[gwsudiro]

The story : IF...just IF......
You don't have any binoculars and want to have one...just one! And then someone offers you, a BRAND NEW Zen Ray ED2 43 at it's regular price and a BRAND NEW Swarovski EL 42 2009 (with all complete "SwarSwar"-coating) at $500....

You have the money to spend of course....
Only you don't have any alternative option of binos....

What binos will you choose?? And why??

Just for fun...^^ cheers

Galih

[brocknroller]

Originally Posted by gwsudiro

The story : IF...just IF......
You don't have any binoculars and want to have one...just one! And then someone offers you, a BRAND NEW Zen Ray ED2 43 at it's regular price and a BRAND NEW Swarovski EL 42 2009 (with all complete "SwarSwar"-coating) at $500....

You have the money to spend of course....
Only you don't have any alternative option of binos....

What binos will you choose?? And why??

Just for fun...^^ cheers

Galih

Is this the same guy that was on eBay selling BRAND NEW Swaro ELs straight to your door in 48 hours from Germany (not sure why Germany, guess it's close to Austria or maybe he didn't realize they were made in Austria)?

He wanted only $500 for the EL. But the catch was that you had to send him the money via Western Union.

I wonder how many people fell for that scam? I reported him and he turned up a week later on eBay, under a different name, with over 100 positive ratings (just like the other name), selling BRAND NEW Leica Ultravids for $500. Same deal as before.

At least with the ZR, they would probably be the real deal for that price.

Rule of Acquisition (no number): Always inspect the merchandise before making a deal.

Of course, if this were an "in-person" transaction and I got to check out the optics before buying, of course, I'd go for the Swaro for $500.

Any Ferengi could tell you what to do in that situation.

You price the EL for quick sale at $2,200 and then buy the ZR for $500 and make a net profit of $1,700.

Rule of Acquisition # 208: Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than a question is an answer.

[Kevin Conville]

Pretty silly question. Show me a single person who'd choose the Zen. I'll show you an idiot.

[gwsudiro]

Hi Brock ^^

Nope, I'm not that guy..... And I don't know a brand new Swarovski EL at $500 is really exist in the real world...

Except on special condition : your friend had them as birthday present, he didn't like it, and then sell it for $500.....just an example..^^

Cheers

Galih

[gwsudiro]

Hi Kevin ^^

I just want to know, what will peoples prefer, a bino with all the advantages of ED glass and high quality image (according many reviews, Zen are superb...) versus a "naturally aspirated" binoculars with build quality (superb optics too, in it's own way) and some kind of shining charisma on it.....

Just want to eliminate the price factor/resale value ,etc.....I hope I don't mess up..^^¡

Cheers

Galih

[Tero]

I will take the Swaro. The focus on these Chinese ED binos is slow. And anyway, you asked aboput an 8x, no big deal, almost any quality 8x will do for me. I probably would pick a Pentax ED 8x32 if you gave me 900 and say I have to pick one of the three.

Now 10x, that is different.

[temmie]

For me the Zen Rays and a ticket to Sulawesi, Halmahera and West-Papua before all forest is cut and birds extinct.

[gwsudiro]

hi temmie! ^^

You prefered the Zen...why not Swarovski?? (just $500! In this scenario, of course...hihihi ^^¡)
Are you a CA-sensitive? Or you just don't like Swaro? May I know why??

Cheers
Galih

[temmie]

You may know everything, as I don't have secrets (to share!).

I prefer a 8x32 EL open bridge for the ergonomics (but not the 8.5*42 or 10*42), but I am very light sensitive, so I have to have those bins with most light possible (i.e. 7x36 Zen Ray or 7x42 FL) for forest birding. I guess I am just addicted to the light. I am slightly CA sensitive, but not that much that I notice it in the top bins. I don't care too much about off-axis sharpness, as I usually spend a lot of time identifying birds, so the bins go up-and-down from hanging around my neck to positioning in front of my eyes for a short time, but I don't spend hours observing one specific bird...

The 7x gives me the easiest view, it's like they are naturally extending my eye-sight. With 10x bins I can say wow when I look through them, but they give me a headache when I constantly have to refocus and have more trouble getting quick-moving birds into view. I wear glasses, by the way, and the 7x42 FL I currently have gives me the best unhampered field of view in any bin I tried.

What I don't like about Swarovski is their price combined with not better performing for CA or light transmission than Zeiss. I like the open bridge design, but as said, only for the slender tubes of the x32. I also like the fast focus in my Zeiss...

[ronh]

Not having tried the Zen, I feel like a silly snob for saying I'd take the Swaro in a flash, but there it is. Even though the Swaro's CA bothers me in harsh light, that is the only thing I can find wrong with it. It exudes mechanical fineness, has a sterling reputation and maintainence organization, a picture window view that any optics head would find impressive, and gives excellent star images. It is even a widely imitated but easily recognized status symbol! If the Zen does all that, as well as banish CA, I'll change my mind.
Ron

[gwsudiro]

okay temmie.. ^^ thanks...

Tero choosed Swaro, Temmie choosed the Zen and momentarily, Ron choosed Swaro....anyone else?? ^^

[falcondude]

I was reluctant to reply to this thread because I don't think the scenario is any where near reality. But, what the heck. :)

If I can get the new 2009 EL for $500, sure, I will take it and sell it for $2000. Then, I will spend $400 of that profit to get ZEN ED2 and pocket the rest. Not that ZEN ED2 is better or equivalent to the latest Swaro. The $$$ is calling that is hard to resist.

[gwsudiro]

hi falcondude... ^_^, yes! It's just fantasy....

No no no..^^¡ It's about what binocular will you choose to have with you...okay okay, I'm a bit delusional here..(gyaahahaha!!)..we try to eliminate money factor...of course not in a scenario that we have those bins for free...got to make a little sacrificing scenario..$500 or +- $360...

So, from your post, if eyes "talk" (not money "talks"), you will vote for Zen....right?? ^^¡

Cheers
Galih

[orbitaljump]

You price the EL for quick sale at $2,200 and then buy the ZR for $500 and make a net profit of $1,700.

Brocknroller hit it out of the park.

[Kevin Conville]

Interesting math you guys use.

-$500. + 2200. -380.= $1320. Still, a good haul. Where do I get this deal?

I guessed the $380. # for the Zen.

Then I would sell the Zens for $250 cash, add that to my remaining $1320., + a couple of bucks, and buy a demo pair of Leica 8x42 HDs from Doug. Then I'd be left to wonder, while I'm birding with my new bins, why I bought the Zens at all!

Originally Posted by brocknroller

Rule of Acquisition # 208: Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than a question is an answer.

[NDhunter]

Originally Posted by Kevin Conville

Interesting math you guys use.

-$500. + 2200. -380.= $1320. Still, a good haul. Where do I get this deal?

I guessed the $380. # for the Zen.

Then I would sell the Zens for $250 cash, add that to my remaining $1320. and buy a demo pair of Leica 8x42 HDs from Doug. Then I'd be left to wonder, while I'm birding with my new bins, why I bought the Zens at all!

Kevin:
Good thinking, I think you've got it. This thread started out with a dream, and you are there.

But, you know if you could end up with the new Swaro. for $500 more, you may rethink!!

Much better than ending up with a ZR.

Jerry