Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Field & Stream Best of the Best 11/14

I just read this and thought I would post it.
If you are interested in one please contact me for the special pricing for members.

This is copied from Field and Stream
ZEISS VICTORY 32 T* FL
Made in 8x32 and 10x32, this new glass is about as small and light (both models weigh 19 ounces) as is possible for a full-size binocular. The weight savings is achieved through the use of a glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide casing. Optically, the Victory is gorgeous, due in part to the objective lenses being made from fluorite glass, which is rarely found in binoculars because of its cost but offers superb optical quality. These binoculars are so bright that they give away nothing to larger, heavier 42mm models.

How good are they? Last May, I took them on a groundhog hunt in Tennessee, and one of my fellow hunters had a much larger, heavier, and very prestigious binocular of which he was very proud and for which he had just paid a lot of money. He asked if he could take a peek through the Zeiss glasses to see how they compared. He took a long, hard look through them and said, �Aaaaaaaaaaahh, s**t.� That�s how good they are.

Doug, how would you compare these to the Swaro EL 8x32? I'm looking to replace my current 10x42 binocs with a smaller 8x glass. I've read a lot of reviews, and your opinion of the Victory FLs seem to be right on.

Also, would rate the Leica Ultravid 8x32s above either of these?

I think the Ultravids would be #1 then the Zeiss.
I have a chip on my shoulder when it comes to Swarovski because they pulled my dealership because I wasn't charging enough for their product <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />. Wellllll exxxcuuuuse me

Price for each?

Please call me to discuss pricing. I cannot quote discounted prices in an open forum.

How would you rate in order -Leica ,Zeiss,Swaros& Nikon lx.in 8x32 optics?

Thanks Roger

I've owned both the 8x32 Swaro and the Zeiss 8x32 FL. The 32mm Swaro is a bit of a dog, while the 42 mm objective models are quite good. I really like the Zeiss and have been very happy with it. I like the Zeiss a tiny bit better than the Leica, but there is no meaningful difference between the two. I have no experience with the Nikon, but my off the cuff recollection is that the 32 mm model weighs around 25 oz, which puts it in range of the 42 mm Ultravids. If you wear a harness, no big deal, but if you prefer a standard over the neck strap (my preference), a few ounces can add up by the end of the day.

Which Swaro model? The SLCs seem to get the "dog" description quite often, but I've never heard it given to the EL (the new Swaro model).

The one thing that you have to add into the review is that the Nikons will cost significantly less than the others listed. The bigger question is...
Does the Leica, Swarovski or Zeiss quality difference over the Nikon LX-L series warrant the difference in the price

Trademark Texan
My comments refer to the EL, but the 32mm objective only. The 8.5x42's (and 10x42) are a great binocular. I owned a pair of Swaro 8x32's, and felt that I was giving away too much with the smaller objective. I have never felt that way since switching to the Zeiss. In the 32 mm objective, IMO the Leica and Zeiss are comparable.

While I have found the glass and the ergonomics on the Swarovski EL's excellent, I am not confident that the new design with the open hinge is going to hold up. I understand that Zeiss tried this design and found it was not strong enough and gave rise to alignment problems (I am not sure it got out of the R&D phase).

Of the big 3, I think the Leica Utravid and Zeiss FL's top the list. To my eyes, the Ultravids were a little sharper and had a little better color rendition, and the FL's were a hair brighter. The Leicas are built so tough that it gives them a slight overall edge to me.

DJ