Zeiss 8x20B T*P* Design Selection (1 Viewer)

[mayoayo]

I have purchased this binocular used.looks really nice,.Its a 2001 ,made in Germany binocular, great coatings,etc.
Looks a lot like the victory compacts,but I am sure its a few steps behind in the Zeiss lineage.Does anyone know the main differences between these two models,..Maybe some specifications to compare.? FOV,eye relief..etc
thanks

 

[NDhunter]

I think the main changes are improvements to the T* coatings in the newer Victories.
Jerry

 

[Alexis Powell]

I have purchased this binocular used.looks really nice,.Its a 2001 ,made in Germany binocular, great coatings,etc.
Looks a lot like the victory compacts,but I am sure its a few steps behind in the Zeiss lineage.Does anyone know the main differences between these two models,..Maybe some specifications to compare.? FOV,eye relief..etc
thanks

My recollection matches Jerry's. I've always thought of the Design Selection pocket models as being optically the same as the Victory Compact apart from coatings, but that's off the top of my head so maybe I'm forgetting something. The Compact got a significant (in my experience) upgrade when later production (with the name molded into the armor) got dielectric prism coatings.

--AP

 

[mayoayo]

Thanks Guys..

 

[mayoayo]

You can tell that contrast is not as good as for instance my (reversed porro)Pentax Papilio 6.5 x21,but is not a completely fair comparison ,because the Papilio has a larger exit pupil ,and its lower magnification can add to show better apparent sharpness,including ;contrast.The Zeiss also suffers a bit more of glare in some angles,but Pentax coatings are not to be underestimated ,so the 8x20B T*P* is been compared here with a very decent bino.This bino is 20 years old and has some slight wear to the ocular coating.Objective are PERFECT ,and not a speck of dust inside,..Zero..(amazing for its age)
Its quite sharp ,well designed ,well made, SO tiny and weights NADA (nothing really,i mean it).Estimated FOV by comparing to other binos seems to me in the neighborhood of 6.5 or 7⁰(53-56 AFOV).Is that the same with the Victory compacts?
Comes with a weird but protective case and I think I am gonna be happy to keep it in my daypack inside maybe a soft eyeglass pouch .I might end using them a lot..
Zeiss has been so amazing responding to my questions and requests (missing logo plate already in the mail),that i am going to ask an estimate to fix the ocular coatings..maybe they can even the replace the prisms for better coated ones!!!

 

[John A Roberts]

I was able to locate some relevant pages, from:
a) a full catalogue from November 1998, and;
b) a technical overview from March 2006.








As can be seen in a), the compact Design Selection models introduced the single asymmetric hinge (and slightly closer focus)
verses the dual hinge on the older compact models that are then designated as ClassiC's.


The next full catalogue that I've found dates from May 2004. It has the new Victory compacts with the asymmetric hinge,
along with the ClassiC compacts, but not the DS ones.

Instead, b) is an image from 2006 as it better shows the details of the various offerings at the time, including the Victory compacts
and the new dual hinge Conquest compacts (with a lesser specification to the previous ClassiC's).


John


- - - -
The period was one of major changes to the Zeiss lineup . . .

In relation to the Victory FL series:
• the x42 models are shown in a dedicated flyer from March 2004, and
• the x56 ones in their own flyer from January 2006.

And as Gary notes:

. . .
The 32mm FLs were released in August 2004 and were initially only available in black. The green version was introduced later.
. . .

(The short lived Victory non-FL x40 and x56 models from the early 2000's, were discontinued with the introductions of the all new x42 and x56 FL's.)


And in relation to the full size Conquest series:
• the x30 and x45 models are shown in the May 2004 catalogue, and
• the x50 ones in the March 2006 one.

 

[mayoayo]

This is really cool John..Thanks, We all love binocular catalogs, so thanks for posting.
My unit its a 2001 based on its sn# and its all black ,the plastic body and the rubber grip,versus the models depicted in the 1998 catalog,that has grey rubber armour.It has also the P* designation ,8x20 B T*P*.
I dont know if this was an expensive glass,but its a quality instrument.I am amazed how clean its inside,and It has been used ,so this says a lot.The hinge stayed super firm as well,and the tiny ,super fast focuser ,does a very precise job.I tested a bit the low light performance and checked some stars and found no spikes or excessive artifacts when looking at street lights.
I will post some pictures comparing size with the MASSIVE Papilio 6.5x21.k.
And Ah! I found the front Logo plate!! It was stucked to the case!!So I put it back to where it belonged and now it looks even better!!!

 

[Canip]

I was able to locate some relevant pages, from:
a) a full catalogue from November 1998, and;
b) a technical overview from March 2006.


View attachment 1586664


View attachment 1586665


As can be seen in a), the compact Design Selection models introduced the single asymmetric hinge (and slightly closer focus)
verses the dual hinge on the older compact models that are then designated as ClassiC's.


The next full catalogue that I've found dates from May 2004. It has the new Victory compacts with the asymmetric hinge,
along with the ClassiC compacts, but not the DS ones.

Instead, b) is an image from 2006 as it better shows the details of the various offerings at the time, including the Victory compacts
and the new dual hinge Conquest compacts (with a lesser specification to the previous ClassiC's).


John


- - - -
The period was one of major changes to the Zeiss lineup . . .

In relation to the Victory FL series:
• the x42 models are shown in a dedicated flyer from March 2004, and
• the x56 ones in their own flyer from January 2006.

And as Gary notes:


(The short lived Victory non-FL x40 and x56 models from the early 2000's, were discontinued with the introductions of the all new x42 and x56 FL's.)


And in relation to the full size Conquest series:
• the x30 and x45 models are shown in the May 2004 catalogue, and
• the x50 ones in the March 2006 one.

Great info, John. Your ability to locate and post stuff continues to amaze

 

[John A Roberts]

And for good measure . . . some images of the optical construction over the years:



a) Original 8x20 (individual/ external focus eyepieces; about as optically simple as can be), previously on the Zeiss site.
b) Victory 8x20 (besides the visible lenses there's also the focusing lens in the mount in front of the prisms), from Gary Hawkins' collection on PBase
(no longer accessible without registering on the site?).





c) Victory 8x25 introduced in 2017 (the focusing lens is visible, and it has more eyepiece groups), from 2023 Nature catalogue.


John

 

[mayoayo]

I found this topic on CN: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/17950-zeiss-pocket-binos-8x20-10x25/
There are a couple of interesting links in there that add a bit of information on this models..
Take a look.The first link is an Optics Planet add,advertising a Zeiss Victory compact 8x20B T*(not P*),and using a picture, probably wrongly, of a bino exactly like mine.Interesting fact ,the case seems to be also different.
FWIW there is a complete list of specifications in there and some more info..The other link is not working for me. Its a good thread anyway

 

[mayoayo]

Some pictures comparing the zeiss with the Papilio

 

[Alexis Powell]

...The first link is an Optics Planet add,advertising a Zeiss Victory compact 8x20B T*(not P*)...

At that time, Zeiss dropped labeling bins as P*, but all Zeiss roofs by then were phase-coated (and continue to be).

--AP

 

[GrumpyBuzzard]

Super useful info John , thanks. I've come to have massive respect for Zeiss and understand why they have such a great brand name. Huge selection and diversity of options. Imagine the 4 x 12 bino is very rare as well as few other models.

 

[Ignatius]

I have just purchased a Design Selection 4x12 B T*P* binocular in two-tone grey with the original plastic case in excellent, almost unused condition. Ser. # 559722, which I believe dates it to 1992.
Anyone have any links to the manual or brochures for that?
And is there any information on eye relief and transmission for these?

 

[NDhunter]

It is described in John's post #6 above. First one listed.
Jerry

 

[Ignatius]

It is described in John's post #6 above. First one listed.
Jerry

I read that of course just as I followed the whole thread, and I have the materials John appended too, but maybe you could point out to me, where the eye relief and transmission figures I asked for are. I just cannot seem to find them in Mr. Roberts' post. Or indeed a manual.

 

[NDhunter]

I suspect those numbers are not available. Those numbers are not available for all binoculars,
and yours is a rare bird. How do you like it ?
Jerry

 

[jan van daalen]

I have just purchased a Design Selection 4x12 B T*P* binocular in two-tone grey with the original plastic case in excellent, almost unused condition. Ser. # 559722, which I believe dates it to 1992.
Anyone have any links to the manual or brochures for that?
And is there any information on eye relief and transmission for these?

Watch your postbox next week........