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Atlas Optics Intrepid ED 8x42 (2 Viewers)

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bmdavll

Member
These bins are on sale at Eagle Optics for only $309. They look almost exactly like the Zen-Ray 8x43's, and have very similar specs.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/atlas-optics/atlas-optics-intrepid-ed-8x42-binocular

This seems like a good deal, considering the ED glass, positive reviews there (better than EO Rangers at a lower price), and coverage under the "Eagle Optics Platinum Protection unlimited, unconditional lifetime warranty". Anyone have any experience with them or know that they're in fact re-branded Zen-Rays? Eagle Optics doesn't stock regular Zen-Rays AFAIK.
 
bmdavll said:
These bins are on sale at Eagle Optics for only $309. They look almost exactly like the Zen-Ray 8x43's, and have very similar specs.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/atlas-optics/atlas-optics-intrepid-ed-8x42-binocular

This seems like a good deal, considering the ED glass, positive reviews there (better than EO Rangers at a lower price), and coverage under the "Eagle Optics Platinum Protection unlimited, unconditional lifetime warranty". Anyone have any experience with them or know that they're in fact re-branded Zen-Rays? Eagle Optics doesn't stock regular Zen-Rays AFAIK.
Click to expand...

They appear to be the same product as the Zen Ray, only badged differently. They contain less hype, but should be identical otherwise.
 
I bought a pair of the Atlas for a Christmas gift ($289 at the time) and checked 'em out. Liked them so much I bought the Zen ED2. The differences are negligible. I didn't have them side by side and my guess is if you didn't you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Zen is dialectric, but both are nice and bright.

The Atlas has the original, slower focus and truth is I think I liked it better. The ED2 may be quicker, but it's also stiffer. Definitely not a one-finger focus, and probably not quicker in the field.

The Atlas has a soft case which is easier to use in the field, just slip it off and go, although the quality was a bit iffy. The strap, unlike the Zen, was not too long, although cut down the Zen is fine. The Zen has a nice hard case, but good luck trying to fit the strap in it.

I also like the styling of the Atlas better. Low-key and without the weird (IMO) dotted texture on the barrel sides.

Optically, they are as close as two bins can get. And the EO warranty can't be beat.

Hope this helps.
 
Kammerdiner has it pretty much correct. You could throw the Promaster Infinity Elite ELX ED and Hawke Frontier into the mix too. The ZEN ED 2 adds dielectric coating, but the difference is small, and the binoculars just about have to be side by side to tell a difference. The ED 2 does have better contrast and color rendition, as well as being a little brighter.

The ZEN ED 2 focus is stiffer, but it is just what it needs to be as far as I am concerned. I am frankly sort of astounded about the too stiff and "not a one finger focus" comments. But, everybody has different requirements in any sort of equipment. So yes there is a noticeable focus difference.
 
I have a pair of ZEN ED1 8x43 and 7x36 ED2. When comparing them side by side, the ED2 does show more natural, or cooler color tone than the ED1. I was checking some black birds late in the summer, the 7x36 ED2 actually revealed the feature texture better than the 8x43 ED. I suspect it has more to do with the dielectic than the lens coating itself. The faster focus is fairly noticeable on my 7x36ED2. The 8x43 has the same focus speed as my EL 8.5x, which I have gotten used to. They are fine for 30 yards to infinity. It does need more turn for close focus. The ED2 did a good job on the close focus speed. Had I known the ED2 was coming out so soon after original ED, I would get the 8x43 ED instead.
 
Swaro and Zeiss have optimized their focus knobs for their elderly, affluent clientele (people like, say, me), so they turn smoothly and with little fatiguing effort. Zen seems to be targeting folks who run heavy equipment or manual tools all day and think nothing of driving their cars with their power steering out or flip-starting their own outboards.
 
I bought one (8x42) for my wife and I have a Zen 8x42 ED2. I haven't used either except around the house, but .... They are very similar. Biggest difference is Zen is dielectric prism coating and Atlas Intrepid is silver. Strangely, the Atlas seem a little more comfortable to hold, maybe its the slightly lighter weight (feels more than a little lighter) and smooth armor ( I guess I don't like the "dots" on the Zen Rays as much as I thought). Slower focus knob, but less "wobble". The details on the Zens (markings, right, diopter adjustment, case, box, tapered ocular caps etc.) are much better. I like them both and at the reduced price it seems like a can't miss. I actually got the Atlas just before Christmas at an even better sale price ($289 for the 8x42), but the $309 also seems like a steal. But they are close enough that I want my wife and I to be twinsies (that ill give you some idea of the level of sophistication I have when in comes to binos).
 
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 8x42mm are a better deal even at their regular price of $289.
 
Fireform said:
Swaro and Zeiss have optimized their focus knobs for their elderly, affluent clientele (people like, say, me), so they turn smoothly and with little fatiguing effort. Zen seems to be targeting folks who run heavy equipment or manual tools all day and think nothing of driving their cars with their power steering out or flip-starting their own outboards.
Click to expand...

Fireform,

I think only Sancho may have made a more amusing post on BF.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood B :)
 
Yesterday I had the opportunity to compare an Atlas Intrepid ED 10x42 to a Zen-Ray ED2 10x42 and was somewhat surprised that the Intrepid seemed to exhibit better resolution and edge-to-edge sharpness when viewing tree branches (filling the entire FOV) at 100 yards. I agree with opinions above, like the ED2 having slightly better contrast, but better "forgivability" on the Intrepid's focus. I work for Eagle Optics, so naturally I encourage others who have both bins to try a distance resolution test and report back.

Cheers,

Mike M.
www.birddigiscoper.com
 
Hey Tero,

I just spent the last half hour comparing all three: Atlas Intrepid ED 10x42, Bushnell Legend HD 10x42, and Zen-Ray ED2 10x42. Of these, I still feel the binocular with the best center resolution at distance and edge-to-edge sharpness belongs to the Intrepid. However, the Bushnell has really nice contrast. Its resolution @ 100 yards beat the Zen-Ray’s, but not the Intrepid’s. The edge on the Bushnell was strikingly similar to the Zen-Ray, nearly identical chromatic aberration and distortion. Just a minor point: as an eyeglasses wearer, I’m not particularly fond of the eyecup design on the Bushnell or the Zen-Ray (at least with the 10x models). Even when the eyecups are twisted all the way down, they’re not as flush with the ocular opening. I don’t have this issue with the Intrepid and can see an unobstructed field edge when wearing my glasses. This shouldn’t be a problem with 8x models since they have longer eye-relief. The Bushnell’s focus is a little faster than the Intrepid’s, but I continue to struggle nailing the focus with the Zen-Ray.

Cheers,

Mike M.
www.birddigiscoper.com
 
mcdomik said:
Hey Tero,

I just spent the last half hour comparing all three: Atlas Intrepid ED 10x42, Bushnell Legend HD 10x42, and Zen-Ray ED2 10x42. Of these, I still feel the binocular with the best center resolution at distance and edge-to-edge sharpness belongs to the Intrepid. However, the Bushnell has really nice contrast. Its resolution @ 100 yards beat the Zen-Ray’s, but not the Intrepid’s. The edge on the Bushnell was strikingly similar to the Zen-Ray, nearly identical chromatic aberration and distortion. Just a minor point: as an eyeglasses wearer, I’m not particularly fond of the eyecup design on the Bushnell or the Zen-Ray (at least with the 10x models). Even when the eyecups are twisted all the way down, they’re not as flush with the ocular opening. I don’t have this issue with the Intrepid and can see an unobstructed field edge when wearing my glasses. This shouldn’t be a problem with 8x models since they have longer eye-relief. The Bushnell’s focus is a little faster than the Intrepid’s, but I continue to struggle nailing the focus with the Zen-Ray.

Cheers,

Mike M.
www.birddigiscoper.com
Click to expand...

Mike M. Thanks for the comparison! Any thought's on why the Intrepid had better centerfield resolution? And were these test's done with just one sample of each? Just curious is all, thanks for your input. Bryce...
 
NWBirder,

Your comment was anticipated, and why I said: "I work for Eagle Optics, so naturally I encourage others who have both bins to try a distance resolution test and report back."

I never expect everyone to believe me.

Cheers,

Mike M.
www.birddigiscoper.com
 
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