Zen Ray ED 8x43 initial impressions....
03-09-2009, 09:42 AM
#1
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
Zen Ray ED 8x43 initial impressions....
Guys, I posted this on a few other hunting forums a month or so ago right after I received these bins for review and totally forgot to post it here. I think you folks will be very impressed with this binocular as it has been receiving glowing reviews across the board...even from folks that own the $1500-$2000 models.
If you want truly high-end optical performance, superb customer service and a nice 30 day "money back" guarantee then I suggest you try these.
I have no affiliation whatsoever with this company but know that alot of you guys appreciate a good deal.
"I had decided earlier today to make a brief trip up to a local lake towalk the dog.I put the neckstrap on the Minox BD BP porros in anticipation of taking them out on their first "field trip". Slight change of plans though. As I opened the front door I glanced down and noticed the "Priority Mail" box sitting on the front step. I was a bit surprised as I usually hear the doorbell ring when one of the delivery folks drops something off. The zero degree temperature last night must have done something to the doorbell mechanism as I wasn't able to get it to work either.
I grabbed the box and looked at the label. Sure enough it was the Zen Ray ED binoculars that I was keeping an eye out for. I threw them, and the dog, in the car and headed up to the lake. Upon reaching the parking area I tore open the box and took out a beautiful little set of binoculars. I say "beautiful" simply because I really do like the color scheme they have employed. They have the same color rubber armor as the Swaro ELs but with more distinctive black accents over the central bridge and in the eyecup area. Even the large red and white "Zen ED" logos located on the binocular look fairly tasteful...something I was not so sure of when I first saw the picture of them on the net.
The neckstrap is a wonderful design in one sense and a bit of an annoyance in another. The positive aspect of it is that it is of the same design as the Vero Vellini that I use for the Meoptas. In others words the neck is fairly well padded and it has that handy little "quick disconnect" feature that leaves a portion of the neckstrap still secured to the binoculars. The reason I enjoy this design is because many times I just tote the binoculars around the house or out on the back porch. Both are places that I do not need to have a neckstrap attached. The negative? Well, even with the neckstrap tightened to its shortest setting the binoculars hang incredibly low on my 6' 4" frame. I would say at least to my belly button. If there was some way to shorten the strap further then I would most certainly be raving about the factory included neckstrap as I love the design. The rest of the accessories are entirely adequate. They come with a hardcase similar to that of the Hawke Frontier ED/Vortex Diamondback, etc... and the usual rainguard and objective covers. FWIW the box they came in looks pretty classy in all black with red and white "ZEN ED" inscribed upon it.
Ok, enough of the niceties, lets get down to how they perform and function mechanically.
Ergonomics/Mechanics
Physically the binoculars seem practically identical to the Hawke Frontier EDs minus the color differences. They have the same solid feel and wonderful fit and finish to them. There isn't any play in the click-stop rotating eyecups...the focusing knob has good tension without any play in it and the central hinge is stiff enough not to move unnecessarily.
Speaking of focus, when I initially pulled them out you could tell that they had been sitting in the cold for some time as the focusing knob was stiffer to turn than anything I remember (except maybe the Vanguard). This was initially a concern to me as I have memories of comments surrounding the stiff focus on the Vortex Razor initially. I immediately wanted to write them off as "less than adequate" for this reason but changed my mind after more extended usage. The focusing tension was still fairly stiff in the 15 degree F weather but I was able to turn it satisfactorily after working on it for a minute or two. As I sit typing this I am working the focusing knob again. It is much smoother at room temperature but still is a bit stiffer than what I remember the Promaster and possibly the Hawke. I do not believe anyone would have a major issue with this but I thought it was worthy of being mentioned.
I find the overall ergonomics to be quite agreeable. It has the same texture and balance of that of the Hawke Frontier ED with slightly different texturing along the outer edge of each barrel. The physical weight of the binocular feels entirely acceptable for my tastes and I cannot imagine having a problem toting it around for an extended period of time.
Optical performance
Though it seems like an often used cliche in binocular reviews, this is where these binoculars really shine...pun intended. These binoculars are bright, sharp, largely free of distortion with a reasonably flat field of view and excellent chromatic aberration control. I would suggest they offer just as sharp and clean of an image as the Promaster EDs but with a larger field of view. Sounds similar to the Hawke's doesn't it? Well, it is except I would offer that this binocular, despite the same listed field of view seems to display slightly less field curvature and edge distortion than the Hawke Frontier ED. I would venture to say that it is a blend of the two from an optical perspective.
Looking through these binoculars is a wonderful experience. You immediately get the feeling that you are there...next to the bird and not really looking through a binocular at all. As with the Promasters the image is "Alpha" sharp, bright and wonderfully colorful. The color representation is fairly neutral with the ever so slightest warm color bias. It is less than either the Meopta or the Hawke and possibly at the same level as the Promaster. With alot of snow on the ground it is somewhat noticeable. If this was spring or summer I would be willing to bet that I would have a hard time noticing it.
At this moment I am looking out through the back window at the fields behind my house. There areseveral deer and turkey feeding around the woodlot.It is a pure pleasure to look at them with the Zen Ray ED binoculars. They most certainly compare with anything I have in my selection at the present time and easily better many of them optically. For the $380-some dollars these can be had for right now I think they are just too good to pass up. They easily surpass the typical $300 roofs in so many ways that it would easily take me another half page to describe it.
Take a hard look at these. They are beautiful "little" bins.
Hopefully more to follow.
"
If you want truly high-end optical performance, superb customer service and a nice 30 day "money back" guarantee then I suggest you try these.
I have no affiliation whatsoever with this company but know that alot of you guys appreciate a good deal.
"I had decided earlier today to make a brief trip up to a local lake towalk the dog.I put the neckstrap on the Minox BD BP porros in anticipation of taking them out on their first "field trip". Slight change of plans though. As I opened the front door I glanced down and noticed the "Priority Mail" box sitting on the front step. I was a bit surprised as I usually hear the doorbell ring when one of the delivery folks drops something off. The zero degree temperature last night must have done something to the doorbell mechanism as I wasn't able to get it to work either.
I grabbed the box and looked at the label. Sure enough it was the Zen Ray ED binoculars that I was keeping an eye out for. I threw them, and the dog, in the car and headed up to the lake. Upon reaching the parking area I tore open the box and took out a beautiful little set of binoculars. I say "beautiful" simply because I really do like the color scheme they have employed. They have the same color rubber armor as the Swaro ELs but with more distinctive black accents over the central bridge and in the eyecup area. Even the large red and white "Zen ED" logos located on the binocular look fairly tasteful...something I was not so sure of when I first saw the picture of them on the net.
The neckstrap is a wonderful design in one sense and a bit of an annoyance in another. The positive aspect of it is that it is of the same design as the Vero Vellini that I use for the Meoptas. In others words the neck is fairly well padded and it has that handy little "quick disconnect" feature that leaves a portion of the neckstrap still secured to the binoculars. The reason I enjoy this design is because many times I just tote the binoculars around the house or out on the back porch. Both are places that I do not need to have a neckstrap attached. The negative? Well, even with the neckstrap tightened to its shortest setting the binoculars hang incredibly low on my 6' 4" frame. I would say at least to my belly button. If there was some way to shorten the strap further then I would most certainly be raving about the factory included neckstrap as I love the design. The rest of the accessories are entirely adequate. They come with a hardcase similar to that of the Hawke Frontier ED/Vortex Diamondback, etc... and the usual rainguard and objective covers. FWIW the box they came in looks pretty classy in all black with red and white "ZEN ED" inscribed upon it.
Ok, enough of the niceties, lets get down to how they perform and function mechanically.
Ergonomics/Mechanics
Physically the binoculars seem practically identical to the Hawke Frontier EDs minus the color differences. They have the same solid feel and wonderful fit and finish to them. There isn't any play in the click-stop rotating eyecups...the focusing knob has good tension without any play in it and the central hinge is stiff enough not to move unnecessarily.
Speaking of focus, when I initially pulled them out you could tell that they had been sitting in the cold for some time as the focusing knob was stiffer to turn than anything I remember (except maybe the Vanguard). This was initially a concern to me as I have memories of comments surrounding the stiff focus on the Vortex Razor initially. I immediately wanted to write them off as "less than adequate" for this reason but changed my mind after more extended usage. The focusing tension was still fairly stiff in the 15 degree F weather but I was able to turn it satisfactorily after working on it for a minute or two. As I sit typing this I am working the focusing knob again. It is much smoother at room temperature but still is a bit stiffer than what I remember the Promaster and possibly the Hawke. I do not believe anyone would have a major issue with this but I thought it was worthy of being mentioned.
I find the overall ergonomics to be quite agreeable. It has the same texture and balance of that of the Hawke Frontier ED with slightly different texturing along the outer edge of each barrel. The physical weight of the binocular feels entirely acceptable for my tastes and I cannot imagine having a problem toting it around for an extended period of time.
Optical performance
Though it seems like an often used cliche in binocular reviews, this is where these binoculars really shine...pun intended. These binoculars are bright, sharp, largely free of distortion with a reasonably flat field of view and excellent chromatic aberration control. I would suggest they offer just as sharp and clean of an image as the Promaster EDs but with a larger field of view. Sounds similar to the Hawke's doesn't it? Well, it is except I would offer that this binocular, despite the same listed field of view seems to display slightly less field curvature and edge distortion than the Hawke Frontier ED. I would venture to say that it is a blend of the two from an optical perspective.
Looking through these binoculars is a wonderful experience. You immediately get the feeling that you are there...next to the bird and not really looking through a binocular at all. As with the Promasters the image is "Alpha" sharp, bright and wonderfully colorful. The color representation is fairly neutral with the ever so slightest warm color bias. It is less than either the Meopta or the Hawke and possibly at the same level as the Promaster. With alot of snow on the ground it is somewhat noticeable. If this was spring or summer I would be willing to bet that I would have a hard time noticing it.
At this moment I am looking out through the back window at the fields behind my house. There areseveral deer and turkey feeding around the woodlot.It is a pure pleasure to look at them with the Zen Ray ED binoculars. They most certainly compare with anything I have in my selection at the present time and easily better many of them optically. For the $380-some dollars these can be had for right now I think they are just too good to pass up. They easily surpass the typical $300 roofs in so many ways that it would easily take me another half page to describe it.
Take a hard look at these. They are beautiful "little" bins.
Hopefully more to follow.
"
03-10-2009, 06:57 AM
#2
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: Zen Ray ED 8x43 initial impressions....
I forgot to add the link to the discussions already surrounding these binoculars. If you goodle Zen Ray ED then one of the first links to come up is for birdforum. Check it out. I cannot link directly there in this thread because that forum is blocked for me here at work.
03-18-2009, 09:22 AM
#4
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: Zen Ray ED 8x43 initial impressions....
Glad I could help. I would be interested to hear your impressions once you receive it.
I think you will be more than satisfied with it.
.....and a decent scope with the money left over.
I think you will be more than satisfied with it.
.....and a decent scope with the money left over.
04-17-2009, 06:02 PM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 546
RE: Zen Ray ED 8x43 initial impressions....
Hey PA Bowhunter. I bought some Meostar 8x42 from you about 2 years ago. Good glasses. I will be checking these Zen rays out. BTW you mention a device called the Prmaster ED. Can you give me more info?
Marco
Marco
05-07-2009, 02:43 PM
#8
Spike
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 27
RE: Zen Ray ED 8x43 initial impressions....
PA Bowhunter, I should have replied back long time ago. I had the ZEN ED's. They are very nice and every bit like you described. I know they are keepers as soon as I opened. thanks for the suggestion.
05-08-2009, 01:29 AM
#9
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 131
RE: Zen Ray ED 8x43 initial impressions....
I didn't realize this was posted here. I posted my own review too. I can't agree more. The ZEN ED is just outstanding optical quality.
BTW I have 20 + years in the optics industry.
BTW I have 20 + years in the optics industry.
05-13-2009, 10:06 AM
#10
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: Zen Ray ED 8x43 initial impressions....
Marco,
I sent you a PM after you posted that right? I know I read your comments before and I thought I replied to it. Must have been via PM. If I did not then you have my apologies.
cbsn,
Glad to hear it. These are truly a superb binocular. You now can really get $1500 level performance at 1/4 the price.
vichris,
Glad to see you posted here as well. These bins deserve to be commented on more fully from a variety of individuals. They are "break through" bins in terms of performance vs. price.
I sent you a PM after you posted that right? I know I read your comments before and I thought I replied to it. Must have been via PM. If I did not then you have my apologies.
cbsn,
Glad to hear it. These are truly a superb binocular. You now can really get $1500 level performance at 1/4 the price.
vichris,
Glad to see you posted here as well. These bins deserve to be commented on more fully from a variety of individuals. They are "break through" bins in terms of performance vs. price.