Binoculars opinions

[ofl0926]

Hey what's up everyone. Currently looking at new binos before the season starts. I'm looking at zen ray ed3 in 10x43, vortex viper HD 10x40 or 50. Based on all the reviews, the zen rays are amazing. I can get a great deal on both pairs so I wanted some opinions from you guys on here. Thanks again and look forward to your responses

 

[husky390]

I have an older gen of the Zen Ray's ED in 8x42. Great glass for the used price of $150 but I read on one of the forums that someone was having problems contacting Zen regarding a warranty issue. Though I currently do not own any Vortex products, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one due to their warranty. I was in the same boat as you were a few months ago but decided to drop the coin on a set of Swaro's instead. I hear Maven is a good choice too.

 

[Brock A]

I'm a fan of the Mavens as of recently. Worth a look IMO

 

[bud]

Got a pair of zen ray ed3. I like them. A lot.

 

[ofl0926]

Those mavens are nice but are out of my budget. The budget was set no more than $500.

 

[realunlucky]

I've had the Zen rays since the first import. The ed3 are impressive for their price. I've dealt with zr customer service a couple times it was not stellar but they did fulfil their warranty in the end. I've heard getting a hold of Charles lately has been tough because he's been busy readying for the ed4 roll out. I'd look at demo or used glass to save some money

 

[bccrover]

I just picked up a pair of Zen Ray Prime 10x42 for less than your budget. They are selling demo's for $569, enter the coupon code "prime" and it takes $100 off! I am impressed with the binos thus far. The eyecups are large though so they will not work for every face structure but they work for mine.

 

[ofl0926]

I just picked up a pair of Zen Ray Prime 10x42 for less than your budget. They are selling demo's for $569, enter the coupon code "prime" and it takes $100 off! I am impressed with the binos thus far. The eyecups are large though so they will not work for every face structure but they work for mine.

That is a great deal. How do you like the weight? I think I saw them weighing around 3lbs

 

[bccrover]

I don't mind the weight. Surely not a lightweight option and I'm new to the decent bino game. I'm running a bino harness and didn't mind them at all on a two day 14 mile scouting trip. I've got a lightweight tripod for the long glassing sessions but that is more for super steady hold than to help out with weight.

 

[norcal-noodler]

I really like the glass on the Zeiss Terra ED binos and pretty affordable

 

[2ski]

That is a great deal. How do you like the weight? I think I saw them weighing around 3lbs

I bought a pair of Primes in the initial pre-order when they first came out. They list the regular price as $800 but I have never seen them be that expensive. I think I paid around $500 for them as a "deal" for the pre-order and then they were still the same price after the pre-order time frame was up.. Customer service was okay. I had to leave a few messages. I called because I saw that people had got their pre-orders, but mine did not ship when it was supposed to. But I digress.

I like my Prime's. They were my foray into more expensive glass. They are a bit heavy. The eye cups have been the biggest complaint that I've heard. Had some people not posted reviews online prior to my receiving my(some people got theirs a week or so before others. There was a QC issue if I remember right, and they didn't have enough for their preorders), I would not have liked them as much had I not knows how to overcome the issue. All my friends(who are not optics experts) have a "wow" when they first look through them. I have carried mine in a Badlands pouch and my FFH pouch and they carry well in both. I do like the build and feel of the focus wheel over some other binos in the price range.

All that said, I was looking for something unique that noone else had. Kind of that hidden gem. If I had to do it again, I think I would go with some Vortex. They have many satisfied customers and I'm pretty sure they will be in business in 10/20 years to take care of warranty claims. Not that I'm saying that Zen Ray won't. I don't think the Primes were nearly as successful as the hoped.

Those Maven's look pretty sweet. I like how you can build your own. I had a pretty sweet looking pair made with Kryptek Typhoon and pink rings.

 

[neverquit]

I have a set of 10x42 viper hd. I like them . But they have been siting on the shelf since I got a set of el's

 

[ofl0926]

I have a set of 10x42 viper hd. I like them . But they have been siting on the shelf since I got a set of el's

ELs??? Which are those

 

[HuskerDevil]

I love my Viper HD 10x50s

 

[ofl0926]

I bought a pair of Primes in the initial pre-order when they first came out. They list the regular price as $800 but I have never seen them be that expensive. I think I paid around $500 for them as a "deal" for the pre-order and then they were still the same price after the pre-order time frame was up.. Customer service was okay. I had to leave a few messages. I called because I saw that people had got their pre-orders, but mine did not ship when it was supposed to. But I digress.

I like my Prime's. They were my foray into more expensive glass. They are a bit heavy. The eye cups have been the biggest complaint that I've heard. Had some people not posted reviews online prior to my receiving my(some people got theirs a week or so before others. There was a QC issue if I remember right, and they didn't have enough for their preorders), I would not have liked them as much had I not knows how to overcome the issue. All my friends(who are not optics experts) have a "wow" when they first look through them. I have carried mine in a Badlands pouch and my FFH pouch and they carry well in both. I do like the build and feel of the focus wheel over some other binos in the price range.

All that said, I was looking for something unique that noone else had. Kind of that hidden gem. If I had to do it again, I think I would go with some Vortex. They have many satisfied customers and I'm pretty sure they will be in business in 10/20 years to take care of warranty claims. Not that I'm saying that Zen Ray won't. I don't think the Primes were nearly as successful as the hoped.

Those Maven's look pretty sweet. I like how you can build your own. I had a pretty sweet looking pair made with Kryptek Typhoon and pink rings.

Do you know if the eye cup issue has been solved?

 

[ofl0926]

I just picked up a pair of Zen Ray Prime 10x42 for less than your budget. They are selling demo's for $569, enter the coupon code "prime" and it takes $100 off! I am impressed with the binos thus far. The eyecups are large though so they will not work for every face structure but they work for mine.

When you say large eyecups, is it something someone could adjust too? I wish I had a dealer close to see if they work for me

 

[bccrover]

I adjusted to the larger eye ups easily. I can see it being a problem for some face structures though. Such as eyes set back a bit along with a small IPD. I've got a giant head so had no issues. Several folks on the birding forums mentioned this and once I got my hands on them I could notice a difference. I'm not that experienced so I didn't have much adjusting to do.

 

[ofl0926]

I adjusted to the larger eye ups easily. I can see it being a problem for some face structures though. Such as eyes set back a bit along with a small IPD. I've got a giant head so had no issues. Several folks on the birding forums mentioned this and once I got my hands on them I could notice a difference. I'm not that experienced so I didn't have much adjusting to do.

Yeah I don't have much experience either with binos. I currently own a pair of old bushnells that were handed down to me. I don't have a big head nor do my eyes that sit back further.

 

[neverquit]

ELs??? Which are those

Swarovski 12x50 el

 

[ofl0926]

Swarovski 12x50 el

Oh nice.