I am a keen amateur astronomer with an intermediate to fair understanding and appreciation of good optics.
I purchased the Zeiss Victory 10-x56 only to return them 1 day later. They were the best views I have ever seen through binoculars and also the most disappointing. I'm sure this off-the-shelf model had suffered a knock and was mis-collimated. Really heavy off-axis purple/green colour fringing was a serious daytime spoiler. Stars were not pinpoint, suffered coma and showed signs of bad collimation. The binos are quite heavy, supplied with no objective caps and need a special expensive tripod adapter accessory. However, the immersion in evening views, the contrast, the saturation of colour and the richness of views were quite adictive and mesmerizing. Again, Astronomy was not as good, no doubt because of collimation. I intend to try another pair out as soon as possible. Zeiss wrote and offered excellent support and free inspection, but I think I am entitled to a fully functioning pair from kick-off. I remain even more positive especially about Zeiss, even though I have had a "negative" experience ; these binos have really put to shame the other 5 entry level binos I have around the house... opticron / pentax / helios. I am determined to own at least 1 pair of decent binos inspired by my recent experience.
I purchased the Zeiss Victory 10-x56 only to return them 1 day later. They were the best views I have ever seen through binoculars and also the most disappointing. I'm sure this off-the-shelf model had suffered a knock and was mis-collimated. Really heavy off-axis purple/green colour fringing was a serious daytime spoiler. Stars were not pinpoint, suffered coma and showed signs of bad collimation. The binos are quite heavy, supplied with no objective caps and need a special expensive tripod adapter accessory. However, the immersion in evening views, the contrast, the saturation of colour and the richness of views were quite adictive and mesmerizing. Again, Astronomy was not as good, no doubt because of collimation. I intend to try another pair out as soon as possible. Zeiss wrote and offered excellent support and free inspection, but I think I am entitled to a fully functioning pair from kick-off. I remain even more positive especially about Zeiss, even though I have had a "negative" experience ; these binos have really put to shame the other 5 entry level binos I have around the house... opticron / pentax / helios. I am determined to own at least 1 pair of decent binos inspired by my recent experience.