Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 Review
When I first heard that Zeiss would be releasing a low-cost binocular, I did not believe it. So naturally, when the Zeiss Terra ed 10x42 binoculars first hit the market in 2013, I knew I had to get my hands on one. In this Zeiss Terra ed 10x42 review I have shared my honest experience what I had so far.
At first, I was a bit skeptical about the Terra ED, after all, its mid-level price tag was not what I had come to expect from the German manufacturer. Flash-forward, two years later and the skepticism I had towards the Zeiss Terra ED is all gone. In its place is admiration and awe at how such a great optical instrument can be so inexpensive.
My Unbiased Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 Review
Extra-Low Dispersion Glass Lens
In my experience, when an optical instrument has the acronym “ED” in its name it means that its lens made from a high-density extra-low dispersion glass. The acronym stands for Extra-low Dispersion. Based on what I have observed over the years, only high-end binocular models fitted with ED lenses, the reason being that the ED glass is rare and costly.
Thus, one of the reasons I bought this binocular was to authenticate that the Terra ED’s glass is the real thing. When I first used my Zeiss Terra, I was blown away by its razor sharp image quality, which was proof that Zeiss did indeed use the high-density ED glass.
Comfort and Ease of Use
The eye cups of my black Zeiss Terra binocular turn smoothly, and they remain in place when adjusted either upwards or downwards. As for the eye relief, this binocular has a 14 mm eye relief, which I find to be sufficient for both glass and non-glass wearers.
As for the focus knob located in-between the two barrels, it turns smoothly. While some people prefer more resistance in their focus knob, I have no complaints about the smooth and facile turning off this knob. It is also worth noting that this Zeiss model can focus on things as close as 5.3 feet.
Performance
When I compared the Zeiss Terra HD with my pricier Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 binocular, the former proved that it could more than hold its own against its pricier cousin. The Zeiss Terra HD produced images with a natural color rendition and excellent details. Also, I found it to be sufficiently bright. The Terra ED’s performance can credited to its fully multi-coated optics and ED objective lens. The prisms are phase-corrected and feature a roof prism design.
Construction
In this zeiss terra ed 10x42 binoculars review, I have to say One of the things I love about my Zeiss Terra ED is its ergonomic and lightweight design. According to the information, I got from Zeiss’ official website; this binocular made from a fiberglass reinforced material. The latter material is responsible for the binocular’s lightweight yet rugged construction. To make it water and fog proof, the optics of this binocular are O-ring sealed while the barrels are filled with nitrogen respectively. Thus, apart from being lightweight, I found this binocular to be extremely rugged for outdoor use.
Pros of Zeiss Terra ED 10x42
- Is both lightweight and rugged
- Is affordable compared to other Zeiss models
- Is water and fog proof
- Is comfortable to use for long periods
- Is a versatile binocular ideal for bird watching and hunting
- Produces razor sharp images
- Is easy to grip thanks to its ergonomic design
Cons of Zeiss Terra ED 10x42
- Some users have complained of that the ocular covers do not come off easily
- Adjusting the binocular can be challenging especially if you have fat fingers
Features of Zeiss Terra ED 10x42
- 10X magnification
- 42 mm ED objective lens
- Schmidt-Pechan roof prism design
- Nitrogen filled barrels
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Adjustable eye cups
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Zeiss Terra ED’s maximum pupil distance?
Answer: Based on information I collected from the manufacturer’s website, this binocular has a maximum pupil distance of 76 mm.
- What is the size of this binocular?
Answer: This binocular measures 0.7 inches by 2.6 inches by 0.6 inches. Thus it is neither compact nor bulky.
- Is it possible to adjust the diopters for each eye cup?
Answer: The adjustment diopter is located on the right eye cup and is used to adjust the right eye cup. Thus you can only adjust the diopters one at a time.
Conclusion
At last in this zeiss terra review I have to say, In the many years that I have been using binoculars, there are certain brands I have come to trust and Zeiss is one of them. The latter Germany-based company well known among experienced users of binoculars. Thus, the fact that the Terra ED is from this company is testament enough to its superior quality and performance. So if you are looking for a great and inexpensive binocular, the Zeiss Terra ED is one that will not disappoint you.
