Zeiss Victory Binoculars FL 8x42

[Darryl]

Here is some product Information for the Zeiss Victory FL 8x42 Binoculars which have according to Zeiss the highest light transmission of any binocular in it's class. It uses Zeiss Fluoride Glass which provides minimal color fringing. Fully multicoated lenses with anti-reflective coatings. They also boast phase corrected Abbe-Konig prisms. For the rough and tumble enthusiasts they have a high impact armored housing and are nitrogen filled to prevent fogging. Should you go swimming unexpectedly, they are 100% waterproof for just such an occasion. The binoculars also include wide field eyepieces designed for those who wear eyeglasses. You can go from infinity to close focus in just one turn. Low weight design for easy balance and handling.

Specifications:

• Weight 26.5 oz
• 8x Magnification
• 42mm Objective diameter
• Field of view at 1,000 yds 405'
• 16mm Eye relief
• Close focus 6.6'
• +/-4 dpt Diopter Adjustment
• 18.3 Twilight factor
• 5.25mm Exit pupil
• 54-76mm Interpupillary distance
• Height 6.81"
• Width (PD 65) 5.04"

If you are looking for a pair of premium binoculars for astronomy or birding, I would take a close look at these.

If you have any comments or feedback about this product please reply to this post.

[Nokton]

Hi Darryl,
Ok, Zeiss are good, and expensive. Nowhere on Zeiss site can I find whether these are porroprisms or roof prisms, and you not mention it.
Have top quality Zeiss roof prisms, great, but for looking at the moon, and bright objects in the night sky with roof prism binos, forget it.
Darryl, have Canon 15, 50, IS binos, nothing I have had can touch them,
not need a tripod, just sit in my chair, focus, switch the IS on, am there.
The image quality is superb, and steady.....The Pleiades resolved in exquisite detail, The FOV is just right for low to medium observing, viewing
the moon through these binos is an experience, the contrast and detail is stunning.
Nokton.

[Darryl]

They are roof prism binoculars and I agree they are not cheap but from what I have read on the net they are very good.

When it comes to the Canon Image Stabilized binoculars they are tops and I am not surprised you like them so much. The Zeiss Victory Binoculars are a very good choice but it's up to the individual how much they want to spend. The Zeiss optics are very hard to beat and is one of the reasons you would be paying more than the Canon for them.

What is it you don't like about the roof prism for astronomical purposes. I have read comments from a well known astronomy magazine here in Canada that gives the 8x42 Zeiss Victory very good feedback and highly recommends them for observing the night sky.

Regards,

[Nokton]

Hi Dear Friend,
Roof prisms in astronomy not cope with bright objects,
produce a halo around them, porroprisms do not. For terrestrial objects
no prob, light and easy to carry also.
In a moment of levity, leave you with this.
There was a young Lady named Bright, whose speed was faster than
light, she set off one day in a relative way, and returned the previous
night, lol.
Nokon

[Nokton]

Originally Posted by Darryl

They are roof prism binoculars and I agree they are not cheap but from what I have read on the net they are very good.

When it comes to the Canon Image Stabilized binoculars they are tops and I am not surprised you like them so much. The Zeiss Victory Binoculars are a very good choice but it's up to the individual how much they want to spend. The Zeiss optics are very hard to beat and is one of the reasons you would be paying more than the Canon for them.

What is it you don't like about the roof prism for astronomical purposes. I have read comments from a well known astronomy magazine here in Canada that gives the 8x42 Zeiss Victory very good feedback and highly recommends them for observing the night sky.

Regards,

Hi Darryl,
Many thanx your last. Have 10x42 Victory bought 7 years ago.
With targets like the Pleiades, and Orion, superb detail and contrast when supported on a rigid mount. On the Moon, a ghost image spoils the view.
Dosen't on my Zeiss 8x32 porro, a fantastic bino. Maybe Zeiss improved
their coating on their roof prisms.....Be that as it may, dear friend,
a Victory with a good stabilising mount will set you back about a buck
and a half behind the Canon IS 15x50, much more hassle in set up and
observing in pleasure.
I sit on my backside, Canon in my hands, elbows on knees, find what I want to see, press the IS switch, and what I see is a rock solid image.
Plus a bonus, no distortion or aberration of what I see, no ghost images,
just the stars, planets, Moon, whatever I focus on is delivered by these
binos as is, with no shake to sully the experience.
Enjoy converse with you Darryl.
Take care,
Nokton

[Darryl]

I appreciate your feedback on the Canon's versus the Zeiss 8x42 binoculars. Given that the Zeiss may push my budget for the time being, I would most likely pick up a pair of Canon's Image Stabilized binoculars if I was going for a pair right now.

[Nokton]

Originally Posted by Darryl

I appreciate your feedback on the Canon's versus the Zeiss 8x42 binoculars. Given that the Zeiss may push my budget for the time being, I would most likely pick up a pair of Canon's Image Stabilized binoculars if I was going for a pair right now.

,
Hi my friend Darryl,
As you know, I live in UK, the Zeiss cost £1100 or more
here, the Canon I paid £600 for. Darryl, the Canon, will give you value
for your buck against the Zeiss, but get the 15x50 if you really want to explore the night sky with an objective, hand held, that is absolutely stable, without a mount, edge to edge sharpness, and contrast few
dream of. Have spent many happy hours with the Canon. When observing the night sky so much is taken with magnification. To truly appreciate
the night sky, one has to understand the wider picture, what better than
a first class binocular?
Nokton

[Darryl]

Originally Posted by Nokton

,
Hi my friend Darryl,
As you know, I live in UK, the Zeiss cost £1100 or more
here, the Canon I paid £600 for. Darryl, the Canon, will give you value
for your buck against the Zeiss, but get the 15x50 if you really want to explore the night sky with an objective, hand held, that is absolutely stable, without a mount, edge to edge sharpness, and contrast few
dream of. Have spent many happy hours with the Canon. When observing the night sky so much is taken with magnification. To truly appreciate
the night sky, one has to understand the wider picture, what better than
a first class binocular?
Nokton

Hi,

I really like your feedback on the Canon Image Stablized Binoculars. In fact I like it so much I am trying to convince myself that I should not follow the thoughts of "needing" a pair versus "wanting" a pair. I was looking at cruise ships and the night sky through an inexpensive pair of binoculars this summer while we were camping, and really enjoyed the wide field of view compared to a telescope.

I only "want" them, right?

What do I do about those Televue Eyepieces that I "need", whoops, I mean "want"?

Regards,

[Nokton]

Originally Posted by Darryl

Hi,

I really like your feedback on the Canon Image Stablized Binoculars. In fact I like it so much I am trying to convince myself that I should not follow the thoughts of "needing" a pair versus "wanting" a pair. I was looking at cruise ships and the night sky through an inexpensive pair of binoculars this summer while we were camping, and really enjoyed the wide field of view compared to a telescope.

I only "want" them, right?

What do I do about those Televue Eyepieces that I "need", whoops, I mean "want"?

Regards,

Hi Darryl,
Am reminded of the saying,'the best scope you have is the one
you use most'. The 'seeing conditions' that affect 50 to 200 times scopes, absent with binos, so any clear night sky is pleasure to view.
I spend twice the time with my Canons than with my Tak. Just a look
at the jets con trails at twilight tells me what to choose for viewing.
As for needs, no contest if one is interested in enjoying the night sky
as much as possible. Quality binos fit into a niche in astronomical viewing
that scopes not cover, two eyes, wide field, almost 3D.
Another virtue of binos is terrestrial viewing, many different subjects
are enhanced, from birds to 'getting detail of a point of interest a distance away'. Something your Lady wife may find more interest in
than a scope lens.
Do you need a pair of top class binos Darryl? Yes. Do you need a new
eyepiece, no, you just want it.
If you go for the Canons, and you should, eschew the 18 times, the
IS system struggles to cope, and the FOV is dimmer and narrower.
Take care.
Nokton.