Owning a good quality compact binocular means being able to practice your passion anywhere and anytime, even in situations where it would not be possible to carry a 40-50mm binocular.
Obviously, the compactness of these instruments always generates compromises: small objectives do not guarantee a large collection of light, the resolving power is also limited and often the ergonomics of compact binoculars do not allow for an easy grip.
Furthermore, the roof prisms of compact binoculars are much more difficult to work with than those found in 40mm-44mm binoculars, which is why compactness and quality almost always come at a high price.
After this brief introduction, which I hope will allow you to understand my yardstick, I move on to describing the instruments that were the object of this test.
Zeiss Conquest Compact 10×25 T*
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Technical features
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Construction and Mechanics:
The model Zeiss Conquest Compact 10×25 T* It is the cheapest of the two models tested, very light, weighing only 200g, it has a very comfortable double zip central closing system (called Z-FOLD) which allows it to be carried inside the classic pocket of a birdwatching or trekking jacket.
The exit pupil is 2.5mm, while the eye relief is 15.5mm. The diopter adjustment is minimal, just +/- 3°. Its particular shape, however, allows for a minimum interpupillary distance of just 32mm, making it suitable for use even by budding naturalists, often eager to observe through their father's binoculars. The minimum focusing distance is just 5 meters. The focusing system, operated with a finger, is obviously very compact, but once you get the hang of it, it proves to be quite reliable and fast.,
The Zeiss Conquest Compact 10×25 T*It is waterproofed to prevent dust from entering.
Optics
the two 25mm lenses, although not reaching the optical quality of the Victory model, are treated with the well-known Zeiss Multicoating system, the images, in fact, appear bright in proportion to their diameter.
Eyepieces and prisms
Thanks to the good eye relief, which as anticipated, is 15.5mm, this small binocular is also suitable for spectacle wearers. Personally, I used it in high mountains with sunglasses, without having particular problems in framing the entire observable field, which is obviously quite small, 5°, which also results in a real field of 50°, values in line with the various compacts in the same price range. The Zeiss Conquest Compact 10×35 T uses Schmidt-Pechan prisms, (1) with phase treatment.
Chromatic aberration
It's noticeable, though subtle, that the Zeiss coating and quality optics allow them to deliver excellent performance for a compact binocular in this price range. Color cast almost always appears in bright lighting conditions, such as when observing a backlit bird or the outline of snow-capped mountains.
Angular distortion and field curvature
Distortion is present, and it is a perfect compromise between field correction and ease of use in the field. After all, it was Zeiss who gave the guidelines on the so-called condition circle and it has nothing to learn from this.
As far as field curvature is concerned, I wouldn't call it a flat-field binocular, as it requires some adjustment of the focus knob to get images sharp enough even at the edges.
Practical use
The Zeiss Conquest Compact 10x25T can prove to be a valid adventure companion, its intelligent locking system makes it very compact and transportable, this is one of its most important features that could determine the choice.
The optical performance is good but not as excellent as the Victory series; the actual field of view provided is sufficient but doesn't allow for appreciable immersion in the scene. As mentioned, when choosing a compact you always have to make compromises. The shape of the eyepieces and rubber eyecups is excellent, and at least in my case, they were very comfortable to use.
Zeiss Victory Compact 8×20 T*
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Technical features
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Construction and Mechanics:
The model Zeiss Victory Compact 8×20 T These are the smallest and most prestigious binoculars offered by Zeiss; they are extremely compact and well-built. The single-hinge locking system that folds under the focusing bridge has proven to be fast and reliable. The construction is excellent, the binoculars feature excellent shock protection, and are also able to withstand accidental immersion to a depth of up to four meters. Their operating temperature ranges from -20° to 40°.
The exit pupil is 2.5mm, while the eye relief is 12.6mm, a good value for binoculars with a diameter of only 20mm. In this case too, the diopter adjustment is 3 diopters, and takes the same interpupillary distance from the Conquest series.
The improved performance is evident in the improved minimum focus, which in this case is 2.6m, which also allows the observation of butterflies, flowers and insects (4 in the 10X version). The central focus is located on the bridge near the eyepieces, while the diopter is adjusted on the opposite bridge, between the two 20mm objectives.
Optics
The optics are incredibly bright, sometimes it seems incredible that you're observing through binoculars with optics of only 20mm. The Zeiss multi-layer anti-reflective coating does its job like very few other compact binoculars; even in bright lighting conditions, these binoculars are always reliable. Color rendition is very faithful, and the observed field is almost entirely usable, with the exception of a minimal light falloff at the edges.
Eyepieces and prisms
The eyepieces feature a 5-lens optical design that provides a very good apparent field of view for this type of binoculars, nearly 54°. The eyepieces are equipped with comfortable rubber cups with a quick-release pop-up system, better than the traditional twist-and-release system.
.Even in this case Zeiss has used roof prisms with Schmid-Pechan design,(1) with phase correction with the addition of a dielectric treatment to improve the brightness.
Chromatic aberration
Truly very contained. The Zeiss Victory Compact is a little gem of an optic. It only gives in under very critical lighting conditions, for example when observing a little egret or a white heron against the light. In such circumstances, in fact, it may happen that you notice a slight residual blue color around the figure of the bird, but it is really reduced to a minimum level, nothing to do, in short, with that visible in the economical 8x25. .
Angular distortion and field curvature
The distortion created ad hoc, and an almost totally flat field, provide a vision that you would not expect from a small 20mm.
Practical use.
The Zeiss Victory Conquest 8x20T thrilled me, excellent performance, always in proportion to its optical design and its compactness, if there are any compromises they are truly minimal, very bright, light, resistant, with refined mechanics and supplied with two excellent 5-lens eyepieces that allow a wide field of view, always in proportion to its compact optical design.
It could be the ideal choice for the enthusiast who always wants a prestigious and high-performance binocular with him.
Acknowledgements
Thank you Handbook, official importer of Minox products in Italy, for having supplied the specimens which were the subject of this test.
NOTE
(1)Schmidt-Pechan prisms have 6 reflections and 4 air-glass passages. For further information https://www.binomania.it/binocoli/prismi.php
Disclaimer. This review was published in June 2009. Please note that the impressions of use are entirely personal and given by Binomania testers in complete freedom, without any commercial obligation or relationship, and based on proven experience in using these optical instruments. For any information, updates and/or changes to prices, instrument features, authorized sales points, or other information in general, please contact Bignami SPA directly by clicking on the image below.
Piergiovanni Salimbeni - Journalist and independent tester, founder of Binomania.co.uk, with over 25 years of experience in evaluating optical and digital instruments. It offers practical reviews and personalised advice for informed purchasing choices.