If I want to buy new I would have to buy sight unseen. If I could fix them for about $200 I would contemplate it.

[RobConnel]

You can buy a 8x30 ClassiC (same as the Dialyt) for $700 from binoculars.com and the 150th anniversary version goes for $100 less.

[Buster]

Zeiss' warranty is 100% transferable. I'd send the binos to them and see what they say.....

[Bill Atwood]

Zeiss' warranty on current producest is transferable, I doubt that it is on the Dialyts that are several years old.

The only way I know to determine the cost is to contact the appropriate Zeiss folks and ask them.

[norman]

I bought a pair of 10+40 dialyt in 1969,the cement was coming away from the lenses so I took them to the birdfair last year and zeiss replaced the left object lens and the right ocular lens free of charge.I believe the original leather covered dialyt had a lifetime warranty.

[Eduardo]

Thanks for comments. My pair is leather covered too. I have sent an e-mail to Zeiss Customer Service in USA to enquire. If I get a favorable response I will send them up, as a family member is going to the USA next month. I also have to factor in Shipping costs and 'down time' at my end. I didn't know that the ClassiC was available for $699, but I am still a bit sceptical that it would be as good as my old pair without trying them. I will let you know how it pans out.

[RobConnel]

(sorry, double post)

[RobConnel]

Thanks for comments. My pair is leather covered too. I have sent an e-mail to Zeiss Customer Service in USA to enquire. If I get a favorable response I will send them up, as a family member is going to the USA next month. I also have to factor in Shipping costs and 'down time' at my end. I didn't know that the ClassiC was available for $699, but I am still a bit sceptical that it would be as good as my old pair without trying them. I will let you know how it pans out.

They are the identical binoculars from all reports, but with rubber armor versus leather.