BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Steve C" data-source="post: 1712784" data-attributes="member: 56622">Rick,That's OK looking at it, yes the post could have been interpreted as you did.  You are probably right in that ZR has not seriously eroded any body's business.  I am pretty sure Charles realized the upstream dive into the current he took.  But he took it.  As far as I'm concerned, good for him.  As it stands now ZR is now the "best bang for the buck sub $500 binocular".  Will they stay there? I don't know, don't have a clue.  I sure hope you have more information in your comment... "now that bigger players are bringing in sub-$500 full featured binos. No clout in now that bigger players are bringing in sub-$500 full featured binos. "  The Nikon Monarch X seems to be one big name attempt that has no chance in a side by side against the ZR ED.  Nikon has to have something more up their sleeve than that.  I think there is likely more serious competition upcoming from their new "rumored" Monarch with dielectric coating and better glass.  The first Monarch was a classic, and if they add an extra degree in the fov, I'm all for it, as the new one could be a classic too.The Leupold Northfork is a good binocular, better than the Monarch X, but still no ZR ED.From my slight knowledge from the optics contacts I do have, is that the ZR ED "generic binocular" was passed on by a couple of "name brand players".   I give credit to ZR for getting the name brand guys off their backside.  Nikon, for example sat on their backside for over a decade with the Monarch.  If anything is established, it is there is a demand for that optics/price niche and I think it may re arrange the optics field.  Where ZR is a few years from now, who knows?  Looks like Pentax might have dropped the ball for a fatal interlude.  I hope not.So you are undoubtedly correct in that there is an upcoming wave of introductions.  Blessed be the name of the game.  I like competition.  Meanwhile you will see no obnoxious 8-P slurping in anticipation of some body's death from me.</blockquote>

Verification