Carl Zeiss Optical Inc Victory PRF Monocular (8x26 T Victory PRF)

This will be very easy to justify 5 stars. My PRF arrived yesterday and I spent a couple of hours getting familiar with it.Everything that is advertised about the clarity and brilliance of the optics is true. Having a higher power (8x vs. the 7x of most other brands) and larger objective lens (26 mm) is one of the main reasons I chose the Zeiss. I love the brightness of the LED target and distance -- you can't really get a good impression of this from looking at the videos where they hold the device up to a video recorder. With viewing through the real unit, you will be impressed.I believe I read info on other rangefinder ads that you couldn't shoot a distance through car windows. Not the case with the Zeiss. I was surprised. Where I was doing this -- the farthest objects (actually tree tops) were around 450 yards out. I will experiment with this some more in a day or so.As for distance -- I pulled my car off at a spot that gave me some targets that looked quite far away. Through an open window, I repeatedly pinged off a gas station sign -- 1419 yards, 1418 yards. I didn't think to try this ping through the windshield, but I will later. In the manual, one of the detrimental conditions for obtaining max range is bright sunshine. Well, that's what I had -- bright sunshine, so I expect to get even better results during optimum conditions.Update -- 2nd dayWent back to same distance location and reconfirmed my original distances of 1419 yards. I then moved a bit further away and pinged off a builder's sign (about 10' tall X 4' wide) that was across the street from the gas station sign. I consistently got 1463 yards.I can't get anymore out of this location due to gradual curve of the road, and nothing beyond the builder's sign. But I do want to find what my maximum distance is going to be. Have to say, it is hard finding open spaces with targets extending out a full mile.It is also quite easy to "thread the needle" so to speak. From my back porch, I was able to ping through small gaps in trees to hit a target much further out.The PRF is very nice in the hands with its hard rubber exterior. It is actually lighter than it looks. You also hold this with two hands like you would a small pair of theatre binoculars -- giving you more stability. And yes, you will appreciate the four-position adjustable eye cup.I have not tried the BIS (Ballistic Information System) or scan mode features yet, but I am sure they both will be equally impressive. I intend to use my rangefinder mostly at my outdoor gun range for helping to sight-in rifles. I am slowly increasing my rifle distance and intend to purchase more "high power" rifles as time goes by. That is when I will start utilizing the BIS. Whether or not I ever get into big game hunting remains to be seen. But, in a different setting, I also intend on using the PRF on hiking trips for just casual interest purposes.Be advised that the battery used is a CR2. Under Product Description, AMAZON mistakenly identifies it as a CR123A. So, I will have to stock a small supply of the CR2. Like all lithium batteries, they have a very long shelf life of from 4-10 years.None of these rangefinders are cheap. The Zeiss monocular may in fact be in the highest price range, but the old adage "you get what you pay for" definitely applies here. With obvious superior features, you will not be disappointed that you spent more for this unit.

I like this one, it is the right size and easy to operate, my only gripe is that the furthest it was able to read was 932 yards, couldnt even get to 1000 let alone to 1300 as it claims. I was measuring from a bipod too, so it was not shaking. Is it a deal breaker? No, i would have bought it just the same had i known it reads only up to 932 just didnt like that it fell short by almost 400 yards.

The unit I got was defective. Looking through it, the view was hazy and unclear. I tried focusing, but it wouldn't clear up at all. I have been a fan of Zeiss products for years, due to it's clarity, so I am kind of sad about this unit. Returning for refund.

Love at first sight! Optics are very bright and clear, just as one would expect from the Zeiss Victory line. Target acquisition is reliably fast. No issues ranging out to 1,000 yds.The ballistics compensation feature was a very pleasant surprise. It will provide holdover out to 500+ yds based on you input selection. Very nice feature!

Extremely accurate and easy to use. Very clear and worth the price.

The optics is stunning. I look through the PRF and then through Nikon EDG 10x42 binos at something at 600 meters, and, while of course EDG is better (and it is 10x and 2 eye watching), I still feel very comfortable with the PRF. Of course, there is no comparison for birdwatching, but for nature observation, especially at longer distances, it is exemplary.

The ranges were inaccurate at long and short distances

I am very pleased in this rangefinder. It was hard to decide between this and the swarovski so I saved $400 and bought the Zeiss. My longest hunting to date is 1200 yards and this was rated to 1300 yards. I was a little nervous that it couldnt read to its max range(which I have seen many many times). I was releaved the first time I pressed the button. First try it hit 1389 yards. I would strongly recommend this for anyone needing to range 1000 yards plus. It may not have the 2000 yard range as the swaro, but I cant reach that far anyway. Great packing and shipping as well.