Atlas Optics Intrepid ED 8x42 (1 Viewer)

[Bosque]

I dunno, I've seen EO actually state that one binocular they were selling in their store was a better deal than the EO Rangers for example. That tends to give me a certain degree more confidence in their evaluations.

 

[Steve C]

I did a review of the 8x42 Intrepid. At the time I had a ZEN ED and a Promaster ED, both in 8x42. Put all three in a pink armor, with the same eyecups and I don't think that mcdomick, SteveC or any body else could tell them apart. I would be perfectly happy with any of the three. I have to think some simple sample variation is at work here.

 

[Tero]

Thanks, Mike, sounds pretty objective. There is a tendency to favor a pair one owns to one that is potentially returnable. You do not have that situation.

 

[Mike McDowell]

It might be sample variation. I guess I just got unlucky on the Zen-Ray!

Cheers,

Mike McDowell
www.birddigiscoper.com

 

[Bosque]

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.

Hey, I DO run heavy equipment, manual tools and flip start outboards (though I spend more time on commercial fishing boats with electric start diesels and I do have power steering in my truck).

I don't even own any ZR binoculars you insensitive clod!

 

[Fireform]

Hey, I DO run heavy equipment, manual tools and flip start outboards (though I spend more time on commercial fishing boats with electric start diesels and I do have power steering in my truck).

I don't even own any ZR binoculars you insensitive clod!

Excellent! You should definitely invest in some ZRs--nice optics, and the focus would suit you to a T.

Where are you in S. Oregon? As it happens, I grew up there.

 

[Steve C]

Hey, I DO run heavy equipment, manual tools and flip start outboards (though I spend more time on commercial fishing boats with electric start diesels and I do have power steering in my truck).
QUOTE]

So do I run heavy equipment (farm machinery rather than commercial fishing stuff). I also have power steering in all of the tractors and my truck. I occasionally have to pull start the 4-wheeler out irrigating sometimes. I'm also 62. I am not nearly as strong as I was not too long ago. I still like the stiffer focuser.

 

[spitfiretriple]

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)

Interesting. Any theoretical difference between the weight of dielectric versus silver prism coating would not be enough explain a noticeable weight difference. So what else is different apart from the dielectric coating? Does Zen-Ray use bigger prisms, or prisms with heavier glass?

 

[falcondude]

someone in the zen-ray thread posted that the ZEN ED 8x43 is on sale for $295.

http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78&products_id=260

Both Atlas Intrepid ED and ZEN ED are the first generation ED binoculars. I just sold my 8x43 Ed and ordered a pair of 8x43 ED2. Just cannot resist the view from my 7x ED2.