I recently purchased the latest version of this binocular, the Conquest 15x45 T* as part of my update of equipment in order that it best serves my current interests and styles of use. I wanted a high power binocular to capture distant natural history interest, primarily to use from my truck, but also occasionally for handheld use.
I agree with most of the comments above, the image is generally good and the ergonomics are absolutely superb. The focus controls are very precise and smooth and the twist up eyecups are very nicely engineered. The dimensions, weight and balance are very impressive and the binocular is exceptionally comfortable to use and relatively easy to handhold steady enough in most circumstances. There is, of course, more pronounced shake than with the more mainstream 8x or 10x birding instruments but its not disastrous. I even found the field of view tolerable and had it not been for a couple of deal-breakers I would have been delighted to keep this in my collection.
These were slightly too much colour fringing for my liking, especially towards the outer periphery of the image, and more strikingly a lack of errant light control. This was the really intolerable issue that I couldnt get past and even in very favourable conditions I was aware of a flare / glare towards the periphery of the image. In less than favourable conditions this glare would creep across the whole image and really affect the quality of performance. I really wanted to be able to live with this as I liked everything else about this instrument but was just irritated by it every time I used the binocular.
If Zeiss were to rein in this errant light issue I would happily pay far more for this instrument, as it is, my quest continues for a big eyes solution.
I agree with most of the comments above, the image is generally good and the ergonomics are absolutely superb. The focus controls are very precise and smooth and the twist up eyecups are very nicely engineered. The dimensions, weight and balance are very impressive and the binocular is exceptionally comfortable to use and relatively easy to handhold steady enough in most circumstances. There is, of course, more pronounced shake than with the more mainstream 8x or 10x birding instruments but its not disastrous. I even found the field of view tolerable and had it not been for a couple of deal-breakers I would have been delighted to keep this in my collection.
These were slightly too much colour fringing for my liking, especially towards the outer periphery of the image, and more strikingly a lack of errant light control. This was the really intolerable issue that I couldnt get past and even in very favourable conditions I was aware of a flare / glare towards the periphery of the image. In less than favourable conditions this glare would creep across the whole image and really affect the quality of performance. I really wanted to be able to live with this as I liked everything else about this instrument but was just irritated by it every time I used the binocular.
If Zeiss were to rein in this errant light issue I would happily pay far more for this instrument, as it is, my quest continues for a big eyes solution.