Zen Ray, ZEN ED 8 X 43 Binocular Review
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 131
Zen Ray, ZEN ED 8 X 43 Binocular Review
First, I want to apologize for taking so long to write this review. Life has a way of getting in the way of pleasure. I [/align]have had to much life getting in my way lately and have not had the free time in need to spend the time I needed to[/align]give these binos a good field test. I finally had the chance to take out several binos to really do some comparisons [/align]And speaking of pleasure the Zen Ray ZENED binos are a real pleasure to use and look through. I want to address a [/align]few of the non optical issues first. [/align][/align]To start with I've had several people ask about where the Zen Ray binosare made. They are made in China. I personally[/align]have no problem with that but I'll leave that up to the individual. [/align][/align]The hard case is excellent. The strap is way too long but I don't care because I neverplanned on using it. Most of you wont care either. [/align]You will need to cut it (unless you are 7'5") if you plan on using it and not a harness. I does have a very good, wide,padded area[/align]for theneck. My advice for ANY bino....get a harness. The eyepiece covers and objective covers are good. I've seen better and worse.[/align]And now................. for the good stuff.[/align][/align]These are a very attractive and ergonomically well designed. The fit and feel of the ZENED really stands out. The overalllength[/align]of the ZENED is 7' with eyecups extended.Some will find that a bit on the bulky side but over all it tookvery little to get [/align]used to the slightly longer barrel size.The rubber armor is as good as I've seen. The hinge is just stiff enough so that I don't constantly [/align]have to readjust for my interpupillarydistancelike so many of the competition. The same goes with the eyepiece. Zen Rays specs [/align]list the close focusdistance at 6 ft. Maybe its just my eyes but I was able to focus as close as 4'8". The coatings appear to be flawless.[/align]The exit pupils at arms length are perfectly round with no flat edges or shadowy light or dark areas in the 5.4 mm dot of light. This is an[/align]excellent indication of well matched optics.The one thing I found disappointing was the diopter indicator mark on the right eyepiece. [/align]It is so small its really difficultto see.[/align][/align]There are several features that really stand out with the ZEN ED's. Thewide and almost absolutely flatfield of view (FOV) are outstanding.[/align]Zen Rays specs list the FOV at an amazing426 ft /1000yds. The image is bright, very sharp, and I saw no indication of chromatic aberration. [/align]I did a comparison of the edgeto edge sharpness with two of the "big three". The ZEN ED compared very well to both. They definitely outperform [/align]everything I looked at in the $300- $800 range. The optical clarity gives you that feeling that you are where the subject is. Thatno doubt, is [/align]due to the flatness of the field.The color rendition, depth of field, and resolution are excellent. [/align][/align]I also want to speak to the VALUE of these optics. I have no hesitation in saying that the Zen Ray ZENEDare the best value in [/align]binoculars on the market today. I did do quite a bit of price comparisons and have evaluated lots of binos that are similar in quality. [/align]Quality wise the ZENED's stand out from the competition and come very close to the quality you will find from the "big three". [/align]That's where the value comes in. For $359 these are tough tobeat and they out perform many that are hundredsof $$$ more. [/align]You will notice that I refuse to mention the competing optics that I did price, quality, and performance comparisons with. [/align]I prefer not to beat up the other Mfgs but would like to speak to the quality of the ZEN RAY brand. [/align][/align]The optical quality that most of the major optic companiesdeliver these day is astonishing.[/align]That the ZEN ED stands out from many of these speaks to the manufacturing and optical qualitythat these possess. I have [/align]already seen that a couple of the competing brands have lowered their price and trumpeted their warranty in responds to[/align]the ZEN RAY brand. This is a good thing,but personally I will choose the better optical quality over warranty every time. Can you buy [/align]a bino that performsoptically better? Yes,.............but you WILL pay at least a $1000 more and the difference is so minimal [/align]I doubt most will be able to detect it. If you are planning on purchasing a pair of binos in the near future and don't plan on spending[/align]$1200 + ....................get the Zen Rays. I highly recommend them. They are....... "that" good.[/align][/align]Welcome to the binocular wars................................[/align]