Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Zeiss Terra ED binocular

http://sportsoptics.zeiss.com/hunting/en_us/binoculars/terraed.html

This showed up in another optics forum the other day and I figured it would merit a post if for nothing else than informational value.

As far as I know these will be around $500 and very likely will not be made in Germany.

Personally, I look forward to seeing one of these.

I think the big boys have recognized that $2000 glass ain't for everybody. In fact it's for the relative few, especially in today's economy. Zeiss and Swaro (CL) recognize that. Leupold will have an HD bino shortly, the McKinley (not made in USA) that promises a "wow" factor. Competition is fierce to say the least.

I can't wait to see this McKinley

Did you notice they also have the Terra riflescopes as well.

edit: I see that Doug posted that earlier.

looks like the old conquest lineup might be going away

The existing Conquest line is being trimmed to 7 SKU's:

6.5-20x50 in Z-Plex #20 & MilDot #43 reticles

3-12x56 #8

3.5-10x50 Z-Plex #20

3-9x50 Z-Plex #20

4.5-14x50 Z-Plex #20 in both the Target and Hunting versions

When Zeiss announced this we cut a deal with them and loaded up on the following scopes (of course at very reduced prices):

3-9x40 Z-Plex #20 in both Matte Black & Stainless

3-9x50's in Black and Stainless #20 Z-Plex, #4 and Rapid-Z 600 versions

3.5-10x44's in Black and Stainless #20 Z-Plex, #4, Rapid-Z 600 & Rapid-Z 800 versions

3.5-10x50's in Black and Stainless #20 Z-Plex, #4, Rapid-Z 600 & Rapid-Z 800 versions

4.5-14x44's in Black and Stainless #20 Z-Plex, Stainless Rapid-Z 800, as well as Matte Black #4, #43 MilDot & Rapid-Z 1000

4.5-14x50's in Black and Stainless #20 Z-Plex, #4 & Rapid-Z 1000 versions

6.5-20x50's in #20 Hunting and Target, #20 Stainless, Rapid-Z Varmint in both Black and Stainless & Black #43 & #4's

These scopes have been selling like crazy and zeiss has no more so if you are interested click on one of the links or call me or Neil @ 212-753-5128

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The new Terra ED Binoculars are $349.99 for the 8x42 and $399.99 for the 10x42

http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-bx-4-mckinley-hd-10x42mm-roof-prism-binoculars-black.html

Here it is...(the Leupold)

Steve,

I'll likely give one of those a whirl. Or try yours.

Now the Terra rifle scopes intrigue me as well. Well, except for the 3.54" of eye relief across the line.

Well this went from the Terra to the McKinley pretty quick . I think the McKinley will be announced at the SHOT show. For a change it seems they will be available for order then, so no waiting around, twiddling thumbs until it finally shows up.

It's a high end Green Ring model. I think it will remind you somewhat of the discontinued Gold Ring, and...NO it is Not the Gold Ring repackaged...so let's put that aside before it pops up. There is not likely to be many flies on the McKinley.

On another note the Zeiss Terra looks kind of Minox like I think. And that is not a statement from me that Minox has anything to do with this.

Doug, do you have these yet?

I decided to bump this up a little. On Bird Forum today, Steve Ingraham, who some may remember from his days independently doing binocular reviews on the "Better View Desired" site, popped in with his first post on that forum. He has worked for Zeiss ever since he left BVD. His post is quoted below. There is some good information there.

The BF thread is linked here and also provides some good info
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2650311#post2650311

Steve Ingraham
"Let's lay a few things from this thread to rest.
1) all the TERRA EDs anyone has seen are PROTOTYPES, and the armor is Rapid Prototyping Material, not the final armor. As it happens it has very similar consistency and feel to final armor, but NO CONCLUSIONS should be drawn as to the smell

2) The official TERRA ED story.
We (ZEISS Sports Optics) made a decision several years ago to bring the ZEISS Premium experience to new groups of birders and wildlife observers. We see the ZEISS Premium Experience as being a combination of exceptional optical performance...the brightest, highest resolution, highest contrast images available...and superior mechanical quality and performance, which includes a well balanced, easy hold, and smooth, relatively rapid, focus.
Our VICTORY Binoculars will continue to set the absolute standard for quality and permanence. They are essentially hand made in Germany. It is our intention that they simply have on competition. They are the best.
The Conquest HD line of binoculars are intended to be competitive with premium offerings from other European makers, including glasses which cost twice as much. They use a High Definition Lens design, which includes ED glass. They have the same "quality of view"...bright, sharp images...as the Victories, and the same excellent ergonomics, though in a more compact body design. We offer them at exceptional value. All CONQUETS HD products are marked Made in (binoculars), or Assembled in (riflescopes) Germany.
TERRA ED Binoculars are designed, engineered, and quality assured in Germany. In order to meet a very aggressive price point, and still bring the full ZEISS Premium Experience, assembly is outsourced (for binoculars, to China).

More specifically, since this is a TERRA ED thread, and to cover items already mention in the thread:
The optical design of the TERRA EDs is built around (real) SCHOTT ED glass, to provide the same "quality of view" as their more expensive siblings. They do not have T* Coatings, but the ZEISS MC multicoating has a very similar transmission curve and equal total transmission. We have used ZEISS MC coatings on Conquest riflescopes and binoculars for many years now. The TERRA EDs share the new look and the improved ergonomics of the VICTORY HTs and CONQUEST HDs, but in an even more compact and light weight form. The TERRA EDs are a fully premium product from ZEISS. We have done what we had to do, in today's market, to bring them within reach of those on a budget, beginning and aspiring birders and wildlife observers, and anyone who wants a real premium experience at price most can afford.

No apologies! This is a real ZEISS product and I am proud to be involved in its development (with Gerold Dobler taking the lead in Germany) and to be able to offer it to a whole new group of birders and observers! Everyone I have showed them too has been astounded when I tell them price! They are that good.

To put it another way. This is NOT the Diafun! There will be no Diafuns on my or Mr. Dobler's watch! I promise you that. (And remember, the Diafun reached the market at $700!)

You will be able to judge for yourselves when the TERRA EDs reach dealers in April...or if you get to a festival where I am between now and then. (San Diego or the new Birding Optics and Gear Expo in Columbus OH, anyone?)"

Note he does not say which of the more than a dozen worldwide locations of Schott Factories produce the glass for the Terra ED.

Yeah, I'd like to get my paws on a pair of 10's by spring bruin time.

Dober

Hopefully by St Patty's day

That would work, thx Doug looking forward to getting my eyes on a pair of 10's.

Dober