Zeiss Optics

DFC4545

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I have a question for Zeiss owners out there. Did I just get a lemon of a rifle scope and is Zeiss customer service always this bad?
I only have one Zeiss scope. It’s a Diavari-c. It failed while I was in Namibia. That was awkward. Spending all the time and money to bring my own rifle and ended up using my P. H.’s rifle anyway. When I returned to the States I sent it to Zeiss for repair after receiving the proper authorization. Months later I got it back with no explanation just a terse “repaired”. I remounted it to my .375, fired a few shots to rezero and put it away. That fall I got it out to get ready for a bear hunt and the scope was doing the exact same thing as before I sent it off.
I would like to think this is an anomaly but my .375 now has a Leopold on it.
 
What was the problem with the Zeiss scope in question? Just curious is all.
 
I've heard rave reviews on Swaro and Leupold customer service, but Leica and Zeiss not so much.
I'm interested in the collective opinion.
 
Won’t hold zero and jammed on 9 power.

Do you believe it's recoil related? The jammed issue is something I've never encountered on any scope, even the el cheapos.
 
I have several Zeiss Victory optics including three or four scopes and a set of range-finding binos. Never an issue with any, so I have not had to use their customer service. I should note, I have never had to use Leica either, and I have even more of their products.

All that said, that is a serious failure, and that it is reoccurring is particularly frustrating. Don't let them off the hook - send it back with a clear understanding of just how large the potential Zeiss customer base is among your regular correspondents.
 
Do you believe it's recoil related? The jammed issue is something I've never encountered on any scope, even the el cheapos.

375 H+H on a Winchester model 70. Hope it’s not recoil related. This is not that hard of a kicker.
 
Don't let them off the hook - send it back with a clear understanding of just how large the potential Zeiss customer base is among your regular correspondents.
Anyone who works in customer service will tell you "the squeaky wheel gets the grease".
I would be the loudest squeaking MFer if I paid Zeiss money and wasn't getting the service I expected.
They push you off because they think they can get away with it...don't let them.
 
Anyone who works in customer service will tell you "the squeaky wheel gets the grease".
I would be the loudest squeaking MFer if I paid Zeiss money and wasn't getting the service I expected.
They push you off because they think they can get away with it...don't let them.

Here is the rest of the story. I called and got a another return authorization. I then was real slow on sending it back. (Like over a year) I finally sent it off and got it back a couple of days later saying the return authorization had expired.
 
Maybe it will make a light weight spotting scope. Obviously I’ll never put it back on a rifle.
 
Here is the rest of the story. I called and got a another return authorization. I then was real slow on sending it back. (Like over a year) I finally sent it off and got it back a couple of days later saying the return authorization had expired.
I'd be calling for another RA.
 
I have two Zeiss scopes, great scopes superb optics. Neither are mounted on .375 or above, but if I wouldn't hesitate to do so (except for cost of another scope). Even among big game rifle users, I've never heard of anyone having a complaint about Zeiss scopes. Never the less, you do and I have no reason to doubt it's genuine.

I don't think you can blame Zeiss for the return authorisation expiring, after all you left it a year before sending. The easiest course would be for Zeiss to simply replace the scope with a new one. Then their techs could examine the scope at their leisure and feed the results into quality control and product improvement. I'm surprised and disappointed that they didn't do it in the first instance. As a customer of a high end product, you deserve better.

I wish you luck with this. No-one wants question marks over their optics when hunting big/dangerous game. The whole episode reinforces the view that QD mounts and backup scopes should be considered for major hunts irrespective of brand.
 
I was told to bring 2 scopes with qd rings. I even joked about if the Zeiss failed I’d just fly to Germany and get it fixed. I should have taken two scope. I just thought that if I paid that much for a scope it would be ok.
 
I’ve never had issues with Zeiss scopes or binoculars and thus have never had to use their service department. (Knock on wood)
Sorry to hear about your issue. Just keep after them to fix it or send you a new one.
Not meant as a dig at you (DFC4545), but that is why I always pack a spare scope, in case of that eventuality.
 
I've had four Zeiss scopes: 1935 Zeilvier 4x; 1985 Diatal C 1.5x, 1994 Diatal C 6x & 1996 Diavari C 3-9x. I've had no problems with any of them. the 1.5x is on a 458 Win Mag; the 3-9 is on a 338 Mag. The 338 is on the go-to rifle for North American big game and has been used a lot. No problems with the power dial or holding 0. A hunting buddy of mine did have a Leupold Vari X-III 2.5-8x that shifted 0 during a hunt; so mechanical things can fail, regardless of the maker.
 
Wish I Could still see iron sights. Less to go wrong.
 
As posted above, I'd get another RA, have it fixed and put it on a .22 rimfire or sell it with a disclaimer. Aside that, these aren't high end scopes and haven't been made in roughly twenty years. Glass has come so far since then, these scopes don't even rate a look see for the money they're asking for used ones on ebay and other sites.
My 2¢? To get a decent scope that will track repeatedly, not move on the first shot and has ED glass, be prepared to spend north of $1000 and more for a bulletproof hunting scope.
 
Wow. Dunno what to say. I have 2 Zeiss scopes and both are superb. I'd replace every Leupold I have with a Zeiss if I had the $.
 
As posted above, I'd get another RA, have it fixed and put it on a .22 rimfire or sell it with a disclaimer. Aside that, these aren't high end scopes and haven't been made in roughly twenty years. Glass has come so far since then, these scopes don't even rate a look see for the money they're asking for used ones on ebay and other sites.
My 2¢? To get a decent scope that will track repeatedly, not move on the first shot and has ED glass, be prepared to spend north of $1000 and more for a bulletproof hunting scope.

I’ll probably get it fixed and sell it. I’m done with Zeiss.
 

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