"I agree with Frank that the zoom is bright and sharp at the 50x setting, in fact brighter and sharper than the Zen scope allows you to see. I didn't find it to be any better than the 20-60x set at 50x. Neither compromises the scope's performance. It's the scope that compromises the eyepieces."
Henry Link,post 23,paragraph 6#
Hi there...I got the Swarovski 30XWA today..It is the older version,without a locking pin retainer,and does fit the ZEN bayonet perfectly.The fit is secure and tight.It is a small,lightweight eyepiece too,a bit taller that the Zen 30X but not larger ...The eyepiece JUST ..I mean..I fell in love instantly..beautiful ,amazing,you name it...
the 20-60X Zoom might be a superb eyepiece,but in my opinion,after today´s brief observation, does Not bring everything the scope is capable to the table,neither does the ZEN 30X,..The improvement is SO evident that there is no need to side by side comparing the views,..I can clearly tell that the zoom @ 30X doesn´t show this kind of detail..plus the image snaps in focus positively...The Swarovski 30XWA view is about as wide as the Zen 30X,but with better edge performance,and better performance in every other regard,including CA..Within the distortion free area of the image,probably about an 85% ,that is already sharp,there is a central Sweet spot,not huge,but large enough,and very, very SHARP..crispness..detail...texture..contrast...All there..
I love it..I catched a kestrel flying far,far ,far away ,while viewing from my roof ,and the view and detail impressed me, got me excited about the scope, and in other words,Convinced Me!...
I must say that ,using the ZEN eyepieces, I was happy with the view ,but not impressed to the WOW factor..today I WOWED!..
So at the moment I disagree with Henry Link in His view ..I see that the limiting factor ,in my unit at least ,was the eyepiece....It was good ,but today ,with a different eyepiece(an exceptional one)the scope showed exceptional performance.