Zeiss B/GA T* ClassiC 8x30

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Brand and Model:	Zeiss B/GA T* ClassiC 8x30
Price ($USD):	$697.00
Attributes:	Waterproof Armored
Objective Lens Size:	0 mm
Magnification:	x
Prism Type:	Roof
Coatings:
Field of View:	4.3 degrees
Eye Relief:	0 mm
Near Focus:	0 ft
Weight (lbs):	20.6 oz.
Dimensions (w/h/d):	7.6 x 8.6 x 3.0
Description:	Zeiss 8 x 30 B/GA T ClassiC hold these, and you're holding decades of Zeiss binocular tradition. With premium wide angle performance and the convenience of center focusing, this compact 8 x 30 has earned accolades for its fine sight picture, even under marginal lighting conditions. Self-contained water-proof binocular.

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Zeiss B/GA T* ClassiC 8x30

I puchased these after having already picked up the Nikon 10x42 Superior E. The Nikons are certainly stunning but i just happened to try these little binoculars and they seemed so comfortable in the hands i just had to buy them. Optics, build etc whats not to like...this is one pair of binoculars i can see being with me a long time to come. These little binos changed my view on 30mm binoculars. Given the money i would spend it again in a second. I tend to prefer these little binocs for daytime use and the nikons for night time i.e night sky. The smaller size and weight just means i can hold them for much longer without getting tired. If your thinking about picking up a pair i highly recommend them.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 07/18/2005 10:52:12 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.147.175)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=445891

Reply Replies: 0

Zeiss B/GA T* ClassiC 8x30

These are lovely little binoculars. Small, well made, with excellent optics.

These binoculars are very small and comfortable in my medium sized hands. They have a metal frame with rubber armouring over most of the outside surface. The central hinge is stiff and does not move accidentally. The diopter adjustment is metal and placed at the far end of the central hinge. It does not lock but will not move accidentally. The focus wheel is also metal and is placed at the near end of the central hinge between the eyepieces. It is initially quite stiff but after a week or two of use it loosens and has a very pleasant and smooth feel. The eye tubes are thick rubber and fold back for spectacle wearers. I didn't think I would like these but after a few weeks of use they are almost as easy to use as screw in screw out eye tubes, and are probably a bit more robust. The weight is about 600g which is light compared with full sized binoculars. More importantly they balance exceptionally well. The binoculars are waterproof so they will not leak if dropped into shallow water, and they are nitrogen filled so they will not fog on going from a warm room to cold air outside.

The optics are exceptional. The image is sharp with no distortion over most of the field though it does go a bit soft and distorted from about 80% out from the centre. The edge softness is nothing to worry about though. Field of view is excellent at about 135m at 1000m. Depth of field is superb and focussing is hardly needed except for close up viewing. Colour rendition is also superb, with well saturated colours and only a very small amount of chromatic aberration. To put the latter in context the Leica 8x32 and the Nikon 8x32 HG both show marked chromatic aberration. Most notable is the colour saturation and resolution in flat an dull lighting conditions, a characteristic of quality optics. Eye relief is good at about 15mm and I can see the full field of view with glasses on. However I do recommend you try them for yourself as it will depend on the shape and size of your spectacles.

These binoculars are supplied with an excellent heavy duty rubber rain guard, an excellent well padded strap and a lovely leather case. (Actually the leather case was not in the box, and Zeiss promised to send it to the supplying dealer, but it has not yet arrived.)

Would I recommend these? Yes. I preferred them to the Leica 8x32 and Nikon 8x32 HG which I though had excessive false colour. I did not like the Swarovski 8x30 SLC despite the first rate optics as I found it hard to use the focus and diopter wheels. Of course these are not as sharp and bright as a full sized binocular, but for me at least the smaller size and weight makes them more pleasant to use.

Why have I not given them 10 points? Because they are not perfect. They are not quite as sharp as the Nikon 8x32 SE porro prism binocular and they do have a trace of edge softness, and a trace of false colour.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 06/12/2003 08:41:22 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.67.66)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=248085

Reply Replies: 0

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