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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Steve C" data-source="post: 1404802" data-attributes="member: 56622">Well it almost seems Kevin, Frank and I have different binoculars.  I really do not quite know what to make of it.  I think that some certainly is a difference in the three of us.  For one thing, I readily admit I am not as sensitive to some flaws, whatever they may be, as some people are.  There is a possibility of some sample variation as well I suppose.  Just to be sure, my Viper is going for a ride on the little brown truck back to Vortex.  I don’t think there is anything wrong with it, but I think I need to find out.When I started this, I was looking for the “truth in advertising” of Zen Ray’s claim of having a $200 binocular that competes with the $500-700 class in the same manner their ZEN ED compares to much more expensive binoculars. After looking through them for a couple of days, it appeared that the claim was pretty much on the mark.So, I was a bit surprised when Kevin’s comments on his ZRS sounded like he was describing my Nikon Monarch, which was clearly inferior to the 8x ZRS I have.  I have every reason to believe he saw what he saw.  I saw what I saw.The things about the ZRS that grabbed my attention were the depth of field and the the aparent flatness of the field.  Since I don’t normally pay much attention to this unless the edge is really soft and the sweet spot really small, I used a tripod and a resolution chart.  Mounted on the tripod, I focused on a specific spot in the chart in the center of the field.  I then moved the focus from center to the edge of the field.  When focused in the center, and moved to the edge, usually it will be out of focus. Then, reverse procedure, whereby the edge of the image is focused and then that focus point moved to the center, and then you can get an idea of edge sharpness.The 10x42 ZRS is the flattest field binocular I’ve ever done this with. Focus on the edge and it is focused in the center, focus in the center and it is focused on the edge.  The 8x42 ZRS is not quite that good. Next is the ZEN ED 10x43, followed by the ZEN ED 8x43, followed by the Promaster ELX ED 8x42, followed by the Viper 10x42, followed by the Swift Eaglet 7x36.  The Monarch will not focus completely on an object in the edge of the field.  Neither will the 8x Yosemite.  So that’s how I got to the flat field comparison.  It really is a “so what” sort of item to me.  Everything above the Nikon is not going to give me an issue anyway. One can make too much of things. It simply seems to me that the Zen Ray claim of edge sharpness is valid (based on my specimens).The ZRS should not appear as bright as the ZEN because there are two more glass elements in the ZRS.  The HD LaK glass will also impart a warm bias.  I think the 8x42 ZRS is superior to the Monarch.  That’s in about any category you can name.  I gave and still give the 10x42 edge to the ZRS over the Viper.  That is the appearance of a flatter field and it seems to have a bit sharper, but not necessarily brighter image.  The ZRS will separate the last level of the resolution chart somewhat better than the Viper. The ZRS also appears sharper at distance than the Viper.  So, I'll hold that final judgement until the Viper gets back from Vortex.Anyway these are really more than decent at $200.  Probably all the binocular many people need.</blockquote>

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