So, stuck at home, with nothing better to do (today anyway) . . . why not review new binoculars!
I’ve kept a pair of binoculars on hand for the last 45 years, from Bushnell and other mid to full size bins to $100 pocket Nikons. Living where lots of birds frequent inspired me a few years ago to upgrade to midsized Nikon Monarch 7 bins for myself, and Zeiss Terra Pocket binoculars for my wife. The mid-sized Monarchs were more comfortable to use, but I found myself often grabbing the Zeiss binoculars because of how easy it was to carry them. Another plus for the Zeiss was being slightly brighter and more contrasty than the Monarchs. Both binoculars are great, however.
The biggest problem I had with the Terras was the narrow field of view (357ft at 1000yds vs 420ft for the Monarchs); it felt like looking down a tube at times. Also, the way the Zeiss fit my eye sockets was less comfortable than the Monarchs whose eye cups were larger and immediately situated themselves for a full view, whereas the Terras require more careful positioning to avoid blacking out one’s view. Lastly, the location of the Zeiss focusing knob was awkward because my finger had to bend to use it (the knob was stiff too), which contributed to the Zeiss not feeling all that secure in my somewhat large hands.
When I decided to upgrade again, and after much research, the choice came down to Nikon and Zeiss once more, this time between the new Nikon Monarch HG 8x42 and the Zeiss Victory 8x25 pocket binoculars (wife wanted to keep her Terra bins). I bought both to try, the Monarch HG bins came first, and all I could say was “wow.” They had an even bigger FOV (430@1000yds), were incredibly comfortable in the hands, and their clarity made me feel I was right at the spot I was looking. Can’t recommend them enough.
However, when the Zeiss Victory bins came a few days later I was in for another “wow” moment. They’d improved their FOV to 390yds (remarkable for pocket binoculars)—just enough to make me feel like I wasn’t missing much using them instead of the HG’s impressive 430yds. Zeiss brightness and contrast were clearly upped from the Terras, but nearly as extraordinary as their improved FOV was how much more comfortably they fit in the hand than the Terras, or any pocket binoculars I’ve ever used. Zeiss has moved the focus knob to the left so that one’s finger can fully extend, and that in turn helps users grip the bins better overall (see pic), plus the focus knob is really easy to turn—all work together to make for true one-handed use without fatigue. The icing on the cake is how the new single hinge design allows for super compact folding.
So I returned the Monarch HGs and kept the Zeiss Victory pocket bins. If I had more discretionary income I’d definitely keep them both, but for those who must live with one pair and prefer compactness, the Victory’s great FOV, clarity and ease of use (not to mention all the high-end features you’d expect from the top Zeiss compact despite the eye cups, like all compact bins, still requiring careful placement) make the Victory binoculars an easy choice.
Specs Exit Pupil Diameter - 3.1mm (0.12")
Twilight Factor - 14.1
Field of view at 1.000 yds - 390' (118.87m)
Apparent Field of View - 52 deg
Close Focus in FT - 6.2' (1.89m)
Diopter Adjustment Range - +3/-3 dpt
Exit Pupil Distance - 16.5mm (0.65")
Pupil Distance - 35 - 72mm (1.38 - 2.83")
Lens Type - FL
PrismSystem - Schmidt-Pechan
LotuTec /Nitrogen filling - Yes/Yes
Water Resistance - 100 mbar
Operating Temperature - 4 to +145 deg. F (-16 to 63 deg. C)
Length - 4.4" (11.18cm)
Interpupillary Distance Width - 4.5" (11.43cm)
Weight - 10.9 oz (309.01g)
Last edited by les3547; 05-26-2020 at 04:37 PM.