Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Zeiss V8

If they brought back the 2.5-10x42( even better 2.5-12) @ $1500 they would fly off the shelf.

It is true in my world RMan. I have zero use for target scopes on hunting rifles, heavyweight scopes on hunting rifles, or spotting scopes on top of my rifles like you do. That particular Zeiss V8 or whatever it's called is a joke IMO, as are most of your scope tests, and IMO that's putting it nicely. Don't forget RMan, I'm an expert on my own opinion and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

I agree.

I'm sure the V8 is optically stunning. Of that, I have little doubt.

When it comes to riflescopes, I just happen to subscribe to the "compact and light" school of thought. I realize that "more" sells to the "more is better" crowd, and I don't blame Zeiss for making this scope to keep up with the high zoom ratio race. But damn, I think big, heavy scopes totally ruin the balance and handling of sporter weight hunting rifles, and especially those weighing less than 6.5 lbs. But, that's me. I have plenty of friends who think you need 20X or greater scopes tipping the scales at nearly 1.5 lbs to kill a big game animal at 100 yds.

A lot of year ago, I scored a Swarovski with a high end of around 16-18, 30mm, with a big objective (50-56??). I took it home and put it on a nice Mauser, took it back off and weighed the scope and mounts. Almost two pounds. I sold it the next day to someone as happy to get it as I had been the day before.

I will not say that I will never own another 30mm scope, but it will not weigh much over a pound and for sure it will not cost $3000 OTD (in today's dollars).

I have never had trouble hitting things with 3X and 4X scopes. I'm fond of the 3.5-10, but I find that they are always set at 5X.

Phil Shoemaker has it right, "...they are aiming devices...."

Jack

Yep. I have 2 of the 2.5-10x42s and don't ever plan to sell either one

Seems as though the hate is strong in here. The illuminated Victory 2.5-10x42 T* weighs 18.5oz and the Victory V8 1.8-14x50 weighs 25oz. Is 6.5oz that big of a deal for one to be considered ideal while the other is a monstrosity? Incidentally the Victory HT 2.5-10x50 with illumination is also 18.5oz.

Have any of you actually looked through and/or used one of these yet? I don't really care about the very large magnification range, but am interested in optical quality, especially in poor light.