Modern Zeiss: going down in quality?
- Thread starter CoopT
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Ziess are a massive company with a very diverse portfolio (read here for more corporate bumf ZEISS Gruppe), in terms of size and markets they are beyond comparison with Swarovski (who make good glass but shitty diamonds, according to a friend
).Swarovski Optik, unlike Ziess, still have a family member involved in overseeing their operations. I've not been to their facility but the dealer who I used to do some promotional work for did, and they are best described as the Maranello (think Ferrari) of the optics world.
All the major Euro brands (Ziess-Various, Leica- Portugal and S&B-Hungary) now farm out production of their 'low-end' products. In the case of Ziess I believe their items are either produced on contract or even re-brands in some cases, most coming out of the Far East. But I believe their 'halo-tier' optics are still made in house.
You should be fine to buy the HD Conquest by Zeiss, but only if you really like them.
My recommendation for buying binoculars would be going to an authorised dealer and trying all the top brands. For example, I can't get on with Leica binoculars as I believe their design suits people with smaller hands. Their glass is top tier but with every pair of bino's your image quality is going to be limited by your ability to hold them steady, unless you are carting a tripod around I would not make glass quality your ultimate determining factor.
I bought my binos (Swarovision EL 10x42) from the same dealer in 2014 and made my decision having compared the best of Leica, Ziess and Swaro. Since then my binos have been in for a refurb/service twice at no cost to myself, all wear was related to travel and competition use. The service was top class, can't say for sure about the other two makes but the dealer said Swaro were always the most straightforward, anyone who has had to email them for new eyecups will know this
.Whatever you choose, I strongly encourage you to buy from an authorised dealer (as in listed on the company website as an authorised retailer distributor, not a stockist/reseller who claims to be one). Any problems (not saying there will be) and you have the original receipt and bill to back you up. Better safe than sorry, and if you are trying to save £50 or less on a £1,000+ pair of binoculars by shopping around more questionable avenues I would have no sympathy if you encountered problems down the line.
That being said, if you do decide to buy secondhand, make sure the seller is the original owner (with proof of purchase). Don't expect a free service from the manufacturer either, and if you do get one it is down to their charity and not your shrewd negotiating skills.
Personally have never bought Ziess, despite having access their binoculars and spotting scopes for tests. I would always buy German/Austrian and preferably from a company who keeps their production in house, so Swaro ticks all the boxes for me. I own some Leica stuff and S&B scopes, all faultless so far (apart from a PMII turret not working out of the box, which S&B rectified and returned in under a week but took a certain dealer two weeks to 'test & confirm'
...) but they have not had the same miles my Swaro gear has. All the best.
Kahles are a weird one, owned by Swaro and their scopes are supposedly the military/competition equivalents of Swarovski's offerings. Their binoculars have received some less than stellar reviews due to the fact they are made in China/PRC. This is worrying and I don't encourage anyone to knowingly buy any expensive fieldsports products that are made there.
That being said I have never owned a new Kahles, although a look through one of their old scopes (pre-Swaro takeover) was impressive. Supposedly the oldest optics company that still exists.
bluesako
Well-Known Member
dont choose your bino,s or scopes on how much they cost, choose what is best for you and your own eyes, my binos are swarovski slc 8x30,s, they suit me better than the swaro e,ls,, money wasnt an issue i could afford both, but chose the slc,s, as said go and try before you buy, and make your own mind up. atb bs.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
With optics it is very much down to individuals eyes. I like older Zeiss BGAT 7x42 binoculars. Optically and ergonomically magnificent. I don’t like modern Zeiss, Swaro and Leica are good, but swapping my BGATs for them.
As for Rifle Scopes, i really like S&B, they feel really solid. Swarovski are good but expensive, I have a new Leica ER on my 7x57. I like it.
As for Rifle Scopes, i really like S&B, they feel really solid. Swarovski are good but expensive, I have a new Leica ER on my 7x57. I like it.
nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
With the advancements in technology and the machining to produce quality lenses the options are a lot better than before. Outside of Europe many other brands are a lot more popular for a number of reasons. The main sticking point for the top Euro brands is their performance in low light, which is great if you shoot 99% of deer in the last few available minutes. If like most people however you shoot mainly in the day time or up to the last 20 mins of legal light then is it necessary to buy the most expensive offering from one of the top Euro manufacturers?
Personally after Zeiss telling me it was too expensive to repair the range finder electronics in my 6 year old £600 range finder and so I would have to buy a replacement, I'd choose warranties and customer service over the "best" low light performance for peace of mind for future expensive purchases.
Personally after Zeiss telling me it was too expensive to repair the range finder electronics in my 6 year old £600 range finder and so I would have to buy a replacement, I'd choose warranties and customer service over the "best" low light performance for peace of mind for future expensive purchases.
Uncle f
Well-Known Member
Swarovski all the way absolutely no contest. Warranty fantastic when my range binos had a fault they were sent away. I was given a pair to borrow and mine were fixed and back with me in no time. No proof of purchase required no postage to pay.
Buy once cry once. As has been said do look and try if you can prior to purchase!!! Then go and buy the swarovski ones
you know it makes sense
Buy once cry once. As has been said do look and try if you can prior to purchase!!! Then go and buy the swarovski ones
you know it makes sense
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
The Zeiss warranty is no where near as good as Swarovski. I have a Conquest scope with a broken parallax knob and their UK agent doesn’t want to know
I’m supposed to send it back to the states apparently.
I have had excellent service from Ziess on 4 occasions for servicing and general support
Ziess and Leica suit my eyes better than Swarovski and the rifle scopes are a lot better to me, but each to their own.
Customer service - I bought some ex demo 10x30 Swarovski companions
Used less than 5 times. Correlation has gone - 100% never dropped by me, no signs on immaculate body work. £230 to repair
Think I will stick to Ziess.
Ziess and Leica suit my eyes better than Swarovski and the rifle scopes are a lot better to me, but each to their own.
Customer service - I bought some ex demo 10x30 Swarovski companions
Used less than 5 times. Correlation has gone - 100% never dropped by me, no signs on immaculate body work. £230 to repair
Think I will stick to Ziess.
What is wrong with the parallax knob on your conquest? Old model I presume?
I have two of these scopes and both at some time when turning parallax left (anti clockwise) just went loose. There was a very simple fix but can't 100% remember.... both working fine again without sending in. I think one just needs to turn hard clockwise to tighten again.
edi
I have 2 of the 6.5-20x50, which model do you have? Target turrets?
I also did do something under the zeiss sticker. (heat up to remove sticker) There are two small screws, not sure if I just tightened them or dug deeper... in the end the fix was easy.
Selling the scope.... They are very good scopes.
edi
I also did do something under the zeiss sticker. (heat up to remove sticker) There are two small screws, not sure if I just tightened them or dug deeper... in the end the fix was easy.
Selling the scope.... They are very good scopes.
edi
Zeiss Conquest is their entry level (budget line) range of sporting optics so what kind of victory do you guys expect when joining battle with Customer Service?
K
K
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