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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

8x32 FL Victory

Manufacturer
Zeiss

Reviews summary

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Overall rating
5.00 star(s) 5 ratings
Recommended
Yes
Price
0$
Pros
  • see above
Cons
  • cost only
just want to add that this binocular has the most comfortable neck strap and best case that I have ever received as standard with a binocular

edj
Recommended
Yes
Price
750$
Pros
  • Superb optics, dream focus, Ultrawide field.
Cons
  • Some sun/arc reflection in bright situations.
Been on a hunt for the ultimate binocular (for me) and looks like this one's a keeper. I have been comparing all uber roof prisms I have field tested to a pair of Bausch & Lomb 8x36 Customs that optically have yet to beat. I will probably take some flak for this and rightly so but up till now there has been nothing close to the optical performance of the customs. The Zeiss TFL (non lutec) have impressed me so much I have ditched the customs totally. Ease of focus along with light weight (I injured my shoulder & weight being an issue) large generous field & superb resolution have completed the wish list.
They feel good in my hands and even smell good. These are some glasses I've tried:

Leupold 8x32 Goldring
Bushnell Elite 8x43
Nikon Superior E (all) 8x32 / 10x42 / 12x50
Swift 8.5 x 44 ED
Carlton Adlerblick 8x42
Celestron Ultima 8x32
Pentax 8x43 SP
Bushnell Discover 8x42
Recommended
Yes
Price
0$
Pros
  • excellent handling,lightweight and compact,precise smooth focus,,Contrast,Sharpness,Good glare control
Cons
  • Nothing that can not be accepted gladly in a compromise.(They are pricey though)
An instant favorite...The lightweight,and perfect size makes the binocular very comfortable to hold,..despite the light weight materials,the binocular feels solid,and high-tech...perfect eyecups,Ocular design,diopter adjustment,focus weel..All this plus the accessories makes the binocular very attractive and second to none in overal package..Now ,weight the fact that the view is SUPER sharp,Super wide ,relaxed,bright,free of distortion or color aberration, and that pops into focus without a hint of a second thought,And this Binocular has a lot of appeal..Glare control is one of the aspects of binoculars that i pay more attention...The Victory FL does an excellent Job..This binocular is probably the "Alpha " by consensus..Some other glasses,including new Chinese ED,can offer some aspects of its performance and get close,But it is its compendium of ALL those qualities,that sets this glass apart...
Recommended
Yes
Price
0$
Pros
  • Optical quality, general feel & comfort. Light weight.
Cons
  • None
I have previously owned both Swarovski 8x32EL & Ultravid 8x32 but both have let me down mechanically. The FL's are, to me, of a higher quality both in build, performance & reliablility. So much for Leica's hype about their forthcoming Ultravid HD, the FL's have offered the benefits of flouride glass since their launch. In the upper price range there is only one choice, in my view, the FL by Zeiss.
Recommended
Yes
Price
0$
Pros
  • great colour rendition; good minimal IPD setting
Cons
  • Less than perfect shielding from strong light outside field of view
I have the version without Lotutec but I presume that it is optically the same as the latest version.
Inherent in any 8x32 or 8x30 binocular is the need for careful eye placement but this binocular seems to be more forgiving than some other binoculars.
I find this binocular to be a delight to use and it has replaced my Leica BN as my first choice when I want to carry a single binocular. Although there is significant softening of resolution at the very edge of the field, the center sharpness and the reasonable sharpness, near that very edge, along with an outstanding FOV make for an excellent and "relaxed" viewing.
There are occasions when strong light, outside the FOV and to the side, like a low sun, will cause unwanted reflections, some small coloured arcs but this binocular displays this problem less than many others. Strong backlighting, as with the sun directly ahead but out the FOV, will cause "light bleeding" but I am not certain how this may compare with other binoculars. On the other hand, shadow detail against a bright sky was unequalled. Colour rendition, especially colur contrast puts this binocular in a special class. I think that this quality of the FL glass, which is also responsible for reduced chromatic aberration. Some pincushion distortion is revealed on close examination but this is probably part of the desing to eliminate "rolling ball" effects when panning.
Ergonomically, it suits me. This binouclar must have one of the narrowest possible Inter-Pupillary Distance settings, possible. I especially like the big wide focussing knob, which I finder to neither "fast" or "slow," but this is a matter of personal taste. However, it is not difficult to pull the knob out and change the dioptre setting and risk water damage. The user should take care when removing the binocular from a case. The accessories seem fine but mounting the tethered lens caps takes some care. Once done, they are fine. I have not used the case or the neckstrap, as I do prefer a strap in camouflage and the case is superfluous to my needs.
As I wear eyeglasses, I cannot comment on the adjustable eyecups, as I keept them down. The eye relief is adequate for me but I am of the opinion that each user must determince this for himself. In point of fact, I see a wider FOV with my glasses on and the cups down than without my specs and the cups up.
A recent German consumer publication found that its durability was very high even with its light weight.
As always, many of my impressions are subjective but I think that this glass is worthy of consideration and examination by those who are interested in a binocular with cutting edge technology.
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