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Zen Ray ED2 7x36 evaluations and review (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Kevin Purcell
- Start date
I'm glad you guys have enjoyed the view as much as I have in my 10x43's, simply fantastic. I don't know where you ordered from but I bought mine here, and at a discount (?) it seems. Just trying to help. Good luck.
http://swfa.com/Zen-Ray-Zen-ED2-Binoculars-C2703.aspx
Also, Eagle Optics has some objective lens covers that fit much better than the ones that come with the Zen's...I've used these on my Leica's for a few years and no problems yet.....
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocula...tics-tethered-binocular-lens-cover-set-medium
http://swfa.com/Zen-Ray-Zen-ED2-Binoculars-C2703.aspx
Also, Eagle Optics has some objective lens covers that fit much better than the ones that come with the Zen's...I've used these on my Leica's for a few years and no problems yet.....
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocula...tics-tethered-binocular-lens-cover-set-medium
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falcondude
Well-known member
government, government.... how much is your "big" tax?
This is the tax if I ship via USPS.
If I ship via UPS, you can add more 18%.
So, 78% of taxes.
If you are a company, the percentage is higher than 120%.
:-C
What! I know this is a ZR party and love fest but have you ever heard of a bin called Nikon SE? You can have a SE 8x32 for the same price as a ZR 8x32 and I'm pretty sure they give competition.....
FrankD
Well-known member
They make an 8x32 ZR ED?
;-)
Sorry, I could not resist.
The SEs are a wonderful binocular and among the best optically on the planet. The simple fact that they are not waterproof deters alot of folks. If image quality alone were the sole factor in choosing a binocular then the SEs would be at the top of the list for price versus performance.
...but the Zen ED 2 would not be far behind.
They make an 8x32 ZR ED?
;-)
Sorry, I could not resist.
The SEs are a wonderful binocular and among the best optically on the planet. The simple fact that they are not waterproof deters alot of folks. If image quality alone were the sole factor in choosing a binocular then the SEs would be at the top of the list for price versus performance.
...but the Zen ED 2 would not be far behind.
Yea, you got me :smoke: I just got a little flustered with the statement:-C 7x36 ZR ED2
And I would like to believe that most of us here will see a lot more excellence in a bin like the SE and will find ways to use them even in adverse conditions because they are worth it. By the way, I've had my 10x SE's in the rain so much now that I consider the non water proof argument bunk! They have NEVER had any water penetrate and still look as new as the day I bought them. Just try not to drop them in the swimming pool as your looking at the bikini clad guests :-O
How much water landed on the objectives, eyepieces and optical tubes? Did you focus while water was falling on the binocular?
John
PS
I'm waiting for the defintive SE shower test to show up on YouTube. I'm pretty sure it will be a long wait!
FrankD
Well-known member
Actually John, Kevin P. bought a second 8x32 SE and a second 10x42 SE to utilize over the winter in Oregon in a bit of a "torture test" to see how much abuse (handling and weather) they will hold up to. I look forward to seeing what he posts next spring.
CL,
As John referenced in another thread "perception is often reality" for many folks. Even if the SEs never get water inside of them the perception that folks hold of them because they are not advertised as "waterproof" will often be one that is "less than perfect".
Sad but true.
The only thing that is "sadder" in my opinion is the fact that Nikon never took the initiative to waterproof them and give them modern eyecups. John and I have discussed this several times and the only conclusion that seems to make sense to me is that waterproofing them would somehow affect the mechanical performance.
CL,
As John referenced in another thread "perception is often reality" for many folks. Even if the SEs never get water inside of them the perception that folks hold of them because they are not advertised as "waterproof" will often be one that is "less than perfect".
Sad but true.
The only thing that is "sadder" in my opinion is the fact that Nikon never took the initiative to waterproof them and give them modern eyecups. John and I have discussed this several times and the only conclusion that seems to make sense to me is that waterproofing them would somehow affect the mechanical performance.
Frank,
This is very simple science. All someone has to do is stand under running water for 30 minutes…using the SE as intended. If it doesn't get soaking wet, top to bottom, the test is invalid. I doubt anyone is going to do this, but who knows. A short video could prove me wrong.
The SE is NOT WATERTIGHT and, therefore, NOT WATERPROOF. Long-term SE owners probably know this because dust eventually works its way inside due to the bellows effect. Given the chance, water will too.
John
How much water (rain) on the bin... I have had them completely soaked from objective to eye piece several times. Now when glassing at distances that I usually do there is not much focusing but yes I have focused them in the rain when they were wet. Really I have two very good backups (if I can call them that?) a swaro 10x42el and a leica 10x42 brf. So, I'm not worried in the slightest about getting water in them. If I do I pick up the el and continue on. I have purposely tested the se's and they have held up perfectly so far. And as I have said before, if they fail I will send them in for repair and post the failure here as soon as it happens. But so far they have gone through a summer monsoon season in NM where they were rained on good several times and drizzled on many times (both producing the same effect.... A wet bin) and have not leaked.
The youtube posting is a good suggestion. We often take a video camera out during preseason scouting trips but not so much during hunts. We are going to film during a hunt in October and it can rain and snow at that time of year so if it does I'll post my smiley face with the se's in the rain. If between hunts a rain storm creeps in I'll run out and film it too! Just to please the nay sayers!
And one last thing.... I know this is a ZR forum but when you post things like "its the best bin" at a given price point you open the door! You all know I'm critical of ZR and not because of ownership but because I just don't think they are even close the the big four in overall quality and I think the strugles of the 7x36 ED2 illustrate this perfectly.... I believe the Nikon Monarch X would be my pick for a new bought fully sealed bin in this price range but there are to many deals on true Alphas that buying used is the only way to go, in my book, in this price range...
FrankD
Well-known member
My first thought after reading your last comments CL is....where can you find used Alphas in the $400-$500 range?
I do alot of "bargain binocular shopping" and know all of the usual outlets to get Zeiss/Leica/Swaro/Nikon "alphas" at the best prices. I have never seen any of them go in that price range. (Not being argumentative but rather just curious)
As for the ZR and the Nikon Monarch X, ofcourse, I can understand your stance on buying one over the other. Nikon has been around for decades and Zen Ray has only been around for the last 4 or 5 years (to my knowledge). Having confidence in your equipment because of the long term reputation of a company makes alot of sense.
On the other hand, if you placed the Zen Ray ED 2 8x43 side by side with the Monarch X 8.5x43 I think you would find some simple "truths".
One, the build quality is similar, as I would expect it to be considering they both sell at the same price point.
Two, the optics aren't even close...in any category. Brightness, apparent sharpness, vividness of colors, field of view...you name it. They all favor the Zen ED 2....and I did not even mention CA control which I personally feel the 8x43 ED 2 excels at.
Now you did reference the 7x36 ED 2 specifically. With that comment I would concur. It still needs some tweeking to get it to the optical level of the 8x43 model. CA isn't quite as well controlled, there is more field curvature and the eye relief needs to be another 2 mm longer. Still, after having said all that, it is still the nicest 7x36 currently on the market from an optical performance perspective.
For $400 I still think it is certainly worth the price.
I do alot of "bargain binocular shopping" and know all of the usual outlets to get Zeiss/Leica/Swaro/Nikon "alphas" at the best prices. I have never seen any of them go in that price range. (Not being argumentative but rather just curious)
As for the ZR and the Nikon Monarch X, ofcourse, I can understand your stance on buying one over the other. Nikon has been around for decades and Zen Ray has only been around for the last 4 or 5 years (to my knowledge). Having confidence in your equipment because of the long term reputation of a company makes alot of sense.
On the other hand, if you placed the Zen Ray ED 2 8x43 side by side with the Monarch X 8.5x43 I think you would find some simple "truths".
One, the build quality is similar, as I would expect it to be considering they both sell at the same price point.
Two, the optics aren't even close...in any category. Brightness, apparent sharpness, vividness of colors, field of view...you name it. They all favor the Zen ED 2....and I did not even mention CA control which I personally feel the 8x43 ED 2 excels at.
Now you did reference the 7x36 ED 2 specifically. With that comment I would concur. It still needs some tweeking to get it to the optical level of the 8x43 model. CA isn't quite as well controlled, there is more field curvature and the eye relief needs to be another 2 mm longer. Still, after having said all that, it is still the nicest 7x36 currently on the market from an optical performance perspective.
For $400 I still think it is certainly worth the price.
Steve C
Well-known member
I have to agree with Frank about the Monarch X.
I have to disagree with him a little, as my 8x43 ZEN ED 2 has been REPLACED by the 7x36. That 7x36 is the best glass I have had much to do with. The CA control is no less well done in the 7x36.
The 8x43 is going back for a 10x43 and the 10x42 Viper is going on the resale trail.
As you said "to each their own" and as I said "I would buy new I wouldn't buy used"....... 8x30 SLC just sold on ebay for $440 auction #250487024660, a 7x42 Habicht sold for $475 auction #230372893578 and a brand new set of 8x30 SLC's just sold on ebay for $765.... That is three pair of Swarovski, two for under $500 and one new pair for just over the mark. Their were many more that sold in the $500 to $600 range.... Now I ask you, would you own a ZR over a Swarovski?
chartwell99
Well-known member
Actually, it's a no brainer. The 8 x 30 SLC requires a front of the hinge focus by pinky love for an OK but not special by modern standards image, and the 7 x 42 is a narrow field ultra sharp museum piece. I continue to be amazed by my 7 x 36 Zen (and yes, it shows flare occasionally). This is migratory season for South Texas and the Zen has been an absolute godsend.
Yes the SLC is not the most ergonomic bin but is still very usable and I think a lot of people would disagree with you optical evaluation of it.....
But hey, have fun with your ZR's
FrankD
Well-known member
Ahh, point taken. It does seem as if a few sneek through at some very respective prices.
Would I choose the Zen ED over a Swarovski....
...sorry, I have this big smile on my face right now...
...but I did in a way. If you could go back and pull up some of my threads on the Promaster ELX Infiniti Elite ELX then you would notice I had both the Swaro 8.5x42 EL and the 8x32 EL at the same time as the Promaster. I actually sold the larger EL in favor of the Promaster because of the difference in optical performance (centerfield apparent sharpness and overall CA control). Looking at both side by side I could not find a way to justify the cost difference when comparing the optical performance. The Promaster did not have the edge sharpness of the EL but in just about every other category it equalled it and did better it in the two areas I mentioned above.
Now, after saying that, I will say that I found the Zen Ray original ED to be of better fit and finish with ever so slightly better image quality in comparison to the Promaster (wider field of view, slightly brighter). The new Zen ED2 is, again, just noticeably better in brightness and contrast from the original.
So, if the question is, would I choose a Swarovski over the Zen ED 2 then my answer would be, no, I wouldn't. I would be in more of the crowd that would be happier buying 4 Zen ED 2s for the price of one Swaro EL. Even if Zen Ray wouldn't be around 10 or 15 years from now I would be willing to bet that I would still have a Zen ED or two in my possession and would still be happy as the proverbial pig in snot.
Admittedly though I am not one of the fanatics who blindly spouts praise on a binocular without realizing its drawbacks and understanding my particular approach to the issue. I am not a birding guide. I am not a hunting guide. I don't regularly take trips around the US or outside of the US to do birding or hunting either. I bird in and around my local area and use my equipment in a responsible manner. For that type of use I cannot see the benefit of a Swaro over the Zen Ray.
...and, just to clarify, I am in no way trying to convince anyone to feel the same as I do and I am not attempting to be argumentative but rather just commenting on the issue at hand with my own experiences.
Would I choose the Zen ED over a Swarovski....
...sorry, I have this big smile on my face right now...
...but I did in a way. If you could go back and pull up some of my threads on the Promaster ELX Infiniti Elite ELX then you would notice I had both the Swaro 8.5x42 EL and the 8x32 EL at the same time as the Promaster. I actually sold the larger EL in favor of the Promaster because of the difference in optical performance (centerfield apparent sharpness and overall CA control). Looking at both side by side I could not find a way to justify the cost difference when comparing the optical performance. The Promaster did not have the edge sharpness of the EL but in just about every other category it equalled it and did better it in the two areas I mentioned above.
Now, after saying that, I will say that I found the Zen Ray original ED to be of better fit and finish with ever so slightly better image quality in comparison to the Promaster (wider field of view, slightly brighter). The new Zen ED2 is, again, just noticeably better in brightness and contrast from the original.
So, if the question is, would I choose a Swarovski over the Zen ED 2 then my answer would be, no, I wouldn't. I would be in more of the crowd that would be happier buying 4 Zen ED 2s for the price of one Swaro EL. Even if Zen Ray wouldn't be around 10 or 15 years from now I would be willing to bet that I would still have a Zen ED or two in my possession and would still be happy as the proverbial pig in snot.
Admittedly though I am not one of the fanatics who blindly spouts praise on a binocular without realizing its drawbacks and understanding my particular approach to the issue. I am not a birding guide. I am not a hunting guide. I don't regularly take trips around the US or outside of the US to do birding or hunting either. I bird in and around my local area and use my equipment in a responsible manner. For that type of use I cannot see the benefit of a Swaro over the Zen Ray.
...and, just to clarify, I am in no way trying to convince anyone to feel the same as I do and I am not attempting to be argumentative but rather just commenting on the issue at hand with my own experiences.
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NDhunter
Experienced observer
Frank:
(Quote)
Now you did reference the 7x36 ED 2 specifically. With that comment I would concur. It still needs some tweeking to get it to the optical level of the 8x43 model. CA isn't quite as well controlled, there is more field curvature and the eye relief needs to be another 2 mm longer. Still, after having said all that, it is still the nicest 7x36 currently on the market from an optical performance perspective.
For $400 I still think it is certainly worth the price.[/QUOTE]
After getting tired of reading all the glorious praise of the ZR 7x36, I feel I must respond again like I did much earlier in this long drawn out thread.
5 minutes after looking through my ZR 7x36 ED2, the flare, glare, cloudy edges, gray bottom crescent I saw while viewing through them was a great disappointment. And I returned them a few days later. I am accustomed to Swaro. glass, several Premiere and regular Nikons, and many others, and I guess I am spoiled with the great edge performance, and so anything like this is a big dealbreaker for me ever to put up with that. I do give credit for the very nice bright sweet spot, but my eyes become drawn to the edges and I can't handle that.
For those who don't or won't see the problems I've seen, good for you, but some hear should recognize the negative reports that have been posted. And that may change the tune of universal greatness. Many opinions here on these, my opinion of the ZR 7x36 is not positive.
(Quote)
Now you did reference the 7x36 ED 2 specifically. With that comment I would concur. It still needs some tweeking to get it to the optical level of the 8x43 model. CA isn't quite as well controlled, there is more field curvature and the eye relief needs to be another 2 mm longer. Still, after having said all that, it is still the nicest 7x36 currently on the market from an optical performance perspective.
For $400 I still think it is certainly worth the price.[/QUOTE]
After getting tired of reading all the glorious praise of the ZR 7x36, I feel I must respond again like I did much earlier in this long drawn out thread.
5 minutes after looking through my ZR 7x36 ED2, the flare, glare, cloudy edges, gray bottom crescent I saw while viewing through them was a great disappointment. And I returned them a few days later. I am accustomed to Swaro. glass, several Premiere and regular Nikons, and many others, and I guess I am spoiled with the great edge performance, and so anything like this is a big dealbreaker for me ever to put up with that. I do give credit for the very nice bright sweet spot, but my eyes become drawn to the edges and I can't handle that.
For those who don't or won't see the problems I've seen, good for you, but some hear should recognize the negative reports that have been posted. And that may change the tune of universal greatness. Many opinions here on these, my opinion of the ZR 7x36 is not positive.
Well the question was whether the ZR 7x36 ED2 was the best buy in the $400 to $500 range and I flatly say no! I'm not talking EL's and their 2k price tag (although they can be had for half that on the used market) I'm saying that the 8x30 SLC is a better buy and I'm sticking with that.... You can have the ZR and I'll take the little Swarovski with swarotop, swarodur, and swarobright....
You can have the issues that have ALREADY arisen with your 7x36's ZR and try to deal with their customer warranty department and I'll take the technical excellence and build quality of the Swarovski fully knowing that if I ever damage it through careless neglect they will rebuild them better than new for free or next to nothing as they have been for their 30+ year presence here in the US....
Anyway I'm done trying to talk sense here on this thread that I have hijacked so I'll give it back to the ZR army!
