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Zeiss Victory V8 ASV 4.8-35x60

Zeiss Victory V8 ASV 4.8-35x60

Zeiss’ new Victory HT range of scope uses the latest high light transmission Schott glass lenses that gives 92% light transmission, which when combined to the new, large 60mm objective lens diameter, gives superior images for clarity, even at the highest magnification and greater field of views. Which all adds up to a premium scope, designed to be equally as useful in the woodlands up close, as it would be at extreme ranges and everything else in-between!

Spec

First up you would think a scope of this magnification would be big and heavy, it isn’t. In fact, compact and svelte come to mind. With an overall length of only 402mm, it does not look out of place on any sporter rifle and with the options of tube or rail mounting; this is easily accomplished on any length action size.

It weighs 830 grams, so feels really solid without undue heft; it inspires confidence that it will take a few knocks out in the field. I really use my scopes in all weathers and sliding down hillsides and through Scottish bogs, so a tough bit of glass is most appreciated!

The outside diameter of the objective is 67mm, with a useable 60mm lens surface. This makes so much better sense than the 56mm, which is really a hangover from the 8x56mms that had the perfect 7mm exit pupil. This 60mm lens enables an impressive twilight and exit pupil status.

Exit What?

In English; the light contacting your eye is a whopping 9.9mm at the lower 4.8x and 1.4mm for the 35x mag. This gives fast target acquisition when you mount the rifle and stops that annoying hunting for a clear sight picture. This is enhanced by very good twilight factors of 13.6 and 45.8 for 4.8x and 35 mag. respectively; so although the light might be dimmer at 35x, the image is still clear and discernable.

This is further enhanced, or boosted shall I say, by the optical industries best light gathering lenses. Zeiss use Schott HT glass in their HT Victory range, which translates into 92% genuine light transmission. This is visible when you look through the V8, images are sharp, life like and pop from their surroundings. This enables shots at the highest magnification, even at range when the light is failing. An added bonus is their Lotutec surface finish, which also ensures a smear/water-free surface for real world hunting trips.

Big Tube

The real heart of the V8 is the over sized, 36mm body tube, which requires specialised mounts like the excellent Recknagel 36mm ring mounts from Alan Rhone, tel: 01978 660001. These are superbly made and my choice for the big Zeiss. Or the V8 range can be ordered with a European rail mount (Zeiss Rail) that is actually very good; though might not be for everyone!

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The 36mm tube allows a larger range of reticule movement and hence elevation and windage correction is increased for longer range shots. All settings are metric; the elevation range is 130cm at 100m and windage is 85cm at the same range.

Adjustment per click is the finer 0.5cm or 5mm per click at 100m, unlike the smaller V8 scopes of 1 cm; it restricts total range but allows a more precise adjustment at the higher magnifications, which I like. A combination of MOA adjusted bases and this scope will cope with any longer range shot. This model had the ASV or Zeiss bullet drop compensation. You have nine, replaceable turret rings or foils as Zeiss call them with the V8. The standard one is marked in 0.5 cms, the other eight are used in conjunction with their ballistic resource and can be tailored to individual calibres, be it factory or reloaded ammunition.

Zero Stop

There is a zero stop feature, so you can set your preferred zero range, then wind the turret back to a stop position, which all other corrections can be dialled up from and quickly and precisely returned to. It can be disabled and allows more adjustment range if said MOA bases are used in tandem with the scope. All bases covered!

I love the action and ease of turret ring changes. The drum is sprung, so locked down at all times until you lift it up to dial, then you let it go and it is driven down and locks in position. I reckon the Zeiss ASV is the finest design of its kind! Parallax for those close or long range shots at higher magnifications shows a turret on the left of the saddle that also houses the illuminated reticule battery. Parallax is adjusted from 50m to infinity, if it was 10m up, then FT air gunners could use it too, I wonder?

Illumination, Imagination and Reticule

Zeiss have the best-illuminated dot reticule in the scope world, it has an isolated illumination source that produces an ultra fine but highly visible red dot. This is perfect for longer-range shots, where small coverage is needed and the totally non-bleed properties mean it is easily and accurately placed in the field of view.

The illumination controls are sited on top of the eyepiece, I did prefer them on the saddle turret, but there you go. It’s an uncomplicated system and very good. It consists of a flat drum with a button in the centre (ON/OFF) once ON you just rotate the drum to adjust the brightness seamlessly. There’s also an auto shut off and also cut out when the gun is canted and not moved when you sit and wait for your game to appear. Typically it remembers your setting when you come to switch on again.

Getting Cross

Reticule choice is small, either a Mil-Dot or No 60 (No4-style) the latter being the best, no need for Mil dot on an ASV model. The V8 nature of this scope gives an 8x power range from 4.8x to 35x. This means you have a one scope do almost anything scenario. At the lowest powers it’s capable for woodland use, whilst the intermediate powers are good for shots on the hill and at the maximum mag it gives ultra precise shot placement and acts like a spotting scope too.

You have probably gathered I love this scope, one of these and why would you need anything else? You don’t! Expensive but the best is always thus, cry once and smile as they say.

PRICE: £2360
CONTACT: Zeiss UK, 01223 401450, www.zeiss.de

  • Zeiss Victory V8 ASV 4.8-35x60 - image {image:count}

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  • Zeiss Victory V8 ASV 4.8-35x60 - image {image:count}

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  • Zeiss Victory V8 ASV 4.8-35x60 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Zeiss Victory V8 ASV 4.8-35x60 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Zeiss Victory V8 ASV 4.8-35x60 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Name: Zeiss Victory V8 ASV 4.8-35x60
  • Exit Pupil: 9.9mm and 1.4mm (4.8-35 mag)
  • Twilight Factor: 13.6 and 45.8 (4.8-35 mag)
  • Tube diameter: 36mm
  • Eye relief: 95mm
  • Parallax free: 50m to infinity
  • Adj range at 130cm : 100m height
  • Adj range at 85cm : 100m windage
  • Adjustment per click: 0.5cm at 100m
  • Length: 402mm
  • Weight: 830 grams
  • Illumination: Yes
  • Reticule: Mil-Dot or Zeiss 60
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