Zeiss is international optics and optoelectronics manufacturing company founded by Carl Zeiss.
The company was started in Germany in 1846.
Today, they are the producers of various medical equipment, different types of lenses, measuring devices, microscopes, and binoculars.
After many years of successfully integrating the newest technologies into their products, the company brings to us Zeiss rangefinder binoculars.
Zeiss rangefinders binoculars are built with the hunter in mind.
These binoculars have built-in rangefinders and together they combine the best of the rangefinding and binocular worlds.
Measuring the exact distance to the target is no longer a guessing game and with the extreme magnification power of binoculars, there’s no chance you’ll ever miss your target again.
In this article, we talk about the Zeiss PRF rangefinder and the Zeiss Rf rangefinder and see what they bring to the table.
Rangefinder
Features
Price
Zeiss rangefinder binocular reviews
- Range: 1300 yards
- Magnification: 8x
- Weight: 10.93 oz
Winning the 2009 Outdoor Life “Editor’s Choice” award, Carl Zeiss Victory PRF monocular is a compact unit that garnered attention due to its crystal clear optics and remarkable accuracy.
It comes with a Ballistic Information System(BIS) to get those holdover points for pinpoint accuracy at every use.
When looking for the perfect companion for long-range shooting in unfamiliar territory, the Zeiss PRF rangefinder is what you need.
Lets us take a look at some of the best features in this Zeiss victory PRF rangefinder review
Scan Mode
Scan Mode of the PRF rangefinder can be used to keep a close eye on small or moving targets even gophers.
Scan Mode is activated by holding down the rangefinder button for more than 3 seconds.
After which the rangefinder ranges the target continuously and new measuring values are displayed every 1.5 seconds.
To save battery life, the scan mode turns off after 40 in case of accidental activation.
Ballistic Information System
The Ballistic Information system in the Zeiss PRF rangefinder provides the exact holdover point at long distances at just the touch of a button.
This takes all the guesswork out and guarantees accuracy.
This innovative software finds the appropriate correction value by using the selected ballistics curve, the caliber, and the distance measurement.
You get accurate holdover information for 6 different common ballistics trajectories.
Range
Range targets out to 1300 yards with an accuracy of +/– 1 meter/yard thanks to its outstanding optics.
This is why the Zeiss Victory PRF rangefinder is awesome for long-range shooting and used by both rifle hunters and target shooters.
Optics
This Zeiss victory rangefinder binocular does not disappoint and provides amazing clarity for some of the best images you’ll ever get with a rangefinder.
It uses 2 element achromatic objective lenses with Zeiss T* multi-coating and Lotutec coating.
Zeiss T* multicoating is the star behind these Zeiss rangefinders because of the image brightness, twilight performance, and brilliance in the field.
The Lotutec coating helps to shed water, dirt, grease & grime for use even in the poorest of weather conditions.
This rangefinder binocular comes with 8x magnification which is better than most rangefinders you find which only offer 4x and 6x.
As you know higher magnification power can mean a smaller field of view but the Zeiss Victory PPF features 2 26mm lens.
These allow for comfortable use and offer a 330-foot field of view.
Display
The Zeiss Victory PRF rangefinder comes with an integrated self-illuminating four dight LED display.
The display is designed in a way so that it can be easy to read in different lighting situations.
This way you use the rangefinder at night and be sure that you can read the display.
Readouts on the display are shown after 1.5 seconds after ranging to the target.
This may not be as fast as other models but it still is pretty fast.
Battery
This rangefinder binocular uses a 3V CR2 battery.
A new battery should last for about 2000 measurements but this depends on some external factors.
The display includes a low battery indicator that flashes when the battery is low so you’ll know it’s time for a replacement.
Design
Zeiss Victory PRF rangefinder include PRF which simply means that the model is pocket friendly.
The rangefinder is small and compact enough to go wherever you go.
It features a sealed housing with protective rubber armor which makes it waterproof, dust-proof, and virtually damage-proof.
The robust design along with the rubber armor gives it a firm grip but also allows it to survive any drops or falls during use.
It is outfitted with an adjustable eyepiece that can be locked into 4 positions.
This makes for a better-personalized experience when using the rangefinder whether you’re an eyeglass wearer or not.
Warranty
This rangefinder binocular as all of Carl Zeiss’s products comes with an incredible warranty.
This includes a lifetime warranty on optical components and a five-year warranty on optical components.
Additionally and to take it up a notch above competitors a one year on carrying straps, lens cap and other accessories that come with the purchase.
.
- 2-Element achromatic objective lens for superb imaging capability
- Multicoating enhances light transmission, reduces flare, glare & stray light
- Lotutec coating sheds water, dirt, grease & grime
- Range: 2500 yards
- Magnification: 10x
- Weight: 31.7 oz
The Zeiss Victory RF rangefinder is available in 4 models with 4 each featuring different magnification power and lens sizes.
You have the Zeiss Victory RF 10×42, RF 10×54, RF 8×42, and the RF 8×56 models.
However today, we’ll focus on the Zeiss Victory RF 10×42 rangefinder.
The RF 10×42 is the new and improved model that replaces the Zeiss Victory RF 10×45 model.
This newer version is an impressive unit with Bluetooth connectivity and a personal ballistic data system with angle compensation.
Here are some of the notable features of the Zeiss Victory 10×42 rangefinder.
Bluetooth Synchronization
The Zeiss Victory RF 10×42 rangefinder comes with the ability to connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth.
This gives you access to the Zeiss Hunting App where physical and environmental factors are taken into account.
With the ability to calculate measurements by factoring in things like air pressure and temperature, your hit rate raises significantly.
Realtime Ballistic Calculator
Unlike the Zeiss PRF rangefinder, which does not allow you to enter personal ballistic information, the Zeiss RF rangefinder does offer that option.
Store up to nine personalized ballistic profiles which can be done by way of the Zeiss Hunting App via the Bluetooth connection.
In addition to the personalized profiles, the rangefinder comes with nine default ballistic curve settings.
The ballistic system takes a ton of relevant information into account to give you the precise setting for the Bullet Drop Compensators(BDC).
Zeiss Hunting App
The Zeiss Hunting App includes numerous functions to always be on hand on the field.
Record photos and videos and manage media right in the app.
Document hunting events and hunting grounds to share with your friends or other hunting aficionados.
Range
For ranging animals in the long-range, the Zeiss Victory RF rangefinder can measure the distance to target from 10 to a whopping 2500 yards away.
Distances to these targets are usually within +- 1 yard for spot-on accuracy.
Measuring Mode
Select preferred targets to range and watch as the multiple targets in the laser’s path is taken into consideration and shown on the display screen.
This allows for better data output based on your preference.
You can choose from 2 measurement settings with the first being the best measurement(tA b) and the furthest measurement(tA l).
Optics
Once again Zeiss does not disappoint with their optics system.
This RF rangefinder comes with 42 mm FL lenses and Abbe-Koenig prisms with the excellent Lotutec coating and Zeiss T* coating.
These multilayer coatings guarantee brilliant high contrast images in adverse light and weather conditions as well as twilight conditions.
As mentioned before, the RF lineup offers 4 different models with 10×42, 10×54, 8×42, and the 8×56.
This Zeiss Victory RF 10×42 model offers 10x magnification with a field of view of 345 feet.
Display
The Victory RF rangefinder has an internal LED display with 11 brightness settings.
The brightness settings all automatically adjust to the exterior lighting conditions.
This rangefinder is exceptionally fast and displays measurement in just 0.3 seconds.
The display can showcase the various measurements as stated below:
- Distance
- Distance & angle
- Distance & equivalent horizontal distance
- Distance & holdover in cm/in
- Distance & holdover in MOA
- Distance & holdover in MIL
- Distance & number of clicks
Battery
The Zeiss Victory 10×42 rangefinder is powered by a single 3V CR2 battery.
The battery should allow for us up to 2500 times but can be shortened due to certain factors.
Design
This Zeiss victory rangefinder is designed to be a highly robust unit with outstanding ergonomics and rugged construction.
It is extremely lightweight, durable, and is well protected with shock-absorbing rubber armor.
The waterproof and dustproof construction and the nitrogen purged lens filling for fog-proofing abilities allow you to use the rangefinder under extreme conditions.
The rangefinder can take up to 100 mbar of water pressure so there is absolutely nothing stopping you from getting out there and hunt.
It can also survive being submerged in 4 meters of water for up to 2 hours.
Warranty
The warranty for the Zeiss RF rangefinder is the same as the PRF model
- The laser rangefinder can detect reflective objects in a wide range of 10-2500 yds., reading their...
- Range -Reflective 2500 yds.
- 10x Magnification
Alternatives to Zeiss rangefinder binoculars
Equipped with some of the brightest and best optics along with innovative technologies in the game, Zeiss rangefinders aren’t exactly cheap.
If you can afford it, do go for it but if you are looking for other alternatives to the Zeiss rangefinder binoculars, here are a few affordable options.
Bushnell Fusion 1-Mile
- Range: 1760 yards
- Magnification: 10x
- Weight: 1.93 pounds
The Bushnell Fusion 1 Mile rangefinder binocular is one of the best on the market.
This feature-rich rangefinder binocular can measure distances to targets out to 1760 yards.
Equipped with 10 x magnification and an ARC ballistic calculator, the Bushnell Fusion comes with two modes for both the bow hunter and rifle hunter.
Bow Mode gives you “shoot like” horizontal distances and while ARC Rifle Mode provides precise bullet-drop and holdover information.
Like the Zeiss rangefinder, the Bushnell Fusion offers rich contrast and stunning clarity with the use of XTR technology for ultimate light transmission.
Image clarity is further enhanced by the integration of BaK-4 prisms superior resolution and clarity.
The Bushnell Fusion 1-Mile is considered an affordable rangefinder binocular when compared to others with the same functions.
- 8×32 Binocular combined with Angle Range Compensation (ARC) laser rangefinder with 10 to 1760-yards…
- 96×48 Pixel Matrix Display gives bright easy to read displays in all lighting conditions and…
- Fully Multi-Coated optics and BaK-4 Prisms with PC-3 Phase Corrective Coating for superior…
Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 Roof Prism Laser Rangefinder Binocular
- Range: 5000 yards
- Magnification:10x
- Weight: 5.12 lbs
When thinking about a long-range rangefinder when shooting at extreme distances, you must consider the Vortex Optics Fury HD 500 rangefinder binocular.
This unit can range targets out to 5000 yards with 10x magnification and is a great option for hunters, archers, and shooters.
The HCD mode displays calculations for angle compensated distances and LOS Mode displays calculations for long-range distance high angle shots.
Along with these two modes, there are two target modes, namely, Best Mode and Last Mode.
Similar to the Zeiss rangefinders, the Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 also uses some great optics for sharp and vivid images.
It includes XR fully multi-coated HD lenses and dielectric phase-corrected prisms for amazing clarity no matter the time of day.
This unit is also waterproof, dustproof, fog proof, and comes sturdily built to withstand the rough hunting environment.
- The Fury HD 5000 with 10x magnification and 42mm objective lenses, is an extremely effective…
- The primary HCD mode displays an angle compensated distance that is ideal for the majority of…
- Two target modes are available. Best Mode displays the strongest range result and is intended to be…
Nikon LASERFORCE RANGEFINDER Binocular
- Range:1900 yards
- Magnification: 10x
- Weight: 1.93 lbs
The Nikon Laserforce rangefinder binocular combines rangefinding and binocular technologies to give you a unit that is as fast as it is accurate.
It comes with Nikon’s ID technology that provides horizontal distances to targets and compensates for any incline or decline shooting angles.
This technology is remarkable and works up to +- 89 degrees.
Range out to target 1900 yards away and bring them closer with 10x magnification for a better view.
The high visibility OLED display comes with a 4 step intensity adjustment which means you can easily read your measurements in varying lighting and weather conditions.
Other outstanding features of the Nikon laserforce rangefinder include multi-coated lenses, prisms, and ED glass for high-resolution contrast-rich images.
- Rangefinder Binocular with 10-1900 yard range
- Reflective Target 1900 yards Tree 1400 Yards Deer 1100 Yards
- Incline/Decline Technology. FOV at 1000 yards: 320 feet
Final thoughts: Zeiss rangefinder
Zeiss rangefinder binoculars offer precision and accuracy with world-class optics that are second to none.
The Zeiss Victory PRF monocular is a great pocket-friendly rangefinder that was recognized and awarded the 2009 Outdoor Life “Editor’s Choice” award.
It comes with a ballistic information system and 8x magnification power to measure distances to targets 1300 yards away
On the other hand, the Zeiss Victory RF rangefinder binocular allows you to connect via Bluetooth and enter personalized information.
This rangefinder puts you in total control with its real-time ballistic calculator in the Zeiss Hunting App which offers a personalized hunting experience.
Both these units are sturdy and can withstand harsh hunting conditions.
Although the price point may not fit into the budget of a beginner, serious hunters know value when they see it.
For increased value, Zeiss products are all included in an astonishing warranty that covers almost every aspect of the rangefinder binocular from optics to accessories.
If you are serious about hunting and hitting your target every time you pull the trigger, then do yourself a favor and grab the Zeiss Victory PRF monocular or the RF rangefinder binocular.
For more rangefinder binoculars, read our best rangefinder binoculars post.
If you are looking for just a rangefinder, then our best hunting rangefinder article can help.
Rangefinder
Features
Price