Zen Ray ED2 7x36 evaluations and review (1 Viewer)

[FrankD]

CL,

My comments above were in reference to the 8x43 ED and ED 2 as referenced. I made the differentiation between them and the 7x36 ED 2.

I am genuinely sorry to see your frustration. It was not my intent to try to persuade or argue with your opinion of the subject but rather just to present a different opinion.

As for being part of the ZR army, I am not sure how to take that. I own ZR, but I also own a variety of other bins from several different manufacturers. I enjoy each of them for their respective qualities. I think the ZRs are an excellent choice in this price range and they would probably be my first choice if I was shopping again. I understand they are not yours and that is cool. We have two different opinions on the issue as it should be with all of the choices out there.

I sincerely wish you luck with your Swaros. I am sure they will provide you with years of great service. I will leave this particular aspect of the discussion as well.

ND,

As I was before I am again sorry to hear of your negative experience with the ZR 7x36. Personally I do not have a problem with the flare you mentioned. I just don't see it (except under some very adverse conditions). Even in that rare instance it does not bother me. My comments on needed improvements for the 7x36 model were in reference to what I, personally, would improve with that configuration to make it more ideal for me. By not mentioning the flare issue I am not failing to acknowledge that it exists but rather just commenting on what I would like to see improved.

As I had mentioned previously one could compare this issue with the blackout issue on the Nikon 8x32 SEs. Some folks just don't see it and for others they cannot use the binocular because of it. How often do you see it mentioned? Maybe one or two individuals that occasionally post on it. Personally I do not feel that the blackout issue takes away from the entire rest of the binocular's performance and appeal. That is my take on the issue and I understand that others do not feel the same way. Much the same could be said of the 7x36 ED 2.

 

[kristoffer]

I saw flare at first, when I adjusted to correct IPD the flare was gone. I never see it anymore, not even under "harder" circumstances. I have done lots of birding last few days and I am very happy to have it as my main bin, miles better then my previous.

For those of you who cant use it, bad luck really, it is a great bin. However other bins surely suit you well instead.

 

[Pinewood]

As I had mentioned previously one could compare this issue with the blackout issue on the Nikon 8x32 SEs. Some folks just don't see it and for others they cannot use the binocular because of it. How often do you see it mentioned? Maybe one or two individuals that occasionally post on it. Personally I do not feel that the blackout issue takes away from the entire rest of the binocular's performance and appeal. That is my take on the issue and I understand that others do not feel the same way. Much the same could be said of the 7x36 ED 2.

Hello FrankD,

I used to post frequently about my dissatisfaction with the Nikon SE 8x32. When I owned the binocular, I was especially ready to provide caveats to those interested in buying one. I discovered that loyalty to that binocular was rather passionate. Since I sold my SE, one of only three which were sold from dissatisfaction, I have been more reticent about expressing myself.
In the case of the Zen, its potential faults have been thoroughly aired as have its strong points. The consensus seems to be that the binocular is more than worthy of interest for those looking at a binocular, at this price point.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

 

[mayoayo]

CLRobles...The ZEN 7x36 is not inthe 400-500 range ,Is indeed in the 300-400,......for what I understand the SLC Swaros are quite more expensive..Buying used?...The Zen 7x36 is already being sold used in Astromart for 315$,and soon enough You will be able to find them used for even less...They are not very expensive binoculars...
I used to own the 8x43 ZEN ED..I paid around 350$ , I think,New....I saw glare too,But nothing as annoying as the brutal CA that the Nikon LXL 8x32 showed,for instance..I also saw amazing sharpness and resolution ,and a lot of detail and a flat field free of aberrations.
Lots of folks try to compare them with ALPHA binoculars that cost twice or four times more,and debate if they are up to such level of performance.But compare them with the legions of binoculars in their price point(or more expensive) that are NOT alphas,and decide then if they are or not a best buy.
They were never intended to be alphas,their best comparison is the SWIFT AUDUBON 820.solid performance at a low price.In that regard they fit the niche very well,dont you think?

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!

 

[APSmith]

I think they are now listed at $650.


Also, has anyone confirmed the 477' FOV? Or better yet, compared them to a 420' FOV?

APS

 

[falcondude]

I got it for $370. They haven't shipped mine yet. But they are sold out on their site.

 

[Steve C]

I think they are now listed at $650.


Also, has anyone confirmed the 477' FOV? Or better yet, compared them to a 420' FOV?

APS

I checked them at 10 yards with a measuring tape and got 460'. At the ranch the other day I used a fence line at a known surveyed distance away, with fence posts measured in every 10 feet. With the fence at 440 yards, the fov worked out to 470'. However the posts may not be exactly a "perfect" 10 feet apart either. So I would say that the listed field is close. Whatever it is, it certainly has an extra wide feel to the view. It is bigger than the view of either a Swift 804 or the ZEN 8x43, but not quite as wide as my old Swift Nighthawk that has a 499'.

They still sell at the ZR site and SWFA for a bit over $400. Hit the start shopping key when you open the ZR site.

 

[chartwell99]

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....
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!

Well, since I remain impressed by the Zen 7 x 36, I suppose I'm counted in the ZR army. I actually like Swaros, however, have owned a number, both roofs and porros, over the years and still own and much enjoy a late model 8 x 30 Classic (fka Habicht). Unfortunately, the one Swaro I never cottoned to was the 8 x 30 SLC, even in its "neu" configuration. Optically, the samples I have examined (and the one I owned) appeared dim and washed out compared to its porro sibling (and especially to the Nikon 8 x 32 SE). In truth, the model was outclassed a decade or so ago by the Leica 8 x 32 BA and Zeiss 8 x 30 Dialyt. On top of all of that, the front of the hinge focussing was an acquired taste I simply never acquired. I can understand (but no longer afford) buying an 8 x 32 Swaro EL but if the little 7x Zens don't ring your bell there are any number of 8 x 30/32 binoculars in the $400-500 range which are simply far better buys than a used Swaro 8 x 30 SLC.

 

[Pinewood]

I think they are now listed at $650.


Also, has anyone confirmed the 477' FOV? Or better yet, compared them to a 420' FOV?

APS

Hello AP,

It is certainly wider than my 7x42 Dialyt, which is specified at 450 feet.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

 

[FrankD]

Arthur,

I readily admit that it was you who initially came to mind with regard to the SE blackout issues. I think everyone acknowledges that some individuals can experience it and that it is probably related to facial dimensions, eye relief etc... It just seems to be one of those things where you have to try it to see if it is a problem. Again, same thing for the 7x36 ED II.

As for the field of view issue....I put them side by side with my Zeiss FLs (450 feet) and my perceptions of the comparison were a bit different than yours and Steve's. The FL appeared to give me a wider "usable" field of view by a small percentage. What I mean to say is that I think the level of field curvature around the very outer edge of the Zen gives it that extra "few feet" of field of view over the Zeiss but the Zeiss's lower amount of field curvature (I doubt there is a true lack there of) makes the image more usable in one sense towards the edge....

...at least that is the way I perceived it at the time. I would not mind checking again but the Zeiss is all packed up and waiting for someone to buy it on Ebay.

 

[Steve C]

Well the question was whether the ZR 7x36 ED2 was the best buy in the $400 to $500 range and I flatly say no!

Another well qualified statement coming from somebody who has yet to look through a ZEN ED. I will point out (with no likely effect) that the ZR army has either purchased some, or at least looked at them, ditto those who (aside from your obvious exception) have done the same and have chosen not to like them for various reasons.

You don't have to like the things, but you should look, if for no other reason than you MIGHT see what the appeal of these is.

 

[bruleke]

You don't have to like the things, but you should look, if for no other reason than you MIGHT see what the appeal of these is.

Perfect.

 

[Matt_RTH]

Hey if any ZR 7x36 owners in Orange County, CA want to go out to Bolsa Chica, Newport or possibly an inland hotspot, I'd love to check out the hardware. PM if interested.

Matt

 

[kristoffer]

Do you know a store that stocks fitting covers who also ships to Europe? Eagle optics does not, unfortunately

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

 

[Buster]

My first thought after reading your last comments CL is....where can you find used Alphas in the $400-$500 range?

I realize they're full size binoculars, so not exactly apples to apples, but I picked up a Cabela's Euro 10x42 for $350.00 a month or so ago right here in the classifieds, and saw a Leica 10x42 BN sell for $499.99 on Ebay yesterday.

 

[FrankD]

$350 for a Cabelas Euro?

That certainly is a steal!

The BNs, from what I have gathered, can really be found for some decent prices if you look hard enough. I think the fact that they were in production for so long probably has something to do with it. Hopefully that will transfer over to some other models as well.

 

[gcole]

Just checked Cabelas web site : Leupold 8x42 natural color Pinnacles on sale $279. , is that a good price ? I noticed the black are more, do the natural color leupolds have the same specs ? I wonder ....Gwen

 

[gcole]

Just checked Cabelas web site : Leupold 8x42 natural color Pinnacles on sale $279. , is that a good price ? I noticed the black are more, do the natural color leupolds have the same specs ? I wonder ....Gwen

I just called cabelas, if you buy $250 or more get $20 off: Now Iam tempted , $278.83 includes shipping.

 

[bruleke]

Leupold Customer Service
Product Specialist Group
Phone (503) 526-1400
Reference Call #

Caller: - Bruno
Phone:
Summary: Leupold

Mr. Bruno

The 12X50 Olympic binocular in the Natural color was a binocular that we
offered last year. If you can find one, it is still covered under the
Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Sharon Stephen
Support CallID: %#%992f23f0-de09-4d61-b5f2-b2fb3bc1649e%#%

 

[bruleke]

That means it has the same specs, just different collors…