Wanted: Zeiss thermal imaging information
- Thread starter Bluey
- Start date
The best advice I can give you is don't buy any Zeiss thermal
Why?
Zeiss have a well deserved reputation for making fantastic optical instruments like scopes and binoculars
But a thermal is not an optical instrument
The main components of a thermal are:
a. Objective lens - this is not made from glass - it's made from germanium which is a semi metal and Zeiss buy them in from an external supplier
b. Thermal sensor - again, not made by Zeiss, but bought in from some company in China
c. Signal processing electronics - probably coming from the same company that supplies the sensor
d. Near eye display -probably made by Sony in Japan, but definitely not by Zeiss
e, Ocular lens assembly - this is made of glass and might be designed and manufactured by Zeiss - however it's a very simple bit of optics and it can't improve the image
So, If you buy a Zeiss thermal you actually paying a significant premium for the name and nothing else
There are many thermal spotters out there made by other companies that have the same spec for significantly less money or a significantly better spec for the same money as a Zeiss thermal
Have a search on this (and other forums) for how often Zeiss thermal are mentioned compared to Pulsar/HIK/NocPix/Pixfra/Thermtec etc
Zeiss doesn't make many appearances
Also the DT 1/25 is a hand held thermal monocular while the DTC 3/25 is a thermal front add-on that attaches to an existing dayscope with an adaptor that must be purchased separately
I don't believe the DTC 3/25 can be used as a monocular
If you tell us what you intend to do with either of these thermals, then I'm sure we can come up with some suggestions that will do what you want for less money the Zeiss want
Cheers
Bruce
Why?
Zeiss have a well deserved reputation for making fantastic optical instruments like scopes and binoculars
But a thermal is not an optical instrument
The main components of a thermal are:
a. Objective lens - this is not made from glass - it's made from germanium which is a semi metal and Zeiss buy them in from an external supplier
b. Thermal sensor - again, not made by Zeiss, but bought in from some company in China
c. Signal processing electronics - probably coming from the same company that supplies the sensor
d. Near eye display -probably made by Sony in Japan, but definitely not by Zeiss
e, Ocular lens assembly - this is made of glass and might be designed and manufactured by Zeiss - however it's a very simple bit of optics and it can't improve the image
So, If you buy a Zeiss thermal you actually paying a significant premium for the name and nothing else
There are many thermal spotters out there made by other companies that have the same spec for significantly less money or a significantly better spec for the same money as a Zeiss thermal
Have a search on this (and other forums) for how often Zeiss thermal are mentioned compared to Pulsar/HIK/NocPix/Pixfra/Thermtec etc
Zeiss doesn't make many appearances
Also the DT 1/25 is a hand held thermal monocular while the DTC 3/25 is a thermal front add-on that attaches to an existing dayscope with an adaptor that must be purchased separately
I don't believe the DTC 3/25 can be used as a monocular
If you tell us what you intend to do with either of these thermals, then I'm sure we can come up with some suggestions that will do what you want for less money the Zeiss want
Cheers
Bruce
Bluey
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that Bruce. That has just come as a big shock 
. I never knew that about Zeiss. I have 3 sets of binoculars from Zeiss and 2 scopes and i have found them Spot on so that's why I was looking at the Zeiss one's. I was just wanting one to help me too find the deer that bit earlier so I can increase my chances of been successful . That's all it was for. I go out with a chap up in Corbridge and he has one don't know the make and I found it a game changer for spotting them that bit quicker so thought I would treat myself to one . Many thanks Bluey 
. I never knew that about Zeiss. I have 3 sets of binoculars from Zeiss and 2 scopes and i have found them Spot on so that's why I was looking at the Zeiss one's. I was just wanting one to help me too find the deer that bit earlier so I can increase my chances of been successful . That's all it was for. I go out with a chap up in Corbridge and he has one don't know the make and I found it a game changer for spotting them that bit quicker so thought I would treat myself to one . Many thanks Bluey No problem
You wouldn't be the first, and you won't be the last who saw the Zeiss name on a thermal and thought they were buying top kit.
In fact, the Zeiss thermals are no better than average and not good value for money
The three biggest sellers of thermal kit in the UK are Scott Country, Blackwood Outdoors and Optics Warehouse
Between them they account for the big majority of thermal imagers sold in the UK
None of them sell Zeiss thermals, so that might be clue to look at other brands
For woodland stalking, I suggest one of the following:
a; HIK Falcon FQ35
b. Nocpix Lumi H35
c. Pulsar Axion Compact XG35
d. Pixfra Sirius S 635
Have a look for these online and on YouTube for reviews and comparisons
Contact the seller(s) of your choice by text or phone (not e mail) and ask for their best price. You should be able to get around 10% discount
Cheers
Bruce
You wouldn't be the first, and you won't be the last who saw the Zeiss name on a thermal and thought they were buying top kit.
In fact, the Zeiss thermals are no better than average and not good value for money
The three biggest sellers of thermal kit in the UK are Scott Country, Blackwood Outdoors and Optics Warehouse
Between them they account for the big majority of thermal imagers sold in the UK
None of them sell Zeiss thermals, so that might be clue to look at other brands
For woodland stalking, I suggest one of the following:
a; HIK Falcon FQ35
b. Nocpix Lumi H35
c. Pulsar Axion Compact XG35
d. Pixfra Sirius S 635
Have a look for these online and on YouTube for reviews and comparisons
Contact the seller(s) of your choice by text or phone (not e mail) and ask for their best price. You should be able to get around 10% discount
Cheers
Bruce
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