Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 Riflescope Review | Optics Trade Reviews

By Maja Pahič Nov 5, 2022

The Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 rifle scope, introduced in 2014, is one of the best riflescopes available from Zeiss. Three or four years before its official introduction, rumors about this top-of-the-line scope were already circulating.

Those in this industry were expecting the scope to be presented at the IWA fair in 2013, so you can imagine their anticipation leading up to 2014 when it was finally unveiled. For an extended period, it held the title for the highest zoom ratio among all hunting scopes from premium European manufacturers and remains one of the best even now.

Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20x56 T — Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 T riflescope

Interested in Victory V8 riflescopes?

Zeiss Victory V8 series

The Zeiss Victory V8 line of rifle scopes is perfect for all kinds of hunting situations. These scopes are made with high transmission and fluoride glass. They offer an 8 time zoom range, LotuTec protective coating on outer surfaces, and enhanced T* lens coatings which provide great light transmission and great optical performance.

The big advantage of these scopes is a very wide field of view, which makes it easier for quick target acquisition. The scope was initially introduced with 36mm tube but was updated to 30mm tube in 2022. Because of the big zoom factor, these rifle scopes are one of the best all-around rifle scopes currently on the market.

There are 4 models in the Z8i series:

You can watch the entire Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 Review below

Physical properties of Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56

The V8 2.8-20×56 high-zoom riflescope is a top-of-the-line product with magnification that ranges from 2.8x to 20x and an objective lens of 56 millimeters. With a zoom ratio eight times this scope is one of, if not the best scope made by Zeiss yet. It has many advantages over any competing products on the market today.

This model weighs 830 grams, which is a bit heavy. If you add a Zeiss ZM/VM rail for mounting purposes, it becomes even heavier.

The scope is only 35 centimeters long, but it was presented with a very unusual 36-millimeter main tube. This diameter is the same as on Hensoldt tactical scopes, but this Victory V8 is the first hunting scope with 36 millimeter main tube diameter. Many scope mounts producers jumped on a band wagon and started producing 36mm scope mounts. In 2022 Zeiss updated the scope to 30mm tube.

The advantage of a big tube is the 3.1 meters of internal elevation per hundred meters in comparison to other hunting scope options. This makes it an exceptionally good choice for long-range shots that require more vertical elevation range. This is also the reason Zeiss introduced the new ASV long-range ballistic turrets. We will discuss them further later on.

The Victory V8 2.8-20×56 also has a fast focus for the diopter setting and given our preliminary tests, it appears to offer a great eye box. The position of the eye behind the scope is very forgiving.

Reticle

The reticle is located in the second focal plane, which means it remains very thin at high magnifications. For example, at 20x magnification, it covers only five millimeters area per hundred meters. The dot inside the reticle is even smaller; it spans four millimeters or less. The reticle is illuminated.

Victory V8 2.8-20×56 is available with two different reticles:

reticle 43
reticle 60

Looking for more information about reticle 60?

Illumination system

V8 2.8-20×56’s illumination dot is the smallest on the market, and it is adjustable to your preferred intensity. The dot, as mentioned previously, only covers a four-millimeter area at a distance of 100 meters at 20x magnification.

The dot illumination is easy to control with a button on the eyepiece. To turn the illumination on, press the button, then set the intensity as desired.

The scope is also equipped with a motion sensor. If you set your rifle down and the scope is in a vertical position, the illumination will turn off automatically. The same happens if you put the rifle on either side–the illumination turns off immediately. To improve battery life, the device will automatically shut off if it is inactive for a prolonged period of time. So overall, it’s quite an advanced system.

The intensity of the illuminated dot in the reticle can be set to any desired level, making it perfect for both low light and bright day use. The system is also easy to operate even while wearing gloves in cold weather. It’s easy to use but still highly sophisticated.

Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 T
Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 T
Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 T
Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 T
Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 T

Turrets

Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 can be ordered with standard hunting, low-capped turrets. Capped turrets are of multiturn design and offer 105 clicks per revolution.

You also have the option to order a scope with a new ASV long-range turret that has a locking mechanism.

The ASV turret is an exceptional ballistic hunting turret (with single turn design) that offers 100 clicks per turn– a feature that puts it ahead of all its competitors. With 100 clicks, you’ll be able to shoot from a much longer range than other ballistic hunting turrets. You don’t have to worry about running out of clicks even if you’re shooting at 600 or 700 meters.

Ballistic rings

Zeiss provides nine different ballistic rings with the scope (model with the ASV turrets). By utilizing their online ballistic calculator, you can discover which of the nine rings is best for your caliber.

The normal centimeter ring on your scope is then replaced with a ballistic ring. This provides you with a direct dial system that eliminates the need to count clicks or make any other calculations- all the way from 100 meters to 600 meters. It may sound too easy to be accurate, but this technology is quite sophisticated.

You can order this scope with only an elevation ASV long-range turret, or you can order a scope with both elevation and windage turrets that are ASV. The ASV windage turret also features a locking mechanism. If you order a scope with both ASV turrets, you don’t get additional rings for the windage turret.

Parallax

The V8 2.8-20×56 has a parallax adjustment that goes from 50 meters to infinity, with a small click on a 100-meter increment.

Optical performance

Victory V8 2.8-20×56 riflescope is not only a super-zoom scope but it also provides superb optics. Among the best features is its light transmission rate of 92%. You won’t find a better riflescope in terms of light transmission anywhere else.

The other advantage of this scope is an extremely wide field of view. This particular 2.8-20 model, the biggest one in the Z8i series, offers almost 16 meters of field of view at a hundred meters. The smaller model in this series, 1.8-14×50 offers even more than 23 meters of field of view–unique and special figures for such optics.

Lens coatings

The Victory V8 2.8-20×56 by Zeiss is one of the most powerful and advanced scopes on the market, utilizing high-transmission glass (HD) and fluoride glass (FL) to give users an unprecedented level of optical clarity and performance.

The Victory V8 also has Zeiss LotuTec coatings, which can be also found on other Zeiss riflescopes. LotuTec coating protects your lens from water droplets, dirt, and more. Plus, it is hydrophobic— so you don’t have to worry about any condensation or fogging if you accidentally breathe on the lens in cold weather, there won’t be any condensation or misting.

This scope’s glass element surfaces are all coated with T* coatings, which not only provide exceptional light transmission but also excellent resolution and sharpness from edge to edge.

Learn all about Zeiss coating technology

Mounting solutions

As mentioned above, the scope can be ordered with a Zeiss ZM/VM rail mount. In this case, you will need to buy the Zeiss ZM/VM rail mount separately.

If you choose the model without the rail, then 30-millimeter scope mount rings will be required from 2022 onwards.

Searching for a scope mount for your Victory V8?

Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 price and warranty

The Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 costs 3350 euros. If you add a Zeiss ZM/VM rail, the price remains the same. However, if you want an ASV elevation turret on your riflescope, then the price will be 300euros more. Lastly, if you desire a scope with both an ASV elevation and ASV windage turret then the cost will be 600euros higher in total.

All Victory V8 riflescopes are manufactured in Germany and come with a 10-year warranty.

Scope of delivery

The Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 also comes with:

bikini lens covers
safety and regulation information
instruction manual
CR2032 battery
cleaning cloth
9 ballistic rings (with the model with ASV turret)

You may also purchase the following accessories for this riflescope:

Pros

The Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 is an excellent riflescope for anyone looking for superior performance and optical clarity. With its light transmission rate of 92% and wide field of view, this scope is perfect for any hunter or shooter looking to maximize their shooting experience. Plus, with its Zeiss LotuTec coatings and T* coatings, the Victory V8 provides superior protection against water droplets, dirt, and other debris. It excels in low-light and long-range situations.

A big advantage to this scope is that it can be ordered with Zeiss ZM/VM rail and ASV turrets.

Pros summary:

great light transmission
edge-to-edge sharpness
wide FOV
Zeiss ZM/VM rail
ASV turrets

Cons

The Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 is a bit heavy and pricey. However, its features and performance outweigh its cons.

I can’t think of anything else that could be improved with this scope, especially now that the tube diameter has been changed to 30mm. 36mm was a bit unusual. I still think that despite the 30mm tube most of the customers will decide to go with a version with Zeiss ZM/VM rail. It’s easier to mount and there are many more mounting solutions available on the market at the moment.

Cons summary:

heavy
pricey

Final thoughts

This scope provides excellent optical performance, various features, and a competitive price when compared to other premium European brands.

The Victory V8 2.8-20×56 scope is not only one of the best Zeiss riflescopes ever created, but it competes with some of the top scopes from other manufacturers.