Conquest HDX (2 Viewers)

[NatureLover123]

I fully agree with the last few posts, but there is some very personal individual break even point until lightweight (32) outperforms the advantages of a bigger exit pupil (42/5x), potentially bigger sweet spot (42/5x), potentially less spherical aberrations (42/5x) and steadier hold because of more weight (42/5x), as long as you have also high quality optics (32/42/5x).

Its a very personal decision to take the 42s or 32s on a longer trip.

 

[NatureLover123]

I mutated a bit from 42 towards being a 32-guy in most scenarios where you have plenty of sunlight.

 

[Scott98]

But still, the EL 50 was also very steady in the hands. I am not sure I really like the wasp waist of the NL 52. It is a bit too pronounced for the NL 52 and that is also why one of my hands moves to the front (more flesh to hold). I think the wasp waist is more in proportion at the NL 42 imo.

I am sorry, off topic. It must be about Zeiss here...

Same here - if they could graft the NL focuser onto the 10x50 EL it would be perfect

 

[Hermann]

However, NL 8x42, SFL 10x40, Habicht 7x42 and 10x40, all the full sized binoculars are not very stable in the use. Funny thing is DDOptics nighteagle 8x56 which are the heaviest are very stable in my hands.

Interesting. I find the Habicht with it's slim, not too short but fairly wide body easier to hold steady than most roofs. In addition, I find the weight almost ideal for prolonged observations. Binoculars with a weight between 700 and 800 gr. work best for me.

Hermann

 

[Canip]

Interesting. I find the Habicht with it's slim, not too short but fairly wide body easier to hold steady than most roofs. In addition, I find the weight almost ideal for prolonged observations. Binoculars with a weight between 700 and 800 gr. work best for me.

Hermann

This is in line with my own experience.
When holding the binocular „classic style“ somewhere around the prism housing, I believe it‘s less the weight than the length of the binocular that counts.
Explanation: if you analyse the jitter movements of your hands, they happen primarily in the normal direction of rotating your hands (called supination and pronation). So it’s mainly up and down movements, much less sideways. This means the longer your bino, the more its objectives move up and down against the eyepieces, and the larger the effect on image stability.
You can compensate that of course by holding the (roof) bino around the tubes and pressing it against your eyesockets.

 

[Viraj]

Interesting. I find the Habicht with it's slim, not too short but fairly wide body easier to hold steady than most roofs. In addition, I find the weight almost ideal for prolonged observations. Binoculars with a weight between 700 and 800 gr. work best for me.

Hermann

Perhaps I experience difficulties holding Habichts steadily due to the less comfortable eye placement that resulted by the eyecups with no click points. On the other hand eyecups of roofs like NL are comfortable to press against the eye sockets and have several click stops to make them correctly adjusted to the exact requirements of eyes. Sometimes I tend to hold Habichts a bit away from eye sockets making the floaters.

 

[tenex]

You can compensate that of course by holding the (roof) bino around the tubes and pressing it against your eyesockets.

Also by bringing the elbows down and inward, which is more stable in other ways too.

 

[Logitech]

I admit I have not read all 13 pages that come before this, but I would like to ask whether you think it would be a good idea to buy one of the old Conquest HDs in 8x32 as they can be had for about 640 Euros here in Germany now that the new model is out. Or do you think that the HDX is worth the higher price?

 

[PatR]

I admit I have not read all 13 pages that come before this, but I would like to ask whether you think it would be a good idea to buy one of the old Conquest HDs in 8x32 as they can be had for about 640 Euros here in Germany now that the new model is out. Or do you think that the HDX is worth the higher price?

I have tried both back to back and, as I have the 8x42 HD's, those too.

Apart from the eyecups which are better on the HDX (but longer ones for the HD's are available free of charge from Zeiss) I could not see any difference at all and would certainly save the money and get the HD's.

But do try both if you can as only you will really know if the (now) very large price difference is worth it for you.

The 8x32 HD's are truly impressive and at the discounted prices, are a 'steal.'

 

[Dennis Mau]

I admit I have not read all 13 pages that come before this, but I would like to ask whether you think it would be a good idea to buy one of the old Conquest HDs in 8x32 as they can be had for about 640 Euros here in Germany now that the new model is out. Or do you think that the HDX is worth the higher price?

I would get the Zeiss Conquest HD at the discounted prices before they are all gone. I preferred the armor because it had a higher quality feel and look to it, and I found the focuser smoother on the older HD than the new HDX. Optics wise, there is very little difference between the two, and I thought the FOV seems a little larger on the original HD than the HDX. jackjack said the original HD has about an 8.3 degree FOV, which is bigger than the stated 8.0 degree FOV. The eyecups are slightly smoother and easier on the HDX, and that is about the only improvement I see. Once you get the eye cups set on the HD, you don't have to move them anyway.

 

[Logitech]

Thanks. Since you are in the UK: what would be the best price for a Conquest HD 8x32 there?

 

[Dennis Mau]

Thanks. Since you are in the UK: what would be the best price for a Conquest HD 8x32 there?

I am in the USA and I bought my new Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 for $500 on eBay USA. Here is one on eBay UK for £600.00 or Best Offer or eBay Germany for 639 EUR.

Carl ZEISS Conquest HD 8x32 Premium Binoculars for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Carl ZEISS Conquest HD 8x32 Premium Binoculars at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 Fernglas online kaufen | eBay

Entdecken Sie Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 Fernglas in der großen Auswahl bei eBay. Kostenlose Lieferung für viele Artikel!

www.ebay.de

 

[Logitech]

500 USD is crazy cheap. Thats very rare even in the US.

 

[Dennis Mau]

500 USD is crazy cheap. Thats very rare even in the US.

Here is a new Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 on eBay for $599.00, and I bet he would take $550 if you offered. You can pick one up for under $600 pretty easily.

ZEISS Conquest HD 8x 32 mm Binocular 523211-0000-000 for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ZEISS Conquest HD 8x 32 mm Binocular 523211-0000-000 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[PatR]

Thanks. Since you are in the UK: what would be the best price for a Conquest HD 8x32 there?

They are between £574 and £629 and there is a pair on EBay UK that were won at Birdfair and never used. £600 or offers.

However as you are resident in Germany, €640 is an excellent price (if it includes MwSt) and postage/VAT/warranty/import duty costs buying from either the UK or the USA would hardly be worth it.

Plus, buying 'local' is best should any problems arise with warranty or the condition of the bino's on arrival.

 

[Logitech]

True. It is just that I travel frequently to the US and UK so it could be an option. For 500 I would probaly risk it to buy in the US.

 

[Cest]

I won't be selling mine, glad I picked them up before they were gone. They have taken pride of place among my 8x binoculars.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I won't be selling mine, glad I picked them up before they were gone. They have taken pride of place among my 8x binoculars.

My NL 8x32 has a bigger FOV and sharper edges than my Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32, but I think the Conquest HD would serve just fine as your only birding binocular for less than $600. I honestly sometimes wonder if I need the NL when I use the Conquest HD. It is an excellent binocular, especially at the now discounted prices. $600, really? Best deal around.

 

[Cest]

My NL 8x32 has a bigger FOV and sharper edges than my Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32, but I think the Conquest HD would serve just fine as your only birding binocular.

I'm sure it does, but it costs much much more.

 

[jan van daalen]

Current streetprice of the Conquest 8x32HD is 720,00 euro (normal 965,00 euro).