[ZEN-RAY]

Dear BirdForum Members,

The long-awaited ZEN-RAY PRIME HD (tm) binoculars is just around corner. Packed with features that can only be found in the best of the best among the binoculars Hall of Fame, PRIME HD leaves little to second guess what you see. An edge-to-edge crisp, brilliant, flawless image is delivered thanks to one of the most sophisticated eyepiece design. Rugged and lightweight magnesium chassis that secures the optical core inside is enhanced with sleek, balanced body design. These high end binoculars are constructed with complementary ED lenses and state of the art dielectric coating for perfection in color fidelity and contrast.

Available in both 8x42 and 10x42

Optics

• 5 group/6 elements eyepiece featuring doublet field flattener lenses
• Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass for chromatic abberation free image
• Second Generation VividBriteTM Ultra High Reflectivity (UHR) Dielectic Prism Coating for maximal brightness
• CrystalViewTM water/oil repellent coating
• Fully broadband multi-coated optics allows 99.7% light transmission at each glass/air interface
• Phase-correction with BAK-4 roof prisms
• Large 42mm objective lenses for crisp, bright imaging.

Structural

• SpeedDial2TM focus wheel offers responsive focus rate
• Tripod adapter sockets to offer balanced support for tripod users
• New: Enhanced eyecup design for eye glasses wearers
• Heavy-duty, 100% waterproof /f ogproof construction: Argon charged
• Metal alloy enforced multi-stage Twist-up rubber eyecups
• Diopter adjustment to fine tuning focus
• Extra large center focus knob for smooth and precise focus
• Ergonomic shape for stress free use
• Rubber armor absorbs shock

Lifetime No Fault Warranty

Both models are available for customers to pre-order for May 25th delivery. Now is the best time to reserve this most advanced observation device with special that's only available to Pre-order customers (use coupon code PRIME to save 25%). Accessories include premium soft carrying case, cushioned deluxe neckstrap.

**The number of units for Pre-order is very limited at the special price. no raincheck**

To Order, Please Visit Here

Please PM me if you have any question.

Charles

[black crow]

Thanks Charles.

[WilsonsWarbler]

Thanks for the info!

20mm of eye relief for the 10x? Geez, that's a lot! If the eye-cups don't cut down much on the usable amount (guessing they don't) that's a real winner for people with glasses!

[BruceH]

Charles .... Congratulations on getting this new model to market! I bet it took a lot of work to get to this point.

Couple of general interest questions:

1) What is the Zen-Ray satisfaction guaranteed policy on the pre-order? The general policy on the Zen-Ray web page states "If you are not totally satisfied with your purchase, you may return it to us for a full refund* (less shipping charges) within 30 days** of placing the order".

Shipment is estimated to be around May 25th. That is well past 30 days if the pre-order is placed now. Additionally, the web site policy is somewhat unusual as most vendor policies I have read state a policy of x number of days after delivery. Also, I have no idea what the "**" means in the above quoted sentence. Since the buyer has little control over the shipping process and possible delays, I would feel much more comfortable if the "from date of placing order" clause was revised to "from date of delivery of order".

2) Assuming payment by credit card, when will the card be charged? (Time of order or time of shipment?)

As an FYI, the Warranty Information" web page does not yet document the 'no fault' clause that applies to the Prime HD model.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

[ZEN-RAY]

BruceH,

Excellent questions. The new pre-order related update will be provided this week once the website is updated.

For pre-ordered binoculars, the 30-day return policy is extended from date when the binoculars is delivered. So you are well covered. Yes, the credit card will be charged upon receiving the order. The no-fault policy is as simple as its name implies: we will take care of you, the customers, should anything happen to the binoculars. The warranty information has been routed for publishing. Should be up some time next week.

Thanks

Charles

[Stet]

Would like to relate my initial experience with a Zen Ray return. My first ever binocular purchase was the Zen-Ray ED3 8x43. Although I loved the optics, at the time I could not get used to using them without experiencing blackouts. Zen-Ray suggested the technique I now use of resting them on my eyebrows or ordering the ED2 model. It was awkward at the time to use that technique, so I ended up ordering the ED2's. I misread the return policy and assumed it was 30 days after delivery date, so I kept the ED3's to compare thinking I had enough time. When I did get to compare them I was more comfortable with the ED2's. When I went to return them, I then correctly read the return policy and found that I was several days past the 30 days already. I wrote Zen-Ray and explained the situation and they were gracious enough to allow me to return them for a refund anyway.

Another experience I had with their customer service was just recently. My ED2's were out of collimation and when I notified them they told me to send them in for service. When I sent them in for service, I made what I thought was a long shot request. I asked if I could buy a 7x43 ED3 at a reduced price, instead of having my ED2's serviced and returned. To my amazement they were willing to fill this request and I am now a very very happy owner of the 7x43 ED3's. These are great binoculars, which I plan on adding my experiences to the 7x43 thread shortly.

So far I have been more than happy with my dealings with Zen-Ray and look forward to the Primes.

[jgraider]

Charles, just to be clear.....you're going to charge my credit card and have my money a full 60+ days before delivery? Really?

[vop]

You don't have to pre-order. You could wait until they are in stock...

[jgraider]

If you read the thread at all before you posted, you'd read that it may not be at the special pre-order price.....meaning probably more money. That's why the pre-order is appealing.

[vop]

... so if you'll save some money, why complain about paying in advance...

[tazzilla]

Any time you place an order they are going to charge your card plain and simple that way when they ship out there is no issue with the funds not being there to complete your order.

I am excited to see how everyone likes them I just bought the Alpen rainer 10x42 HD Ed for $650 shipped and insured the $560 price is much better but are the optics?

[eitanaltman]

Originally Posted by Stet

Would like to relate my initial experience with a Zen Ray return. My first ever binocular purchase was the Zen-Ray ED3 8x43. Although I loved the optics, at the time I could not get used to using them without experiencing blackouts. Zen-Ray suggested the technique I now use of resting them on my eyebrows or ordering the ED2 model. It was awkward at the time to use that technique, so I ended up ordering the ED2's. I misread the return policy and assumed it was 30 days after delivery date, so I kept the ED3's to compare thinking I had enough time. When I did get to compare them I was more comfortable with the ED2's. When I went to return them, I then correctly read the return policy and found that I was several days past the 30 days already. I wrote Zen-Ray and explained the situation and they were gracious enough to allow me to return them for a refund anyway.

Another experience I had with their customer service was just recently. My ED2's were out of collimation and when I notified them they told me to send them in for service. When I sent them in for service, I made what I thought was a long shot request. I asked if I could buy a 7x43 ED3 at a reduced price, instead of having my ED2's serviced and returned. To my amazement they were willing to fill this request and I am now a very very happy owner of the 7x43 ED3's. These are great binoculars, which I plan on adding my experiences to the 7x43 thread shortly.

So far I have been more than happy with my dealings with Zen-Ray and look forward to the Primes.

I will second the above and add another voice to the chorus of those extremely satisfied with Charles and Zen-Ray's service. I recently had an "issue" with my 8x43 ED3's (and by issue I meant that I dropped them!) and Charles was incredibly gracious and made sure I was taken care of.

Rest assured, this is not a company that will stick to the "letter of the law" at the expense of their customers. Charles knows how to provide customer service and always goes above and beyond

[spacepilot]

Charles, how is the focus speed of the Prime HD vs. the speed of the ED3?

[FrankD]

I think he said it was just a bit slower than the ED3. I forget the exact revolution number but it was somewhere between the ED2 and ED3.

[spacepilot]

Originally Posted by FrankD

I think he said it was just a bit slower than the ED3. I forget the exact revolution number but it was somewhere between the ED2 and ED3.

Thanks, Frank. So that would put the Prime HD speed in the neighborhood of the Nikon SE?

[Slider817]

Very Pumped.

Just placed my Pre-Order for the Prime 10x42

Just can't wait till May

[jgraider]

I've got some ordered also. My guess is that the gap between the ridiculously overpriced alphas and the premium featured, value packed non-alphas will be narrowed even further by the release of this glass. I'm expecting great things myself.

[winwinbino]

Hi Charles,

The 30 days return policy calculated from the date of delivery of course better than from the ordering date, but I am living in Thailand. Any special arrangement for overseas orders ?

Andy

[BruceH]

Just a heads up that the Zen-Ray website as of this morning is still showing the "pre-order" 25% discount code on the Prime HD to expire today (4-15-2012).

It is anybody's guess what will happen after today. In my relatively short time of following Zen-Ray, their promotion dates seem to slide or the prices get changed around. I doubt that the price will be any lower for a while, if ever (excluding future demos, closeout). I think I would be smart to leave any other speculation to those who have followed Zen-Ray a lot longer than I have.

[Steve C]

I'd bet we are seeing the pre orders are getting to the point where they equal the size of the initial production order, nothing more. If Zen Ray follows past history, I'd also bet we'll see a more or less stable price of $650 or so.

Since I'm betting here, I will say that within a year or so we'll see a noticeable bump up in prices of Chinese optics.

[BruceH]

I attempted to estimate my own unstated stable price of the Prime HD based on the going price of the ED3, since the Prime is based on the ED3, but with lens flatteners. I guessed that would add about $200, giving a $600 - $650 price.

(I know I said I would leave any additional speculation to others, so let me "word twist" a little here and just say I am agreeing with Steve's post! )

Are there any long time followers of Zen-Ray that remember the pricing history the of the ED3?

(Just as an FYI, I'm thinking I will place a pre-order today rather than place the pricing game.)

[eitanaltman]

if the ED3 is any example the "special price" with coupon will become the "normal" price.

When the ED3's first came out the "regular price" was $700ish, the "special price" was $520ish, and the "limited time only!" coupon of 20% brought it down to $420ish. The coupon kept having an expiration date that got pushed back and pushed back until it finally disappeared. Now if you look at the 8x43 ED3 product page it shows "regular price" at $499 and "special price" at $419 with no coupon codes listed.

I wouldn't expect the current $720 "special price" to be the actual street price any more than the ED3's stayed at $500+ street price. It's a normal game for a mfgr to play, I don't think you'll see any China bins selling for the "regular price" ever, that's just a marketing thing. I expect in not too long the PRIME's regular street price will settle in just above the current $540 intro pre-order pricing.

[BruceH]

Zen-Ray is no longer showing the Prime HD 25% discount on their home web page, but the individual product pages still show the 25% discount along with the now past 4/15/12 end date. It appears the discount is still available by entering PRIME in the coupon field during check-out.

So, if you thought the pre-order price is past, think again! I saw a post from Cameraland NY saying the promotion price is $100 off from what the selling price will be once the product arrives.

[stereotruckdriver]

Out of curiosity was the color of the Primes ever stated? I can't find any thing?

[FrankD]

I don't remember seeing anything either. Maybe they just went with the original design color or maybe they just want to make it a surprise.