Hi guys,
First post here. I got the bug for a new pair of binoculars a couple weeks ago and, thanks in part to this forum, had narrowed my choices down to either:
Nikon Monarch Series 10x42
Vanguard Endeavor Series 10x42
Now, if price were not a consideration I probably would have gone for the Monarch 5's as I read that the coatings are better and the wieght is less than both the Monarch 3 series and the Vangaurd. BUT...I needed the best value so I sent with the Vangard Endeavor ED at opticsplanet.com With their cyber Monday special the bins were $225 & a $50 rebate makes them $175.
Well, I was just notified the Vanguards were on backorder so they offered me some deals on other models. Unfortunately their Monarch 5's were on backorder too...after some back and forth they offered me their
OPMOD WB 1.0 Limited Edition 10x42 for just $115
Although they seem to look EXACTLY like the Zen-Ray vista line, the lady said they were the in house version of the Monarch 3 binoculars.
Knowing how well reviewed the monarch line is, and at just $115 I took it - although I told them not to cancel the Vanguard order. I'll post some thoughts when they arrive - although I won't have any other high end bins to compare them to until my Vanguards arrive.
Weird thing though, when I look at the product details, the similarities between the Zen-Ray vista line and these are pretty striking, & Zens are a lot closer on price like $140 retail (not sold by optics planet, interestingly enough)
Link to OPMOD
Link to Zen Ray