Z-point or z-disappoint ? - Zeiss Z-Point 1x Reflex Red Dot Sight

I've used this sight on tactical .233 rifles, both AR-style and gas-piston operated. It mounts very low over the bore, which is an advantage on some weapons, but is actually too low on an AR upper receiver to be easily used with the existing stock height. The multiple light sources (battery and fiver optic) and one-button operation are simple and reliable. It is a small lightweight sight which is good for some applications. Attach/detach is very secure and very quick. The dot is distinct and intensity-adjustible. Those are the advantages.

Neutral points include the friction-style windage and elevation adjustments, and non-precise indexing of them. Also, the viewing window is small, and the sight housing obscures the field of view more than other red-dot sights. However, given the compact dimensions of the unit these are obvious trade-offs.

Negative points involve reliabilty and service. My test unit internally fogged after being used twice during the winter months - fired outside in sub-zero temperatures and then stored in a heated armory. That is unacceptable for a service-style sight. It was returned to Zeiss-USA for service, who informed me that Zeiss-Germany demanded that the sight be returned to them for inspection/repair. After shipping the unit, I did not receive a replacement sight for almost 2 months.

The first time I used the brand-new replacement unit, an internal lens cracked during firing. The sight was mounted on a gas-piston .223 rifle and the lens cracked, rendering the sight useless, after less than 15 rounds. Once again, the sight was returned to Zeiss-USA, who sent it back to Germany for replacement. Two months later, another replacement arrived.

I cannot recommend this sight. The reliablity is suspect, and the service is just plain awful. Zeiss-USA should not keep the customer hanging while everything is sent back and returned from Germany. For this reason alone, I woudl not buy ANY Zeiss product. An equivalent EO-Tech, Aimpoint or Leupold product would have been reparied/replaced and returned within a week.

Pros: Compact, Low height over Bore, One-button Operation
Cons: Breakage-Prone, Long Service Delays, Small Sight Window

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.