Zeiss Victory 8×20 T Compact

Specifications:

Objective diameter:  20 mm
Magnification:  8 x
Exit pupil: 2.5 mm
Eye relief (acc. to spec): 13.5 mm
Usable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecup): 12.5 mm
IPD: 32  – 74 mm
RFOV:  6.7  degrees = 118 m
Minimum focus distance (measured): 2.25 m
Focus type:  CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: > clockwise)
Degrees of rotation of focus wheel from 3 m to infinity (measured): 360 degrees
Range of diopter adjustment (estimate): +/- 3 dpt*
Extra travel of focus wheel beyond infinity (estimate): ca. 3 dpt*
Prism system:  Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight (measured, with eyepiece cover and strap): 225 g
Made in: Germany
*range of diopter adjustment not affected by position of focus wheel

Remarks:

Not only the premium manufacturers – Leica, Nikon, Swarovski, Zeiss -, also many others have (or used to have) pocket binoculars in size 8×20 or a similar format (e.g. 8×21, 8×22). To make these binoculars truly pocketable, almost all models feature a double hinge, which allows to fold them to a very compact size. Zeiss is the famous exception, with its one-sided single hinge design; its dimensions when folded were slightly bigger than those of the Leica or Swarovski 8×20 models. On the other hand, the single hinge proved to be more robust than the relatively delicate double hinges; that at least is the experience of BINOCULARS TODAY, which has had to send a number of double hinge pocket binos in to the manufacturers for collimation service (mainly Trinovids and Ultravids). The Zeiss Victory 8×20 was optically very good, and some users rated its optical performance highest among its competitors, although a majority gave the top marks to the same size Leica Ultravid. A few years ago, Zeiss abandoned the 8×20 format in favor of a new 8×25 model (see separate post “Zeiss Victory Pocket 8×25”), and so did Swarovski and Nikon (see separate posts “Swarovski CL Pocket 8×25” and “Nikon Sportstar EX 8×25”). Leica, however, continues its production of the Trinovid and Ultravid 8×20 models (see respective separate posts).