Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: Pathfinder101 on June 12, 2015, 07:23:10 AM

Title: Leupy Golden Ring Spotter vs. Zen Ray Prime HD Spotter
Post by: Pathfinder101 on June 12, 2015, 07:23:10 AM: Ok, let me preface this:

I have owned a Leupold Golden Ring 12 X 40 X60mm Spotting scope since 2010. It's a great scope and I love it.
I also own a pair of Zen Ray ED2 8 X 43 Binos (bought about the same time.

Last month my truck was broken into and both were stolen. The insurance company is going to replace them. I am still sticking with the Zen Ray Binos (going ED3 10X43 this time).
While I was perusing Ebay for a deal on the Leupy spotter I found the Zen Ray 20 x 60 x 82mm Prime HD spotter for $250 less than any Leupy listed.

I am wondering if anyone on here has experience with both. Normally I would just go with the Leupold scope and be done with it (every optic I use is Leupy except my binos), but when I was shopping for binos a few years ago I had my heart set on the Leupold Golden Ring binoculars. I was in Sportco looking at a pair trying to decide whether or not to buy them and the guy behind the counter set the Zen Rays out. I honestly couldn't tell the difference, and the Zen Rays were $300 less. I have never regretted buying the Zen Rays.

Hence, my quandary.... :dunno:
Title: Re: Leupy Golden Ring Spotter vs. Zen Ray Prime HD Spotter
Post by: bobcat on June 12, 2015, 07:30:54 AM: Zen Ray- made in China

Leupold- made in America

Easy decision! I wouldn't say that if the Leupold wasn't a great spotting scope, but it is. I don't own one, but have looked through one, and I was impressed.

Obviously we can't always avoid Chinese made products- I'm writing this message on an iPhone which, of course, was made in China.

But I sure like to support Leupold whenever I can.
Title: Re: Leupy Golden Ring Spotter vs. Zen Ray Prime HD Spotter
Post by: Pathfinder101 on June 12, 2015, 07:32:11 AM: Quote from: bobcat on June 12, 2015, 07:30:54 AM
Zen Ray- made in China

Leupold- made in America

Easy decision! I wouldn't say that if the Leupold wasn't a great spotting scope, but it is. I don't own one, but have looked through one, and I was impressed.

Obviously we can't always avoid Chinese made products- I'm writing this message on an iPhone which, of course, was made in China.

But I sure like to support Leupold whenever I can.

Good point. Noted.
Thanks
Title: Re: Leupy Golden Ring Spotter vs. Zen Ray Prime HD Spotter
Post by: couesbitten on June 12, 2015, 09:57:22 AM: Really haven't heard anything bad about the Zen-Ray optics, I love Leupold, but this would be a tough choice for me as well. Don't know what the price was on that Zen-Ray spotter you were looking at, but CameraLand NY has the Zen-Ray ED2 spotter on sale at a great price.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/zenray.pl?page=zenray-zened2_20-60x82
Title: Re: Leupy Golden Ring Spotter vs. Zen Ray Prime HD Spotter
Post by: WA1232 on June 12, 2015, 10:27:59 AM: I don't know how much the Zen-Rays cost, but I would sell my 10x42 Gold Ring HD binos for $650. I can text or email pics if you are interested.