Zeiss “Design Selection” 7×45 T*P*

Specifications:

Objective diameter (acc. to spec.): 45  mm
Magnification (acc. to spec.): 7 x
Exit pupil (acc. to spec.) :  6.43 mm
Eye relief (acc. to spec.): 17.7 mm
IPD (acc. to spec.): 55 – 75  mm
RFOV (acc. to spec.):  8.6 degrees = 151 m
AFOV (measured, rounded): 60 degrees
Minimum focus distance (acc. to spec.): 3.0 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: “>” clockwise)
Degrees of rotation of focus wheel from 3m to infinity (measured): 330 degrees
Range of diopter adjustment (acc. to spec.): +/- 3.5 dpt
Excess travel of focus wheel beyond infinity position (estimate):    > 6 dpt
Prism system:  Abbe-König
Waterproof: yes
Weight ( acc. to spec.): 1’200g
Weight (measured, with eyepiece and objective cover and strap): 1’326g
Made in: Germany

Remarks:

Zeiss Victory “Design Selection” – many remember this binocular series from the 1990s, some fondly, others perhaps slightly frustrated. With a weight of 1.3kg for a 7×45 instrument as an example, these instruments were really heavy, large and ergonomically less than ideal (front-heavy). Astronomers, who sit or lay down and use a support to observe, were very happy with the Design Selection, and so were hunters on their raised hide. Birders, however, esp. when on the move, complained about the high weight. But: everyone agreed that optically, most of the Design Selection models were outstanding. The series comprised large 10×56, 8×56 and 7×45 binoculars (as well as two small models, 8×20 and 10×25), and these gained the nickname “Night Owl” because of their excellent twilight performance. – The 7×45 was produced between 1993 and 2000, the sample presented here is probably from 1996. Abbe-König prisms and leaded Schott glass for the prisms led to a transmission rate of 91% which, together with the large exit pupil of over 6 mm, made this an excellent “night glass” with high brightness, very good central sharpness and contrast, a large FOV and a well corrected image. “Flaws” like the fact that the eyecups are not really foldable for use with spectacles and the unsatisfactory grip of the armour are forgotten once you put this amazing glass in front of your eyes.

Ratings:

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