Zeiss DTI 3/25 Gen 2

[StephenJD]

Hi all. Considering investing in a Zeiss DTI 3/25 Gen 2 and would appreciate any feedback from people who use / own one already.

My stalking is almost exclusively in fairly hilly woodland plus the occasional small meadow or arable field. I therefore value field of view over range. I genuinely cannot imagine needing to ID a deer with a thermal spotter at more than 1-200m on my current ground (“detect” is another matter but 900m would be several multiples of what I’d need 99% of the time given the topography) but the ability to spot a blood trail at last light when a muntjac runs 5 steps in to the bracken and disappears would be invaluable.

I have a Zeiss Conquest V6 scope on my rifle and use the Zeiss app already for a variety of things and hence thinking there’s added efficiency by sticking with the brand.

Have handled and looked through one in non-‘field’ conditions and found it to be a good fit in the hand and the controls fairly intuitive.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mealiejimmy]

If you buy it from here Zeiss DTI 3/25 Thermal monocular | LCE
then arguably it's not bad value for money
The other places selling it for £1600 and up are having a laugh
Remember that Zeiss make almost nothing that goes into this product ( i.e lens, sensor electronics and display) and you are just paying for the name

Cheers

Bruce

 

[StephenJD]

If you buy it from here Zeiss DTI 3/25 Thermal monocular | LCE
then arguably it's not bad value for money
The other places selling it for £1600 and up are having a laugh
Remember that Zeiss make almost nothing that goes into this product ( i.e lens, sensor electronics and display) and you are just paying for the name

Cheers

Bruce

Thanks Bruce. I think this is Gen 1 (eg LCOS display vs. AMOLED for the Gen 2 DTI 3s). Most retailers (eg. Cluny, Scott) seem to be selling the 3/25 Gen 2 at ~£1,900. Is the step up in capability worth the additional £200-300 in your view?

 

[mealiejimmy]

At around £1900, the Zeiss is definitely not worth it
The HIK Falcon FQ25 with an RRP of £1700 and a "street price" of around 10% less will be significantly better than the Zeiss

Cheers

Bruce

 

[StephenJD]

Thank you. I had discounted HIK given the obvious security concerns and hence thinking about Zeiss, Pulsar etc but your point that the key components are likely still made outside of Europe is well made.

 

[StephenJD]

Anyone else using one of these?

 

[artschool]

Anyone else using one of these?

I have the gen 1 DTI 3/35. I bought it because I prefer the menu arrangement and ergonomics over the other available spotters.

 

[StephenJD]

I have the gen 1 DTI 3/35. I bought it because I prefer the menu arrangement and ergonomics over the other available spotters.

Thank you.

Yes, I found the interface on the two models (1/19 and 3/25 Gen 2) that I tried (admittedly, briefly and in non-field conditions) very intuitive to use.

How do you find in-field performance? Any particular draw backs?

I have seen a few new / unused Gen 1s being offered at a reduced price now the new model is out and, as far as I can tell, the major difference is the screen and having a few more colour palette options so a Gen 1 could well be a good shout to keep costs down. They have all been 3/35s so far and, as noted above, I’d prefer the 3/25 to maximise field of view vs range

 

[artschool]

Thank you.

Yes, I found the interface on the two models (1/19 and 3/25 Gen 2) that I tried (admittedly, briefly and in non-field conditions) very intuitive to use.

How do you find in-field performance? Any particular draw backs?

I have seen a few new / unused Gen 1s being offered at a reduced price now the new model is out and, as far as I can tell, the major difference is the screen and having a few more colour palette options so a Gen 1 could well be a good shout to keep costs down. They have all been 3/35s so far and, as noted above, I’d prefer the 3/25 to maximise field of view vs range

I haven't had any issues using it in the field. I also have a DTC 3/25.

Having looked at a DTI 6 recently (with the same gen 2 AMOLED screen) I didn't think that it would make a difference when I am hunting so am not looking to upgrade it.

My personal option is that all of these new thermals are more than sufficient for 90% of what we all do so it comes down to decent battery life and ease of use.

 

[StephenJD]

I haven't had any issues using it in the field. I also have a DTC 3/25.

Having looked at a DTI 6 recently (with the same gen 2 AMOLED screen) I didn't think that it would make a difference when I am hunting so am not looking to upgrade it.

My personal option is that all of these new thermals are more than sufficient for 90% of what we all do so it comes down to decent battery life and ease of use.

Great, thank you very much. Appreciate you taking the time to share your view.

 

[Steve3250]

I have the dti4/35 the quality of picture really good could pick out deer at 1500 m against hot rocks the boy I was out with had new pulsar and used the zeiss as it was better at detection at range