Zeiss Victory RF Bino/Rangefinder: Opinions & Reviews

[panther]

Hi all,
I'm contemplating on buying Zeiss Victory RF Bino/Laser Rangefinder 10X45T for upcoming hunting season (only 3 months left now.........Yeah............)
Any suggestions about it's functionality, quality & value for money?? And the best place to buy it in Canada?
All opinions & suggestions are welcome.
THNAKYOU

 

[sheephunter]

I'm on my third season with the unit and it's an incredible piece of glass and the rangefinder works reliably to about 1300 yards and I have ranged beyond 1800 with it. It also ranges shorter distances than some others. Something to consider if bow hunting. The cone angle is quite narrow on the laser so it is good at pinpointing targets and shooting through obstacles and in rain and fog. The buttons are also very conveniently located. Battery life is great and the convenience of having a combination unit is impossible to describe until you've owned one. The only downside is that the unit is a bit heavy and a quality bino harness in a must. I use the S4.

 

[panther]

Thanks for the info that's what I was looking for, the first hand experience.
Where did you bought it from, any suggestions?? and the S4 bino harness you mentioned any idea, who carries it in Canada??

 

[bearkilr]

I have the 8x45 Victory RF and can pretty much echo what sheephunter said. I got mine from Cameraland in NY state, a site sponsor. Shipping was quick, price was waaaay less than anyone in Canada($1750 I think?). Mine's a demo unit, but it looked as new.

Here's a link, guess the price has gone up a bit, though still cheap.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=524516

Here's the original link:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?811451-Zeiss-Demo-amp-Sample-Sale-Extravaganza

 

[sheephunter]

It definitely pays to shop around on an item with a price tag like that. I know P&D had some great pricing last year. I picked up my S4 harness at a trade show.

 

[Riflesmith]

Well I have to agree with both these gentlemen. I have used my 10x45 pair since 2008 and love them. Other than being a little heavier there is no down side.....well maybe the price. It will be money well spent and you won't regret it.

 

[panther]

Agreed, due to it's 2 in 1 feature these binos will certainly be more bulkier & bit tedious to carry, handle & focus for long, but again it could be remedied by a bino harness, S4 Lockdown for instance as suggested by 'sheephunter', and a binocular rest mounted on shooting sticks, (I use bog-pod tripod style which I found quite sturdy, for harness I've been using Niggeloh it's a high quality wonderful product but lacks the cover to protect binoculars itself). I guess the combined weight of the gear I use now (800 grams for Swarovski binos & 250 grams for Leupold rangefinder, approx. 1kg in total) should be in the vicinity of Zeiss Victory RF. However, I found it cumbersome carrying 2 separate devices, when it could be done with one.
Thanks to all for helpful suggestions. It's time to start shopping now.

 

[rsp1761]

I am considering purchasing these also....any other input? At Cabelas locally they are $3400.00

 

[bearkilr]

I am considering purchasing these also....any other input? At Cabelas locally they are $3400.00

Demo unit at Cameraland is still $2150 for 8x45. Even if customs dings you with duty/taxes(which they probably will on a $2150 declared item), you'd still save well over $1000. Mention CGN and they may do a bit better.
Cabela's at $3400 + 13% tax= $3850

 

[sheephunter]

Depending on your use, the 8x might not be the best choice. Most people that I know that bought 8x binos later wish they'd got 10x......I'm talking for mountain and open country hunting of course. Just something to think about. It's a lot of money to shell out to be disappointed later.

 

[bearkilr]

Depending on your use, the 8x might not be the best choice. Most people that I know that bought 8x binos later wish they'd got 10x......I'm talking for mountain and open country hunting of course. Just something to think about. It's a lot of money to shell out to be disappointed later.

Sometimes it's OK to just agree with something. Ever try that?

Also, he may have a bit of experience in that field. In case you missed it:

PGW Defence Technologies Inc
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
www.pgwdti.com

 

[sheephunter]

Sometimes it's OK to just agree with something. Ever try that?

Also, he may have a bit of experience in that field. In case you missed it:

PGW Defence Technologies Inc
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
www.pgwdti.com

LOL.....I was just offering up a bit of caution. Sometimes it's really tempting to jump at a bargain like you posted but if in the end it's not what you really want or need it's not such a bargain. As the OP and rsp are looking at a 10x bino in this price range, I'm certain they both have lots of experience in the field and I'm certain both will accept my comments as just some casual advice from a person that owns the product in question. Certainly they can do whatever they like with the advice. My feeling won't be hurt if they choose to differ

 

[bearkilr]

LOL.....I was just offering up a bit of caution. Sometimes it's really tempting to jump at a bargain like you posted but if in the end it's not what you really want or need it's not such a bargain. As the OP and rsp are looking at a 10x bino in this price range, I'm certain they both have lots of experience in the field and I'm certain both will accept my comments as just some casual advice from a person that owns the product in question. Certainly they can do whatever they like with the advice. My feeling won't be hurt if they choose to differ

Cameraland has the 10x45 for $2800, still $1000 less than Cabela's, before customs fees.

And my experience has actually been the opposite. Most guys that have a 10x bino/RF unit prefer my 8x as they have an easier time steadying it. Those who do competitive long range shooting generally use a spotter and RF only unit, which incidentally are in the 6-8x range.

Then again, dedicated mountain hunters usually have a spotter with them anyhow, it's tough to age a ram with 10x bino's at 1 mile away, even for the most experienced.

 

[sheephunter]

Then again, dedicated mountain hunters usually have a spotter with them anyhow, it's tough to age a ram with 10x bino's at 1 mile away, even for the most experienced.

Absolutely they also carry a spotting scope but most searching is done with binos, not the spotting scope and having a little extra power to locate those sheep you want to age is a big advantage. Truthfully, sheep are often several miles away...as many as five or six in some instances and often two or three. I can give similar instances for goats, mule deer and even elk. As I tried to politely point out before, it all comes down to the type of hunting and terrain you hunt when deciding upon the proper binos. I used 8x binos in the mountains for a couple decades....now I can't believe how stupid I really was.

Those who do competitive long range shooting generally use a spotter and RF only unit, which incidentally are in the 6-8x range.

I'm not certain what point you were trying to make with the target shooters...they don't spend endless hours searching for the targets in cover. Obviously a spotter and stand alone range finder is ideal there.

 

[bearkilr]

I'm not certain what point you were trying to make with the target shooters...they don't spend endless hours searching for the targets in cover. Obviously a spotter and stand alone range finder is ideal there.

The power range on the RF only units, 6-8. Most I've talked to consider 10x too much to steady a RF. The manufacturers seem to agree.

 

[sheephunter]

The power range on the RF only units, 6-8. Most I've talked to consider 10x too much to steady a RF. The manufacturers seem to agree.

The binocular does offer a much steadier platform to hold than a monocular so that may explain the difference. I've never had issues getting hand held readings to well past 1,000 with the binos but you are likely right that it becomes an issue with the monocular. I can't see how magnification makes any difference to how steady you hold it but I can see higher magnification monocular rangefinders being more difficult to get a steady look through due to their design. Kind of an apple and orange comparison.

 

[bearkilr]

I can't see how magnification makes any difference to how steady you hold it but I can see higher magnification monocular rangefinders being more difficult to get a steady look through due to their design.

Seriously? Ever look through a pair of 15x binoculars on a windy day? Then try 8x ones?

Whatever, use what you like and I'll do the same. Others can draw their own conclusions, I'm just providing some info on prices so guys don't get gouged.

 

[sheephunter]

Seriously? Ever look through a pair of 15x binoculars on a windy day? Then try 8x ones?

.

Many times and the view you see looks shakier because the shake is optically magnified more times but you are holding both units equally steady and the rangefinder would not be effected....just your view of the target and only because the shake has an increase of optical magnification. The optical magnification has no effect on the rangefinder operation......so long as you are on target of course.

 

[bearkilr]

Many times and the view you see looks shakier because the shake is optically magnified more times but you are holding both units equally steady and the rangefinder would not be effected....just your view of the target and only because the shake has an increase of optical magnification. The optical magnification has no effect on the rangefinder operation......so long as you are on target of course.

I find it easier to range an object when the "optical magnification" is lower and it subsequently gives the "illusion" of being steadier, regardless of whether or not the range finding capabilities are "effected"(sic). Again, the manufacturers seem to agree.

 

[sheephunter]

I find it easier to range an object when the "optical magnification" is lower and it subsequently gives the "illusion" of being steadier, regardless of whether or not the range finding capabilities are "effected"(sic). Again, the manufacturers seem to agree.

I agree and as I explained earlier...with a binocular vs a monocular, you can hold it steadier.....Again, manufacturers seem to agree and offer binocular rangefinders in higher magnification because of this.