I said I was going to stick with the 8x25 for a week or so and it has now been two weeks using only this little binocular when out walking or birding. It is time for a wrap up evaluation.
This is certainly the best small binocular I own, and in many respects simply the best binocular that I have for daytime use. Of course, no binocular is perfect, and I do enjoy using different binoculars for different applications. I like higher power and larger aperture IS for nighttime viewing. I like a larger aperture and larger exit pupil to cover a wider range of illumination. And frankly, I like a less costly binocular in some circumstance, e.g., always present in my car--my emergency birding kit. But overall, the view through the Zeiss Victory 8x25 is so crisp, clear, and easy, that I have only very rarely thought about my full sized 9x45 Maven B2 over the past two weeks.
If I had to pick a single standout feature of this compact binocular, it would be crystal clarity in brightly back-lit or glare prone conditions. This seems to be a particular challenge for binoculars in the 20mm-32mm range. This was the main reason that I had preferred the 9x45 full size binocular for birding outings over any of my smaller binoculars. Yet the Zeiss 8x25 handles the tough lighting situations just as well as the larger binocular. It also has equally crisp detail and is just as good at color dynamic range. This is my first small binocular "Wow" view under daylight conditions, and it is not simply, "Wow this is good for such a small aperture." The larger binocular does have advantages of greater light grasp and I prefer the mechanics and feel in hand of the Maven 9x45. When it is more overcast or for reach into darker areas under a forest canopy or along a shaded bank, the full sized binocular will show more detail. Also, the 9x45 has a little more magnification, but just as much field of view and it is not hard for me to hold steady. Yet the Zeiss Victory 8x25 is very light and compact and provides just as nice a view under the vast majority of conditions.
As far as pros and cons, much of this has been pointed out earlier but here's my take.
Pro:
- Compact, lightweight
- Excellent clarity, no glare or stray light
- Outstanding in hand, offset hinge provides wide IPD range and makes IPD quick and easy to set
- Easy to point, easy to look through, quick to get on target
- Quick precise focus, excellent snap to focus, good near focus
- Good though not great mechanics
Con:
- Inappropriate case, no rain guard or objective caps, strap is a bit much for size of binocular
- Strap lugs are tiny and oddly placed
- Eyecups have only two settings
- Oculars are narrow and placing them too deeply into eye sockets can cause blackouts
- Diopter difficult to set
- Good though not great mechanics
There is a saying among amateur astronomers that your best telescope is the one that you use the most. In the past the Maven 9x45 has been my most used binocular, but it will be interesting to see if that continues to be true in the future.
Alan