Zeiss: The name is synonymous with the upper echelon of optic performance throughout the world. Microscopes, imaging systems, medical equipment, scopes, binoculars, camera lenses and on and on and on; if it needs a refined optic system, chances are Zeiss can build it.
Since 1846, Carl Zeiss Optics has been a global player in the field of optics. The German based company has built a reputation for exquisite optical products exceeding more than a century. With manufacturing and corporate facilities mostly in Germany, they also have a foundation in the U.S., the United Kingdom and Japan. With a company who’s reputation for superiority is so great, would it be fair to just assume their Conquest 10X42 HD binoculars are equally titled? For comparison, even stalwart manufacturers like Ford and General Motors were capable of a few blunders. Do we need to revisit the Edsel, the Corvair or even major automobile recalls of the 21st century?
With expectations so high for a particular product because of their brand name, a higher level of quality is indeed fair to assume. So will these binoculars live up to their name? That’s what I want to discover.
The specs:
- Magnification: 10x
- Objective: 42mm
- Exit Pupil: 4.2mm
- Field of view: 345 ft. @ 1000 yards
- Close Focus: 8.2 ft.
- Interpupilary Distance: 52-74mm
- Eye-Relief: 17mm
- Height: 6.5?
- Weight: 24.7 oz
- Nitrogen filled
- Waterproof
- Prism: Schmidt Pechan
- Lens type: HD
- Coating type: Lotutec ® / T
The test model I received weighed in at 24.7 ounces on the button. The field of view is 345 ft. @ 1000 yards, which happens to be the largest field of view in its class! That translates into having the widest circular range of vision at 1000 yards. The 42 mm objective lens usually comes with a price tag of a lesser field of view, but not in this case because special wide-angle eyepieces (Ww) provide an increased field of view in these binoculars. The exit pupil size is 4.2 mm and ample for this price range of binoculars.
The human eye at it’s best can utilize 7 mm. Younger individuals with greater vision can benefit from higher exit pupil sizes, but people in their 40-50?s need not be concerned as much. The lenses are HD, fully coated and duplicate color and clarity with superiority, which would be expected from a name like Zeiss.
These nitrogen filled, fully waterproof, 10 power magnification binoculars are ready for the jungle or desert alike. Their special Lotutec ® / T coating aids in water and dust elimination to a high level of satisfaction, as tested in the field. I used these binoculars during a two day, rain filled hunt, with no worries whatsoever. Actually, it was a pleasure to have them along my side.
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Durable aluminum construction with a special rubberized coating, ensure a solid instrument for any type of normal indoor or outdoor use. Needless to say, they are most certainly fog proof.
Like most compact binoculars, the Roof prism is the prism of choice because it aids in a more compact design. The Schmidt-Pechan prism used in the Conquest 10X42 HD binoculars is a combination of two types of prism technologies that serve to reduce size and advance image quality.
Light gathering capabilities were excellent in both dawn and dusk situations, which is a real must for any avid outdoorsman/women. You can thank the large 42 mm objective lens for that! The twist-up eyecups feature is a comfort for eye and sun-glass wearers and the dioptric adjustment ring allows for individual eye differences.
I really liked the well thought out center focus knob because it allows ease of use for individuals using gloves in the winter. Chevy, for comparison, uses the same technology in their work truck radios, assuming their users are hard at work. Little details like these reflect a company that never sleeps! I am not surprised one bit that the Conquest binoculars are far more superior than many of their competitor’s equally priced binoculars. Built in Germany, they share the same reputation that German engineering is so famous for.
I priced these on the internet with a very short price range of $949.00-$999.00, which is symbolic of an upper-end piece of equipment. The complete package comes with a padded carrying case, two different strap systems, binocular lens covers, instructions for proper use and a precision lens cleaning kit. Expected from a reputable name optic company, they have a fantastic warranty and here it is in a nutshell: “If it breaks, we’ll fix it”. It doesn’t get any less complicated than that! I give the Conquest HD 10X42 a big “Thumbs-up”!
For the complete line of quality optics please go to: www.zeiss.com
For more from Marc please go to:
www.marcanthonyoutdoors.com
www.nontypicalhunter.net
www.heartlandoutdoors.com
