{"id":5598,"date":"2022-12-09T07:43:31","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T07:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.zeiss.com\/sports-optics\/hunting\/en\/?p=5598"},"modified":"2025-10-07T11:27:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T11:27:29","slug":"from-freezing-cold-in-the-lab-to-practical-tests-on-the-hunt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.zeiss.com\/sports-optics\/hunting\/en\/from-freezing-cold-in-the-lab-to-practical-tests-on-the-hunt\/","title":{"rendered":"From Freezing Cold in the Lab to Practical Tests on the Hunt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An interview about the extensive quality control tests ZEISS thermal imaging cameras undergo and why the laboratory has to be relocated to the forest from time to time.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next part of our series of articles on the development of the ZEISS DTI 3 thermal imaging camera family looks at the process of validating the prototypes<\/strong>. In previous interviews, we already gained exciting glimpses behind the scenes and into the work of Category Management<\/a> and System Engineering<\/a>. The team from System Engineering explained the process of creating a prototype in the predevelopment and main development stages and presented an initial impression of the associated demanding tests to put the prototypes through their paces. Today we are going to take a closer look at this process in an interview with Stefan Reiser (Senior Scientist, Laboratory & Application Testing) and find out what kinds of stress the DTI had to withstand over the course of its development, as well as learn what made him become a passionate hunter in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In previous articles, we have learned about the important development stages and the people behind product development.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure that a product ultimately meets ZEISS\u2019 demanding standards of quality, however, it must be able to withstand extensive testing. This is where you come in, Stefan. Please briefly explain what your work looks like when it comes to validating the prototypes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stefan:<\/em> \u201cEssentially, our work can be divided into two stages: our lab tests here in-house and, of course, our hands-on use in the field \u2013 literally. In this process, we are responsible for identifying all of the potential hazards or stresses that our products must withstand in everyday use and for testing our prototypes in this regard in close coordination with Category Management and System Engineering. Together, we consider where we can add technical features or, for example, more robust materials. It goes without saying that our work also includes an examination of competitor\u2019s products.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You just mentioned that your team divides testing into lab testing and field testing. What kinds of things did you test when it came to the DTI 3 family, and what did it have to withstand?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stefan:<\/em> <\/strong>\u201c<\/a>A large part of our testing relates to the environmental impact and durability of the products throughout their lifetime. In our tests, we try to simulate future stress that would occur over a period of many years within a few days and weeks. For example, we expose the DTI to particularly high and freezing cold temperatures as well as shock loads that occur during transport and use. We test the surfaces to see how they react to substances such as gun oil or body cream. Does residue build up on the surface, especially on the rubberized parts of the DTI, or can users easily clean the device? Does the material become brittle, or does it change its properties due to these stresses?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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