Zeiss Victory FL 7x42 - opinions please (2 Viewers)

[dwatsonbirder]

I've been reading through the threads on these binoculars over the last couple of weeks and have a few questions. I've started saving for a new pair as a present to myself for my 30th (just under two years!) and at the moment these are top of my list.

1)Do these still deliver as one of the best optics with the current generation? I've tried the Swarovski SLC HD and for me that was the best bin I've ever looked through, though I've yet to try the FL in 7x42 format. I didn't like the SV and found the new Zeiss models rather underwhelming when I had a look through them.

2)Are these a durable pair of bins? I remember reading about various issues including armouring falling off and even some pairs snapping in two! I'm rather heavy handed with my kit and need something solid. I'd be interested in hearing any issues people have had, particularly in different climates.

3) Has anybody had experience with these and the older 7x slc? I've had mine for about 4 years and I love them, the view is stunning, wide and sharp. The only downside for me is the weight. Although not unmanageable 99% of the time, they are starting to give me some shoulder ache and tired arms.
I intend to keep them and use the zeiss as my main bin. The weight and the fov are the two main factors which are drawing me towards the FL's, just hoping that a plastic body is tough enough, so to speak.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[Torview]

Daniel, if you`re set on a 7x42 you must try the updated Ultravid HD Plus, I like the 7xFL and the 7xSLC, but the Leica is stunning.

John.

 

[Vespobuteo]

Daniel,
the 7x42 FL is a great bin, I had mine for 10+ years now,
focus wheel still works fine,
huge FOV and good transmission (93%)
low weight 740g and reasonably compact.
colors, contrast and edge sharpness are not as good as the new SF,
and ergonomics is not as good,
but the price was/is also lower,
I guess there could be items still in stock, if you intend to buy new one,

would also check out the 7x42 Leica ultravid plus,
nice and compact package,
price is higher though,

and of course the 8x42 SF…
the view if magnificent..

 

[brocknroller]

7x42 FL For Sale

dwatstonbirder,

Here's a used 7x42 FL on the 'Bay, with a starting bid of $1,200. Looks in good shape. Green armor version.

Free shipping and a 30-day return policy. No bids so far.

Zeiss-Victory-FL-7x42-Green

Brock

P.S. Here's a comparative review of the 7x42 FL by our own Frank "If they make 'em, I've tired 'em" D.

zen-ray-7x36-ed-zeiss-7x42-fl-and-nikon-7x35-e

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Thanks for the comments so far. Haven't seen the new Leica range, but my experience is tainted by the eye relief on most Leica bins, also heard that the rubber isn't the best quality on the Ultras and wears fairly rapidly. I would have been happy to spend the rest of my birding days with the 8x32 trinny, but alas it's eye relief proved to be a major sticking point. What is the fov on the Ultravid HD+? Still very keen to hear about FL's, I really liked the ergonomics as well.

 

[Hermann]

Daniel, if you`re set on a 7x42 you must try the updated Ultravid HD Plus, I like the 7xFL and the 7xSLC, but the Leica is stunning.

Seconded. The Ultravid HD 7x42 Plus is excellent. The field of view is smaller than that of the Zeiss FL though.

Still, if I were to buy a 7x42 roof at the moment, I'd go for the Leica.

Hermann

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Brock, that is pure filth. Would match my green SLC's too! Thanks for the comparative link. Sorry for calling you Frank, long day at the office!

Thanks for your thoughts Hermann, was the fov noticably smaller?

 

[Troubador]

Dan

I had my FL 8x42 for 9 years and it suffered many indignities in the Western Isles of Scotland and in southern France and it was as good as new when I sold it. I still have a treasured FL 8x32. These are robust instruments.

The Leicas are also fine instruments and deserve consideration. To my eyes the colours are lovely but also a little unrealistic and I find that reds and browns and golds (autumn colours) tend to blend together while I think the Zeiss FL / HT view separates more different shades. But hey your eyes may well see differently, my wife certainly does, she is a Leica girl.

Good luck with your choice.

Lee

 

[Hermann]

Thanks for your thoughts Hermann, was the fov noticably smaller?

Well, it's 140m/1000m vs. 150m/1000m, and yes, I think that's noticeable.

Mind you, I'm using a 7x42 with a FOV of 114m/1000m quite happily at the moment ...

Hermann

 

[Hermann]

The Leicas are also fine instruments and deserve consideration. To my eyes the colours are lovely but also a little unrealistic and I find that reds and browns and golds (autumn colours) tend to blend together while I think the Zeiss FL / HT view separates more different shades.

Lee: Are you referring here to the Ultravid HD 7x42 Plus? I don't think so, because the colour reproduction is quite a bit more neutral in the HD Plus.

Hermann

 

[Torview]

When I had the 7x FL next to the 8x HT I was amazed the HT was brighter, a cleaner view I thought.

The UV+ is more neutral and just more transparent, however the old HD is no slouch so I`v picked up an 8x42 at little more than half price.

I`m reliably informed the 7x42edg is equally superb and well worth seeking out, I`v never gotten to try one but found the 8x42 top drawer.

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Daniel, post 1:
My opinion of the Zeiss Victory7x42 FL?
Excellent instrument, one of the top quality binoculars made in the past decades. I am not sure what kind of body material was used, but it never failed me and if it was a kind of tough plastic: do not worry fighterplanes and motor cars use similar materials probably and I know from one Zeiss model which was driven over by a truck and only some dust entered the instrument while it was still in perfect working condition, so you do not have to worry.
Gijs

 

[ceasar]

Hi Daniel,

I have a Zeiss Victory 7x42 T* FL and a Swarovski 7x42 Neu SLC-B. The Swarovski is a 2006 model which I think is the last year it was made. It's about 1/2" longer and at 33.5 ounces is just over 7 ounces heavier than the Zeiss.

It has longer eye relief than the Zeiss which has 16mm. Its FOV of 8º (420'@1000yqrds) is 1/2º less than the Zeiss (450'@1000yards). This is enough to be noticeable. The Swarovski's sharpness gets closer to the edge of its view than the Zeiss does. To my eyes the Zeiss is brighter but not greatly so and its color seems more neutral to me. I am not susceptible to CA and can see no difference in how either of these binoculars controls it. Both of them control glare very well.

I find them both comfortable to hold and use. I have large hands and the Swarovski has thumb indents on the bottom of the barrels which are in the right place for me. The focus wheels of both work well. It is somewhat easier to set the diopter on the Swarovski than the Zeiss because of its push in and release design.

I like using the Zeiss better but I get along well with the Swarovski too.

I like using 7x42s and have used them since about 1990. I also have an older Leitz 7x42 Trinovid BA and a Leica 7x42 Trinovid BN and a Leupold 7x42 BX-2 Cascade.

Bob

 

[gandytron]

Daniel,

I bought a second hand pair of green Zeiss 7x42 FLs about two and a half years ago. The reason I bought them was because I do the vast majority of my birding in Bangkok parkland, involving small passerines either early morning or late afternoon, so the FOV and light transmission were key factors for me, plus the relatively low weight of this x42 bino was an added factor for birding in an energy-sapping tropical climate. Having a 7x42 for tropical forest birding is also great in terms of light gathering.

My feeling about these bins is that they are excellent - a real classic that follows the old Zeis 7x42 Dialyts very nicely. The only bug-bear I have with them is that they are not sharp at the edge, and cannot be focussed to have a sharp edge - so some of that nice wide FOV is lost.

Also, for watching waders I prefer a higher magnification, so use a 10x32 trinnie in those circumstances.

If I was to be in the market for a x42 now I would be considering either the 7x42 FL or the 8x42 SF, which on paper has a very wide FOV and is allegedly sharp to the edge, plus they weigh about the same as the FL. I have not handled/looked through a pair of SFs yet, perhaps next week when birding in Norfolk, but I am a bit scared to do so...

All good wishes,

Dave

 

[FrankD]

7x42 FL is my favorite bin....period.

Wish I still had one.

Loved the 8x42 SF though and would certainly like to compare the two side by side at some point.

 

[Torview]

Loved the 8x42 SF though and would certainly like to compare the two side by side at some point.

I`d be interested too, although I mourn the disappearing 7x42 I guess with the SF` fov, Zeiss could argue a 7x would be redundant when many find they can hold an SF with it`s great balance as steady as a 7x.

I remember reading a review by Holger where he said he`d only consider a 7 over an 8 if the fov was greater.

I was all set on a 7x42 but really thought long and hard about it and reasoned ( and chickened out ) that with my 8x30 EII and its smaller Porro image scale giving much the same view, I`d be better placed with an 8x42 alongside it for poor weather duties.

 

[Vespobuteo]

I`d be interested too, although I mourn the disappearing 7x42 I guess with the SF` fov, Zeiss could argue a 7x would be redundant when many find they can hold an SF with it`s great balance as steady as a 7x.

I remember reading a review by Holger where he said he`d only consider a 7 over an 8 if the fov was greater.

I was all set on a 7x42 but really thought long and hard about it and reasoned ( and chickened out ) that with my 8x30 EII and its smaller Porro image scale giving much the same view, I`d be better placed with an 8x42 alongside it for poor weather duties.

don't know on long term usage but when trying the SF for a couple of hours,
I had no problems holding it steady enough,
grip and balance is very good,
but I think it is also about the FOV, AFOV and ER.
makes it a bit easier on the eye than the FL:series

 

[cajanuma]

I've had a pair of Victory 7x42 for close to 6 years now. Optically, they are the best binoculars I've ever had, the image is exceptionally bright and sharp and I love the huge FOV.

Durability is an issue, though. While nothing catastrophic has happened, the eyecups are poorly designed and have come undone twice now, the first time on their own, the second time after the bins fell off the roof of my car. Two years ago one of the plastic eyelets holding the binocular strap in place snapped off, which was very annoying. I eventually sent the bins to Zeiss for repairs. It should be said that I bird a lot and put my bins through hell, but I still don't think this should happen in a premium pair of binoculars. I am still glad I bought them, the image quality is that good and they are a joy to use, but the durability issues need to be kept in mind by any prospective buyer.

 

[Boblue]

I have the 7x42 FLs. They are clear, sharp, color neutral, and have a nice field of view. The only thing I don't like is the softness at the edges. On my pair it is noticeable, and at times detracts from the view.
I also have 11 year old Leica 8x42 and 8x32 Ultravids. Because of their excellent views and build quality, the Ultravids are my favorite.
The Leica 7x42 HD Plus is worth a look.

 

[Swedpat]

When I had the 7x FL next to the 8x HT I was amazed the HT was brighter, a cleaner view I thought.

The UV+ is more neutral and just more transparent, however the old HD is no slouch so I`v picked up an 8x42 at little more than half price.

I`m reliably informed the 7x42edg is equally superb and well worth seeking out, I`v never gotten to try one but found the 8x42 top drawer.

I am a bit surprised about your experience.
Regarding the brightness difference between FL and HT: the stated light transmissions are 93 vs 95%. Such a small difference is hardly noticable at all. And when I compared HD(claimed 90%) to HT I found it hard to see a difference in brightness between them, it was very slight. This is also a knowned fact that our eyes have hard to detect a few percents difference in brightness.

It would be interesting to know the difference between FL and HT compared to Conquest HD. Is HT sharper then FL, or is the difference a slightly higher light transmission and a better edge sharpness?