Zen Ray ED2 10x43

[Tony 270]

So a couple weeks back I pulled out my ZRS HD 10x42s and had a look. Had them for about a year, pulled them out a dozen times or so, still like new. Twisted the eye cups out and one got stuck. Could see a bulge on the side, twisted harder and it popped up, but a screw came loose and fell out. That sucks... emailed ZR about it and has a lifetime warranty so they said they'd take care of it no problem. I had something else in mind though, so I asked if I could upgrade to the ED2 10x43s and pay the difference. As long as they were in pristine condition, would be able to do it. Sent them off with a check.

Today they arrived!

Let me start off with this. These are $420 binoculars. They are not a $2400 Swarovski. Would you compare a $400 factory rifle to a $2400 custom? No. Or a $15,000 car to a $90,000 car? No. So why does everyone keep comparing the ED2s to ELs?

I've looked through Swaros ELs, the new Swarovisions, quite a few times and wow... they are perfect! They are the only glass I've been able to look through, pull away, and not have my eyes readjust. No matter what my eyes are always comfortable and don't need to change in order to look through them. Leica, Leupold HD, Vortex (surprisingly good for the $$$ - better than Lup HDs by far), anyone... just didn't compare to the ELs.

So I made the mistake of thinking ELs (from people constantly comparing ED2s to them) as I was bringing them up to my eyes. ELs they are not. Could tell that immediately and was disappointed with them. Then I got to thinking, hey *censored*, these aren't $2400 binoculars so why are you comparing them to $2400 binoculars? I could take my sub 3/4MOA 700 SPS, VX3 CDS, ED2s, Badlands pack, rangefinder... every single thing I hunt with combined, and have it still not add up to the cost of ELs! If you can afford them, great. I can't.

After putting my idiotic thinking in check I started looking through them again. And they're pretty damn good! My eyes do have to readjust after taking them away, but looking through them I have no strain, feel great, no problem. Looked at my dog sitting five yards away, crystal clear. Was studying the blackberries 20 yards away with great detail. Scouted the hillside about 800 yards behind me with great clarity. Wish I had spent more time looking through Vortex Razors cause I'd like to compare the two. These are certainly better, IMHO, than anything out there under a grand. Better than Leupold GR HDs.

What I do love about them, absolutely love!!!... is the rain coating! Get them wet, you can still see through them. The best glass in the world won't do you any good if they're all wet or fogged on the outside from your body heat from hiking, cause you can't see through them. I've had hunts where try your best to keep your glass dry, it just doesn't happen. Or hike and get hot, bring them up, the outside gets fogged and you can't see. No you're just carrying around a neck weight that is completely useless and don't have any working binos. With that said, I put them to the test. Flicked a bunch of water on the lenses, drops beaded up, didn't spread out, and I intentionally left them there without trying to clear it. Went outside and looked... sweet. Could see just fine with very little impairment of any kind. Shook them a little and most of the water rolled off. Looked again, even better. It works.

There are those that will bash the ED2s because they're not up to Swarovision quality, but once again you're comparing products that have a 6x price difference. Swaros are $2000 more than these and you can buy a lot of gear with 2grand.

If you're looking for something that isn't insanely expensive, you won't be sorry with these.

[denali]

Good write up Tony, and I agree I just got my new ED2s and really like them.

[Tony 270]

After a few more days with them I've been noticing some things. Still think they're great, but as I focus in and out, especially at long ranges, I can see that the edges focus differently than the center. As I go slightly out from center focus, the edges get clear. Clear in the center, edges get blurred. Just slightly, but it does happen. Really doesn't bother me much because I don't look at the edges, look through the center. But... could be better in that regard. Also turned them over and looked through them backwards, as if using it as a magnifying glass, and noticed a black spec of something in the internals. Doesn't impair regular viewing as far as I know, but you notice the little details. Don't know if it is part of the internal glass itself or a piece of dirt or what...  Other than that nothing of significance to report.

[Bean Counter]

.... Then I got to thinking, hey *censored*, these aren't $2400 binoculars so why are you comparing them to $2400 binoculars?...

Good write up. Sounds like the same voices in my head!

[Pathfinder101]

These weren't even on my radar, and I am thinking about buying binos in this price range this year.  Thanks for the write up.  I have some more research to do...

[Steve C]

The reason the ZEN ED glass is compared to the higher end stuff is missed by a lot of people.  The OP pretty well has it right, they are not a high end alpha class glass, but is there anything else in the price range that will really hold their own with one of these binoculars?  There is not much in the way of binoculars I don't have some time with, and there is nothing really in the same optics class at that price.  There are lots of decent binoculars there to be sure, but not as good as the ED2.  That make the obvious comparison to the next optical levels somewhat natural.  To best the things, and then not by a lot, you need to pay 3x more money.  The whole appeal of these is what you get for what you pay.  None (well almost none I suppose) of their promoters, including me, have ever said they are the absolute equal of the alpha class.  As with any binocular, they will not please everybody  .

[Pathfinder101]

OK, so here's my question:
How do they compare with Leupy Gold Rings?  I know I can find a used pair of GRs for $400-$500 if I shop long enough (Ebay, etc...).

[Steve C]

The image quality is very similar.  Most users would be hard pressed to separate the two based on image characteristics alone.  Other than that there is not a lot of similarity as they are two completely different designs, so some people will prefer one over the other, or some, like me, could get along fine with either or both.

The chief difference is the heavier weight of the Leupold.  They give the outward appearance of being built like a tank. The feel of each is very different, just different, not one being better or worse.  ZEN Ray is doing a fine job with establishing stellar customer service while Leupold had a long track record of outstanding service.

Initially the ZEN ED represented the outstanding value point for what you got for what you paid, and basically still does.  However, with some of the recent price reductions and coupon rebates available from Leupold, they are a considerably decent buy.

[ZRS-8x42]

Thanks for the discussion of our ZEN ED2 products.  We still have a few pairs of ZEN ED 8x43 demo binoculars for sale at $305. Again, they are backed by 30-day return policy and lifetime warranty. Please PM me if there is anything I can help with.

http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/demo/zened-8x43-demo.html

Thanks

Charles

[Pathfinder101]

Thanks for the discussion of our ZEN ED2 products.  We still have a few pairs of ZEN ED 8x43 demo binoculars for sale at $305. Again, they are backed by 30-day return policy and lifetime warranty. Please PM me if there is anything I can help with.

http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/demo/zened-8x43-demo.html

Thanks

Charles

That was a well placed post ZRS.  If I had my insurance settlement from the garage, you would probably have an order pending...

[Redstar]

I bought myself a set of the 8x ED2's for christmas last year. Got a smoking deal, and have yet to actually find the "cosmetic blemish" which was why they were discounted.

So far the ED2's have been awesome to hunt and scout with. The clarity is excellent, at least on par with the leupolds I was origionally considering. They are balanced well, I don't find my vision to be as shakey as with the som of the other binoculars I've used. They don't really seem to fog up, I haven't had to do any serious cleaning of them. Water also seems to shed off the lenses better than the old bushnell's I had. And they weren't so expensive I'd have to take out a second mortgage if I ever lost or broke them.

On top of that customer service was awesome, shipping was super fast and the product has done everything I've asked it to with no problems whatsoever - I'm a happy customer! The $305 is also a killer deal, go for it if you're thinking about them!

[whacker1]

Pathfinder - you will be happy with the ZenRay's.  I bought a pair fo the ZenRay ED 10 x 43 - 18 months ago and still love them.  I hunted with them a lot last year, this spring for bear, and this fall already.  I am fat, clumsy and fall down a lot and haven't had any problems with them other than my sweatty a$$ steaming the outside up, which would happen with any binocular.  Yes I steam that much. 

I looked at the GoldRing, but liked the ZenRay design better.   

[Pathfinder101]

hhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm......  Right now there's a devil and an angel on my shoulders.  The devil says  "Buy the Zen Rays... don't worry, your insurance will get around to reimbursing you before you get the credit card bill.."  The angel says... "Yeah, screw it...what the hell...he's probably right..."
 

[whacker1]

Interesting relationship that your Devil & Angel have.....   How often is the Angel a pushover and agrees with whatever the Devil says? 

[Pathfinder101]

Interesting relationship that your Devil & Angel have.....   How often is the Angel a pushover and agrees with whatever the Devil says? 

Usually only when it comes to hunting gear.  The Angel did talk me into calling my adjuster first and asking where we were at regarding reimbursal.  The angel says to wait until 10 minutes before the bank closes for him to return the call...

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

I'd like to get a pair of the ED2 10x43's and the Vista 10x42's, the Leupy Gold Rings in my hands at the same time to compare.

-Steve

[Pathfinder101]

I'd like to get a pair of the ED2 10x43's and the Vista 10x42's, the Leupy Gold Rings in my hands at the same time to compare.

-Steve

I would like to do the same thing, but it's pretty close to impossible for me.  I looked on the site for the closest location that carries them, and they are too far from where I live.  Newer company, just not that many retail merchandisers carrying them (yet).

Plus, you know the "look" you get when you ask to see two sets of optics side by side.  The "look" that says "You *censored*.  Your'e not gonna buy one of these, you're gonna figure out which one is best, then run to the internet and buy it cheaper, aren't you...?" 
I get it.  If I were a retailer, I'd be giving me the same "look"...

[JackOfAllTrades]

Fishseeker in Ferndale met me at a Dennys one afternoon to compare the Zen Vista's to my Nikons before I bought a pair of the Vista's for my son. His were the 8x42's but I bought the 10x42's. Son hasn't ever used any better glass, but I'd nearly be happy with them. If the ED2's are better rated from the manufacture, I don't know how anyone wouldn't like them within that pricepoint.

-Steve

[Pathfinder101]

 

[whacker1]

Pathfinder - I will offer that the next time your role through Spokane, you can check my ZenRay's out. 

[Pathfinder101]

Thanks Whacker1.  Too late.  Angel's dead.  I just ordered them.  Now I have to get down to the bank and replace $314 before the wife notices...

[whacker1]

Thanks Whacker1.  Too late.  Angel's dead.  I just ordered them.  Now I have to get down to the bank and replace $314 before the wife notices...

Leupold'S or Zen Ray's?

[Pathfinder101]

I got the Zen Rays.  Too good a deal to pass up.  Then I printed the reciept (accidentally) on the printer in my bosses office (50 miles away).  He just called me and thanked me for the Christmas gift...

[whacker1]

As long as we are giving gift's I would be happy to give you the IP address to my printer and the mailing address to my house.....

[Pathfinder101]

 

OK, I am back from the bank.  Money's replaced, and no one is the wiser...

[Pathfinder101]

Just got them in the mail yesterday (HOLY COW, that was QUICK!), and they are awesome!  So far, they seem to have been a great buy!  I will review them on another thread once I have had a chance to get them out in the field and put them through the paces...

[JackOfAllTrades]

Well? C'ome On!

-Steve

[Pathfinder101]

Well, I didn't want to spoil PathfinderJRs story, but he will probably come on tonight (if he doesn't have too much homework after football practice tonight..) and do a thread.
We had a great time.  JR didn't get a bear, but he got to see a buddy of mine shoot one at about 400 yards across a canyon (a little outside JR's comfort range).  We shot a few grouse, and had a great weekend.
I am thrilled with the ED2's.  Hours both Saturday and Sunday glassing clearcuts for deer, bear and moose.  No eye fatigue, crisp images and very good low light performance.  They are by far the best pair of binoculars I have ever owned.  We spotted deer, moose and the one bear.  I usually don't notice stuff like this, but I really found the little thumb-depressions in the tubes comfortable and convienent.  I didn't see anything at great distances that required field judging, so I guess my "field tests" are not really complete yet, but that bear at 400 yards was darting in and out of thick cover, and I had no problem picking him out, even when it was just little parts of him.
Unfortunately, I only had a crappy disposable camera with me (I left my digital sitting on the kitchen counter back in Walla Walla ,) so it will be a day or two before I can get pictures up.
Anyway, so far, I am very impressed with the Zen Ray Glass.

[Bean Counter]

Just for our reference, what was your previous pair of glass?

[Pathfinder101]

Leupold Acadias.  I was planning to upgrade to a pair of Golden Rings, but I feel that these Zen Rays are just as good.  I haven't used GRs in the field though...

[Pathfinder101]

Didn't experience any glare with mine.  Are they talking about the ED2 glasses in those reviews?

[wamuledeer]

Yes they are talking about the ED2 glasses but ZenRay also had an issue with the earlier versions which they have since attempted to correct. You still have some glare but not nearly what it was. I love my set which are the newer ones and sometimes I might get a small amount of the white or gray ghosting in the bottom but it is not noticable at all. People need to realize these are $400 binoculars, not $1,500 ones. I believe they compare as equal or better to 90% of the bino's in the $800-1000 range but that is just my opinion.

[Steve C]

Keep in mind that the Monster Muleys site has many smack talkers about the ZEN RAY glass.  The vast majority ot the negative comments there and wherever else they can be found, are from people who have never looked through any and never will.  If you look closely there are a few negative comments that do have some merit.  Keep in mind that these things are $400 binoculars.  For that kind of cash, or any amount of cash for that matter, there will never be a single binocular design that will ring everybody's bell.  We are all different in shape and size and our eyes can see things very differently from somebody elses.  Therfe in lies the old axiom of try before you buy, or at least buy from someplace with a good "return if not satisfied" policy.

[JackOfAllTrades]

You still have some glare but not nearly what it was.".  It's kind of interesting that this issue was never mentioned (to the best of my knowledge) by anyone that reviewed them here previously.

Excellent point!  Are we dumber than those guys that frequent the MonsterMuleys site? Do we know how to evaluate optics as well? Or have the second run of better class glass made it to the hands of us and only us?

I've personally never looked through the ED2's. My son's Vista's are great 'within price point'. I can immagine that the ED2's are better, and should be able to hold their own within price point. No, they aren't Swaro's. But they don't cost near as much either.

-Steve