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Message: <blockquote data-quote="FrankD" data-source="post: 1755665" data-attributes="member: 18544">Well, it is time to get my rusty old fingers out of my pockets and post a bit from time to time. I chose to use that opportunity to post about the new Zen Ray Vista model that Steve reviewed at the beginning of this thread. Why did I choose to review this model? Well, money is tight on my end and most of you know why. At the $130-odd dollars that the Vista is selling for it seems like an obvious choice.I am going to start out by readily admitting that I did not have extremely high hopes for this binocular. Why you ask? Well, other than the AO Radian I have not really found many roof prism binoculars in this price range that really surprised me optically or ergonomically. That changes now.Everything Steve posted is pretty much right on the money. The way I tend to think of this binocular is original Nikon Monarch level of performance at less than half the price and with a wider field of view (330 vs. 393). I wish I had an original Nikon Monarch on hand to do a direct comparison but I have a hard time believing I would see much difference.Now, keep in mind, I have not picked up a binocular for about 3 months so my eyes are not as sensitive to many of the little characteristics that show up in different views. On a positive note though I feel as if I have a novice's eyes when I look through binoculars now. I don't immediately notice how much CA there is or how intense lighting issues are. All I see is a view I either like or dislike. I like the view through the new vista. The image is entirely satisfactory. The apparent centerfield sharpness does not seem "soft" in any sense of the word. The sweet spot is generous without being huge and, better yet, the transition from the sweet spot into the edge is very gradual. Colors seem good (though I can detect an ever so slight warm bias in comparison to the Zen ED II).Ergonomically they are entirely satisfactory as well. They don't have all the curves and indents of some models but then we are talking about a fairly inexpensive binocular here. To its credit the physical size is fairly compact for a full-sized binocular and the focusing speed and tension seem to be excellent. I really have no immediate complaints. Speaking of which.......I have had these for a total of about 24 hours so take my comments with a grain of salt. I will be sure to share more as time allows but so far I am going to have a hard time recommending any $300 roof prism glass over these unless it features some type of ED glass. That is really the only thing that I think that could make these better. Hmm, I wonder how long it will take before it starts filtering down into even this model?I am thinking of this as the new "Leupold Yosemite" of inexpensive roof prism binoculars. For the price there really is absolutely nothing not to like about it...at least not from my point of view.</blockquote>

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