Cornell Lab’s Living Bird Magazine Names Five ZEISS

NORTH CHESTERFIELD, Va., November 7, 2013 – Five ZEISS binoculars have been named as the top binoculars for birding enthusiasts in three categories in the most recent issue of Living Bird, one of the most respected magazines for birders.
In head-to-head reviews with other leading binoculars, ZEISS binoculars were ranked by a panel of highly regarded birding experts as No. 1 and No. 2 in both the Top-of-the-Line binoculars and Mid-Range binoculars categories, and, No.1 (tie) in the $200-$399 binoculars category (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=2674).
Living Bird magazine is published by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which is located at Cornell University in upstate New York. A distinguished panel reviewed 110 binoculars based on five price categories, rating the binoculars on overall feel, optical clarity, eyeglass friendliness, and overall performance. In the article, “Finding the Best Binoculars for Birding,” published in the Autumn 2013 issue, ZEISS swept the field:
 

  1. Top of the Line Category: The VICTORT HT 8×42 T* was named the No. 1 binocular and the Victory FL 8×32 T* was ranked No. 2. Both binoculars encompass many of ZEISS’ cutting-edge technologies and are favorites among serious birding enthusiasts in the U.S. and Canada.

 

  1. Mid-Range Binoculars Category: The CONQUEST HD 8×32 binocular was declared No. 1, Best in Class in the New Mid-Range category and the CONQUEST HD 8×42 was named No. 2. In the article, the panel members said of CONQUEST binoculars: “We can say several exceptional choices have emerged in this new class. The ZEISS CONQUESTS, particularly the 8×32‘s, were among the top-scoring binoculars in the entire review.“

 

  1. $200 to $399 Club (Entry Level) Category: The TERRA 8×42 ED, fast becoming an entry-level premium preference for many new birders, tied for No. 1 in the $200 to $399 Club category. New from ZEISS for 2013, TERRA ED binoculars, in 8×42 and 10×42, feature an exceptionally close focus of 5.25’, perfect for not only birders but also those who enjoy butterfly and other insect viewing.

 
For the article, Living Bird magazine asked each of its test raters to rate at least five binocular models on a 1-to-5 scale, based on four standards:
1.) Clarity and Crispness of image;
2.) Overall Feel, such as ergonom­ics, weight, and ease-of-focus;
3.) Eyeglass Friendliness (eye-relief and sturdiness of the eyecups); and
4.) Overall Performance (“Would you buy these binoculars?”).
“We appreciate the time and effort the Lab staff and their volunteers put in to completing the most comprehensive optics review in the world. It was no easy undertaking,” said Mike Jensen, President of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics.  “We’re humbled by the results and the positive comments about our products. To us, these rankings affirm the hard work we have put into understanding our customers’ needs and developing solutions to meet those needs.”
“But, it’s just a start,” added Jensen. ”We promise the birding community that ZEISS will continue to develop the very best premium binoculars money can buy — whether you’re a beginner, on a budget, or you’re ready for the absolute best. We understand that when the perfect moment arrives, you need binoculars that deliver the view you deserve!”
To view a chart rating all of the binoculars tested in this review, visit www.birds.cornell.edu/binos.
About Carl Zeiss Sports Optics

Carl Zeiss Sports Optics is a leading, international provider of premium sports optics and is part of the Consumer Optics Group of Carl Zeiss. Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, LLC is responsible for sales, marketing and distribution of its state-of-the-art binoculars and spotting scopes, throughout the United States and Canada. Carl Zeiss Sports Optics’ North American headquarters is located in North Chesterfield, Va.

About Carl Zeiss Group
 The Carl Zeiss Group is an international leader in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In fiscal year 2011-2012, the company’s 24,000 employees generated revenue of nearly 4.2 billion euros. In the markets for Industrial Solutions, Research Solutions, Medical Technology and Consumer Optics, Carl Zeiss has contributed to technological progress for more than 160 years and continues to enhance the quality of life of many people around the globe.
The Carl Zeiss Group develops and produces planetariums, eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses and binoculars as well as solutions for biomedical research, medical technology and the semiconductor, automotive and mechanical engineering industries. Carl Zeiss is located in more than 40 countries around the globe with about 40 production facilities, over 50 sales and service locations and service locations and approximately 20 research and development sites. Carl Zeiss AG is fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany.

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