This is an addendum to the review I posted two years ago. At the time I purchased our Zeiss 8x30 Conquest approx. three years ago, they could be had for under $500. At that time, they were one of the better buys. Build quality was (and still is) excellent. The view remains crisp and sharp, and about as bright as a 30mm objective can get.
However, I will say that there are other brands that provide essentially the same optical performance for much less money, or better performance for slightly less money. These are still great binoculars, but I could no longer recommend them because of the price they now command. I like mine and will not ever give them up, but I will also say that my $299 Zen-Ray 8x43 ED2 binos afford a view that is just as crisp as the Conquests (and brighter too, as would be expected with the larger objective lenses).
Pros: Quality build
Cons: Too expensive for the performance
Would recommend: No
0 of 1 found the following review helpful.
Was it helpful to you?
Yes
|
No
You said this review was not helpful.
Would you like to change your vote?
A great product, just what I expected from Zeiss. It is the right size for me to take hunting and get the view I need in shadows and low light.
Pros: Solid quality
Cons: High price (but it goes with the quality)
Would recommend: Yes
4 of 5 found the following review helpful.
Was it helpful to you?
Yes
|
No
You said this review was not helpful.
Would you like to change your vote?
by
Legacy Reviewer,
Verified Owner
from TX, United States
Written on November 30, 2011
So light you can hold them steady with one hand. Clear crisp image. Smallest full size binocs I've had. That's a good thing for the field. Can see 3 of Jupiter's moons with em. Best binoc (and the most expensive)I've had. Don't think I'll ever need to go higher end than these. 4 Stars in my book.
Pros: Clear Optics, Light Weight.
Cons: None
Would recommend: Yes
1 of 1 found the following review helpful.
Was it helpful to you?
Yes
|
No
You said this review was not helpful.
Would you like to change your vote?
These aren't the only very good binoculars at this price point, but these are the best binoculars I've seen so far at this price point. Sharpness is great, even to the edge. Feels very sturdy, and have held up well for the past year, as one would expect given the price. The only con I can think of is that the focus adjusting wheel is a bit stiffer than what I would like, but it's not as stiff now as when I got it. I guess that it just needs to be used more often. The strap is very comfortable. The case looks fine, but it is soft-side only, so it won't provide a lot of protection.
Pros: Optical clarity
Cons: Slightly stiff focus wheel
Would recommend: Yes
9 of 9 found the following review helpful.
Was it helpful to you?
Yes
|
No
You said this review was not helpful.
Would you like to change your vote?
The Zeiss 8x30 Conquest provides excellent sharpness, nearly no distortion, and remarkably fine edge of field sharpness. Although it was not advertised as an "ED" glass, it has practically no chromatic aberration. I find it has excellent light transmission, contrast, excellent optical and mechanical qualities. Highly recommended
Pros: Overall optical quality
Cons: None
Would recommend: Yes
15 of 15 found the following review helpful.
Was it helpful to you?
Yes
|
No
You said this review was not helpful.
Would you like to change your vote?