I posted this in the optics forum, but with no real info. Reposting here on the off-chance someone can help me.

I recently bought a Zeiss Classic Diatal 8x56 T* scope. It is a German made scope with a 1" tube and a #60 reticle. Can anyone give me any info on how old these are, quality, etc? I have googled without much success so far. There just doesn't seem to be much info on these scopes.

Hi,

It helps to speak German to find some more information. The Diatal was produces in mutlible versions but from your description I think it is the newest version of the scope and so it should be this:

Zeiss Product Page - English

However I am not a Zeiss expert. I think it was introduced around 2006 but maybe some people know it more precise.


It was designed as a night hunting scope for hunting wild boars. The magnification fits to a German binoculars "Ansitzglas".

It is popular because you get a scope for the night for a good price because of its fixed magnification. In addition it is claimed that the fixed magnification is even better at night.

At that time Zeiss had an excellent building quality and I couldn't find any complains in the German forums about it.

Thanks. Thats great information. I downloaded the PDF on the page you linked to, and that is definitely the model I have.

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Good scope and as Gerac says typical for hunting dusk, dawn and night from high seats and blinds in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.

Picks up light well and magnification.

Cheers

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100% with Charlie & Gerac ....

They were sold here in The Fatherland by the thousands and have a sterling reputation as a "night" scope for Wild Boar hunting from stands.

I have the same scope on a 9.3x62 that is used exclusively for night time piggie bashing and it is ideal for that purpose. No fumbling with dials, oculars, simply point and klick at reasonable pitch black night time range(s).

No where near as heavy as older variable models, although longish by today's standards this scope looses nothing with your #60 recticle as a longer-r-r range hunting optic, either.

These were the first generation using 1" tubes, as most of the tuetonic brand name optics manufacturers used 26mm tubes for their 6x42 and 8x56 offerings up until this time.

Good Luck with your scope.

Thanks guys. Thats great to hear. This scope will probably end up on a varmint rifle for predator and kangaroo control. So plenty of night shooting in its future.