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  1. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    470 foot FOV on the Zen Ray 7x36 HD2's should be enormous! Each 20 foot increment makes a difference in FOV IMO. Dennis
  2. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    Hmm! I really disagree with that. I find the difference between 7x and 8x enormous especially in the ability to hold the binocular steady and the additional FOV that the 7x provides is normally much larger giving you a big panoramic view with a 5mm exit pupil that is easy to use. Dennis
  3. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    I would add that a 7X is also easier to hold steady than an 8X in addition to all the advantages you mentioned. Dennis
  4. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    Dusty Let us know how you like them. I am sure you will. Dennis
  5. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    Marcus Let us know what you think of your Zen Rays when you receive them. Dennis
  6. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    Isn't it funny how an old porro-prism still has a better view than a $2K roof prism! I feel the same way about my old 8x32 SE's. You guys should really try the Orion Ultraview 8x42. For $150.00 it wll beat most roof prisms except for slightly fuzzy edges that you don't notice that much anyway...
  7. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    I have compared Zen Ray's 8x43 ED's to Zeiss 8x42 FL's and Swarovski 8.5 x42 EL's and to my eyes they were their equal in most areas except flare control and maybe not quite as bright as the Zeiss under dim conditions. The resolution and contrast were the closest to my Nikon 8x32 SE's of any...
  8. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    The Nikon Premiers are nice binoculars. Smooth focus, nice ergonomics and the feel (and smell) of the rubber encasing them is first class. But after comparing them to the Zen Ray 8x43 ED IMO the Zen Rays have the Nikon's beat when it comes to optics. The Zen Rays are sharper and definitely have...
  9. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    I agree with just about everything you said. I felt overall the Zen was superior to my Leica's 7x42 BN's optically.The sweet spot on the Zen's is so sharp it just did it for me it is comparable to my Nikon 8x32 SE's! I don't use my binoculars in zubzero weather so the focus is not an issue. It...
  10. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    Yes. Orion is definitely more astro oriented. Probably some of the best less expensive scopes. I was just surprised how good their Ultraview binoculars were. Dennis
  11. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    I know Vortex are very good but you really should check out the Orion Ultraviews 8x42. Very sharp, bright and a big FOV. Field curvature is more than some but you don't notice it with the big FOV. They are quite a bargain for $150.00 and also have a ten year warranty. FrankD started a thread...
  12. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    "From a birding POV Orion doesn't stand out as a Chinese ODM/OEM. But Vortex does. " I don't agree with that statement after trying the Orion Ultraview 8x42 Porro-prism binoculars. They are excellent for $150.00. Overall view is 95% as good as the Nikon 8x32 SE's and we all agree the SE's...
  13. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    Hmm. The Zen Ray appear to be of pretty good build quality. I would be surprised if a hinge snapped or an optical tube ed. What Chinese binoculars did you have that you had these sort of problems with? The problem with keeping an alpha binocular for years is that they become outdated with...
  14. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    The Zen Rays 8x43 ED's have me wondering how they can build such an optically excellent binocular for such a good price. I think it is similar to Chinese ED telescopes that have changed amateur astronomy and brought APO telescopes price down to the point where everybody can afford them. I notice...
  15. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    What's great about Zen-Ray is that they are bringing superb optics to people who maybe can't afford $2K for the alpha binoculars(Like myself).The recreational people, people going on cruises, hunters and nature lovers. I will be looking foy any new models that they come out with especially if...
  16. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    The more you use them the more you will like them.The Bushmaster pop-open type objective covers really work nice on them.Their quite a step up from Nikon Action 7x35's. Enjoy. Dennis
  17. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    The Zen Ray's 8x43 ED blew my Nikon 8x32 L-XL's away there is no better way to describe the differences in view. Sorry! I just had to say that. I had my Nikon 8x32 SE's and the Zen Ray's 8x43 ED's out this morning since it was nice here in Colorado doing some birding and the Zen Ray's continue...
  18. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    "I must jump on the unwarranted use of the phrase "blows away" a few posts up. " "Blows Away" is a current term which to me describes perfectly how I felt about the performance of the Zen Ray 8x43 ED compared to the Nikon 8x32 L-XL's. It is not unwarranted in any way in my opinion! "Also...
  19. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    Which 8x32 do you think is superior the Vortex Viper 8x32 or the Pentax 8x32 ED. I am trying to decide between the two. Would they be better optically than my Nikon 8x32 LXL? Thanks! Dennis
  20. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    They have a huge FOV and the sweet spot is very large also. I think that is one reason I like the view so much. You have this big tack sharp viewing window you are looking in which is also very bright. Awesome view and binoculars especially for the money. I really wish they made an 8x32 ED! Dennis
  21. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    To my eyes the contrast and flare control were both superior on the 8x43 Zen HD than on the Nikon 8x32 LXL. I was looking near the sun also just as it was setting. The contrast on the Zen seems better to me and the total view of the Zen just blows the Nikon away(And my Leica's 7x42 BN's). The...
  22. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    Yes, if I could afford a pair of Nikon EDG I would like to compare them also. I believe they would have slightly better build quality like tighter eyecups but I don't think the optics could be much better than the Zen Ray's. Who really cares if the eyecups aren't as tight when you are saving...
  23. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    I have been having a "Dueling Binoculars" competition every evening with my binocular collection. So far the Zen Ray 8x43 HD's have easily beat the Leica 7x42 BN's. I sold the Leica's. Now tonite I compared the Zen Ray's to my Nikon 8x32 LXL's for about an hour and the Nikon's came out a distant...
  24. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    If you look at a Swarovski 8.5x42 EL you are looking at a Zen Ray 8x43 ED. They look similar in color and size. So it is a pretty long binocular but it balances well and does not feel nearly as heavy as say a Leica 8x42 BN. For it's size it is actually quite light. I would bet the optics are as...
  25. D

    Are Zen Rays 8x43 ED's really that good?

    The more I use the focus on the Zen Ray 8x43 ED's the better it gets. I am going to have to retract my statement about stiff focusing. It is much better than say a Leica and is now getting close to being as good as my Nikon 8x32LXL's. They fit nicely in the Crooked Horn case with the strap...
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