Post by: Austrian Hunter on June 27, 2009, 03:33:59 PM
Thanks,
Austrian
Post by: Jason on June 27, 2009, 03:43:16 PM
Post by: 509er on June 27, 2009, 03:44:25 PM
Post by: Steve C on June 27, 2009, 04:16:21 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on June 27, 2009, 07:29:04 PM
Post by: jackelope on June 27, 2009, 08:52:05 PM
vortex diamondbacks are great too for the $$ and under $200.
Post by: PacificNWhunter on June 27, 2009, 08:59:29 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on June 27, 2009, 09:17:35 PM
Post by: huntnphool on June 28, 2009, 10:52:17 AM
Post by: boneaddict on June 28, 2009, 10:55:11 AM
https://hunting-washington.com/zen/ (https://hunting-washington.com/zen/)
Post by: jackelope on June 28, 2009, 12:50:40 PM
Hey Rene' send Pope a PM and ask him what kind his are. I had a chance several times last year to compare side by side with my EL's and they were not bad. They are 10X42's I believe and were in the price range. Other than those I also like the Nikons in the 10X42 for that price range. :twocents:
i never thought there was enough difference between the EL's and my monarchs, not enough to justify the price of the EL anyway.
i think you get to a point and you are spending hundreds of dollars more for pennies worth of difference.
:dunno:
Post by: boneaddict on June 28, 2009, 12:51:40 PM
Post by: huntnphool on June 28, 2009, 01:04:51 PM
i never thought there was enough difference between the EL's and my monarchs, not enough to justify the price of the EL anyway.
I have been fortunate enough to have both and be able to sit and compare them side by side during low light situations. Although they are a lot more money, the EL's are hands down better under these conditions. This is not to say the Zens, Nikons are not good quality optics but lets not get it twisted either, they may not be in most peoples budgets but the Swarovskis are without question brighter/sharper. :twocents:
Post by: jackelope on June 28, 2009, 01:12:26 PM
Quote
I have been fortunate enough to have both and be able to sit and compare them side by side during low light situations. Although they are a lot more money, the EL's are hands down better under these conditions.
i have too...compared them that is...
:dunno: guess it just depends on what you feel you need.
Post by: huntnphool on June 28, 2009, 01:17:48 PM
guess it just depends on what you feel you need.Quote
Or how crazy you to write the check :chuckle:
Post by: jager on June 28, 2009, 01:27:22 PM
Quote
Theres a big difference when you leave them on your bumper and you drive off.
I can't tell you how many times i've done that!
I always get them back and are still working...
I would cry if my $1700 binos hit the dirt.
I have the 10x Monarchs and they do the job....I'd upgrade but It seems I'm pretty hard on the binos for some reason.
Post by: Austrian Hunter on June 28, 2009, 01:30:19 PM
I am close to buying mine, I am considering the ZEN ED 10x43 and the Nikon 10-42 in camo. I hear allot about the Nikon Monarch, only good things. I am not familiar with the Zen but they are site sponsors and the products seems to be high quality. Rob, thanks, if I could, I would own a pair of Swarovski's they are made in Austria. LOL
Thank you!
Austrian
Post by: jackelope on June 28, 2009, 01:36:49 PM
Post by: boneaddict on June 28, 2009, 01:42:17 PM
Post by: Steve C on June 28, 2009, 03:57:03 PM
Post by: ZRS-8x42 on June 28, 2009, 04:03:17 PM
I am amazingly happy with our sponsors binos.....
https://hunting-washington.com/zen/ (https://hunting-washington.com/zen/)
Austrian Hunter, there are a lot of technical reviews on the ZEN ED binoculars on this and many other sites. I can PM you some of the links. I just want you to know that by going through link provided by boneaddict, the proceeds also help running this site. We also provide lifetime warranty on our products and 30-day no question asked return policy. Please let me know if you have any question about our products. Thanks.
Post by: huntnphool on June 28, 2009, 04:24:36 PM
We also provide lifetime warranty on our products and 30-day no question asked return policy. Please let me know if you have any question about our products.
You can't go wrong with that Rene', awesome.
Post by: Intruder on June 29, 2009, 08:29:03 AM
Post by: Intruder on June 29, 2009, 08:37:44 AM
When I decided to go to roof prism binoculars and when I did not have a lot of money, I bought Nikon Monarchs. They did the job, but the longer I used them, the more apparent their drawbacks bcame. I still have them. I no longer recommend them, nor do I use them, although they are a decent binocular and if I have to use them again, they will work. However, there is absolutely no way the Nikon Monarch can defend itself against the ZEN ED. It gets whacked in every category. The ZEN resolves color longer into twilight, has better depth of field, a far wider field of view, better color, better resolution. The Monarch has an advantage of being lighter. So get the Monarch if you want. But Zen Ray has a 30 day return for refund policy that I would suggest you try. I also have a ZRS, which for $200 is better than the Monarch too. The Monarch showed up a decade ago, and Nikon has sat on their laurels with it. Meanwhile it has been passed up by new product development from its competition.
:yeah:
While the Monarch is a decent bino there are better values in the price range you're looking in.
Post by: whacker1 on June 29, 2009, 12:53:31 PM
Post by: wsmnut on June 29, 2009, 04:10:01 PM
OK, it is $370, but get the new ZEN ED II in 7x36. It weighs 21 oz has a 480' fov and a view that will knock your socks off. I'm privileged to be playing with the last pre production prototype. Delivery scheduled for the first week of August.
Steve,
Will we see a review soon on the new model? I am really pleased by my Zen ED's (8x43) and am thinking about the new 7x
for my wife as a treat. Thanks in advance if you do!
Post by: KillBilly on June 29, 2009, 04:27:08 PM
Just sharing what what I was told when I inquired.
Post by: popeshawnpaul on June 29, 2009, 04:44:43 PM
Post by: Steve C on June 29, 2009, 05:36:27 PM
Steve,
Will we see a review soon on the new model? I am really pleased by my Zen ED's (8x43) and am thinking about the new 7x for my wife as a treat. Thanks in advance if you do!
Well, like everyone else, mine are preordered. When I get them I will certainly give them a write up. From the spec sheet, they are close to my ideal binocular. I've got a 7x36 Swift Eaglet, a 7/12x32 Leupold GR Switch power, a Vortex Diamondback 7x36, a Bushnell 7x36 EX, a Fury 6.5x32, and an Eagle Optics Raven 6,5x32 so I will be able to do a fair representation of the 6.5-7x compact range. Not all of them are mine, but I think I can maintain them untill after the 7x36 ZEN ED II shows up.
Post by: ZRS-8x42 on June 30, 2009, 09:55:56 AM
Please the thread I started last week for more detailed information
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,29071.0.html
Just my honest opinion, not everyone has to get the most expensive ZEN ED2 binoculars (expensive in relative term ;)). Some improvements or features are important to some users, whereas the others have different priority. That's why we have models in every budget level, that are competitive in performance/price ratio.
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on June 30, 2009, 10:58:30 AM
Quote
Another for Nikon Monarchs. I have the 10x42's and for the price they are awesome.
:yeah: I have the Monoarchs also. Pricepoint and clearity won me over the comparable Leupolds.
Sounds like I'd like to get a pair of the Zen Rays to my eyes though.
-Steve
Post by: Austrian Hunter on June 30, 2009, 02:21:50 PM
OK, it is $370, but get the new ZEN ED II in 7x36. It weighs 21 oz has a 480' fov and a view that will knock your socks off. I'm privileged to be playing with the last pre production prototype. Delivery scheduled for the first week of August.
Steve,
I can't find any in that price range. :dunno:
Austrian
Post by: ZRS-8x42 on June 30, 2009, 02:57:50 PM
OK, it is $370, but get the new ZEN ED II in 7x36. It weighs 21 oz has a 480' fov and a view that will knock your socks off. I'm privileged to be playing with the last pre production prototype. Delivery scheduled for the first week of August.
Steve,
I can't find any in that price range. :dunno:
Austrian
Austrian,
We have 20% coupon for all waterproof binoculars. The code is SAVE20.
http://www.zen-ray.com/store
Post by: adam.WI on July 05, 2009, 04:47:24 AM
I have Nikon Monarchs 10x42's and love them. Well worth the money! ! !agreed
Post by: Austrian Hunter on July 18, 2009, 07:34:09 PM
I am 100% sure that the Zen optics are better quality and I will buy one for work, the new once coming out sometimes in August? That would not work for my personal use since I will be gone Bear hunting beginning Aug 7th. But again, I need a pair for work to look and spy around the property ;)
Post by: Rack Hunter on August 09, 2009, 02:35:01 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on August 09, 2009, 02:59:11 PM
http://spokane.craigslist.org/bar/1314403502.html
Might be worth looking at.
Post by: Tony 270WSM on August 09, 2009, 03:29:35 PM
Post by: Armadillo on August 11, 2009, 08:26:08 AM
Post by: Maligator on August 13, 2009, 04:20:33 AM
I had looked @ the Swaro EL: bit outta my price range presently, Leupold goldenring: bit heavy, and well the Zeisse ultra vids...again well out of my price range at present. I REALLY like the VIP warranty of Vortex but...at double the price of the Zen Ray and considering the fact that Zen Ray is a site sponsor, I went that route ;)
Like I said, will let you know what I think after I get them and put them through the paces this year.
Post by: Thefisherman83 on October 02, 2009, 04:43:35 PM
Post by: Wacenturion on October 02, 2009, 04:59:02 PM
Post by: orchemo on October 13, 2009, 10:18:52 PM
The chest harnesses are nice for carrying in the field. Keep the glass on your chest and not swinging around.
Eric
Post by: G.R.K on October 13, 2009, 10:42:40 PM
As per always,I'd rather buy used Excellence,than a shiny new POS..................
Post by: surfj9009 on October 20, 2009, 01:50:32 PM
Any thoughts?
Post by: wapiti hunter2 on October 31, 2009, 10:36:49 AM
Post by: snowninja on November 08, 2009, 09:50:49 PM
Post by: Galpster on November 08, 2009, 10:26:18 PM
Does anybody here have any thoughts or experience with the Burris Fullfield binocs? I have been very happy with the 2 Burris scopes I have, and so I am considering their binocs as well.I love my burris scope but have never tried their binocs. Burris is middle of the road on price but I think they are way under rated. Great product above others in the same price range. i would love a pair of field Burris binocs and I bet you get them for $100. Way better than $300 and of equal quality.
Any thoughts?
Anyone disagree!!
Post by: columbiaman on November 22, 2009, 08:26:39 AM
Zen Rays are so much better.... do yourself a favor and try em.............you'll love em. :twocents:
with $350 budget, you should seriously consider the ZEN ED. It just blow everything else under $1000 off the table.