Open message to Zeiss: Conquest eyecups (1 Viewer)

[Chotacabras]

Dear Zeiss

I've had a pair of Zeiss Conquest 8x32s for a couple of years. They're lovely binoculars in most respects, of course: but they have a major flaw, namely that the eyecups are made of a plastic material that breaks. It's happened twice to me, without major impacts or other stresses. The eyecups have been replaced free of charge by Zeiss, which is excellent, of course. But meanwhile the binoculars are essentially unusable for a few weeks. It could happen during a trip, and you'd be without binoculars.

Have you considered producing stronger metal versions of the eyecups (in normal and long form)? I for one would be happy to pay 30 or 40 dollars for better eyecups: we could share the cost, so to speak.

It's such a shame: the binoculars are otherwise excellent. I have a 30-year-old pair of Trinovid 8x42s, and they're still in essentially perfect condition both optically and mechanically. We should expect the same from Zeiss, right?

 

[tenex]

I don't really think metal is necessary. Zeiss FL had composite eyecups (not surprising given the body construction) yet one doesn't hear about them breaking, or the rubber coming off (which seems the more common complaint). So this is just a design problem on Conquest.

Zeiss don't run this forum, so you may want to address this request directly to them.

 

[Chotacabras]

I don't really think metal is necessary. Zeiss FL had composite eyecups (not surprising given the body construction) yet one doesn't hear about them breaking, or the rubber coming off (which seems the more common complaint). So this is just a design problem on Conquest.

Zeiss don't run this forum, so you may want to address this request directly to them.

Thanks Tenex. Yes, agree, not necessarily metal, that was just a shorthand: a better plastic might be fine. I know Zeiss doesn't run the forum, but perhaps they look

 

[james holdsworth]

It’s the entire construction…from very stiff movement between stops, to poor quality rubber that deforms from use. I’m sure it’s a cost / benefit thing that Zeiss is happy with, unfortunately.

 

[Chotacabras]

James, you're very possibly right that the problem is about more than just the eyecup part. But I don't suppose Zeiss is happy about it: I imagine it's frustrating that they messed up a supposedly super-durable product with a not-durable component. Also, my hinge has gone loose (not self-fixable), and that never happened in 30 years of Trinovid BA. So I've lost trust in Zeiss reliability. [Though certainly, I can't be sure that modern Trinovid HD reliability equals that of 1990s BAs. Conversely, and to be fair, it's possible that SFLs are much better built than Conquests.]

 

[Swissboy]

Thanks Tenex. Yes, agree, not necessarily metal, that was just a shorthand: a better plastic might be fine. I know Zeiss doesn't run the forum, but perhaps they look

They do, normally! At least, I know from Zeiss Switzerland.

 

[GrampaTom]

It’s the entire construction…from very stiff movement between stops, to poor quality rubber that deforms from use. I’m sure it’s a cost / benefit thing that Zeiss is happy with, unfortunately.

Not so sure. Im skeptical this is a cost/benefit thing they're happy with. Suspect its a bit more complicated. It may have at the outset, been a cost choice, without understanding the long term implications of the eyecup material to owners... sorta like Swaros armor problems, but then whoops! Prob for us is companies can't do all the things necessary, all the time, immediately, to take care of what we think they should zactly when. Other priorities, which only Zeiss can know will prevail.

I don't really think metal is necessary. Zeiss FL had composite eyecups (not surprising given the body construction) yet one doesn't hear about them breaking, or the rubber coming off (which seems the more common complaint). So this is just a design problem on Conquest.

Zeiss don't run this forum, so you may want to address this request directly to them.

I agree, metal not necessary. Other brands/models seem to work well without metal. As well, I get Chotacabras, how you meant it.

Re Zeiss doesn't run this forum, I bet thats so, to. Ive wondered though... never seen any conversation re this. Seems there might be more of a relationship with Zeiss than is explicitly acknowledged.

 

[james holdsworth]

Zeiss have had ten years to improve the HD eyecup, and have chosen not to. I know, because I’m on my third pair, and they remain as flawed as the originals.

 

[NDhunter]

How in the world can you break an eyecup ?
Jerry

 

[james holdsworth]

well, my 3rd pair came broken…they refused to seat in the lowest position.

 

[AlphaFan]

How in the world can you break an eyecup ?
Jerry

They are made of very weak plastic material and the detents easily strip. This renders them with very little resistance to remain in position. Happened to me with SF and SFL — fall from the car seat to the carpeted floor was enough of an impact to cause it. Pity! I consider it a design flaw in otherwise excellent binoculars.

 

[Chotacabras]

@NDhunter: In my case (it has happened twice) an eyecup has cracked edge-to-edge, so unusable. (In fact, even when they work they don't work very well: "highest lock position" always wants to become "eyecup unscrewed".) I'm talking about Conquests, and I note that I need and use the Zeiss-supplied long eyecups: it might be worse with these. AlphaFan has mentioned higher-ranking models but I don't know if there are analogous issues with those products.

 

[AlphaFan]

BTW - Zeiss already redesigned the SF eyecups to use an upgraded / more durable material. They may be slightly better but I’ve gone through a few of them as well. While Zeiss always replaces them when asked it is frustrating and should not be the case with premium optics. Conversely, the eyecups in my several FL specimens are quite robust and I’ve never had any issues with them.

 

[Swissboy]

@NDhunter:............... : "highest lock position" always wants to become "eyecup unscrewed".) I'm talking about Conquests,..............................

Happens with SFL as well at times. The eyecups need to be tightened to a point where one feels like they might not "survive"

............... Conversely, the eyecups in my several FL specimens are quite robust and I’ve never had any issues with them.

Same here, never have had a problem with FL eyecups. Got a few replacements, but not because they would not work any more. Those replacements came when I sent in an FL for some reason other than the eyecups, and Zeiss just updated my FL with the newest model. I still think the FLs (x42) are great. (But after the SFLs came out, I think they are too heavy for me.)

 

[HeadWest]

On my fourth(!) pair of eyecups with my Conquests. They are really garbage quality. Great glass though.

 

[Chotacabras]

Just wanted to give an update, I've worked out a solution that works for me. Extend eyecups to preferred position. Then bind in place against barrels with tensioned insulating tape. Not very elegant, and means you can't easily adjust eyecup extension. But appears to solve (or at least make less likely) the two issues, i.e. eyecup body cracks, and rubber part comes unglued and drops off. Fixed like this, they did a great job during a week of backpacking with frequent rain. Importantly, taking the rainguard off doesn't risk pulling the rubber part of the eyecup off.

 

[Maljunulo]

May I presume that this doesn't apply to the 8X32 SF? My eyecups do not seem to be made of anything that will break.

Maybe there's something here that I'm not understanding.

 

[Chotacabras]

May I presume that this doesn't apply to the 8X32 SF? My eyecups do not seem to be made of anything that will break.

Maybe there's something here that I'm not understanding.

I'm commenting on the Conquests, which have known issues with eyecup breakage. I imagine (I don't know) that these issues are absent or less severe in SFs.and SFLs.

 

[Maljunulo]

I'm commenting on the Conquests, which have known issues with eyecup breakage. I imagine (I don't know) that these issues are absent or less severe in SFs.and SFLs.

One would hope.

Thanks.

 

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The eye cups alone would probably be reason enough to upgrade to the HDX. The rumors are they are much smoother and made of metal.