Zeiss Victory 10X56B T*P* vs modern mid-price glass (1 Viewer)

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CPShines

New member

• Nov 28, 2018

• #1

Hi all. I have joined the forum as I'm in the market for some used binos under £1000 and everyone here seems to have experience far beyond mine. I have the chance to pickup a pair of Zeiss 10X56B T*P* made in 2000, but I'm concerned with the comments here about them not being as good as the older or newer Zeiss offerings.

If I were to buy new, I would be looking at something like the Vortex Viper 10x50HD or the higher end Meoptas. Do you think these Zeiss would trump those in terms of overall image quality and low light performance?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

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etudiant

Registered User

Supporter

• Nov 28, 2018

• #2

I think the major gripes about this glass are the weight, 1445 grams, over three pounds and the lack of close focus, 16 foot minimum. There were also complaints that the focus wheel was hard to manage while wearing heavy gloves. Otherwise, it remains very competitive.

This Flickr discussion https://www.flickr.com/photos/binocwpg/6680192329/ is informative.

 

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CPShines

New member

• Nov 28, 2018

• #3

Thanks for the information Etudiant, much appreciated. The binos that I am looking at are actually a later version than the Nightowl ones in that Flickr discussion. The ones I am looking at are from this range:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/21Z4CHEP06L.jpg

Do you know if the same criticisms apply to this later range?

 

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• Nov 28, 2018

• #4

Even though the ones your interested in are a later version, as etudiant states the focus wheel is almost hidden within the bridge hinge surface, so using them with a winter glove can be tricky. Wonderful light gathering optics but heavy and bulky indeed.

I would admit I was always a fan of the Night Owls and nearly bought a green 8 x 56 for low light use but the weight put me off. I remember well why it was a favourite for those studying animal behaviour at dusk......deer, badgers and birds going to roost or just setting out - woodcock, nightjar and owls ( hence the name ).

P

 

Last edited: Nov 28, 2018

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ceasar

Well-known member

• Nov 28, 2018

• #5

CPShines said:

Thanks for the information Etudiant, much appreciated. The binos that I am looking at are actually a later version than the Nightowl ones in that Flickr discussion. The ones I am looking at are from this range:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/21Z4CHEP06L.jpg

Do you know if the same criticisms apply to this later range?

Click to expand...

Those are Carl Zeiss Victory 10x56 B T* binoculars. They were made between 2000 and 2005.

https://www.allbinos.com/78-Carl_Zeiss_Victory_10x56_B_T*-binoculars_specifications.html

They were upgraded in 2006 with the Carl Zeiss Victory 10x56 T* FL which was discontinued in 2014.

https://www.allbinos.com/708-Carl_Zeiss_Victory_10x56_T*_FL-binoculars_specifications.html

Bob

 

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henry link

Well-known member

• Nov 28, 2018

• #6

The 10x56mm Victory was not as heavy as the Nightowls at 1200 grams, but as you can see in the photo, it retained the un-ergonomic recessed focusing wheel. Optics were completely different. I never saw a pair, but I did read complaints about the image quality, particularly excessive chromatic aberration. It's definately a binocular you would want to try before buying.

If you can find one in your price range I think the 10x56 Victory FL would likely be a big improvement over the original Victory, unsurpassed by anything newer except perhaps the current Swarovski 10x56 SLC.

 

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CPShines

New member

• Nov 28, 2018

• #7

Thank you fellas, much appreciated. I think I will pass on these and keep looking.

 

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• Nov 28, 2018

• #8

The Meoptas are probably worth a look if you can find a store near you to test a pair, very highly thought of. And a new pair comes with a full UK warranty.
Don't rush into it. Please try out a few pairs first.
P

 

Hermann

Well-known member

• Nov 30, 2018

• #9

PYRTLE said:

The Meoptas are probably worth a look if you can find a store near you to test a pair, very highly thought of. And a new pair comes with a full UK warranty.

Click to expand...

That's my advice as well. The Meoptas are definitely worth a look and quite close to the current alphas.

Hermann

 

Last edited: Nov 30, 2018

C

CPShines

New member

• Nov 30, 2018

• #10

PYRTLE said:

The Meoptas are probably worth a look if you can find a store near you to test a pair, very highly thought of. And a new pair comes with a full UK warranty.
Don't rush into it. Please try out a few pairs first.
P

Click to expand...

Hermann said:

That's my advice as well. The Meoptas are definitely worth a look and quite close to the current alphas.

Hermann

Click to expand...

Thanks for the steer. I think as they are fairly new I don't see many used Meoptas for sale. As I am looking to spend no more than £600 I would need to get something new in the MeoPro range - something like the MeoPro HD 8x56. Are the MeoPro as highly rated for the price as the more expensive ranges? The most likely alternative for me would be the Vortex Viper HD 10x50.