Dennis,
I am somewhat surprised that you liked them as well as you did, but not really, because I know what I see with them. I assumed (bad thing I know) more alpha comfortable folk would have had opinions more like oleaf and just said they good binoculars, not much more. But it is nice to see ones own opinions supported by someone else. I tend to agree about the eyecups as well. And yes the strap is just a bit longer than needed. My objective covers are evidently a better fit than yours.
BTW the ZEN ED will need the #6 Bushwacker. It is a tad bit tight, but the #7 is way too big. A bit of trimming will be needed around the front hinge contact area of the Bushwhacker to make it fit. That will not interfere with its ability to stay put.
Lulubelle
Dennis may well have meant Crooked Horn Outfitters instead of Bighorn. Eagle Optics sells them.
Glad to see the comments Dennis. Truth be told I was expecting much the same as Steve. I agree with all of your points. The eyecups are something I would like to see further refined. I don't feel they are poor quality but there is room for some improvement there.
The optics are glorious though, aren't they?
Are you keeping them?
Fair enough to say that the customer service at Zen-Ray is absolutely alpha quality! The desire to constantly improve the product and give phenomenal customer service will grow a healthy customer base. I think, with the modifications suggested by the forum experts, the ZR's will certainly give the alphas a true run for the bino bucks and be the better purchase!
Fyi, a major optics retailer based in Wisconsin currently has the Stokes 8x42DLS on sale for $499; I'm torn on whether to purchase the Stokes DLS (pros: smallish; reasonably light; good reviews; tested) or take the plunge and get the Zen-Rays (pros: reviews; price; open-hinged design).
All comments are appreciated. Thanks in advance.
The ZEN ED I have measures at 6.5" long and 5" wide. It's about the same dimension as Swarovski EL. So it is definitely not "compact" by any standard. I am surprised, however, that it feels light in hand. Maybe the open hinge design helps distributing the weight better?
I'm in the market for a second binocular as a backup to my coveted 7x42FL. Fyi, a major optics retailer based in Wisconsin currently has the Stokes 8x42DLS on sale for $499; I'm torn on whether to purchase the Stokes DLS (pros: smallish; reasonably light; good reviews; tested) or take the plunge and get the Zen-Rays (pros: reviews; price; open-hinged design).
All comments are appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I own both the 8 x 42 DLS (purchased at full price two years ago) and the 8 x 43 Zen Ray. The Zen Ray is optically wonderful, with a somewhat wider field and marginally brighter image than the Stokes. It also seems lighter and smaller than it actually is. If cost is a factor, there is no contest as the Zen Ray is $139 cheaper. The Stokes, however, has a higher quality feel and, with its fast and ultra smooth focus, is for me the handier birding glass. I liked the Stokes well enough, in fact, to have purchased the 10 x 42 DLS from that same Wisconsin optics retailer at $449, selling my Viper 10 x 42 to pacify my wife (a decision I do not regret as the Stokes is by far the better binocular).
I would hang on to the Nikons, though eventually they will lose value and become old. But the price range is odd for new Nikons, jumps from about 300 to 1800.
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/nikon/nikon-edg-7x42-binocular
I would like to see a comparison of the Zen ED's to those Nikon EDG's in the link!!