Got my new Zen Rays. Highly Recommend

[Gutpile]

Let first start by saying I never buy expensive products from obscure companies. I mean no disrespect but if they aren't a common name I just by pass them. I bought a scope once that just turned out to be complete junk and that was the last time. Anyhow I needed new glass.

My first impression was great. I sent a pm to ZRS-8x42 (Charles) and even though his profile showed "offline" I got an immediate response. I believe it was the weekend too. That impressed me since I am not known for patience.  When I ordered he said to let him know so he could personally check the shipment. That gave me a very warm fuzzy feeling. You know, it just adds a little personal touch. 

I've had some Pentax Binocs for about 10-12 years and they have served me well. They were the best glass I had ever bought, but they are getting pretty dim. Before the Pentax I used to be pretty cash strapped so I bought the cheapest glass I could find and would use it until they fell apart, I stepped up to the Pentax and was really pretty happy. You just do what you can when your young right? Well, my birthday was last week and Mom gave me $300.00    I decide I will try Zen Ray after seeing all of the good reviews from people I consider to be pretty solid on this sight even though we've never met.

I ordered the ZEN ED 10x43's and I'm here to tell you they are F#@%&NG AWESOME! I saw the mailman round the corner  .  I saw him stop a few houses down and dig in the back of the truck and pull out a box. I'm thinking . I watch him pull up to my box and put the mail in. He starts to pull out.........    . Wait, he stops, grabs the box and heads to my door.  . I immediately open the box and there they are. Puuuuuuuuurrrrrrdy. Anyhow I grab the Pentax and the Zen's and do some comparison. I simply cannot tell you how bright they are in comparison. I've looked through $1000.00 glass and it is really great but these seem to be right in that category. Very nice glass indeed. Now I really don't want a bunch of arguing Swaro's are great but I'm here to say, so are these at half the price.

So if you want to take a leap of faith and get some good binocs but just can't swing the huge price of the euro's try these out. I'm not one to gush like this but they are a very nice glass. Can't wait to get them out for a field trial.

Thanks ZEN RAY. Very nice product.

Oh!!! Fast shipping too. I ordered them on monday and they came on friday. thursday was a no mail day (thanksgiving).

[boneaddict]

I'd agree 100%.  And they are tough.   I put mine through hell.

[jackelope]

i have connected Charles with 3-4 guys that have bought them now and everyone has the same reaction....great stuff. if i didn't purchase some new nikons 3 or so years ago, i'd get myself a pair too.

[Wacenturion]

Congratulations........glad you tried the Zen Ray's!  Absolutely love mine.

[JackOfAllTrades]

if i didn't purchase some new nikons 3 or so years ago, i'd get myself a pair too.

I bought a new pair of Nikons last year, but as much as I like them, my son likes them too, so I think sometime .... I'll be lookin for another pair. The Zens will be high on my list.

-Steve

[Gutpile]

Had charles not got back to me so quickly i would have bought some Nikons as they were on sale.

[fishseeker]

I bought the Vista's last summer. Could not afford more. That and I'm hard on stuff, and old enough to be getting CRS! Had some people look though them and all said "I got to get some of these". I can't imagine how good the ED's would be!

[royalbull]

I would like to know what you think of them ten years from now.

[ZRS-8x42]

Gutpile, thanks a lot for trusting our product for your next hunting trip. Good luck chasing out the coyotes!

[Gutpile]

I would like to know what you think of them ten years from now.

Me too. Guess I'll let you know in 10 years. Do you know something I don't or do you just want to be a killjoy?

[boneaddict]

In ten years, I'll let you know what all those wolves look like.  Won't need to try to see antlers

[ZRS-8x42]

I bought the Vista's last summer. Could not afford more. That and I'm hard on stuff, and old enough to be getting CRS! Had some people look though them and all said "I got to get some of these". I can't imagine how good the ED's would be!

ED has wider field of view and brighter image with enhanced lens coating. It is much more expensive comparing to VISTA too. They are both very competitive in their categories: VISTA (in $150-$300), ED (in $800-$2000 premium glasses)

[JackOfAllTrades]

Those 8x42 Vista's on sale look like they'll be a great Christmas gift for my 15yr old! Gonna have to talk to mamma!

-Steve

[fishseeker]

Jack, if you want to take a look through the 8x42s thats what I have. We are close, maybe have coffee and have a look.

[royalbull]

I would like to know what you think of them ten years from now.

Me too. Guess I'll let you know in 10 years. Do you know something I don't or do you just want to be a killjoy?

not a killjoy just seems that they all look good to me in the begining but after a few years of use they tend to fade in the quality department

[huntnphool]

 The ones I looked through seemed to be pretty nice, along with the Monarch's they seem to be a good inexpensive alternative to the euro glass.

 Are they producing rifle scopes?

[Gutpile]

 

 Are they producing rifle scopes?

Werent any on the website. 

[JackOfAllTrades]

I met up with Fishseeker this weekend to preview the 8x42 Vista's he has. I'll have to admit that they are just as clear as my Nikon Prostaff 10x25's. They should be with that larger objective. They're about twice as heavy and physically larger though. I am very impressed with the focus movement. Very smooth. The lens caps are affixed and appear to be quality siliconized rubber instead of plastic. It's the little things that set them apart from competitor glass in that price point. I am sure that the ED's are much nicer.  

I sent an email to Zen-Ray customer service asking what the Interpulpitary distance adjustment is for the 10x42 Vistas is.  I'm a little concerned that they don't adjust small enough.  (distance between centers of eyeballs) -One of the reasons I chose the Nikons over Leupold glass in that pricepoint/size of binocular was because the Nikons closed up a little more.

-Steve

[fishseeker]

Steve, really nice to meet you this weekend.  The lens caps are removeable on the vista's I have. Which also makes the replaceable. I think thats cool. After using them this season I have no complaints with them at all and when the $ become not so tight I'll get some for my son!

[JackOfAllTrades]

I ordered the 10x42's for all of $127 to the door.  

Compared to my 10x25 Nikon Prostaff's, that's a bargain.

Response from Charles to my question about Interpupillary Distance adjustment:  
"The 10x42 VISTA has IPD between 55mm-74mm.  The VISTA series will continue to be our bargain level performance binoculars.  Many customers compare them to Nikon Monarch or Bushnell Excursion for 1/2 or 2/3 of the price."

This 55mm is the smallest distance you can close them down to. Kids eyes, (and mine) are a bit closer together than Leupold and Redfield, (and several other manufactures), like to allow their products to be adjusted.

Not that these are kids optics. We'll see whether my boy gets these... He just might get my Nikon's as a hand me down.  

Thanx again Fishseeker! Nice to meet you.

-Steve

[ELKBURGER]

Well I ordered sme 10x43 ED's last night. I'm looking forward to getting them. I've heard great things and I'm sure they're as good as claimed. I'll post my experience once I've tried them out.

[bucklucky]

Well I ordered sme 10x43 ED's last night. I'm looking forward to getting them. I've heard great things and I'm sure they're as good as claimed. I'll post my experience once I've tried them out.

Im sure you will like them, I had both the 10x43 and the 8x43 and went with the 8's. I coul;d not be happier with them. Ive done a ton of glassing this year and have spotted a ton of deer with them. They are real nice bino's!

[Gobble]

I've been thinking about trying out the ZR's as well. The only thing that concerns me is the Made in China tag. I would like to see how they hold up after a few hard hunting seasons.

[bucklucky]

I've been thinking about trying out the ZR's as well. The only thing that concerns me is the Made in China tag. I would like to see how they hold up after a few hard hunting seasons.

I can tell you one hard hunting season for me is like 5 for most people. I am very hard on my stuff and they are used every day. I put alot of hard miles on my legs, alot of it is cross country and so far they have taken a beating. So far very impressed. I did lose one of the lense caps like I had already stated would probably happen in my reveiw and also a small cap that covers the hinge. Nothing mechanicle though. My danners (Canadians all leather)  only lasted a year though 

[Wacenturion]

Great optics.............I got the 10x43 ED2's.  One suggestion.....................I replaced the covers with Bushwackers............size 6.........fits fronts that measure  1.84" to 2.22" outside.  Won't lose these.

http://quakeinc.com/opticcover.html

[JackOfAllTrades]

I broke the eye lens covers on my Nikons. Plastic. I'd really like something like the scope boot covers offered by Quake industries but they don't appear to go small enough. Anyone know of another product like that?

-Steve

[Steve C]

Quake Bushwhacker #6 is the proper size for the Nikon Monarch.  Butler Creek #34 also.  Both sizes will fit almost all 42-43mm binoculars.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Ah.. but I have Nikon Prostaffs. Gonna have to do some measuring look up the size differences.

Oh, and the new ZenRay's have been delivered to the wife's office. I'll have to swing by git'm.

-Steve

[ELKBURGER]

Santa brought my present by the house early this year. My 10x43 zen rays! It was quite foggy when I tried them but wow! The clarity was impressive and they seemed to cut through the fog well. I cant wait to field judge my first buck and bull with these. Definitley a great investment for my eyes and thier future!

[columbiaman]

yeah, they are quite a s.o.b for the money. Several of my friends all end up getting one of those zen's after checking through mine. enjoy!

[JackOfAllTrades]

My son is looking forward to getting his new ones out in the field. He's already happy!

-Steve