Okay. Disclaimers. I’m not binocular wise as many here on the forum. And I learn much from you. I do some casual birdwatching. But I’m mainly a hunter. Whitetails in particular. Much observation takes place our hunting properties which consists of large agricultural fields and mixed forest areas. One of the fascinating things I do on the stand is observing deer behavior. Sure I’m after a Trophy but those moments are few and far between. So having a good set of quality binoculars for me is necessary. Of course a high quality scope must tag along. In watching deer along with the many kites and falcons that frequent the area (especially the big oat fields) I’ve come to appreciate a good set of quality binoculars. I tried the lower end ones. And sure, they performed decently. But as I read more into the Brand Forums on this site, I noticed quickly that birders in general gravitate towards Zeiss, Swarovski and Leica. And for good reason. They are considered Titans in the Industry. So I saw a lot of fascination with the Zeiss SFL. Now my go to before my purchase of the SFL 8x40’s were the Nikon Monarch 7 8x42 and the Bresser Pirsch ED 8x42. They both were very good. Color rendering to me was excellent. Low light performance was very good. Here in Alabama we have a long deer season. And many of the better deer only show up near dark. Some are almost completely nocturnal. Low light performance is a must. But I didn’t want to go all in on just low light performance. Or a good 8x56 would have been in order. The Zeiss SFL seemed to be the balancing act to go for. And Wow! was my first impressions. Beautiful Neutral color rendering, huge FOV, light, compact and very bright. I was amazed how bright! I could count points when my naked eye could barely see the deer. A substantial upgrade to anything I had used before. But I began thinking. Was there a way to Beat the System? In other words could I get close to this level of optical quality for less than $1700. I know that by today’s standards and pricing that’s not huge amount of money. But for the average Joe, it’s considerable. Now in my choice of rifle scopes I had found that you could essentially Beat the System with the Brand Meopta. I have a Swarovski and to my eyes they are almost too close to call in the sheer low light testing. A slight advantage of course goes to the Swarovski in it’s color rendering. But the Meopta is at a much lower cost. So I call Zeiss. And just flat out ask the representative about their alternatives. He tells me that if I don’t mind a few ounces and a little different ergonomics that The Zeiss Conquest HDX is my answer. According to him the glass and coatings are identical. So I said you mean to tell me for approximately $700 less I’m getting the same optical performance including color rendering and the same low light abilities? His answer was Yes Sir. So I went online and purchased them in 8x42. I’m only a couple weeks into using them. But for my eyes,the Zeiss Rep was right. I find them optically equal. In every area with a minor trade off in a tiny bit of FOV and a few ounces. I guess if the Ergonomics is worth $700 is something that only the user can answer. So did I beat the System? I know it’s very subjective, but I think I did.
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Amateurs’s thoughts on Zeiss SFL 8x40 (5 Viewers)
- Thread starter Dwest
- Start date
I had the Zeiss SFL 8x40 and I saw a blue ring around the FOV which is a type of CA. it has affectionately become known as the BROD or 'Blue Ring of Death.' I prefer the Nikon MHG 8x42 over the Zeiss SFL 8x30 because it has a larger 8.3 degree FOV versus the 8.0 degree of the SFL, and it is just about as light and almost $500 less expensive. The Zeiss Conquest HDX 8x42 has a puny 7.4 degree FOV and isn't even worth considering for that reason. The SFL and HG have the same transmission at 92%, but the HG is a little brighter because of the bigger 42mm aperture versus the 40mm of the SFL. Zeiss are overpriced for what they are because you are paying for the name. If you want to beat the system get the Nikon HG 8x42 for about $1000.00. For the dollar spent Nikon beats Zeiss, Leica, or Swarovski every time.
Noctua_Grace
Owl-obsessed Birder
if it’s true that the Zeiss Conquest HDX really only falls short compared to the Zeiss SFL in terms of a slight difference in weight, ergonomics, and a tiny trade-off in FOV, I guess if you're not particularly sensitive to those factors, you might not feel that the $700 premium is justified. However, for someone like me, who really cares about comfort and weight (since I might not be able to sustain long birdwatching sessions if it’s even slightly heavier), those aspects become quite significant. Even though $700 is quite a bit of money, I might still consider and hesitate a bit, as those small details really do matter for a long, comfortable experience. But of course, this is just my personal guess based on my own preferences.
Welcome Dwest. I hope your post will stand, tho you may not know theres a bit of intolerance for hunting related posts here. I for one think hunters use of optics has much to offer birders as the activities are more directly relatable than folks like to admit, (with of course one obvious difference).
That said, couple months back, I and some friends attended the Sand Hill Crane Festival in Lodi, CA. Mostly focused on these cool birds, there were other things going on that combined to make for a neat day. There were a few Optics sellers there, with Swarovski, Zeiss and Opticron being best represented.
I bought, during the summer blow out by Zeiss, one of the older Conquest HD 832s intending it as an upgrade for my loaner for friends and family. I have been shocked how good it is as a birding binocular compared to my NL 832. Ive taken it as a standalone birding several days as well as swapped between it and the NLs with friends taking turns. Sorta reluctant to admit it, but as the highly respected member here CHill6x6 has written, its not clear anyone NEEDS more than one of these to be a very successful birder, (Sorry Chuck if I messed up your quote).
Back to Lodi. As we were going birding after the display/gallery, both NL and CHD were in tow. Very curious about the then new HDX, how it compared with the HD it replaced, as we all as the SFL, we got to spend some time looking through all these. The possibilities were limited by the venue, but my quick and dirty impression was what you've been told by the Zeiss rep is not far off the mark.
That said, couple months back, I and some friends attended the Sand Hill Crane Festival in Lodi, CA. Mostly focused on these cool birds, there were other things going on that combined to make for a neat day. There were a few Optics sellers there, with Swarovski, Zeiss and Opticron being best represented.
I bought, during the summer blow out by Zeiss, one of the older Conquest HD 832s intending it as an upgrade for my loaner for friends and family. I have been shocked how good it is as a birding binocular compared to my NL 832. Ive taken it as a standalone birding several days as well as swapped between it and the NLs with friends taking turns. Sorta reluctant to admit it, but as the highly respected member here CHill6x6 has written, its not clear anyone NEEDS more than one of these to be a very successful birder, (Sorry Chuck if I messed up your quote).
Back to Lodi. As we were going birding after the display/gallery, both NL and CHD were in tow. Very curious about the then new HDX, how it compared with the HD it replaced, as we all as the SFL, we got to spend some time looking through all these. The possibilities were limited by the venue, but my quick and dirty impression was what you've been told by the Zeiss rep is not far off the mark.
My advice too is how well you will treat them. Hunters ( I do not know much since I am not ) you carry much equipment, am I right?
With that in consideration that you will throw in a back pack binos and other heavy gear, then I will recommend you ROBUST binos at least in the outer case. That said, will choose Zeiss HDX conquest or HD as well as (noctivids) and Swarovski ( well proven amongst hunters).
Definitely if you are going to treat them not that nicely, will ABSOLUTELY discard the SFL´s just because the above explanation.
With that in consideration that you will throw in a back pack binos and other heavy gear, then I will recommend you ROBUST binos at least in the outer case. That said, will choose Zeiss HDX conquest or HD as well as (noctivids) and Swarovski ( well proven amongst hunters).
Definitely if you are going to treat them not that nicely, will ABSOLUTELY discard the SFL´s just because the above explanation.
tenex
reality-based
Welcome! Thanks to market economics one can't really "Beat the System", or not by much or for long. But one can find one's place in it, hopefully without thinking others must be fools to spend more and so on. Congratulations on your HDX (8x42?), it's a good robust bin that you should enjoy for a long time. Such satisfaction should be easier to achieve, but there are too few stores with a wide enough selection to try in person. (If you ever come upon a pre-owned HT, you might like it even better.)
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Yeah. Hopefully you will be tolerant of me. We have a lot of ( when they migrate) Swallow Tail Kites, as well as Bald Eagle’s various Hawks and Wood ducks on the lake at our property. I do a lot more observation than actually taking deer. I do appreciate everyone’s input on binoculars. For I really am just an amateur in that regard.
Dont know about this. Why do we think the SFL is less "robust" than the HD/HDX?
Well ... just got a SFL too in 10x30 format and the feel I got from it is what I mention earlier. I am not saying that there is nothing wrong ...well maybe the eye cups which are 100% plastic. But even tough the feel I have is that Swarovski EL can handle a good beat. Have Zeiss SF too and to me I would treat them too with a bit more with care than the EL´s. Just my feeling, just my advise, nothing more. Nothing tangible to rely on.
Birders main tool are the binos, thus great care on them but hunters ..well. Observing and if something comes around well, leaving quickly the binos wherever they can and grabbing their weapon.
AND my second feeling is that HDX or conquest HD are more robust than SFL.
Birders main tool are the binos, thus great care on them but hunters ..well. Observing and if something comes around well, leaving quickly the binos wherever they can and grabbing their weapon.
AND my second feeling is that HDX or conquest HD are more robust than SFL.
Just checked zeiss web page ZEISS Nature Observation they mention HDX like "EXTREMELY ROBUST"
Terra too.
My feeling has become tangible.
Terra too.
My feeling has become tangible.
tenex
reality-based
Do we think this is a serious question? Where are the equivalent videos for SFL? (and how much does it weigh?)
Harry Stottle
Unknown-Known
Here is a field test of the Conquest:
duckduckgo.com
extreme testing zeiss conquest binoculars at DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.
Are you asking if my question was serious? I assure you it was. Or, are you asking if the posters point was serious?
For me the best way to beat the system is to buy secondhand. But I appreciate that some folks prefer the reassurance of a brand new binocular (or car etc). I haven't tried the HDX but the previous Conquest HD was formidable. That area of the market has some extremely good binoculars these days.
This is one of those situations where hunting and birding really do differ. Because colour can be so important in identifying birds, a lot of birding is done when it is light enough to see. Yes there are some birders out at dawn and dusk, I've done that myself, but it'd be rare (despite the regular discussions about low light performance here) for most birders to place low-light performance at the top of their priorities. This is where a hunting specific forum, where folks have regularly used optics for the same or similar tasks and in similar conditions, can likely give you better advice.
This is one of those situations where hunting and birding really do differ. Because colour can be so important in identifying birds, a lot of birding is done when it is light enough to see. Yes there are some birders out at dawn and dusk, I've done that myself, but it'd be rare (despite the regular discussions about low light performance here) for most birders to place low-light performance at the top of their priorities. This is where a hunting specific forum, where folks have regularly used optics for the same or similar tasks and in similar conditions, can likely give you better advice.
Copying from Post #1 with changing to bold and omissions at "..." done by me. This is on SFL vs Conquest HDX. What the OP was told is surely not correct? "I call Zeiss...ask the representative...According to him the glass and coatings are identical...the same optical performance including color rendering and the same low light abilities? His answer was Yes..."
That's a very important fact you are mentioning. A zeiss representative, that got company guidance on new products and more company insights, he/she states that both bino categories "are the same, quite similar". HDX and SFL ...well I feel disappointed. So the difference in price are just the ergonomics and the focus wheel? well.. more disappointed with Zeiss sales team.
Have a look at GPO German Precision Optics, they are ex Zeiss, Leica and Meopta people making excellent optics cheaper than Zeiss or Leica. The HD are the top model, but to be honest the ED 8x42 I bought in the UK are incredible £420 and you will think they are a £1000 optic! Massive field of view 143m close focus under 6 ft, light magnesium, 90% light transmission. But if you have the money look at the HD under £900! See review, only thing they dont mention is how unusual magnesium is in this price area, it makes them stronger, lighter and more temperature tolerant.
