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Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Zeiss victory pocket model 8x25B*T vs. current 8x25 model (3 Viewers)

W

Winchester44

Well-known member
United States
Hello all. Is there anyone who has experience with the current 8 x 25 victory versus the prior version which I believe is called the 8 x 25 B*T ?

I’ve read some raving reviews about the current model, but curious how the prior version compares. Is the new version just a slightly wider field of view and new coatings?

Also, I owned a prior generation zeiss pocket model and did find the dual hinge pretty annoying. The asymmetric single hinge does seem to be a work of genius. However, would be curious with anyone who has had both types would agree.
 
I didn't have the old Zeiss, but I have compact binoculars with both single and double hinges, and find the bulk of the Victory Pocket 8x25 single hinge a bad design.
 
The previous Zeiss pocket models were 8x20 and 10x25, while the current 8x and 10x versions have both a 25 mm objective lens. In terms of image quality, I can say that the modern version is not just better, but much, much better. I had the previous 10x25 and was not particularly impressed, but now I have the new 8x25 and I have compared it extensively with the Leica Noctivid 8x42 and the Swaro NL Pure 8x42. I was shocked by how close the image seen through the Zeiss Victory 8x25 is to the image offered by the Leica and Swaro.
 
The current Victory 8x25 combines extremely sharp optics, unusually sharp optics in fact, with a bad design. The result is bulky, the case is huge, and several people here have said they lost the diopter knob and had to send the instrument in for repair.

Unless you really need exceptionally good x25 optics, I would recommend Leica or Swaro miniature instruments, or just move a step up to an x32 of which there are many.

Edmund
 
eronald said:
The current Victory 8x25 combines extremely sharp optics, unusually sharp optics in fact, with a bad design. The result is bulky, the case is huge, and several people here have said they lost the diopter knob and had to send the instrument in for repair.
Click to expand...
But you did see this post? Diopter wheel fell off from my Zeiss Victory Pocket
eronald said:
Unless you really need exceptionally good x25 optics, I would recommend Leica or Swaro miniature instruments, or just move a step up to an x32 of which there are many.
Click to expand...
Before buying a Leica 10x25, I'd always try to find one of the Nikon 10x25 HG-L left. Don't know the Swaro.

Hermann
 
I love the VP 8x25. Its very sharp. Good ergonomics, very light wait and much better FOV/AFOV than Swarovski 8x25 and Leica Ultravid 8x20 and CL Curio 7x21 (only AFOV).
 
Another VP 8x25 fan here. As well as the excellent optics, I also prefer the single hinge design (unlike some others here) because it is more stable and puts the focus wheel in a better place. However, the diopter knob is poor as it is easy to move accidentally so it needs to be checked regularly.
 
I also appreciate the single hinge design of the Victory 8x25, I compared it for an hour with the CL 8X25 and it was not difficult at all to decide to keep the Victory. Of course, from an ergonomic point of view it is a very personal matter, it seems that the single hinge design is not for everyone.
 
binomaniac said:
The previous Zeiss pocket models were 8x20 and 10x25, while the current 8x and 10x versions have both a 25 mm objective lens. In terms of image quality, I can say that the modern version is not just better, but much, much better. I had the previous 10x25 and was not particularly impressed, but now I have the new 8x25 and I have compared it extensively with the Leica Noctivid 8x42 and the Swaro NL Pure 8x42. I was shocked by how close the image seen through the Zeiss Victory 8x25 is to the image offered by the Leica and Swaro.
Click to expand...
Perfect, that is what I needed to know.
 
I think the VP8x25 single hinge design is great....making it more ergonomic, but it is significantly bigger. (It is also a superb optic).
Therefore i don't consider it to be a pocket bino, and I may as well take an 8x30 instead, for that reason alone.
That awkward dual hinge design of the 8x20's /7x21's allow a superb compact bino.... real pocketablility
Horses for courses....
I chose the 8x20's ....if i want compact, then the smaller the better.
8x25 a bit too middle ground for me.... but Zeiss have built a great small binocular.... apart from the daft case.
 
If pocket-ability is the goal, I understand the issues with the single hinge. Rather though, I think of these small binos as travel bins. Mine reside day to day, on my desktop behind a MAC where I can grab and check out activity in the yard. They come with me bandolier style carry on hikes that're less birding oriented where their size and weight are a non issue. But mostly I own them for occasional travel in my backpack on and off airplanes to places where birding is still a possibility but not the main event. The only pocket I might ever contemplate (and have) use them in is a larger outside coat pocket in colder weather. In that case the VP bulk is a non issue. I do not like to fiddle with IPD adjustment that comes with the double hinge systems I tried. As a right hand focuser the single hinge with focus wheel off set to the left is big plus. I dont have to scrunch up my forefinger, it just lays nicely across to the wheel. This then is a potential serious knock if you focus with the left hand.

Optics are what has been said above... Isn't that mostly why we have these things?
 
Rg548 said:
I think the VP8x25 single hinge design is great....making it more ergonomic, but it is significantly bigger. (It is also a superb optic).
Therefore i don't consider it to be a pocket bino, and I may as well take an 8x30 instead, for that reason alone.
That awkward dual hinge design of the 8x20's /7x21's allow a superb compact bino.... real pocketablility
Horses for courses....
I chose the 8x20's ....if i want compact, then the smaller the better.
8x25 a bit too middle ground for me.... but Zeiss have built a great small binocular.... apart from the daft case.
Click to expand...
Ahh this is very helpful. Would it be fair to conclude the 8x25 Zeiss doesn't easily slip into a trouser or jacket pocket? If that is the case, then I'm afraid it's out for me. I believe that would leave the 8x20's /7x21. Of those what would you recommend?
 
GrampaTom said:
If pocket-ability is the goal, I understand the issues with the single hinge. Rather though, I think of these small binos as travel bins. Mine reside day to day, on my desktop behind a MAC where I can grab and check out activity in the yard. They come with me bandolier style carry on hikes that're less birding oriented where their size and weight are a non issue. But mostly I own them for occasional travel in my backpack on and off airplanes to places where birding is still a possibility but not the main event. The only pocket I might ever contemplate (and have) use them in is a larger outside coat pocket in colder weather. In that case the VP bulk is a non issue. I do not like to fiddle with IPD adjustment that comes with the double hinge systems I tried. As a right hand focuser the single hinge with focus wheel off set to the left is big plus. I dont have to scrunch up my forefinger, it just lays nicely across to the wheel. This then is a potential serious knock if you focus with the left hand.

Optics are what has been said above... Isn't that mostly why we have these things?
Click to expand...
My current travel bins are Leica 8x30BN. They easily slip into my carry on, but they are definitely not pocketable. I demo'd a Maven B 8x30 and they were even bigger! These comments were very helpful!
 
Winchester44 said:
Ahh this is very helpful. Would it be fair to conclude the 8x25 Zeiss doesn't easily slip into a trouser or jacket pocket? If that is the case, then I'm afraid it's out for me. I believe that would leave the 8x20's /7x21. Of those what would you recommend?
Click to expand...
Its ok in a jacket pocket. But not trouser. Than Curio 7x21 is better in think.
 
I recently took my beloved 8x25 VP to Morocco on a family trip with some birding, and I can honestly say I didn't miss my big x42 bins for a moment.
I had very targeted birding in mind (9 possible lifers) and I couldn't fault the bins during any search, be it early morning, late evening or even (Maghreb Owl) at night. They are pocket-bin light so you don't feel them around your neck. They are only jacket-pocket (or fleece-pocket = stretchable clothes) pocketable, not e.g. trousers pocketable, even in side pockets in trousers they won't fit comfortably, but that's good enough for me.
I actually use these bins more than any other, they're constantly in my car (summer, winter, so be it at 40 degrees in the car or minus 5), and they perform very very well. Like others, I don't like the diopter (easy to move), but I very much do like the single hinge, which makes them useable for birding / quickly putting them in front of your eyes (forgiving eye relief and much easier to adjust the hinge to inter pupil diameter compared to double hinge), and their focus is quite fast (could be even faster for birding for my liking, but focus is probably faster than most if not all other competitors out there). They are also perfect to have them around your neck while going for a leisurely bike ride, enabling you to quickly stop and check whatever is noted along the way.

So whatever the flaws (diopter is the main one), it's a keeper. I'm even pondering taking it on serious birding trips in the near future...
 
hopster said:
Another VP 8x25 fan here. As well as the excellent optics, I also prefer the single hinge design (unlike some others here) because it is more stable and puts the focus wheel in a better place. However, the diopter knob is poor as it is easy to move accidentally so it needs to be checked regularly.
Click to expand...

O got a new one and diopter is very stiff.
It doest move that easy any more.

But its still vurnible because of its placement
 
Winchester44 said:
Ahh this is very helpful. Would it be fair to conclude the 8x25 Zeiss doesn't easily slip into a trouser or jacket pocket? If that is the case, then I'm afraid it's out for me. I believe that would leave the 8x20's /7x21. Of those what would you recommend?
Click to expand...
Leica for build, handling.......but I think the Curio just edges it optically. 3mm ep instead of 2.5.
But you would need to side by side them to see the difference, individually they are both awesome.
Be aware the twin hinge design takes some getting used to.... you need to value the small size to make it worth it.... or else go for the VP8x25.
Swaro do a CL 8x25, twin hinge, nice middle ground, but I had these, and they didn't hit the 'pocket' criteria enough, and were left at home too many times.
I'm on my 3rd Leica 8x20. sold them as they are quite fiddly, missed them, so bought again, and then again..... i'll keep these now...can't do without them...
Cycling, paddleboarding, city breaks, concerts....
I fitted some nitrile rings to get the eyecups at halfway, and this made a HUGE difference in use.
Here are some photos of how I keep mine, the lowepro bag for when in a rucksack, or the car, and then an Oakley glasses case for my pocket.
The Oakley cases won't scratch the lenses should they touch.
As you can see.... they fit the 'pocket criteria' no problem at all.20250319_202615.jpg20250319_202657.jpg20250319_202718.jpg20250319_202755.jpg20250319_202900.jpg20250319_202827.jpg
 
A pocket bino double or single hinged can be kept never folding it with your IPD always held. This does assume enough tightness in the hinge/s. If your trousers are not close-fitting a bino of this size and weight can then rather easily be carried in their pocket. If you never use covers for lenses you don't put anything else there which contact these. It can be placed there carefully or shoved in, pulled out gingerly or roughly. You avoid fingering lenses with minimum practice. You only need to be mindful not to bump it against rocks, trees, walls, table edges, etc. while in there. If they're thin, non-field trousers it does show but is not too noticeable I think. A single-hinge model will jut forward a bit more. Have been doing this for years. Photo: While I'm walking, pretty loose trousers, Leica Ultravid 10x25. By "not close-fitting", above, I mean they can still be much closer than this, though. My Victory Pocket 8x25 goes in such.
pokt4.jpg
 
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