Victory SF 8x42 Prices by Color? (1 Viewer)

[Jaywalk]

As a new member I appreciate all the information here flowing more quickly past my eyes than I can really absorb, but among the things that has confused me is pricing.

Is there really such a broad price difference in prices based on barrel color as in the following link: https://www.eagleoptics.com/search?type=product&q=8x42+sf ?

To my eyes these are the same binoculars except for color, with the black version $700 more expensive than the gray one. Am I missing somethihng important?

 

[PYRTLE]

Jaywalk.....the difference in price is likely to be that the black units are a slightly newer, remodelled version of this specification and have been reported as having had the focus mechanism slightly tweaked to iron out what was rumoured to be a slight issue.
Thus some stockists would be looking to clear their stock of grey rubber armoured units.

(Only my personal opinion)

You will find more about this on the Zeiss thread under binoculars...scroll through.

Hope this helps

 

[Vespobuteo]

As a new member I appreciate all the information here flowing more quickly past my eyes than I can really absorb, but among the things that has confused me is pricing.

Is there really such a broad price difference in prices based on barrel color as in the following link: https://www.eagleoptics.com/search?type=product&q=8x42+sf ?

To my eyes these are the same binoculars except for color, with the black version $700 more expensive than the gray one. Am I missing somethihng important?

The black one is the MKII version. Improved rubber armor, eye cups (more click stops) and focus mechanism (smoother?) according to Zeiss.

Optically there should be no differences, also according to Zeiss.

 

[Jaywalk]

Thank you both - that would explain it. Have the model numbers changed? The link doesn't appear to show any.

I believe the following link explores those mentioned changes: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=330054

 

[arran]

nothing wrong with the grey version.Indeed there were some issues with the focus drive in the first batches but this was solved later on.I have the grey one bought in summer 2015 and the focus drive is supersmooth and the best bin in my collection!
The black version is optically the same, only the eyecups have more intermediate steps.
Buying a cheaper grey version , is a good deal I think if you could negotiate a better price.
In Holland there is a shop with a good grey 8x42 SF at 1699 €

 

[Barrie Armitt]

I take arran's point about 'best bin in [his] collection'... if you get a good unit you'll be very happy...would love an SF myself ( got the HTs). However the grey SF sounds like the debacle of Samsung 7... rushed out and with faults that needed subsequent rectification. The black SF seems to put right what should have been avoided before going on sale.

Barrie

 

[james holdsworth]

I take arran's point about 'best bin in [his] collection'... if you get a good unit you'll be very happy...would love an SF myself ( got the HTs). However the grey SF sounds like the debacle of Samsung 7... rushed out and with faults that needed subsequent rectification. The black SF seems to put right what should have been avoided before going on sale.

Barrie

To be fair, there are many very satisfied owners of the gray SF's on this forum and elsewhere.

The ''debacle'' you mention seems to have been a few people that noted stains on the armour and a few people that had less than ideal focusers. There are some very ''alpha'' brands that seem to have reported focus problems by the boat-loads, and that have had these problems for years and years...that would qualify as a debacle, IMO.

 

[Barrie Armitt]

True, James - not saying Zeiss are alone in rushing product to market or, in the case of the focus problems you refer to, allowing known issues to drag on. It seems to me a producer introduces a 'new' bin with 'X' number of factors that give it an edge over a rival. To exploit that advantage in terms of sales means getting the bins out there and on sale. As a birder with a simple but ferocious desire to experience as much of the bird in all its ineffable birdiness, I'm a bit of a sucker for the bin that promises me more. However recent experience has taught me to wait for 6-12 months after a binocular has been on release as teething problems seem to crop up.
As Chosun says on another thread but related to this: [new releases]

... Must sort the attachment and longevity quality of the armouring out...[and] must come to market fully sorted - no design, material, parts, supply, quality, delays as before AND DEFINITELY NO shipping of this early pilot, pre-production, and initial runs of product out the door to use customers as Beta testers.

Regards

Barrie

 

[Julian61]

I'm one of the satisfied. Mine were bought March 2016 after comparing with Swaros in the shop. FOV and balance were the factors that swayed me and I've not regretted the decision. For my ageing eyes I can't appreciate the finer points of their optical quality but I do know I've never watched nature through a superior pair of bins. And I'll really appreciate them when I get the cataract removed from my left eye! I like the stylish grey as well.

 

[gunut]

just another black zeiss matters post.....

 

[NDhunter]

just another black zeiss matters post.....

:t:

 

[Jaywalk]

PYRTLE, Vespobuteo, arran, barrie1, james holdsworth, Julian61, thank you for your helpful comments. With your assurances and at these closeout prices I could not resist the gray model SF. I received it today and I find it remarkable! Normally I take a week or so to evaluate something expensive before attaching accessories, but not this time - I knew right away these were keepers. I prefer a lighter color to black for use in the very sunny and hot American Southwest.

Compliments to Eagle Optics - I gave them my concerns about focus smoothness and customer service agreed to test the individual unit before boxing it up for me. Yes, it focuses very smoothly and I like it very much.

 

[Hermann]

Compliments to Eagle Optics - I gave them my concerns about focus smoothness and customer service agreed to test the individual unit before boxing it up for me. Yes, it focuses very smoothly and I like it very much.

And IF there are any problems with the focusing, Zeiss will take care of you. I know of a couple of folks who had problems with their (early) SFs, and Zeiss repaired them no questions asked. Just like it should be.

Hermann

 

[Jaywalk]

Eagle Optics sent me a set of replacement (mk2) eyecups for my mk1 8x42 SF. In case it hasn't been measured previously they are 3 mm higher (0.121 inches by my caliper) than the old eyecups. (0.121" x 25,4 mm per inch = 3,07 mm.) I would not argue with slightly different measurements, but they are higher.

 

[BruceH]

Jaywalk ... That is good to know. The word I had received earlier (but do not remember where) indicated they were the same length and only an extra stop was added . I thought they should be slightly longer so that is good news. Time for me to call Zeiss and request a set. Thanks.

 

[BruceH]

.... Have the model numbers changed? The link doesn't appear to show any.

Yes, the model numbers for the black armored versions are different

Gray (Grey for Lee) 08X42 MFR# 524221-0000-000
Gray (Grey for Lee) 10X42 MFR# 524222-0000-000

Black 08X42 MFR# 524223 0000 000
Black 10X42 MFR# 524224 0000 000

These numbers are from the B & H Photo web site.

 

[A2GG]

Being interested possibly in a 10x42 someday, I came by this excellent detailed review.

The reviewer praises the ergonomics, focus and optics of the SF, but says the build quality falls short.
This was when the SF first came out (gray version). It's good that Zeiss responded to customer feedback
and seems to have fixed these issues with the new black version.

http://scopeviews.co.uk/Zeiss10x42SF.htm

 

[NDhunter]

Being interested possibly in a 10x42 someday, I came by this excellent detailed review.

The reviewer praises the ergonomics, focus and optics of the SF, but says the build quality falls short.
This was when the SF first came out (gray version). It's good that Zeiss responded to customer feedback
and seems to have fixed these issues with the new black version.

http://scopeviews.co.uk/Zeiss10x42SF.htm

Read the posts above. Those issues were quickly addressed, and the
later gray models, are much the same as the black ones.

I will say, the gray model at the closeout price is a bargain.

Jerry

 

[A2GG]

Read the posts above. Those issues were quickly addressed, and the
later gray models, are much the same as the black ones.

I will say, the gray model at the closeout price is a bargain.

Jerry

Thanks ... good to know. The discounts on the gray models are very attractive, but I have to say I prefer the look of the new black models much better. Supposedly, the black rubber is better quality - better grip and thicker rubber. I would save and buy the black if I was going to buy an SF since it would be a binocular I would keep for life and surely my only 10x. I tried two gray model SF's so far (8x and 10x) and like the ergonomics and wide view quite a bit.

 

[jan van daalen]

Read the posts above. Those issues were quickly addressed, and the
later gray models, are much the same as the black ones.

I will say, the gray model at the closeout price is a bargain.

Jerry

Considering the SF model will end up being an icon and the grey ones are "rare" they will end up as collectors items, meaning the value will go up:smoke:
Good investment in both ways.

Jan