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2004 Zeiss Diavari Question

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eas View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
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    Posted: November/05/2013 at 17:02
I am considering purchasing one of these used but don't know much about them. Would this model have LotuTec coatings being that old? I guess my main questions are:

1. Lotutec?
2. T lenses?
3. What does it compare to?
4. How is the light transmission (it's a 2.5-10x50)
5. Eye relief?
6. Is the eye relief constant?

Thank you for all the help!!!
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eas View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/05/2013 at 18:02
Forgot to mention it is a 2.5-10x50 VM/V model. Which should be the 1st focal plane.
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RifleDude View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/05/2013 at 19:05
Originally posted by eas eas wrote:

I am considering purchasing one of these used but don't know much about them. Would this model have LotuTec coatings being that old? I guess my main questions are:

1. Lotutec?
2. T lenses?
3. What does it compare to?
4. How is the light transmission (it's a 2.5-10x50)
5. Eye relief?
6. Is the eye relief constant?

Thank you for all the help!!!


1. No. Lotutec was introduced in 2006.
2. Yes, it has T* coatings. This doesn't denote lens types, it is Zeiss's proprietary lens multi-coatings formulation.
3. Light transmission is very good. I have that very scope, except mine has an illuminated #8 reticle.
4. Eye relief is 3.54"
5. Yes, eye relief is constant. In fact, all current Zeiss scopes have constant eye relief.
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.
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eas View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/05/2013 at 19:30
Thank you Rifledude! I had narrowed it down to a new Duralyt, Z3 (which I already have) and the older Diavari. The Diavari is slightly cheaper but that's not a big deal. How would you compare the Older Diavari to a new Z3 or Duralyt? I was thinking the glass on the older Diavari would be better but I wasn't sure since it is older. I actually like 1st focal plane so it really comes down to glass. What do you think?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/06/2013 at 10:49
Originally posted by eas eas wrote:

T How would you compare the Older Diavari to a new Z3 or Duralyt? I was thinking the glass on the older Diavari would be better but I wasn't sure since it is older. I actually like 1st focal plane so it really comes down to glass. What do you think?


The Diavari edges out the Duralyt, as well it should, as it's a higher end scope. I also have a 2-8X42 Duralyt. It's a good scope too, but it has more field edge softness / astigmatism than the Diavari series on low power. Most of the edge softness goes away by 4X. Can't comment on the other models of the Duralyt series, as I only have experience with that one model. Diavari has slightly better resolution in the center field as well. Eye relief is the same on both, and FOV is approx the same at like magnification settings. Both have excellent low light performance. I like the 2-8 Duralyt because of its compactness, coupled with good optics. However, I wouldn't have bought it at full retail price. I got mine at a significant discount off the Sample List (www.samplelist.com) because it was a demo model scope.

Compared to the Z3 series... I'd say the Z3 is perhaps better than Duralyt optically, not quite as nice as the Diavari. I also have two Z3 scopes (3-9X36 and 3-10X42). The Z3's are much less expensive, lighter, and more compact than either of the Zeiss scopes, so it all boils down to what your priorities are in a scope. It's really a case of splitting hairs. Once you get into the high end scopes, there's very subtle differences between "very good" and "excellent."

If your top priority is optical performance, the Diavari is the winner of those 3, but the Z3 is really not far behind it.
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/06/2013 at 14:21
Great information! I actually just ruled out the Diavari since it was not in good condition. So my choices are now:

Z3 4-12x50 New $875
Duralyt Non-illuminated 3-12x50 New $965
Duralyt illuminated 3-12x50 Demo $999

I agree at 3x the Duralyt has issues on the edges but at 4x and above it is great. Since you have both the Z3 and Duralyt which is the best low light scope?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/06/2013 at 14:56
Comparing the same magnification and the same objective lens size, they're probably dead even on low light performance.

Overall, I think Z3 very slightly edges out Duralyt optically speaking.

However, there's also the matter of being able to clearly see your point of aim against a dark background. In that respect, no traditional, non-illuminated reticle can compete with a well-designed illuminated reticle in low light. By "well-designed," I mean that the adjustment intensity range is broad enough and the % of the reticle that's lit is appropriate that the reticle doesn't over-illuminate the view through the scope with illumination "bloom." Too much illumination will cause your iris to constrict, which degrades your night vision. Having never used the Duralyt illumination system, I can't say whether or not it's a good design. The higher end Victory series scopes have a good illumination system, but my understanding is that Duralyt uses a different, more simplified illumination system design. That doesn't necessarily mean it isn't a good system, only different from the Victory series, so I have no basis for comparison.
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.
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