How to Spot a Fake Carl Zeiss Scope? 6 Simple Tips!

You go out, buy a scope, and return home happily, and when you open it, you just get shocked by knowing that your chosen scope is fake or counterfeit. This is more than a shock as you just waste money when buying a fake scope because it does not offer optimal performance.

Spotting fake Zeiss scope is not hard – but most of the shooters don’t pay heed and ultimately get scammed. I want your hard-earned money to be used to purchase products that are original and offer pure value when it comes to performance.

So, in this guide, I will provide you with detailed answers to the questions: How to spot a fake Carl Zeiss scope? So, all I want from you is to stick with this guide till the end, so that you don’t miss anything at all. 

Related Article: 5 Easy Ways to Spot Fake Vortex Scopes

How to Spot a Fake Zeiss Scope?

Zeiss scopes are expensive, and you’ll have to spend a serious amount of money to buy them. But what if you spend a handsome budget, and end up getting a cheaper fake or counterfeit product? This is not less than a nightmare.

But don’t worry, I have got you covered. There are a few easy signs through which you’ll be able to spot fake products and ensure that you avoid them. In the section below, I will discuss those signs that are representatives of the counterfeit scopes. Let’s get into it.

1- Identifying Authentic Carl Zeiss Logos, branding, and Font style

One of the easiest ways to spot a fake Zeiss scope is to look at the logos and the font styles used on the scope. All the famous optics brands including the Zeiss brand use consistent font size on the body. If you notice that two or more fonts have been used on the body, it means that that specific scope is fake or counterfeit.

 The Carl Zeiss logo is a registered trademark, and there are companies that try to produce a similar logo to the Zeiss but make slight changes. You should look carefully at the logo and ensure that you spot the mistake or small adjustments in the logo that counterfeiter make.

Key Takeaway: The font style used on the scope should also be consistent with other Zeiss products. If the logo or font style looks off, it is a sign that the scope is fake.

2- Assessing the Quality of Glass

This is probably the most important factor that will help you spot the fake scope. The actual brands spend a lot of money on the glass material because they aim to produce the scope that actually offers excellent optical performance. If they choose the low-quality glass, the performance would be affected. The same goes for the Carls Zeiss scopes.

But the counterfeiter uses low-quality glass which is available at very low prices, and tries to produce the Zeiss scope which looks like the original. They make them with such perfection that you don’t even spot if the scope is fake or original. 

But when you use fake Zeiss scopes, then you realize that the optical performance is poor. So before buying a scope, make sure to assess the quality of the glass. It would be ideal if you test the Zeiss scope before choosing it. It would give you a clear picture. 

However, the Zeiss scope you are looking at has poor-quality glass, it could be a fake. I don’t recommend you buy such Zeiss scopes as they won’t offer you optimal optical performance and you’ll end up getting regrets.

3- Inspecting the Serial Number

Every genuine Zeiss scope has a unique serial number that can be used to verify its authenticity. In fact, you’ll get the serial number on all the scopes made from different optical brands. You can use these serial numbers to verify your scopes.

If you note that the serial number written on the scope is tempered or misplaced, then it is a sign that the scope you are looking for is fake. I highly recommend you to make sure to inspect the serial number carefully and check it against the Zeiss database to ensure that it is genuine.

4- Suspiciously Low Price

Zeiss is one of the most popular brands, and its products including scopes are very expensive. For example, Zeiss Conquest scopes cost you hundreds of dollars. The reason is that these premium scopes consist of high-quality glass material which ensures that the users get perfect optical performance.

But if you get the same high-class scope at very low pricing, then you should immediately know that there is something wrong. Zeiss scopes’ prices are also mentioned on their official website and you should check the prices there so that you avoid scams.

5- Checking the Warranty and Documentation

Keep in mind that the Zeiss scopes come with a warranty and documentation that should be included with the scope. So, if the seller is giving you scope without any documentation then there is a chance that that scope is fake or counterfeited. 

Those documents also contain the serial numbers. You must match the serial number written on the documentation and written on the scopes’ body and ensure that both match. If the serial numbers are the same, then the scope is not fake.

6- Seller and Source

You should always pay special heed to the seller and source of the Zeiss scope. I highly recommend you make sure to buy from a reputable seller and avoid buying from unknown sources or individuals. 

When you buy from an unknown seller, then you actually put yourself at risk of buying the fake Zeiss scope. If the seller is hiding its identity as the reseller, then you should know that he is selling the fake scope.

Also Read: Where Are Konus Scopes Made?

Tips to Avoid Buying Fake Zeiss Scopes

Buying fake scopes is painful: and everyone wants to avoid it. Guess what, avoiding the fake scope is not very hard. I have given you the signs that will help you know whether the Zeiss scope is fake or original. But I still have a lot more information. In this section below, I am going to list the useful tips that you should consider so that spotting the fake scope and avoiding gets easier.

• The best way to avoid buying a fake Zeiss scope is to purchase from authorized dealers. Carl Zeiss has a list of authorized dealers on their website. I suggest you visit the official website of the Zeiss brand and get all the information about the authorized dealers.
• Zeiss scopes are made in Germany and you’ll see a tag “Made in Germany” written on the body of thezeiss scopes. If you notice a Zeiss scope with a China or Japan tag, then I highly recommend you not to buy that.
• Before purchasing a Zeiss scope from a seller, research them thoroughly. You should visit popular stores such as Amazon, eBay, opticsplanet, etc. ensure that you get peace of mind. These famous companies don’t sell fake Zeiss scopes. These companies also give you a few days to check the product and if it gets any issues, you can return to them. 
• If you are buying a used Carl Zeiss scope, then you must be cautious and make sure that it is genuine. You should also look for sellers with a good reputation and ask for proof of purchase or authenticity. It is also a good idea to have the scope inspected by a professional before making a purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions