Post by: colockumelk on August 10, 2010, 04:37:17 AM
Does anybody own a pair of these, or knows someone that has a pair of these. Or have looked through these. (Please explain which). If so what do you think of them. Can you list any pros or cons about these optics. If you didn't like these what would you recommend me getting that is in the $600-$1,000 price range? What are that binos pros and cons? Thankyou for any info or advice. I respect everyones opinions and know that I can get a no BS opinion.
Post by: high country on August 10, 2010, 05:00:36 AM
Post by: colockumelk on August 10, 2010, 06:59:19 PM
Post by: grousetracker on August 10, 2010, 07:22:43 PM
Post by: Lightning_Rider on August 17, 2010, 07:04:39 PM
Post by: colockumelk on August 17, 2010, 07:16:33 PM
Post by: Wenatcheejay on August 17, 2010, 07:25:28 PM
Post by: JPhelps on August 17, 2010, 08:12:23 PM
Post by: Bigshooter on August 17, 2010, 08:21:04 PM
Post by: JPhelps on August 17, 2010, 08:34:14 PM
The only question I have about the Zen Ray Binoculars are how long will they hold up? So far so good.
Post by: Lightning_Rider on August 17, 2010, 08:57:28 PM
Post by: ZRS-8x42 on August 17, 2010, 09:54:45 PM
Im probably gonna end up going with the Gold Rings, but how is the warrenty with the Zen's? The reason i love leupold so much is that its 2hrs away and they have a lifetime warrenty.
Lightning_Rider
All of our binoculars carry transferable lifetime warranty. Our focus has been focusing on the product quality first so you don't have to use the warranty service. But if you ever need that, we are here to take care of you. You can always find me here for any issue that needs immediate attention. :)
Thanks
Post by: G.R.K on August 17, 2010, 11:06:33 PM
Post by: washelkhntr on August 17, 2010, 11:12:32 PM
Gold Rings.Zen-Ray are :crap:
Please explain. I have never heard anyone saying Zen-Rays were :crap: until your post.
Post by: G.R.K on August 17, 2010, 11:20:37 PM
Post by: JPhelps on August 18, 2010, 07:00:25 AM
I have nothing to gain from recommending zen ray optics. I spent a lot of time looking through binoculars last year and they are as good or better than anything I looked through in the sub $1000 range.
The Gold Rings are also good glass.
Post by: high country on August 18, 2010, 07:36:14 AM
You get what you pay for in optics.
that is about 85% true. the placebo effect makes up the difference.
Post by: high country on August 18, 2010, 07:40:40 AM
I have a pair of gold rings and a pair of el's. The gold rings are very good bino's but if you can get a pair of el's I would get them over the gold rings. The el's are a lot better. I looked through the zen-rays last year. My buddy bought a pair right before we went to montana. After getting to look through the gold rings, el's, and the zen-ray's I wouldn't waste my money on the zen-rays.
were your gold rings the hd version? I looked through some non hd's and they did not hold a candle to my trinovids......but the hd's........well I sold my trinovids and will be grabbing a pair of hd's. I have owned 3 pair of leica and 2 pair of swaro's plus a bunch of other top shelf glass most will never get to look through, the hd's are not the standout winner, but are a steal at the rebate price. I can say that you would have to buy a used pair of alphas for a steal to do better. I am willing to try them and I already have more in glass then in my truck.
Post by: columbiaman on August 18, 2010, 09:07:24 AM
Post by: SkookumHntr on August 18, 2010, 09:23:26 AM
Post by: BlackTail on August 18, 2010, 04:57:54 PM
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/swarovski.pl?page=swarovski8x30slc (http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/swarovski.pl?page=swarovski8x30slc)
Post by: Larry Simoneaux on August 19, 2010, 09:16:21 PM
I looked through products made by Steiner, Nikon, Burris, Leupold, Vortex, and even Swarovski (out of my price range). What I found was that it all comes down to you, your eyes (especially your eyes), and your preferences.
I purchased a pair of Vortex Razors (10 x 42) because - and, again, to my eyes - they were the best suited to me in clarity, sharpness, and detail. This will be my third year using them and I have been completely satisfied with my purchase. I hunt in the Twisp, Conconully area and I'm pretty rough on my gear. These binoculars have been wet, dirty, cold, dropped, sat on and have never once let me down. They have allowed me to identify deer and antler points at distances that my old binoculars (Olympus and Bausch& Lomb) could never handle.
They have some minor glitches in the eye cup area. They are plastic when they should be anodized aluminum. Small problem that can be overlooked for the absolutely good field of view and resolution they provide. I found them to be brighter than Zeiss and clearer than (again, to my eyes) than the others I looked through. Their customer service is outstanding. Repeat. Outstanding. They stand behind their products and will go the extra mile to satisfy you. Their warranty is lifetime and transferable.
The next step up would have been to the $1500-$2000 level but, for those extra dollars, I'm not sure you would gain much that is discernable to your eyes.
I would buy them again. I recommend them to anyone who asks
Larry Simoneaux
Post by: G.R.K on August 19, 2010, 09:29:56 PM
Post by: Bigshooter on August 21, 2010, 04:50:53 AM
Bigshooter - Either you got a lemon or I recieved a good pair, because I compared them on two different occasions at dusk. The swarovski were better in all aspects, I can not deny that. The Zen Ray was not far behind and for the cost difference of around $1500 I can't complain :dunno:
The only question I have about the Zen Ray Binoculars are how long will they hold up? So far so good.
Until you spend a season looking through nothing but a pair of swarovski's you don't know what you are missing until you pick up a pair of bino's that are not swarovski's and look through them.
To compare swarovski's the best I can to zen-ray's is:
The image is not as sharp or clear, the edges are really poor. Low light they are dark. They pickup alot of unseen haze or glare. I was always messing with the focus. And they feel really cheap. But for the money there not bad, compared to other bino's that cost the same. But I would not compare them to swarovski, leica, or gold rings. I would compare them to the better leupold wind rivers stuff. I have thought about buying a pair to always keep in the truck as a good pair of beaters.
Post by: ZRS-8x42 on August 21, 2010, 08:59:38 AM
The attachment was a 7x36 ED2 review by Ron from Tennessee. It's rather technical. But that's exactly what we need for fine instrument review.
Thanks
Post by: ZRS-8x42 on August 21, 2010, 09:04:40 AM
Post by: Bigshooter on August 21, 2010, 07:16:37 PM
Post by: Cascade_Sherpa on September 07, 2010, 09:38:49 AM
It looks like I'll have to find another forum or website to find that though.
Post by: high country on September 07, 2010, 04:37:31 PM
there is a reason they were list priced at $2200.00
Post by: CastleRocker on September 07, 2010, 05:49:09 PM
I do try different brands every once in awhile, and most companies make good glasses now. I'll try a pair of Zen-Ray's soon, and maybe a pair of Steiner Predators also.
Post by: Cascade_Sherpa on September 08, 2010, 01:02:47 PM
if you can find a store with a pair of nikon edg's give them a peek. right now you can get them for sub 1k and get a free d3000 as a rebate, trip it on ebay and you at the price of the gold rings....and the glass is as good as it gets. :twocents:
there is a reason they were list priced at $2200.00
That sounds like a steal, what stores would have them at that price? I've priced them on ebay, cabelas, etc. and i've only seen the $2200 price tag. I had heard about the promotional deal to get a free D3000 SLR out of the deal but I haven't seen any prices for around $1k. Please let me know and i'd be all over that!
Post by: high country on September 08, 2010, 04:50:58 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 08, 2010, 05:09:29 PM
Good thread, I am taking notes... 8)
Post by: high country on September 08, 2010, 05:41:04 PM
Post by: Deep Forks on October 15, 2010, 12:16:01 AM
Post by: JoeVon on October 15, 2010, 12:57:13 AM
Got home and liked what I saw while glassing just before dark. They gather plenty of light, and things were very crisp...Leaps and bounds better than my Wind Rivers and I only payed $100 more for the Gold Rings.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on October 15, 2010, 06:49:16 AM
I wound up getting the Zen Ray ED2s, and I love them.
Post by: bearhunter99 on October 15, 2010, 07:25:15 AM
That is a screaming deal on the GR though JoeVon, I wouldnt pass that up if I was in the market.
Post by: DRDANTDC on November 05, 2010, 09:53:30 PM
I am saving up for a pair of binos in the same price range. I had kind of settled on the Gold Rings as well, but now I see I have a little more research to do.I was just at Cabelas on Wednesday. I was open minded going in. I looked at Stiener predators, Cabelas Euros, Golden Ring HD's and Ziess Conquest. After looking through them all, I choose the Leupolds. The Cabelas were the only glass even close, but they were more money without the warranty. Just my opinion, you really have to look through them for yourself.
Good thread, I am taking notes... 8)
Post by: bigpaw 77 on November 05, 2010, 10:04:43 PM