Not necessarily so. I’ve got the choice of a couple of pairs of the latest / current Zeiss Victory models to choose from or a pair of Zeiss 7x42 BGAT’s which I’ve had from new. I often choose the 7x42’s as they are still the nicest to use for many of my needs - other times I go with the Victory models. I pick what’s best for the job in hand.
Older binos- Zeiss BGAT P or Swaro El/SLC
- Thread starter Navarone
- Start date
Zeiss Nightowl 7x45 would be the only Zeiss offering that might sway me from the classic 7x42 BGAT.
Both have a superb image.
Both have a superb image.
HonestJohn
Well-Known Member
I thought they flopped? Lumpy things..
I bought my 10x40 on eBay of all places, paid not a lot for them because the rubber armour was falling off & they looked tatty. I sent them to Zeiss for a refurb & they came back fully serviced, cleaned up, new rubber armour, new rain guard, new strap, new objective covers (from a different model at my request but work a treat) & a nice new leather case. The cost was very reasonable, I don’t recall the exact figure but less than £200 from memory.
If you get them for £100, or even £200, send them away & get a price for service - if it’s too expensive sell them on (maybe part ex for a better pair at somewhere like London Canera Exchange for example?).
Very good point I hadn’t considered the part exchange bit. If I can get them cheap I’ll buy them! Glad to hear you like yours
Seen these would love to get a look through them at some point
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
They are also a truly wonderful binocular.
Dialyt 7x42 BGAT* all day long. Discontinued in the early / mid 2000’s, but even some of todays offerings do not compare with this model in optical performance.
Forget the “weatherproof” as opposed to waterproof. I never saw one that had leaked. At the time they were described as “The Definitive Binocular”. FYI. If you see P or P* then they were manufactured after 1989. The T* shows manufactured after 1979. There is no difference between P and P*.
Forget the “weatherproof” as opposed to waterproof. I never saw one that had leaked. At the time they were described as “The Definitive Binocular”. FYI. If you see P or P* then they were manufactured after 1989. The T* shows manufactured after 1979. There is no difference between P and P*.
John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
I have been videoing a cracker stag over the last few weeks. Like all big boys he has a surrounding harem and a deep safety chasm `tween the camera and himself. The snip below is from a video at some part of one of his 'sniff the cows' journey`s and ranged at circa 1100 yards using 10x42 RF Swaro`s. A truly worthy combination but I have been lamenting to all and sundry that "i`m effing filthy on selling my 15x56 Swaro`s last year basically for lack of use.
My bino`s are used and used and used and sitting on the hill under the same conditions there is no discernable difference between S,Z or L`s in reality. Mate uses Zeiss alongside me, we don't bother swapping anymore as we cant see any point, they are both excellent.
Most people tout more on to what they actually own than to any scientific truth of efficacy.
But i can unequivocally state that late in the day at long range the 10 x although being superb bino`s just don't have enough X for the finer details. Thus I am now wanting for the extra 5x back in the stable again. I still have the older SLC`s another great bino that visiting international gentlemen use or have used when here and there has nary been one criticism.
He`s a big boy.
My bino`s are used and used and used and sitting on the hill under the same conditions there is no discernable difference between S,Z or L`s in reality. Mate uses Zeiss alongside me, we don't bother swapping anymore as we cant see any point, they are both excellent.
Most people tout more on to what they actually own than to any scientific truth of efficacy.
But i can unequivocally state that late in the day at long range the 10 x although being superb bino`s just don't have enough X for the finer details. Thus I am now wanting for the extra 5x back in the stable again. I still have the older SLC`s another great bino that visiting international gentlemen use or have used when here and there has nary been one criticism.
He`s a big boy.
I have used a pair of 7x42 BGAT T*P* since 1997. They did leak once in torrential rain where I was under a stream from a tree branch. That’s expensive as it requires replacement of the prism.
I have just moved to 8x42HTs. I can tell a slight difference in low light and sharpness but only just.
The BGATS are light and very ergonomic. For £400-£600 they are hard to beat. The FOV is brilliant
P* are later production and I could tell the difference
I have just moved to 8x42HTs. I can tell a slight difference in low light and sharpness but only just.
The BGATS are light and very ergonomic. For £400-£600 they are hard to beat. The FOV is brilliant
P* are later production and I could tell the difference
Didn’t flop, just heavy due to the flint glass in the objective lens, but excellent in low light.
If you have a P or P* then they were manufactured after 1989. The HT’s are different as they incorporate the HT glass, which further reduces the amount of light loss passing through the glass and not just the glass surfaces. Others also use this glass, mainly in the prism.
Not that anyone will be particularly interested by this but after months of looking I found a pair of Zeiss 7x42 BGATPs at a price I was willing to pay….they are the latest versions, T* and P*
I bought them off eBay and they are in pretty good condition I think. The glass seems fine although I’ll probably send them for a service at some point.
Early impressions are that the glass seems very clear. For the price I am happy! Whether I chop and change them in the future I’m not sure…
I bought them off eBay and they are in pretty good condition I think. The glass seems fine although I’ll probably send them for a service at some point.
Early impressions are that the glass seems very clear. For the price I am happy! Whether I chop and change them in the future I’m not sure…
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Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
No need to chop and change. Just start using them. Optically they are magnificent, but that’s not why they are very very good. Its the balance, weight and ergonomics, and that you can spend hours scanning for deer, or watching wildlife without eyes getting tired which will endere them to you.
Modern Swarovski, Leica, Vortex etc just feel like using a housebrick by comparison
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