Four months cruising on das autobahn shows the 8x30B T* 17.46 oz CL priced @ 670 w/demo pushing 575 simoleons. After running @ 4 1/2 for months these dipped to a black Friday low of 4 bills.
Meanwhile, back at the Batcave, the 8/10x40 T* ABK 29 oz is holding steady @ 700 clams. That price is within 50 bucks since before X-mas.
The 8x30B T* is portly compared to the slender Blue sky 8x32, yet many prefer the additional rubber girth mimicking a fuller sized bin. Being one that is bothered by excessive PC I can say that the Little/not so little Conquest is very well behaved in horizontal pan, as was the Blue sky, and more importantly the vertical scan, which the SIIBL failed to replicate to me.
Also, you have resale value which I allot a C-note to one slightly used & 2 1/2-3 for the other.
I would disagree w/Bob that the 8x42HD replaces the 8x30. If anything the 8/10x42HD replaces the 8/10x40 ABK.
Just look at the prices on the Conquest 8/10x50 ABK & 8/10X56 ABK. Zeiss had to remove the ABK prisms out of the entry level 40's. Hence the 8/10x42HD and that also helps preserve the lofty status/price in the remaining line of ABK prisms that aren't Victory.
I find the 8x30 Conquest easy on the eyes, easy to hold, fairly light & well worth the price I paid. Likewise I consider the discontinued 10x40 ABK a value in comparison to the remaining Conquest line HD inclusive.
2012 Price List:
Conquest HD Models
With Carl Zeiss T* multi-coating. Includes rubber rain guard, neoprene carrying strap and cordura bag with belt loop.
MSRP
Conquest HD
Black
52 42 11 new 8x42 T* $ 1,055.54
52 42 12 new 10x42 T* $ 1,111.10
Conquest Models
With Carl Zeiss T* multi-coating. Includes rubber rain guard, neoprene carrying strap and cordura bag with belt loop.
MSRP
Conquest
Black
52 32 08 8x30 T* $ 744.43
52 32 10 10x30 T* $ 777.77
52 45 12 12x45 T* $ 1,222.21
52 45 15 15x45 T* $ 1,277.77
52 50 08 8x50 T* $ 1,555.54
52 50 10 10x50 T* $ 1,611.10
52 50 12 8x56 T* $ 1,666.66
52 50 14 10x56 T* $ 1,722.21
Conquest Compact Models
With Carl Zeiss T* multi-coating. Includes carrying strap and leather pouch.
MSRP
Conquest Compact
Black
52 20 73 8x20 T* $ 533.32
52 20 74 10x25 T* $ 588.88