Zen-Ray and Opticron 8x42 monoculars (1 Viewer)

[PeterPS]

In my search for the "best monocular" (see: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=296552) I have come across the Zen-Ray ZRS 8x42 and the Opticron Oasis DBA 8x42. The Specwell and Walters monoculars reviewed in the cited thread are good for what they are (small/light 7x25s or 8x30s), but the ZRS and DBA must be the best of the best in the monocular class--they can easily compete with pocket binocs for being the best compact optics set.

Here is a quick bullet-style comparison of ZRS and DBA 8x42:
*Optically they are very similar, at least to my eyes (but there are claims by "other eyes" that the DBA is better); the only difference that I could see is that the sweet spot of the DBA is a bit larger percentage-wise; on the other hand the ZRS has a FoV that's larger by 0.5*. Also to me eyes, the DBA has a bit of CA whereas the ZRS has almost none.
*The build quality of the DBA (Made in Japan) is better---in particular the DBA has a nice rubber armor, nicer accessories (2 straps, case, 2 cleaning cloths) and a simple and practical lug for the strap; the ZRS lug has a complicated appearance, yet its protuberance can be used to hold the monoc stable when focusing. On the other hand the caps of DBA are poor (good luck with removing them from the monoc---you really need tough nails....), the ZRS caps are much better (even though the objective lens cap is a bit loose and should be used for storage only).
*The focuser stiffness of the two is nearly the same; the DBA focuser runs CW from 0 to inf in less than 1 turn, ZRS runs CCW in almost 1 turn.
*The ZRS controls glare very well and somewhat better than the DBA
*The close focus distance of the ZRS is smaller by about 3ft than the DBA's
*The DBA is heavier (by about 2oz) and larger than ZRS, which makes the ZRS a better choice as a compact optics unit.
*The DBA is 3 times more expensive than the ZRS.

Peter.

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

8x42 is awesome for a monocular.
I use 7x50 monoculars I made from IF 7x50 binoculars.(chopped)
Great for looking for turkeys and owls roosting at dusk,
while on a brisk walk, and they just hang on a lanyard easily.
Just be sure your monocs work well with glasses, since the scouting
look is their best role.

 

[PeterPS]

Chopping a binocs set to get a monocular is beyond my expertise....but thanks for your comments on using a monoc with glasses----Their ER is excellent, however using them with glasses seems a bit harder than for binocs. Fortunately I am using them w/o glasses.

 

[PeterPS]

Forgot to mention:
-In the US the ZRS monoc is readily available, but the DBA can be purchased only via special orders.
-In Europe the DBA is widely available from several retailers, and instead of the ZRS one can buy what appears to be its twin:
*Viking 8x42, at a similar price
(http://www.amazon.co.uk/Viking-0538...d=1421110747&sr=1-1&keywords=viking+monocular)
*or the more expensive Kite 8x42
(http://kiteoptics.com/en/products/type/64/Mono-ED)
which also looks like a twin of the ZRS but has somewhat different specs.

 

[pete_gamby]

8x42 is awesome for a monocular.
I use 7x50 monoculars I made from IF 7x50 binoculars.(chopped)
Great for looking for turkeys and owls roosting at dusk,
while on a brisk walk, and they just hang on a lanyard easily.
Just be sure your monocs work well with glasses, since the scouting
look is their best role.

We didn't realise someone had a patent on this We got the factory to do the chopping for us!

http://www.opticronusa.com/Pages/marine.html

(scroll down to the Marine mono)

Cheers, Pete

 

[PeterPS]

Customer Service

Regarding customer service/support:
*Zen Ray's service is excellent and there are many members of this forum who can testify to that, myself included. Charles is well known to most of us--- despite a busy schedule he always finds time to answer our emails in a courteous and helpful manner.
*Opticron's service in the UK also appears to be very good (from what I read), but I do not find too much info as to the situation in the US.