steveczu's Full Review: Zeiss Victory B T* 522032 Binocular
I bought a Zeiss Victory 10X25 for my wife. I bought it at Al Sayed Hunting Supply in Dubai for 1175 UAE Dirhams (=US$321). This price is better than any US based retailer that I'm aware of and Al Sayed is an authorized Zeiss dealer that I found at the Zeiss website. That is, Al Sayed is not a gray market dealer so the price can be fairly compared with prices from B&H (whose prices tend to be 15-20% higher than other dealers - Ouch!) and Eagle Optics (who tend to be slightly higher in price than the market average but who earn that small premium by providing an exceptional level of customer service).
OPTICS
Like most Zeiss glasses, the Victory 10X25 optics are truly outstanding. The view is clear from edge-to-edge, the eye relief is good enough to use with my pencil-neck-geek eyeglasses and the view is brighter than any other 25mm objective binocs that I've seen. The color fidelity and contrast are outstanding considering the 25 mm objective.
ERGONOMICS
This is where Zeiss has historically worked wonders. Consider that the Zeiss Dialyt 7X42's were the state-of-the art for literally decades and that the Zeiss 8X30's binocs have a cult-like following as well.
Well, Zeiss struck paydirt again with their Victory mini-binocs. The off-center focus knob is positioned perfectly for right handed users (note: left handed users should get these binocs in hand before buying them). When unfolded and ready for use, the curved top surface of the binocs fit my wife's hand and my hand perfectly. This is the only binoc that I have tried that provide true one-hand operation. (Don't believe the Swarov ads that claim one-handed operation of their 8.5X42 and 10X42 EL's - it just isn't true).
The twist-up eyecups are another excellent ergonomic design. They provide just the right eye relief so that when the binocs are brought to eye level, the bright perfect image comes into focus immediately.
Finally, the binocs are very light weight making it a non-event to haul them around all day.
My only complaint (and I hesitate to use this word), it is the location of the diopter adjust knob. It is a bit inconvenient (located near the objectives) but this is a one-off inconvenience and not a "flaw" by any stretch of the imagination.
The case that comes with the Vic 10X25 is a nice affair made of cordura with a Velcro seal and a belt loop. Methinks the binoc is perfect for just hanging around the neck all day so the belt mounted case isn't really needed for many users anyway.
PRICE
I am certainly a "best bang for the buck" type of person and Zeiss consistently delivers what I consider to be "best value for money". I simply could not be more satisfied with my Victory 10X25's. You can spend less (much less) for binocs, but you'll grow weary of the view of lesser binocs.
P.S. I own a Zeiss Classic 10X25 that I bought in 1979, a Victory 8X40 bought recently (see my other review!) and these Victory 10X25's so I have a good measure of experience with Zeiss optics. It's safe to say that my 23 year old 10X25 are still like new (without exaggeration!) and I would bet that my two new Zeiss binocs will outlast me and will be handed down to another generation of my family.
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