• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

New kid on the block ... Theron Questa (1 Viewer)

FrankD

Well-known member
I will just post the pics for now....and just to save some typing for a few folks...they appear to be the same overall platform as the Zen Ray Prime HD and Leupold McKinley but with the refined 2nd generation eye ups and a smooth armor. No sllop in the buttery smooth focus which started out a little stiff a couple of days ago. Dielectric coated, Field flattened, ED objectives.

https://flic.kr/p/x9AAyo

https://flic.kr/p/xoTFSE

https://flic.kr/p/wukU5P

https://flic.kr/p/x9HnRr

Price with promotional coupon puts it a little over $400.
 
I would have to go by memory as I no longer have the Prime HD. I do have a variety of other binoculars on hand for comparison. Most of them are of the 8x30-33 configuration but I do have a couple of other 8x42 models and a 6x30. The Questa is brighter than all of them. CA control is very good. The sweet spot size is, pardon the terminology, ginormous. I would say you are looking at basically the same optical performance as the Prime or McKinley. There is a slightly warm tone to the image which is unnoticeable in regular use but was detectable when I compared it to the Maven B3 which seemed slightly cold in comparison.
 
If they are comparable to the BX-4/Prime HD, I'm sure their optical performance is right at the sub-alpha level of things like the Conquest, Meopro HD, etc.

How does Theron's Customer Service & Warranty compare? Those are two big draws of Leupold and Zen-Ray in that price range.

Justin
 
The last I checked the McKinleys aren't being produced anymore which just leaves the Zen Ray as this bins' only real competition but the Theron is priced less unless Charles has dropped the price. Plus the Therons now have the redesigned eyecup which makes eye placement significantly easier, at least for my face.

Warranty on the Questas is one year no fault and lifetime for manufacturer's defect.

I currently have the Theron Mag82 spotting scope and have had zero problems with it. I have spoken to the owner of Theron Optics on several occasions though as he was very helpful in aiding me in modifying an Astro eyepiece to work with the scope.

Overall optical performance is extremely good in all areas so I think your suggestion as to where they sit in the hierarchy is a good one. The kicker is how low they are priced for that performance.
 
Last edited:
I don't often use my Primes without glasses but that eyecup profile does look an improvement.

Thanks Frank.

David
 
I will just post the pics for now....and just to save some typing for a few folks...they appear to be the same overall platform as the Zen Ray Prime HD and Leupold McKinley but with the refined 2nd generation eye ups and a smooth armor. No sllop in the buttery smooth focus which started out a little stiff a couple of days ago. Dielectric coated, Field flattened, ED objectives.

https://flic.kr/p/x9AAyo

https://flic.kr/p/xoTFSE

https://flic.kr/p/wukU5P

https://flic.kr/p/x9HnRr

Price with promotional coupon puts it a little over $400.
Chinese? Or is that the wrong question. I just couldn't resist that. HaHa. (Did you get it? Theron Questa. Wrong question. Huh? Huh?)
 
Last edited:
Winwin,

I don't know but if you checked the Bosma website and they have a model that matches it then that is probably the case.

David,

Definite improvement in eyecup design. No problem at all seeing the full, sharp field of view. Beautiful colors as well. I think the one flower picture does an excellent job of reflecting what I am trying to relate.

Dennis,

Of course it is Chinese....just like the Leupold and Zen Ray. They could never sell it at that price if it was made in Germany or Austria. ;)
 
Frank,

I really can't see a difference between those eyecups and the Prime cups. What am I missing? Diameter maybe? The Prime cup appears a little more tapered starting around 45mm and maxing out at 47mm or so.

If you get a chance, did they manage to lighten it up? My 8x42 Prime weighs in at 29.5oz.

Mark
 
Johnny Come Lately, The New Clone in Town

There's talk on the forums; it sounds so familiar
Great expectations, everybody wants to know
The features described, we all seem to know them
Even though they're advertised like they're something new

Johnny come lately, the new clone in town
Everybody already has one, so it's another let down (ow ow ow, own)

<B>
 
It's not likely a clone, it's likely all coming from the same factory and the same OEM manufacterer, it's just that Leupold didn't want to sell them anymore or a contract dispute arose or something, and now they are being sold through Theron. They may have made a minor cosmetic tweak here and there, but it seems clear it's the same basic binocular.

That's not a bad thing though, as all reports are this design is really great. If it's taken them another iteration to get all the kinks worked out then that's great, better than starting with a new unknown design. The only problem it seems is the QC, if the manufacturer has improved their QC or someone at Theron has taken over a QC job and will do it right then these should be a really nice binocular.

If I could have bought one yesterday with Paypal and not had to signup to yet another website to do it I would have done it. I'm not quite as impulsive today, but seriously other than potential QC issues this seems like a real nice trend.

We all know the big boys are overpriced even when compared to high-end optics for photographic use. Still sometimes it seems they are the only ones with the complete package. I know that sense made me buy the Pocket CLs and I'm happy with them but.... they cost more than they should.
 
Brock,

If I knew the tune I would probably enjoy your post more. :)

It isn't "new" in the sense that all of the features haven't already been done by other companies. What is interesting is that they overcame the major complaint with the design....namely the eyecup/eye alignment issue. I also like the feel of the rubber armor on this unit in comparison to the other two. One cannot ignore the fact that it is also currently priced between $100-$175 less than the regular price of the other two units.

Oh, and I was thinking of you earlier today when I took this video. Any rolling ball noticeable to you? Assuming the camera doesn't compensate for it somehow.

https://flic.kr/p/xcwdV4

https://flic.kr/p/xuBHBH

Mark,

The listed weight without accessories for the 8x42 is 28.9 ounces so about a half ounce less than what you quoted. Maybe the change in rubber armor had something to do with it if there is, indeed, an actual difference.
 
Mark,

Sorry, forgot to mention the eyecup diameter tapers from 44 mm at the base to 42 mm on the end. Exposed eyepiece diameter is 27 mm.
 
Enjoythe view,

I was assured by the owner that he is going to inspect every unit personally before shipping it.
 
It's not likely a clone, it's likely all coming from the same factory and the same OEM manufacterer, it's just that Leupold didn't want to sell them anymore or a contract dispute arose or something, and now they are being sold through Theron. They may have made a minor cosmetic tweak here and there, but it seems clear it's the same basic binocular.

That's not a bad thing though, as all reports are this design is really great. If it's taken them another iteration to get all the kinks worked out then that's great, better than starting with a new unknown design. The only problem it seems is the QC, if the manufacturer has improved their QC or someone at Theron has taken over a QC job and will do it right then these should be a really nice binocular.

If I could have bought one yesterday with Paypal and not had to signup to yet another website to do it I would have done it. I'm not quite as impulsive today, but seriously other than potential QC issues this seems like a real nice trend.

We all know the big boys are overpriced even when compared to high-end optics for photographic use. Still sometimes it seems they are the only ones with the complete package. I know that sense made me buy the Pocket CLs and I'm happy with them but.... they cost more than they should.

Stay away from fly fishing and Harley Davidson motorcycles.

If these are equal to a Zen Ray Prime, they are pretty damn good.
 
Brock,

If I knew the tune I would probably enjoy your post more. :)

It isn't "new" in the sense that all of the features haven't already been done by other companies. What is interesting is that they overcame the major complaint with the design....namely the eyecup/eye alignment issue. I also like the feel of the rubber armor on this unit in comparison to the other two. One cannot ignore the fact that it is also currently priced between $100-$175 less than the regular price of the other two units.

Oh, and I was thinking of you earlier today when I took this video. Any rolling ball noticeable to you? Assuming the camera doesn't compensate for it somehow.

https://flic.kr/p/xcwdV4

https://flic.kr/p/xuBHBH

..

Frank, from what you, yourself, wrote in your OP, it's a clone....

"and just to save some typing for a few folks...they appear to be the same overall platform as the Zen Ray Prime HD and Leupold McKinley but with the refined 2nd generation eye ups and a smooth armor."

Not that better eyecups isn't a big deal, it likely would be for me, since I find oversized eyecups with flatops, he come groovin' up slowly...(forgot to turn off YouTube)... very uncomfortable, and they also keep me from seeing the full FOV.

So kudos to Theron or re-designing the eyecups for non-Asian faces, for smooth shaven rather than hairy armor, and for the cost savings (which might be introductory), but otherwise, they appear to be....

so-uh-about-them-clones/

Couldn't play the video, so I cant say about the RB.

<B><B><B><B><B><B><B>
 
Last edited:
Warning! This thread is more than 7 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top