Older binos- Zeiss BGAT P or Swaro El/SLC

[Navarone]

Hi All,

Looking into new binos at the moment…

Having done a fair amount of research I see the same models recommended in the second hand market time and time again…either Zeiss BGAT P’s or old Swaro EL’s/SLC’s

Having looked a fair amount used prices for all the models above in good condition are actually fairly similar between 5-800£ ish with the Swaros generally being more expensive and Zeiss cheaper (but usually the swaros are newer which makes sense).

Just wondering what peoples feelings are on what’s a better bet, are Swaros worth that little bit extra or are the Zeiss super value at what the go for now?

If it helps I’m trying to find 7.5/8 x 42 ish in terms of size and mag although not massively fussed if the objective size is bigger…

Cheers,

Patrick

 

[HonestJohn]

Get Zeiss 7x42 t* bgats

Best Binos made, and likely ever will be made

 

[Heym SR20]

Get Zeiss 7x42 t* bgats

Best Binos made, and likely ever will be made

Plus 1 on this. Lenses are brilliant and they are much better balanced than the Swarovski’s. And they last. Mine were a wedding present from Mrs Heym at the end of the last century. Still bright a clear and perfectly functioning even after 25 years of use.

 

[Suilven]

+2 on the Zeiss.

Zeiss 7x42 Dialyt ClassiC Review

scopeviews.co.uk

 

[Turnips]

There's a pair for sale in the classifieds just now, assuming this is the fabled model:

For Sale: - ZEISS 7 x 42 B/GA T*P* BINOCULARS. £495

ZEISS 7x42 BINOCULARS ONE OWNER FROM NEW IN EXCELLENT CONDITION JUST SLIGHTLY WORN ON THE BRIDGE AS USUAL COMES WITH ORIGINAL BOX AND PAPERS RAIN GUARD AND WIDE NECK STRAP THESE ARE CLASSIC STALKING BINOS AND ARE ONLY FOR SALE AS I HAVE ANOTHER PAIR SO NOT BEING USED SENT ROYAL MAIL SPECIAL...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

**edit - apologies, these ones are recently listed, the other advert is quite old

For Sale: - Zeiss Dialyt 7x42B T*P*

Zeiss Dialyt 7x42B T*P* I’ve owned these from new only selling as I’ve upgraded Excellent condition not far off new condition 9/10 Lenses clear from scratches With carry strap and leather bag £700 ono

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[Navarone]

Blimey, pretty resounding so far…

@triggertrix @Heym SR20 @Suilven

I’m onto a decent looking pair of 10x40 Zeiss B T*…I have asked for some picture to ascertain whether they are also P too but they are super cheap (under 200£)…are these as good as the 7 x 42s in terms of glass and performance or no? Is the 7 x 42 the ultimate (and ones everyone recommends) as they are the absolute best mag/to weight/to glass ratio for stalking?

 

[lochty]

Check where the 10x were made. IIRC there was a model made in the Jena factory in East Germany which weren't nearly as good as the 7x, which were made in West Germany. Showing my age now....

 

[FISH BOY]

Bit of an SLC fan here - as a glasses wearer, the far larger ocular lens makes them so much easier to use.

 

[Heym SR20]

Blimey, pretty resounding so far…

@triggertrix @Heym SR20 @Suilven

I’m onto a decent looking pair of 10x40 Zeiss B T*…I have asked for some picture to ascertain whether they are also P too but they are super cheap (under 200£)…are these as good as the 7 x 42s in terms of glass and performance or no? Is the 7 x 42 the ultimate (and ones everyone recommends) as they are the absolute best mag/to weight/to glass ratio for stalking?

The 10x ones were a bit smaller. Probably a better bird watching binocular, but for deer stalking are little too powerful to sit behind fir extend glassing, and the 7x42 are utterly stunning in terms of light gathering. I have been able to study wild boar and deer in fields and geese roosting on the foreshore under moonlight when can not or just barely make them out by naked eye.

Even better for night use are 8x56 Dialyt which Zeiss continued to make for a bit longer. These are optically magnificent, but a bigger and heavier and really too big for mobile stalking use. Superb though for static game watching.

 

[sikastag270]

had both ,10x40 poor compared to 7x42.

 

[Hazlett]

I bought some Zeiss 7x42BGAT*P in 1995 and have often wondered about upgrading but have never found anything that seems worth letting go of the Zeiss.

The 8x56 are amazing but, yes agreed, heavy and massive. Not really practical for wandering around with.

The 10x40 are more compact than the 7x42 and have the focussing internally, so potentially are more robust than the 7x42. But every time I've borrowed 10x40 I'm pleased I went for 7x42. Eye relief, esp for specs wearers is outstanding. And this combined with exit pupil means you don't have to be fussy holding the binoculars precisely to your eye to get full field of view.

 

[HonestJohn]

The 7x42 is where you need to go. Buy the ones for sale on here and you won’t buy another pair of Binos in your lifetime

 

[Donkey Basher]

Have had a pair of 10x40 Zeiss for a good few years now and never found them lacking. Initially thought the 10x might be an issue wrt too much magnification in woodland and reduced light transmission in low light but never been an issue.

 

[Steff]

Many old men recommending what they grew up with.
The old Zeiss BGAT*P were outstanding - during their time.
Get a new pair of Zeiss Conquest‘s for the same money and you‘ll have better value for money AND warranty.

 

[HonestJohn]

Many old men recommending what they grew up with.
The old Zeiss BGAT*P were outstanding - during their time.
Get a new pair of Zeiss Conquest‘s for the same money and you‘ll have better value for money AND warranty.

I’m not old, and have used many binoculars in my career in optics. I still use the Zeiss 7x42 bgats. Nothing beats them IMHO. They are like a good Schmidt and Bender 6x42.

 

[Suilven]

Me neither, bought mine recently and have other glass.

 

[Steff]

I’m not old, and have used many binoculars in my career in optics. I still use the Zeiss 7x42 bgats. Nothing beats them IMHO. They are like a good Schmidt and Bender 6x42.

I ain‘t fresh either any longer. But I do cherish improvements. Also those over the 6x42 S&B.

For those who care to know what BGAT*P means.
B (Brillenträgerokulare = adjustable ocular for spectacle wearers)
GA (Gummiarmiert = rubberized)
T* ( Zeiss‘ T* coating)
P ( Phasenkorrigiert = phase corrected)

 

[Navarone]

Have had a pair of 10x40 Zeiss for a good few years now and never found them lacking. Initially thought the 10x might be an issue wrt too much magnification in woodland and reduced light transmission in low light but never been an issue.

I’ve made an offer of a hundred quid posted for the 10x40s they’ve got a bit of dust in and the left side is slightly foggy so will need to go for a service…

If he accepts even though they aren’t as good as the 7x 42s it seems a bit of a no brainer in terms of a bargain? Better than my current RSPB (Viking) avocet 8 x 42s at any rate i would imagine…

 

[Steff]

I’ve made an offer of a hundred quid posted for the 10x40s they’ve got a bit of dust in and the left side is slightly foggy so will need to go for a service…

If he accepts even though they aren’t as good as the 7x 42s it seems a bit of a no brainer in terms of a bargain? Better than my current RSPB (Viking) avocet 8 x 42s at any rate i would imagine…

A qualified refurbishment will cost you £400 easily. Any old fart can take it apart, clean it and put it back together. But there won‘t be any nitrogen charging, no replacement of the rubberizing etc.
Is it really just foggy or does it have glass fungus?
Think again.

 

[HonestJohn]

I’d offer £350 for the 7x42 and live happily ever after if accepted