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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MargaretC" data-source="post: 1560827" data-attributes="member: 78821">Novice impressions of ED2 10x42Well, I am new to this forum (I've been lurking for a couple of weeks because I'm looking for a pair of binoculars for a trip to Africa in the next few weeks).  I thought that I would join and post my experience as a novice binocular user, which is likely not really relevant to those more experienced, but I thought that I would have the courtesy to contribute whatever little that I could...  I have been playing with the ZR 10x42 ED2 for the past couple of days.  I have taken it to the golf course and a baseball game.  I have complete inexperience with regards to appreciating optics, but I'll comment on some stuff that I have noticed.The ZRs have a sloppy focus knob, and the knurls on the focus knob are low profile, such that I was concerned that both issues would be annoying.  It turns out that neither is that annoying when using the bins in 75 degree perfect weather, but it would probably be difficult to focus when wearing gloves (in fact, I just tried and found out that it is difficult to focus while using surgeon's gloves).  I wonder whether others might comment in if they have some slop to the focus knob as well.The slow focus is somewhat annoying, however.  While it's true that I'm not good at using them yet, I would think that tracking birds would be difficult.  Following running lions hopefully will not be...  Assuming they are running across or away from me...The other binoculars that I played with while shopping include Nikon Monarch ATBs, Vortex Diamondback and Viper, Pentax DCF SP, and Monarch X, each in the 10x42 size, though Monarch X was 10.5x45, I think.  The only focusing issue that I noticed was slop in the focus knob of the Diamondback, and none of the other bins had any traction issues of slickness of the focus knob (as the ZR does for me).  With the ZR, I kind of have to use my fingernail to catch the knurl and move the knob.  Out of the others, I liked the "view" of the Monarch X, then Pentax, Monarch ATB, Diamondback least.  I tried the Vipers at a different time, and probably would have tried to decide between buying the Vipers and the Pentax, if not for running into this forum and getting diverted to the ZRs.  The Monarch X was getting to be a bit more than I was able to spend.While I was waiting for them to arrive, I got quite concerned about the glare that was mentioned quite a bit by others. I spent a whole round of golf looking through them, and only noticed glare at a particular fairly acute angle while looking towards the sun at the very end of the round, which was later in the afternoon.  I also noticed it again today (worse) in a similar situation.  I ordinarily would not have been looking in that direction, as the sun was "in my eyes", and only did it because I was wondering about the glare problem and when it would crop up.  This glare problem seems to be less than experienced by some others in the list.Overall, I do like the ZRs, and the view is great!  I do notice that the image is less sharp at the edges, but probably wouldn't have noticed until I read about it and got curious.  I am just noticing that the strap doesn't fit inside the case, and still seems to be fairly long, though I am only 5-5.  I am happy with the bins, and have decided not to worry about the technical aspects of the binoculars that others are commenting on as I don't really notice them with the way I will be using them (though I do appreciate the detailed reviews, and they are wonderful in helping make the decision to buy...).  In my case, I will subscribe to the notion that ignorance is bliss!I am wondering what the experts would recommend with regards to cleaning the dielectric coated lens, as another thread discussed cleaning, but specifically did not include dielectric coated lens in their discussion.Thanks, and thank you for the wonderful discussions which have been so helpful in educating me about binoculars!Margaret</blockquote>

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