Conquest HDX (2 Viewers)

[SanderBird82]

I picked up a new Zeiss CHD 8x32 on eBay for $550, and I much prefer it over the CHDX 8x32, which I returned. The CHD has a bigger FOV than the CHDX, the focuser is much smoother, the armor is higher quality than the CHDX which feels cheaper in comparison, and it seems sharper on-axis than the CHDX. The build quality of the German made CHD is without a doubt superior to the Japanese made CHDX. If you're wise, you will pick up a CHD before they are all gone before ordering the CHDX. Don't believe the bogus reviews on the CHDX because many are just trying to sell the binocular. Many reviewers get free binoculars to review a particular binocular, which taints the review IMO. This is one time when the old model is better than the new model! I think Zeiss is obviously making the new CHDX in Japan to save money at the expense of quality.

What do you think about the 10x32 CHD? Would it be a good couple with a NL Pure 8x42? Or too much difference in optics?

 

[jgraider]

Now we will get endless spam posts regarding the 8x32 CHD, which was also made in Japan, just like the new one.

 

[quincy88]

Here is another opinion on the CHD versus the CHDX by ArchStanton who also compared them to the SFL 8x40. He also preferred the CHD.

"That was a great binocular comparison and review. I visited a local nature shop and briefly tried the CHD 8x32, CHDX 8x42, and SFL 8x40, and liked the view of the CHD better. I might have been swayed by the lower price of the CHD, and I may go back and spend more time trying these binoculars and look for some of the things you pointed out regarding the CHD and SFL. Keep up the great work, Jackjack."

"First, I like the price of just under $700 compared to $1000 and $1800 respectively. I like the armor of the CHD better than the armor of the CHDX because the latter felt almost plastic like, providing a less secure purchase. The focus on the CHD was also smoother than the CHDX and about the same as the SFL. The CHD 8x32’s were easier to get behind of and seemed to be clearer when looking at birds in a palm tree and on telephone poles with the blue sky in the background. I am by no means an optics expert and this is just my personal observation, so you’ll have to take it with a grain of salt."

Oh interesting. A lot of the same observations. I’m glad you did 8x32 vs 8x32.
How are the eyecups on the Chdx? @jan van daalen is saying they can go on the chds. That’d be a worthwhile upgrade because I thought the eyecups on the chds were the weakest part of their build. Thanks for testing that jan van daalen.

 

[[email protected]]

Oh interesting. A lot of the same observations. I’m glad you did 8x32 vs 8x32.
How are the eyecups on the Chdx? @jan van daalen is saying they can go on the chds. That’d be a worthwhile upgrade because I thought the eyecups on the chds were the weakest part of their build. Thanks for testing that jan van daalen.

The eyecups on the CHDX are slightly better than the HDX, but they are nowhere near as good or smooth as the SFL, SF or NL. I don't think they would be worth switching out because the CHD eyecups are tight, but once you get them adjusted they are fine.

 

[[email protected]]

Now we will get endless spam posts regarding the 8x32 CHD, which was also made in Japan, just like the new one.

Really! I guess Zeiss is lying then.

 

[quincy88]

The eyecups on the CHDX are slightly better than the HDX, but they are nowhere near as good or smooth as the SFL, SF or NL. I don't think they would be worth switching out because the CHD eyecups are tight, but once you get them adjusted they are fine.

Haha. This conversation was seeming familiar and I looked back at previous posts, where you and I talked about these on a thread you made about the Chdx in August. I encouraged you to get a pair and post your thoughts. I knew it would happen. 😂
We were talking about the weight difference during that conversation. Did you notice it? You talked about the feel of the chdx vs the chd, but what about the handling?

 

[forent]

Really! I guess Zeiss is lying then.View attachment 1611346

Oh my goodness. I thought it was common knowledge that "made in..." is an elastic term.

E.g. the Offenbach [city in Hesse, Germany] Chamber of Industry and Commerce explains:
There is no legal basis for the designation "Made in Germany". According to various EC regulations and supreme court rulings, a value-added share of 45% in Germany is required for commercial transactions for the purposes of competition - for example in advertising - in order to justify the designation of origin of a product from Germany. However, each individual case can be reviewed, so that even a significantly lower proportion of value added in Germany can still justify labelling with "Made in Germany"!

 

[[email protected]]

Haha. This conversation was seeming familiar and I looked back at previous posts, where you and I talked about these on a thread you made about the Chdx in August. I encouraged you to get a pair and post your thoughts. I knew it would happen. 😂
We were talking about the weight difference during that conversation. Did you notice it? You talked about the feel of the chdx vs the chd, but what about the handling?

I actually prefer the handling of the CHD over the CHDX. The contours of the body of the binocular in the CHD fit my hands better than the CHDX. Both the CHDX 8x32 and CHD 8x32 which is what I have weigh about 22 oz. so there is really no difference in weight. The CHDX 8x42 is lighter than the CHD 8x42 by about 3 oz. though. It is weird, but the CHD 8x32 feels more solid than the CHDX 8x32 and definitely has a more quality look and feel to it.

 

[jan van daalen]

Thanks for these good news, but could you please go into detail? Because unfortunately Zeiss does not confirm this:

COP Community

cop-community.zeiss.com

Ehh.... how can I get into more detail.
I unscrewed the HD and HDX, and screwed the HDX eyecup on the HD and the other way around.
How much more detail did/do you want?

 

[GrampaTom]

Really! I guess Zeiss is lying then.View attachment 1611346

Maybe you missed this one Dennis, #123,

The HDX has not the flaws (eyecups) of the HD, so it is a improved model made by the same mfr in Japan.
I can't find any difference in the optics.

 

[forent]

Ehh.... how can I get into more detail.
I unscrewed the HD and HDX, and screwed the HDX eyecup on the HD and the other way around.
How much more detail did/do you want?

I didn't doubt your findings but was slightly puzzled that Zeiss stated the opposite. So I thought it was conceivable that the exchange would be possible in principle, but with restrictions, e.g. no click stops, changed eye distances, etc. So I wanted details, that's all.

 

[jan van daalen]

I didn't doubt youre findings but was slightly puzzled that Zeiss stated the opposite. So I thought it was conceivable that the exchange would be possible in principle, but with restrictions, e.g. no click stops, changed eye distances, etc. So I wanted details, that's all.

Ahh, so sorry...
The eyecup of the HDX works as the eyecup form the HDX, even when screwed on the HD.
Currently I am not in the shop.

Jan

 

[quincy88]

I actually prefer the handling of the CHD over the CHDX. The contours of the body of the binocular in the CHD fit my hands better than the CHDX. Both the CHDX 8x32 and CHD 8x32 which is what I have weigh about 22 oz. so there is really no difference in weight. The CHDX 8x42 is lighter than the CHD 8x42 by about 3 oz. though. It is weird, but the CHD 8x32 feels more solid than the CHDX 8x32 and definitely has a more quality look and feel to it. It also smells German, whereas, the HDX smells Japanese.

Aaahhhh... Right right. I forgot that weight difference was between the 42s. Thanks for the additional thoughts.
That smell thing is weird, isn't it? In some ways we are simple creatures. I think part of the reason that I fell in love with my Ultravids was because they smell so nice.

 

[forent]

You're incorrect. The Zeiss Conquest HD are Made in Germany. Stop @3:39.

A Slovenian dealer says ‘Wetzlar’ and the case is closed for you? What does that have to do with the general explanations of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce? And where was I incorrect? Sorry, but if you have no idea about modern, international industrial production based on the division of labour, you shouldn't make grandiose statements about it.

By the way, I live only fifty kilometres from the Zeiss factory in Wetzlar (formerly Hensoldt). I last spoke to the Zeiss employees there a few weeks ago when I wanted to find out details about my new Zeiss Victory 10x25 (made in Japan...).

 

[seawatcher]

" It is weird, but the CHD 8x32 feels more solid than the CHDX 8x32 and definitely has a more quality look and feel to it. It also smells German, whereas, the HDX smells Japanese." (Denco)

"That smell thing is weird, isn't it?" (Quincy88)

My tuppence worth: Now we have progressed to discussing the various smells from different binoculars! Those with a fine nose might even be able to tell us which factory the binoculars have been assembled in. We can employ trained sniffer-birders to check if the binoculars are from the country of origin stated on the packaging or not.

My current hoard of binoculars are made in Japan, China and Austria and they all smell the same Personally I don't care where they are made, just as long as I can lift them up to my eyes and look at birds through them. The leagl issues as to whether a pair of binoculars are worthy of a "Made In QQQQQ" badge or not are neither here nor their - the rules differ in each country.

Chaps - grab a pair of binoculars, maybe even your fave pair, and get out in the field. Don't sit in your lounge testing how they smell - please.

 

[PatR]

" It is weird, but the CHD 8x32 feels more solid than the CHDX 8x32 and definitely has a more quality look and feel to it. It also smells German, whereas, the HDX smells Japanese." (Denco)

"That smell thing is weird, isn't it?" (Quincy88)

Chaps - grab a pair of binoculars, maybe even your fave pair, and get out in the field. Don't sit in your lounge testing how they smell - please.

Last week, myself and Archie the Rottie were minding our own business down at the river when we should have been minding the gorgeous Wagyu cattle's (who surrounded us out of sheer curiosity) business.

(Japanese, but born and bred in Wales so relevant to a bit of this 'bang your head on a brick wall' thread).

They poo everywhere and lucky me, I found some.

Very slippery, A over T and me and my bino's landed smack in the middle of a still steaming dollop. My green rubber coated Habichts then changed into a shade of turd brown which, if it looks like sh1t, smells like sh1t....is sh1t.......and lots of it. Coated from objective to ocular.

The nearby river provided an immediate rinse station for the Habichts and we departed back home to be met by my beloved who stated that whilst I was known as one who could 'fall in a bucket of sh1t and still come up smelling of roses', this was neither the time nor the place.

The Habichts still smell after two days out in the rain but I am sure that it is my simple mind playing tricks...........

They will be odourless soon as Dr Lagavulin has prescribed smell-absorbing Single Malt, four times daily, to unblock the nasal passages.

 

[Viraj]

What do you think about the 10x32 CHD? Would it be a good couple with a NL Pure 8x42? Or too much difference in optics?

I do not suggest you to buy lower quality optics in 10x32 format when you having one of the best in 8x42 format. It would be fine for other way around. Buying a lower quality 8x42 and a higher quality 10x32. If you like NL it is better to buy an NL 10x32. NL 10x42 would be much better if you don’t have any problem with that weight and the size of your current NL 8x42.

 

[SanderBird82]

I do not suggest you to buy lower quality optics in 10x32 format when you having one of the best in 8x42 format. It would be fine for other way around. Buying a lower quality 8x42 and a higher quality 10x32. If you like NL it is better to buy an NL 10x32. NL 10x42 would be much better if you don’t have any problem with that weight and the size of your current NL 8x42.

Thanks, i understand. Than 10x32 is maybe better for me. Than advantage of magnification higher, and weight lower.
But still, another 2000 plus euro´s, ....maybe not worth the money. I guess 10x is not that much difference than 8x power

 

[Tringa45]

They will be odourless soon as Dr Lagavulin has prescribed smell-absorbing Single Malt, four times daily, to unblock the nasal passages.

If that fails, you could try it intravenously.
I forget who, but someone came up with a similar suggestion during the pandemic.

 

[PatR]

If that fails, you could try it intravenously.
I forget who, but someone came up with a similar suggestion during the pandemic.

Thank you for your concern, truly humbled.

I think that intravenous would be a tad extreme but possibly worth investigating if all else fails..... or switch to double strength 4711! ...

My youngest son is a Dr and he has suggested 2 days on Lagavulin 16 and then a gradual move to Bruichladdich 18 for at least another 2 days.

He says that I should be immune to the smell once I have completed the treatment but should the pong remain, however feint, the prescription should start again.