Purchased Like New Demo Zeiss Conquest HD 10x32 for $480 from EuroOptic received in "truck binoculars" condition with very terrible image quality (1 Viewer)

[MiddleRiver]

Ordered early this past week and just received late this week really surprised there are some Amazon stickers partially peeled off the all beat up Zeiss factory box looks like they shipped using only the factory Zeiss box from Amazon previously.

Soft case looks brand new and binoculars looked extremely dirty dusty beat up never cleaned just like truck binoculars left naked without their case nor lens covers in a dusty pickup truck glovebox for the last five years. There's scratches and pressure and rub marks on it that doesn't look like will ever come off even if they're cleaned. It looks as though either Zeiss or whomever did not even inspect these binoculars prior to reselling these advertised in LIKE NEW DEMO condition prior to shipping them.

The image quality is unbelievably terrible. There's a lot of excessive obvious chromatic aberration with blue and purple color fringing and a whitish haze or fogginess to the view through. It is like looking through thin smoke or haze with purple and blue auras everywhere.

I simply cannot believe these actually used to sell for close to $1000 based on how bad the image quality really is.

its so bad I had to use my friends $50 Bushnell to compare to actually be able to level the playing field and the Bushnell is clearer with less chromatic aberration and no haze or fog.

Looking through from the opposite end there's no fog inside the lenses with minimal dust and debris but there's a slight blue hue noticeable which I found rather strange.

Contacted EuroOptic immediately and was told of I opt for a replacement, it might actually be in the same condition as they get these IN LIKE NEW DEMO condition straight from Zeiss just like the one I just received.

I looked at pics and agree, they look very well used or at least dirty/dusty. I don't see flaws on lenses, but of course that's harder to detect in photos.
I understand being upset but really it looks pretty straightforward to me:

• I would return ASAP to EuroOptic and not expect to pay a dime, since they are clearly not 'LIKE NEW DEMO' (unless their descriptors say dirt etc. is to be expected). If they pushed back, it would surely be the last time I ever dealt with them (!). There is 'demo' (in-store handling marks, and there is 'used'. They are clearly two different things. One caveat: It's hard to tell if it's really dirt from use or shelf dust. I have seen equipment that was on display, sat for years little-handled, and just had shelf dust but no real 'wear'. So IF they easily wiped clean with a damp rag, and the glass was perfect, then I might consider letting it go (assuming the price was attractive).
• The issue of view failings - CA, fringing, etc. - is another conversation. Unless they really were tampered-with, or factory rejects, then for me, that falls into the category of 'OneH doesn't like Conquest 10x's'. There are a gazillion debates on BF alone, where some viewer's favorite bins are cursed for their flaws by others. You just bought the wrong bins and hopefully even if they were NOT well used appearing, you'd still have recourse to return them.
• At this level, I see nothing to do/expect from Zeiss. I question whether Zeiss actually hustles these to dealers as 'LIKE NEW DEMO'. Surely their PR is not that clueless? If anything was mis-represented, it's the dealer/reseller.

YMMV!

 

[Scott98]

Hmmmmm....too bad. I guess their demos can run the spectrum from brand new to.....used. They're supposed to use a "code b" on those. The price on these reflected B condition but I guess they didn't describe the bino as such on their web site.

I had a similar experience, I ordered a Curio demo from them - they showed up in mint condition but with an obviously broken focuser.

I think EuroO refunded me the full cost including the shipping, so I paid nothing, so I still like Eurooptic. I bet they will refund these fully as well.

I am surprised to see them shipping a bino without an outside protective box though - that's never good.

 

[Rg548]

Perhaps they were the demo ones for the 'destruction test' thing, being dragged along, and run over..... lol.
Send 'em back.

 

[greekgeek]

Looks like a retailer issue, not a Zeiss issue.

 

[OneH]

I sent them back yesterday 9/24/24 via the prepaid UPS ground label they provided.

Initially the refund amount they offered was actually for less than what I paid them but they corrected the amount after I called them again asking why I'm being offered less than what I paid.

 

[ArchStanton]

I sent them back yesterday 9/24/24 via the prepaid UPS ground label they provided.

Initially the refund amount they offered was actually for less than what I paid them but they corrected the amount after I called them again asking why I'm being offered less than what I paid.

That’s good they came through in the end and will refund what you paid.

 

[OneH]

I had attempted to offer to pay the difference to purchase a brand new Conquest HD 10x42 currently on sale for $599 with no tax but they couldn't do it on their end on this return and instructed me to order it straight from their website since they are unable to waive the tax over the phone while using credit towards this return.

Does anyone know if if the Conquest HD 10x42s are clearer than the Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 and Leupold BX5 Santiam 10x42 (which I already own) what are the noticeable differences besides the weight and probably more noticeable CA expected?

The Leupold BX5 Santiam 10x42 is probably the clearest name brand $1000 MSRP binoculars I've owned so far clearer than my MHG with less CA (actually none noticed so far) but it may be a freak of nature due to the sheer lack of CA while the 12x50 BX5 Santiam isn't that good which I also have and it's not even close with rather disappointing optics and very noticeable CA and even my $609 Skyrover Banner Cloud APO 12x50 literally smokes this brand new Leupold BX5 12x50 silly in every possible way. All are brand new.

 

[greekgeek]

I had attempted to offer to pay the difference to purchase a brand new Conquest HD 10x42 currently on sale for $599 with no tax but they couldn't do it on their end on this return and instructed me to order it straight from their website since they are unable to waive the tax over the phone while using credit towards this return.

Does anyone know if if the Conquest HD 10x42s are clearer than the Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 and Leupold BX5 Santiam 10x42 (which I already own) what are the noticeable differences besides the weight and probably more noticeable CA expected?

The Leupold BX5 Santiam 10x42 is probably the clearest name brand $1000 MSRP binoculars I've owned so far clearer than my MHG with less CA (actually none noticed so far) but it may be a freak of nature due to the sheer lack of CA while the 12x50 BX5 Santiam isn't that good which I also have and it's not even close with rather disappointing optics and very noticeable CA and even my $609 Skyrover Banner Cloud APO 12x50 literally smokes this brand new Leupold BX5 12x50 silly in every possible way. All are brand new.

I can't say how they compare, but the CHD 10x42 offer a fantastic view. $599 for new is a real bargain IMO. I'd like to try a Banner Cloud, lots of good reviews on them. For those brave enough, seems they can be ordered directly from China for just under $400 USD. $330 delivered within China, $380 delivered to US for the 8x42. Slightly higher for higher mag/obj. but not much.

 

[Swissboy]

........................

The Leupold BX5 Santiam 10x42 is probably the clearest name brand $1000 MSRP binoculars I've owned so far clearer than my MHG with less CA (actually none noticed so far) but it may be a freak of nature due to the sheer lack of CA while the 12x50 BX5 Santiam isn't that good which I also have and it's not even close with rather disappointing optics and very noticeable CA and even my $609 Skyrover Banner Cloud APO 12x50 literally smokes this brand new Leupold BX5 12x50 silly in every possible way. All are brand new.

It eludes me why you are bothering with all these brands that must be sub-optimal compared to your desired standards in the first place. Is it just curiosity or do you really expect to get a fine model at very low costs?

 

[OneH]

I can't say how they compare, but the CHD 10x42 offer a fantastic view. $599 for new is a real bargain IMO. I'd like to try a Banner Cloud, lots of good reviews on them. For those brave enough, seems they can be ordered directly from China for just under $400 USD. $330 delivered within China, $380 delivered to US for the 8x42. Slightly higher for higher mag/obj. but not much.

Where can you buy the Skyrover Banner Cloud APOs for $380? I paid $499+$50 shipping direct from Skyrover online direct from China for the cheapest 8x42 which was one out of the 4 total which I bought from them.

 

[OneH]

It eludes me why you are bothering with all these brands that must be sub-optimal compared to your desired standards in the first place. Is it just curiosity or do you really expect to get a fine model at very low costs?

I'm just trying to find the best for the lowest possible cost to at least better the Skyyrover Banner Could APO or at least the ScoopX UHDs.

 

[OneH]

EuroOptic took a while but finally followed through on crediting my refund including return shipping however I was rather shocked to see they relisted it on their website again for $480.00 advertised in as like new demo B condition.

 

[ArchStanton]

EuroOptic took a while but finally followed through on crediting my refund including return shipping however I was rather shocked to see they relisted it on their website again for $480.00 advertised in as like new demo B condition.

I bought a used camera from a well-known retailer and sent it back because it was defective and they listed it right back on their website with the same description.

 

[greekgeek]

Congrats on the refund. they say misery loves company... I just received a 9 out of 10 used binocular, that in reality is at best a 4-5 out of ten. Ooof, back they go!

 

[OneH]

Congrats on the refund. they say misery loves company... I just received a 9 out of 10 used binocular, that in reality is at best a 4-5 out of ten. Ooof, back they go!

Sometimes you have to buy 4 or 5 of the exact same thing in order to actually get one that's acceptable. This is based on first hand buying experience and mostly on brand spanking new binoculars where some extremely unethical money hungry sneaky sellers repackaged defective previously returned items often missing accessories and pass them off as brand new.

Recently had to buy 4 Bushnell Engage EDX ED Prime 12x50s in order to get one that's FANTASTIC while the others were total utter crap glass and with too much glare and haze with so much unwanted white out reflections in the lower quadrant of their images.