Super Deal on Leupold GR HD or Zen Ray ED2 still better? (1 Viewer)

With the current $100 rebate on the Leupold Golden Ring HDs, They seem like a no-brainer buy. In addition to that, I got some coupons from Cabelas which let me save an addition $75 of $500, making the 10x42s $525 plus tax. That is an unbelievable buy for a pair of Golden Ring HDs.

However, if they still don't compare to the Zen Ray ED2s, it doesn't really matter how good of a deal they are. I know that Leupold may have the upper hand in build quality. Company reputations and warranties aside, how do the two compare optically? Obviously the Zen Ray ED2s have phenomenal reviews for the most part. I've read great things about the Golden Rings HD, but I've also read some underwhelming reviews as well.

Are there some of you have had the opportunity to use or compare these together? Which has the better view? For the price on the Golden Ring HDs, should I snag them or are the Zen Ray ED2s that much better. Thanks.

i just evaluated the Leupold GR HD's and i am returnign them. very disappointed in them. not what i was hoping they would be

motts said:

With the current $100 rebate on the Leupold Golden Ring HDs, They seem like a no-brainer buy. In addition to that, I got some coupons from Cabelas which let me save an addition $75 of $500, making the 10x42s $525 plus tax. That is an unbelievable buy for a pair of Golden Ring HDs.

Are there some of you have had the opportunity to use or compare these together? Which has the better view? For the price on the Golden Ring HDs, should I snag them or are the Zen Ray ED2s that much better. Thanks.

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I have not handled the GR 10 x 42s but I do own both the Zen ED 8 x 43 and GR 8 x 42s. My comments, therefore, apply only to the 8X models and may be inapplicable to the 10 power glasses. However: the Zens in my opinion are a fantastic bargain and, as I have said repeatedly, are a wonderfully satisfying birding binocular. That said, however, the image through the GRs is (for my eyes) noticeably superior. The Zens might actually be somewhat brighter, but sharpness, contrast, absence of CA and, most of all, the intensity of colors makes the GR the real alpha challenger and the clear winner for WOW factor. The weight difference between the Zen and the GR is not trivial, although the supplied by Leupold harness helps greatly and both models have super warranties and super customer service. At the end of the day, $525 is an astounding price for the GR and that would be my choice assuming the 10X offers comparable performance to the 8 power.

I think Chartwell nailed it, at least IMO as I posted this info previously............

"Informal (10x) Bino Test: ZenED2, Leup GR HD, Trinovid, SLC
Had a beautiful 65 degree day yesterday and I had little to do, so I decided to compare these great binos. All are mine, except for the SLC which I borrowed from the neighbor. I used my manfrotto tripod for steadiness, along with a resolution chart. My main goal was to justify or debunk the things we've been discussing lately. I have no bias whatsoever I assure you.

Build/Fit/Finish- I still believe the Trinovid to be the industry standard for toughness and this didn't change my mind. They, along with the SLC are rock solid and reliable. The GR HD also appear to have excellent build quality, they are heavier than today's norm (I like that), and the provided objective covers and lens covers fit extremely well, and is the best I've personally seen. I've had no issues with the Zen is this area except for the cheesy obj covers that want to fall off. Obviously this is easily fixed. Now on the subject of focus wheels, the GR is silky smooth, and the Trinovid and SLC are very close. The Zen isn't quite as smooth as the other three but it doesn't prohibit the use at all. As a matter of fact it's really a non issue. In this category I'd probably have to rank them like this........Trinovid, GR/SLC tie, Zen ED2.

Where the rubber meets the road (for me anyways):
Optics-I could not tell any difference between the SLC and the Trinovid here, so I'll lump the two together. They have excellent resolution and clarity. Colors appeared normal/accurate to me at all distances. The Zen is optically amazing. It is crystal clear, bright, slightly better resolution than the SLC/Trinovid, and colors seemed accurate to me. The real surprise/sleeper was the GR HD. While not quite as bright (very slightly) as the Zen, the colors really popped into focus. I'd say it had the most impressive view overall of all of them. I'd say the Zen had ever so slightly better resolution than the GR. Rank on pure optics......Zen, GR (very close), SLC/Trinovid. We all know that the Trinovid use technology over 20 years old. Considering this it is still amazing glass, and you would absolutely not ever be handicapped by using it against anything. All 4 got me well past dusk/legal shooting time."


Chartwell said this much better than I did, but this summed it up for me also......
That said, however, the image through the GRs is (for my eyes) noticeably superior. The Zens might actually be somewhat brighter, but sharpness, contrast, absence of CA and, most of all, the intensity of colors makes the GR the real alpha challenger and the clear winner for WOW factor.

i compared the Leupold GR HD 8x42 to the Meopta Meostar 8x42 yesterday.

FOV- MEOPTA
Sweet Spot- Meopta pretty much to the edge, leupold not close here
Build quality- I preferred Meopta, the leupold feels like and old vinyl car seat, even on the eye cups, meoptas eye cups are like swaros size. Both are well-made and durable
Brightness- Meopta
Resolution- Meopta in a big way
Colors- Meopta was slightly warm, leupold was warmer. Meopta looked truer
Size/weight/balance- MEopta as its shorter and lighter
COlor fringing- COuldnt get any On-Axis CA from either, got it off axis from both
The meopta can be had new for 775, leupold with rebate 579.00.

TO me the Meopta is the Superior Bino by a large amount

308CAL said:

i compared the Leupold GR HD 8x42 to the Meopta Meostar 8x42 yesterday.
TO me the Meopta is the Superior Bino by a large amount

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I noticed from your earlier post that you were unhappy with the 10x GRs and returned them. Did you see any notable differences between the GR 8X and 10X? I actually owned for a time (and subsequently sold) both the 10 and 8 power Meopta Meostars and agree that they are excellent binoculars. I still much prefer the images from the 8X GR but I have come to realize that visual perceptions can be highly individualistic and vary significantly.

I have deep set eyes and couldn't ever get the GR's to give me a "window pane" view, always was fidgeting with IPD. I do lilke the IPD lock though.
The sweet spot in the meopta is swaroesque and that's what I'm addicted to and comfortable eyecups that are thin. The GR's were big and blocky with vinyl car seat material

308CAL said:

i compared the Leupold GR HD 8x42 to the Meopta Meostar 8x42 yesterday.

FOV- MEOPTA
Sweet Spot- Meopta pretty much to the edge, leupold not close here
Build quality- I preferred Meopta, the leupold feels like and old vinyl car seat, even on the eye cups, meoptas eye cups are like swaros size. Both are well-made and durable
Brightness- Meopta
Resolution- Meopta in a big way
Colors- Meopta was slightly warm, leupold was warmer. Meopta looked truer
Size/weight/balance- MEopta as its shorter and lighter
COlor fringing- COuldnt get any On-Axis CA from either, got it off axis from both
The meopta can be had new for 775, leupold with rebate 579.00.

TO me the Meopta is the Superior Bino by a large amount

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It is interesting how people see things differently. I compared my Zen ED2 to a Meopta and much preferred the view of the Zen Ray. The Meopta was very nice optically, appeared sturdily built, and was probably the ugliest bino I've ever laid eyes on.

Leupold GR HD (10x42) @ $699-$100-$75 Cabelas coupon = $524 is an absolute steal IMO.

you think the meopta is uglier than the gold ring?

No doubt about it. Don't get me wrong, it wouldn't keep me from using it. The GR HD I bought and tested was better than my Trinovid and SLC (all 10x). I'd also save $100 or so and get the Cabela's Euro instead of the Meopta.

308CAL said:

I have deep set eyes and couldn't ever get the GR's to give me a "window pane" view, always was fidgeting with IPD. I do lilke the IPD lock though.
The sweet spot in the meopta is swaroesque and that's what I'm addicted to and comfortable eyecups that are thin. The GR's were big and blocky with vinyl car seat material

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Thanks for the input. Obviously ergonomics are subjective and vary by individual. I find it interesting that you prefer the Meopta thin-style eyecups. I'm sure many others do as well, but in various Meopta reviews that I've read, that is most people's criticism of the Meostar is their eyecups.

I did briefly look through the Meopta a few months ago, and I really enjoyed the view. Seems like a great bino, and it's commonly recommended as one of the best under $1000. I'm mostly considering the Leupold right now because of the rebate + my Cabelas coupon. I'm also hoping that the calcium flouride treatment on the lenses will help reduce CA. I've heard that the Golden Ring HD and Meopta are very close optically. Some prefer one, while others prefer the other.

motts said:

Thanks for the input. Obviously ergonomics are subjective and vary by individual. I find it interesting that you prefer the Meopta thin-style eyecups. I'm sure many others do as well, but in various Meopta reviews that I've read, that is most people's criticism of the Meostar is their eyecups..

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I also found the Meopta eyecups uncomfortable and this was the main reason for selling mine. I also found the eyecups on the pre-HD GR huge and also very uncomfortable. The HD versions (at least on the 42mm models) are much improved.

I believe I read a post by Steve C that there was a very close relationship between the Gold Ring HD and the Kowa Genesis ED bins. They may be the same bino optics wise, and their appearance is very similar also. That's just another big plus for this Leupold IMO as Kowa, obviously, has world class glass.

Well, I decided I'm going to get the Leupy GR HD...just too good of a deal to pass up. Now...I just need to decide between 8x and 10x:h?: I've normally used 10x, but I'm wondering if I might benefit from 8x. I live in Utah, and will usually be using the binos for hunting. Typically, I'm looking across open spaces, across mountain canyons and pockets, and I rarely have access to a spotting scope. I've never noticed myself having a problem holding 10x steady, but then again, I've never used 8x. I'm leaning towards 10x, where I'm out west here, but I'll have to think about it for a day or two and see if I can make it into Sportsman's Warehouse to try them.

You're going be very impressed motts. You could always have Cabelas send you both pair and just send one of them back. I hunt open country like you do, and I've never seen the need for 8x. I'll be anxious to hear your impressions when you get them.

chartwell99 said:

I have not handled the GR 10 x 42s but I do own both the Zen ED 8 x 43 and GR 8 x 42s. My comments, therefore, apply only to the 8X models and may be inapplicable to the 10 power glasses. However: the Zens in my opinion are a fantastic bargain and, as I have said repeatedly, are a wonderfully satisfying birding binocular. That said, however, the image through the GRs is (for my eyes) noticeably superior. The Zens might actually be somewhat brighter, but sharpness, contrast, absence of CA and, most of all, the intensity of colors makes the GR the real alpha challenger and the clear winner for WOW factor. The weight difference between the Zen and the GR is not trivial, although the supplied by Leupold harness helps greatly and both models have super warranties and super customer service. At the end of the day, $525 is an astounding price for the GR and that would be my choice assuming the 10X offers comparable performance to the 8 power.

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That's exactly what I saw. The GR is a very fine optic, and, in a pinch, a pretty good tent stake hammer too.

The more I use my 8x32 HD the more I like it! As I posted on the Leupold's thread they don't overwhelm me but, they certainly don't underwhelm me!!! They are good in pretty much all areas! (GOOD) As in optics, build and accesories! I won't be letting go of mine any time soon! Bryce...

stereotruckdriver said:

The more I use my 8x32 HD the more I like it! As I posted on the Leupold's thread they don't overwhelm me but, they certainly don't underwhelm me!!! They are good in pretty much all areas! (GOOD) As in optics, build and accesories! I won't be letting go of mine any time soon! Bryce...

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I'm with Bryce on the 8x32 GR HD's. I just got a pair to backup my 8x32 Nikon SE's for rainy days. Optics-wise, there are areas where the SE's are superior (field flatness, edge sharpness, center resolution), and there are areas where the GR's are better (FOV, color neutrality). But unless you switch between the two pairs back and forth, you'd be hard pressed to notice the shortcomings of the GR's. The 8x32 GR HD's are, in my opinion, at least 90% of the view of 8x32 SE's, but in a compact waterproof package. I'm very glad now that I can bring my "backup" bins to the field without feeling optically deprived.

Ning