Modern Zeiss: going down in quality?
- Thread starter CoopT
- Start date
I think that the Terra range are their cheapest options. The conquest/ conquest dl are more a midrange. Not sure if they've been replaced by the V4 & V6 though.
Personally I think Swarovski got it right, if you're a premium brand and selling well, why make cheaper products? The old Zeiss lines and the V8 is still a premium product.
Personally I think Swarovski got it right, if you're a premium brand and selling well, why make cheaper products? The old Zeiss lines and the V8 is still a premium product.
The Terra aren't sold by Zeiss anymore. Too bad: I have several and have used them in some awful weather under very rough treatment and they have never given me grief. The one time I had issue with a Zeiss Terra it was because the scope got damaged in shipment. Zeiss had a replacement in 10 days. They shaved cost on Terra scopes by having the glass ground in Japan, offering a more limited options within that model, and not having turrets you can zero. They still ride on my back country rifles.
I have two or three Conquests as well, one varmint model. No issues.~Muir
I have two or three Conquests as well, one varmint model. No issues.~Muir
Bluey
Well-Known Member
I have two Zeiss conguest scopes 3/9/40 3/9/50 on issues whatsoever. Three binos 10 /42 rf victory 10 /25 conguest and 12/45 conguest. Sent one pair back broken screw nothing to pay good service
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
Many thanks I’ll give them a bell
I guess if you build and sell a product you should support it if you intend to remain in business....or any sort of meaningful business! It was previously like splitting hairs between zeiss and swaro but that doesn’t seem to be the case now...
regards,
Gixer
Shootgun
Well-Known Member
i'm a Zeiss man through and through and i can't fault them! #
Had 2nd hand pair of binos serviced free of charge, and not 3 weeks ago i had new turret caps and battery cover for my V8 sent free of charge from Garry at East Coast Binoculard repairs.
On the other hand, the only Swarovski i ever bought, was a Z8I which developed a fault at first use and the service i received was not great to say the least. Can't fault the retailer though...
Can't wait for my new Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20X56 ASV windage plus elevation on a Zeiss rail , to land tomorrow from Swillington
Had 2nd hand pair of binos serviced free of charge, and not 3 weeks ago i had new turret caps and battery cover for my V8 sent free of charge from Garry at East Coast Binoculard repairs.
On the other hand, the only Swarovski i ever bought, was a Z8I which developed a fault at first use and the service i received was not great to say the least. Can't fault the retailer though...
Can't wait for my new Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20X56 ASV windage plus elevation on a Zeiss rail , to land tomorrow from Swillington
nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
Their "budget" pricing doesn't reflect the budget quality or the customer care. You'll get a better scope from Vortex for example for less or similar cost but with their VIP warranty while their top end scopes will rival a top end Zeiss.
HappyHunter
Well-Known Member
Managed to pick up my Terra scope with discount due to knowing a zeiss employee. I'd agree it's a shame they've stopped production. They're no frills but very pleased with mine and pleasantly surprised at the low light performance. Had intended to upgrade other scopes in due course and would've been happy if I'd paid full whack.
HH
Shootgun
Well-Known Member
You got to be kidding....
nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
All things being equal (mag, objective etc) then a top European Zeiss with its coatings will give you a few more minutes of vision into the dark. For everything else it's comparable otherwise if they were so much better why aren't they used globally by more people for more purposes? Just because something was great for years and the top of it's field doesn't mean that it now still is.
I bet you could take 5 scopes all around the £2k mark, take the logo off and give them to shooters and they'd all pick a different "best" scope.
Uncle f
Well-Known Member
I agree with vortex. I recently acquired a vortex razor spotting scope 27-60x85 and it’s superb. Back by there no quibble warranty. Win win.
I’ve a very good friend who has retail concessions in the two large London stores (starting with H and S) and he has dropped Zeiss completely for the past 18 months due to quality issues and the amount of returns that he had and Zeiss haggled over the repairs. So he waisted no time to get rid of them (to there disgust) as they needed to be seen in those Stores. He only stocks Swarovski and kahles and is seriously looking at vortex as well as the third option
I’ve a very good friend who has retail concessions in the two large London stores (starting with H and S) and he has dropped Zeiss completely for the past 18 months due to quality issues and the amount of returns that he had and Zeiss haggled over the repairs. So he waisted no time to get rid of them (to there disgust) as they needed to be seen in those Stores. He only stocks Swarovski and kahles and is seriously looking at vortex as well as the third option
If he does not stock Kowa spotters then he is missing a trick. Many including myself rate their spotting scope glass above Swaro. They are a Japanese chemical company who make it in house. Avoid their bino's as not the same standards/outsourced.
Kjm041
Well-Known Member
any models you'd recommend or ranges. I am after a spotting scope but don't fancy spending the zeiss, swaro, leica money to get one. Just a good solid one for occasional use
New Kowa are in the ballpark of Swaro so not much cheaper if not more expensive, glass better but not as rugged.
What range and magnification are you going to be using it at? Cheap scopes just don't have the resolution or glass quality so when turned up to 30x or more are very dim or will start to have colour aberration (looks like the image is bleached or colours wrong even when in focus).
Personally like draw scopes but they are a niche item as the design needs more care when in use (not fully water or dust proof). Swaro still make these and Ziess used to, also have the advantage of compact storage.
Better get a more expensive tripod and cheaper scope, if it blows over your scope will be damaged and if the tripod is unsteady you won't benefit from better glass and just get headaches!
Vulpes
Well-Known Member
I've been a long time Vortex fan, having compared both Zeiss and Vortex at the BSS last year I have no idea why you'd pay the premium for a Zeiss scope especially when you consider the Vortex warranty which I have used and is excellent. Now Swaro, on the other hand, does seem to beat out the others, admittedly not looked through a Khales though. As others have said though "you could take 5 scopes all around the £2k mark, take the logo off and give them to shooters and they'd all pick a different "best" scope"
Roestalker39
Well-Known Member
I really rate the zeiss duralyt scopes
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