Carl Zeiss stops scope and binoc production 2026

[ldmay375]

Sad to see that. I have a few of their scopes and binoculars. I definitely like their optics. Their customer service was great the time that I had a reticle replaced with a different type.

 

[rnovi]

Since I have never had to send any zeiss product back for warranty work.. I'll be patiently waiting to see what the final "clearance" sales look like


Midway is already moving them out at a serious discount:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...Nds8eng882qG_Jwdq6AvH8ARfGRdhNdjiz&pid=951572

and they're offering free shipping on orders more than $99 right now...

That is a phenomenal price point for that scope.

 

[mdwest]

I agree… I paid a good bit more than that for the last one I bought.. and it was on sale..

 

[CoElkHunter]

I have a few new Zeiss scopes getting ready to mount on rifles including a V6 1x6.I just hope they have a repair department later on in case something happens to any of them.

One would hope but Nikon no longer services THEIR riflescopes in or out of warranty after they quit making them. My neighbor had to replace his Nikon scope after he called the company and was told this. They continue to make and service their binocs though.

 

[Trogon]

Just had a pair of Conquest bino's serviced, one of the strap lugs broke after 10 years of use (non-warranty repair). $60 for the repair and shipping back (plus my shipping cost by USPS, medium flat rate). Diagnosed on the day received and fixed and shipped out the following day. Checked everything out and cleaned thoroughly, works like a champ. Customer service has been top notch with both bino's sent into date. This is very disappointing news. Plus the repair center was like 30 miles from my house. I have been a fan for Zeiss bino's for birding/hunting, and have at least one scope.

 

[30.06king]

The discussion about a generational shift is true, but I think the discussion about optics quality is equally relevant. Low end scopes like Vortex have improved significantly. High end scopes have little room left to improve. Both scopes stay at the same price point while one improves measurably and the other doesn’t. If the glass is clear and a scope reliably holds zero that will fit what most hunters and shooters are looking for. Spending an extra $1000 for 5 minutes at last light after legal shooting hours ends is a tough sell compared to a $200 scope with a no questions asked warranty. I hate seeing Zeiss go and hope Leupold and Swarovski don’t end up in the same situation, but I think quality improvements of low end scopes have driven a lot of this too.

Very well stated and 100% correct.
A rising, new generation and their attitudes and beliefs are driving changes in our world. Commerce needs to identify where they can continue to remain relevant and adapt accordingly.
Maybe it's coincidental but many of the newer, cost friendlier optics suppliers have slotted into the new reality to their benefit.

 

[mark-hunter]

I have sightron, vortex on one end, and zeiss and swarovski on other end.
But the picture quality on Zeiss and Swaro is incomparable to other two.
But to those who have no experience, and are limited on the budget, selling high end top quality glass is close to impossible.
Online sales is another factor. Someone buyig the the scope online, most likely will not try to look through it before purchasing. Then the price is decisive factor. he will trust the brand, and price, not actuall quality

I see new generation of hunters fresh after hunting exam, buying the cheapest possible rifle and scope. It is like it is. Budgeting

While rifle scope is one thing, binocular is another. Try explaining someone at the beggining of hunting carrier, besides the high end rifle scope he will need a bino in same price level?
Many hunters even with experience, avoid carrying bino. It is just "too heavy", so they use rifle scope.
And observe crop fields with farm workers, hikers in the hills, etc, through the scope (with round in chamber)?

Another thing influencing the sales of high end glass is the appearance and affordability of electronic NV and termal scopes. (where legal to use after day light hours)

So, now, Zeiss apparently going to history. Another icon, gone.

 

[Schroeder]

I would not be surprised if this decision has something to do with the fact that Zeiss has more “important” contracts at the moment.
I am sure everyone knows what that means…

 

[Angelo_orygun]

Seems that a lot of folks think this is the end of ZEISS. I would encourage all of you to read the article. I posted the English translation on page one of the thread. They are currently ending production at Wetzler next year, not closing everything.

They could have done a better job with their statement to clarify this.

I spoke to one of my friends on the Sport Optics team in the US, he confirmed that this news is only impacting Wetzler. I hope that this just means some of their production is moving, nothing more, and we still can get our hands on Big Blue for the foreseeable future as their products have served me well:

 

[Lancaster]

Here in Europe the new gen Night Vision and Thermal scopes and binoculars dominated by the likes of Hik Micro and Pulsar have made a huge dent in the traditional glass market.
Our local gun shop said the sales of the former were up 200% last year and sales of the latter down by over a third.

Certainly those manufacturers supplying military contracts are busier than ever. My favourite brand is Schmidt & Bender and currently their turnaround times and, in general interest in the sporting market is poor. I guess the average the sporting order is one unit, military of police will be hundreds or thousands a time

 

[rnovi]

I have two pair of Zeiss binoculars: 10x32 and 8x32 Victory. They are my go to binos on any hunt I go on anymore. The size is perfect for all day carry and the glass is super clear. Truly hard to go wrong with them!

 

[ZG47]

I worked for ZEISS in the sport optics group for 2.5 years, this is sad to see as they had amazing capabilities. They always had an issue hitting the mark with products for the US, though, as mdwest mentioned.

For example - their first FFP scope was not launched untill 2021, and they put a lot of emphasis on Binoculars. While they make amazing products, Binos only go so far. When I started they only had SFO MOA scopes with chunky reticle, a hard sell!.

The emphasis they put on the medical field was much more apparent, and LARGLY more profitable so I see the logic. There was always a fear of impacting those medical sales with some scary gun products, so the writing was on the wall.

Feel bad for all my friends still there, some really talented folks.

Edit - per the article - “Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH will discontinue production in Wetzlar until the end of 2026.” Wetzlar is a small part of their production, 70 people according to the article, so it seems this is not a full-stop…

The business started with microscope manufacture and repair, so … a heavy focus on the medical market is no big surprise.

 

[Hogpatrol]

My eye doc uses a Zeiss $80k microscope to work on eyeballs. Said they're the best but even that equipment is transitioning to digital.

 

[PerH]

The business started with microscope manufacture and repair, so … a heavy focus on the medical market is no big surprise.

Frithjof Nansen got his father ( barrister ) to buy a Zeiss microscope for him to use in his student work that led up to his doctorate . It was the best there was and cost 600 Nok in late 1880s . Considerable sum but it led to him later where he got to , so quite cheap in the end .

 

[ZG47]

My eye doc uses a Zeiss $80k microscope to work on eyeballs. Said they're the best but even that equipment is transitioning to digital.

Yes. I get my eyes checked every two years. The only kit that never seems to change is the setup for checking what lens diopter I need for reading.

 

[steve white]

Since I have never had to send any zeiss product back for warranty work.. I'll be patiently waiting to see what the final "clearance" sales look like


Midway is already moving them out at a serious discount:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...Nds8eng882qG_Jwdq6AvH8ARfGRdhNdjiz&pid=951572

and they're offering free shipping on orders more than $99 right now...

Do you know of a better all round deal? Seems pretty impressive to me...

 

[mdwest]

Do you know of a better all round deal? Seems pretty impressive to me...

I don’t.. that price is a good bit cheaper than I can get through any of the discount sites for veterans… and is in line with pricing my wife used to get from Zeiss when she on their pro staff

 

[Luminous Ham]

As others have said, the article only say they will stop production in one location, not the entire production. The title of this thread is misleading, it should be changed.

 

[FlyGuy]

Sport and consumer optics make up less than 1.5% of the revenue for Zeiss.
They’ve kept Sport Optics going more as a legacy thing than as a profitable business segment.
The writing has been on the wall for a number of years already.
Even within the group, there’s been a lot of animosity toward riflescope manufacture. Zeiss have completely divested from all their military optics etc.

 

[HWL]

Hello, the article states that they will stop the production in Wetzlar Germany, but does not say they will stop all binoculars and riflescope production.
Hopefully it is only about stopping production in that specific high cost location.

What it means is, they will label their products "Not Made in Germany".

HWL