I was looking at the zeiss victory models and am confused as to what the differences are. I saw these
http://www.riflescopes.com/products/524030/zeiss_8x40_victory_binocular.htm

but after more looking discovered other victory models for lots more money. Are these old stock? Any suggestions appreciated. I'm looking for around an 8x40 that is light weight.
Steve

skb, call Doug at camerland, and ask him about Minox HG series glass. One of the best values in binocular out there.
http://www.cameralandny.com

Good Luck--Don

quote:

Originally posted by skb:
I was looking at the zeiss victory models and am confused as to what the differences are. I saw these
http://www.riflescopes.com/products/524030/zeiss_8x40_victory_binocular.htm
Steve

Just looking at the strap attachments, this looks like a Victory I to me. Zeiss came out with that model some years back, and it did not produce the sales they had hoped for. They then changed some of the parameters (e.g. the strap attachments), and according to the Better View Desired the second attempt (marketed as "Victory II" in the States) was a lot closer to what the initial product should have been. These days, the (still) newer Victory FL is all the rage, but I doubt you'll find that for below $1K - at least for now.

I found a lightly used Victory II on eBay a couple of years back for $6-700. I have used those binocs a LOT since then. They don't quite stack up to the very best (Swaro EL, Zeiss Victory FL, Leica Ultravid) when compared one-to-one. But in the field, they have given me excellent service, and the price was right. You should also look into the Swaro SLC series, they can often be found for not that much $$$.

- mike

P.S. There are a couple of 8x40 Victory IIs on eBay at present. Both are new, and both are less than $1K. Search for "Zeiss Victory".

the current model zeiss FL's are among the best, but the model they had before this current one I did not like, I think they where the victory I's

Ditto on Doug and the Minox HG.....VERY nice glasses and the $$ are very attractive. They're right there with my Swaro's....for a lot less money....and Doug will steer you straight.
There's my $.02.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI

Stokes DLS 8x42mm
Leupold Gold Ring 8x42mm
Vortex Razor 8x42mm
Minox HG BR ASPH 8.5x43mm
Pentax DCF ED 8x43mm

Just spend the extra $ and get the Swaro's. You will not be unhappy. I too was looking for the best binos for under 1K but ended up with the Swaro 10x42 EL.

Minox HG

Ed

For under a grand the Minox HG is the WINNER.

For the money my Pentax DCF-SP 8 x 43's are top notch.

Look at these;

http://cgi.ebay.com/Swarovski-SLC-8x30-binoculars_W0QQi...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Like-New-Swarovski-WB-10x42-EL-Bino...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leica-Trinovid-10-x-50-BN-Binocular...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/SWAROVSKI-Optik-8X30-WB-Binoculars-...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

From a friend who hunts Africa often, he said, "10X binoculars makes every animal look like a trophy, I prefer 8x". I took a set of Leica 8 X 42 BA's (that I bought on E-Bay for $531) with me and found them perfectly adequate from a magnification standpoint but they were quite heavy after a day in the field even with the over the shoulde, across the chest harness. I think I would prefer to sacrifice some light gathering ability and go with an 8 x 30 binocular. My opinion only but, I don't think you would be in the slightest hindered with that size and most likely not to notice them at the end of the day.