Night Vision Zeiss® Orion 80/I (Fero Z51) Night Vision Scope

[peanutlover]

Zeiss Orion 80 Night Vision Scope - Complete Kit from German Military - Keepshooting®

Hello all. I can get this scope, used, surplus, for less than $700.

Does anyone have experience with this unit?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Delta4-3]

You should be able to get it for less than $600.
They are a Gen1 cascade unit, but not what you think of when you think Gen 1, typically. They achieve light gain that rivals some of the good gen 2 units out there. They are built like tanks and one of the best buys in night vision out there at the moment. I would guess that wont last for long. They do have a couple drawbacks, but you can't really consider them major for the price. One is the gen 1 issue of cool down time (not really an issue, but something to be aware of, i.e. don't turn it off then immediately subject it to bright light). They also have some edge distortion, but not like you will get with a $200 night owl or something. Lastly, they are heavy enough that you won't need a gym membership.

I haven't owned one, just played with a buddy's that he recently got. Point being, someone here surely owns one and can give you more solid info. I believe Cope's has them for like $580 or something close, and another place mentioned on another forum, has brand new ones in the wrapper still, MFG date in the early 90's.

 

[JL]

It is pinnacle of 1gen cascade technology, not much edge distortion compared to horrible soviet equivalent. If possible, get serviced unit even if it costs bit more.
I recall nomimal g-force max for these is 90, so it wont take constant beating from much bigger than 308Win rifle.

 

[peanutlover]

Thanks for all of your responses

 

[ginnz]

I know this thread is getting old, but I bought one used from a fellow in Minnesota last march, and DAMN am I ever happy with it! It has an AWESOME image for Gen 1+! Last winter, I took it out, and with a slight moon, I could clearly see deer 1/2 mile away! And could make out deer out to a full mile! I had been looking for a good cheap NV scope for some time, and had researched the cheap ATN stuff, and almost settled on one. I am so glad I didnt. For me size wasn't that big of a deal, as we shoot coyote's from a set location, so it doesnt have to be lugged around. I had seen Cope's had them, but at the time they were all sold out, and there was no indication on wether they were going to get more, so I found this one for 600.00 in the huge case, with all the mounts that they come with. Just after I found it, Cope's got more in! I really wish I could have found one of the "new" ones that a post above mentions! Although the one I found is in excellent condition! Ive owned a couple of Gen 1 NV monoculars, Bino's and ex-soviet head gear, and I must say the Zeiss/Faro has the best image i've seen for the dollar, bar none! I mount mine on my HK SL8 for coyote duty, and it rocks! The only thing that really threw me for a loop is the windage/elevation adjustment is BassAckwards from whats normal! It took me a while to figure that one out!

If a guy doesnt mind the size, and wants a very value based NV scope, these are awesome!

---EDIT

Just looked at HK Parts.net and found these, New, with 90's manufacture date for 999.00.... Heck, I dunno, I'd prolly have bought one, had they had them at the time. But jeez, factor in the exchange rate from Canadian to American, it prolly come's out to around 245,000.00 or something like that ;-) I still feel I got a good deal at 600.00 for mine! ;-)

Zeiss/Faro Z51 on H&K SL8

Mounted on my M305