Zen Ray ED3? other options?

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09-10-2013, 09:53 AM
Bill999

Zen Ray ED3? other options?

Im in the market for a decent pair of binos, my current set is not only large and heavy but iv also discovered that they are not waterproof

they will do for the mean time while I sort a new set out but Im looking at getting a smaller, lighter and hopefully better set of binos
zen ray and vortex keep coming up as great binos, but it seems everyone reccomending them is selling them so vested interest reccomendations dont count in my books

are these binos awesome? Im looking at either a set of 8 or 10 power binoculars and I realise I know basically nothing about binos
Im happy to spend a bit on binos but not the $2800 that is bieng asked for the best of the best

Id like light, to reduce pack weight and good glass budget is flexable

anyone care to share wisdom?
09-10-2013, 10:31 AM
madjon_

Bill, ED3 are not light,but are good binos
09-10-2013, 10:46 AM
GravelBen

Nice glass is rarely light unfortunately!

(I'm rather fond of my ED2's though)
09-10-2013, 12:24 PM
Ground Control

Do you guys get Meopta optics in NZ ?
I'm very impressed with a pair that a friend has .
They are in my option just as good as my Kahles binocs for a lot less money .
I have a Meopta 3-9 scope which is also great quality for the price .
They are very good European optics without the price tag of some of the better known brands .

Ken
09-10-2013, 01:43 PM
Bill999

What is there around that is a better option?
09-10-2013, 01:49 PM
Kiwi Greg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill999

What is there around that is a better option?

Other than secondhand Leica etc, not much.
09-10-2013, 02:30 PM
300MAG

Bill I have a set of Zen-Ray ED3 10x43 (as new condition)for sale as soon as my New Leica HD-Bs arrive PM me if your keen.
09-10-2013, 03:45 PM
Bill999

Iv Pm'd ya. keen to hear what makes the very good binos worth the extra 1500 over the good ones, if it is just weight ill lump the extra 200-500 grams
09-10-2013, 04:00 PM
scoped

I got the ed3's in 10x43 , they are equal to a 8-1000$ pair of binos youll buy in shops here.
09-10-2013, 05:51 PM
Tahr

I've got ed3's and would be happy to sit next to anyone with any binos for a spotting contest. Well, up until I got cataracts anyway.

Remember too, you first need to know what you are looking for and where to look. There's lots more to spotting animals than $2500 binos.
09-10-2013, 06:33 PM
Hayden C

Was there mention of an HD ED3 model coming soon or have I confused myself with another brand?

There cheap over here in Auz….
09-10-2013, 06:44 PM
Ground Control

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayden C

Was there mention of an HD ED3 model coming soon or have I confused myself with another brand?

There cheap over here in Auz….

How much , where from ?

Ken
09-10-2013, 06:47 PM
GravelBen

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayden C

Was there mention of an HD ED3 model coming soon or have I confused myself with another brand?

I think the model up from the ED3 is called the HD Prime, maybe they are making an in-between model as well.
09-10-2013, 09:05 PM
Hayden C

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ground Control

How much , where from ?

Ken

Buy them direct from Zen Ray 440ish? (Can get demo models cheaper) I’ve been told that you don’t get stung for GST in Australia, weather that’s true or not I don’t know.

Not sure the current retail in NZ? Might import a set of HD ones and see how they go.
10-10-2013, 04:56 AM
scottrods

bugger all supprt for ZR's though. Digit can try as best as possible but he indicated to me that ZR no longer supporting older models in NZ, so my ED2's are never going to get any support :(

Stick to the brands with good support. Buy well, support well.
10-10-2013, 06:03 AM
username

I have a pair of vortex viper HD and i love em they come with a no questions asked warranty.. I had them along side $4000 swaros in bright clear conditions and i couldn't see the difference. They are ergonomic and compact definitely worth a look
10-10-2013, 08:18 AM
Bill999

what is the wieght those vipers we another one that kept popping up when researching, they look fantastic not particularly light but it seems like you have to go big $$ to get light
10-10-2013, 08:22 AM
GravelBen

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottrods

bugger all supprt for ZR's though. Digit can try as best as possible but he indicated to me that ZR no longer supporting older models in NZ, so my ED2's are never going to get any support :(

Digit is no longer the agent, but I've never seen anything to suggest ZR will stop honouring warranties because they don't have a local agent? Or do you mean something else by 'Supporting'? Its a pretty ambiguous term.
10-10-2013, 08:42 AM
Digit

We still support the warranty on the Zens by sending the optics back to the USA for repair.
The reason we no longer bring them in is that we cant be competitive with the likes of Cameraland and Zen-Ray themselves. The wholesale margins on the Zens were around 25-30%. We pay gst on everything we import whereas almost all of the zen ray range fitted under the NZ gst threshold. Cameraland sells thousands of dollars of zens to NZers per month. We didnt get anywhere near that amount of sales even though we were the ones that introduced these binoculars to NZ and raised the profile here to a point where cameraland and zen-ray now cash in big time.

Its no skin off our nose though and they are still the best binocular available for anywhere near the money. We still tell consumers to buy direct from Zen Ray and we still support our own customers who purchased through us for warranty. Unfortunately if you buy from overseas you are on your own for warranty.

The Vipers I think are a budget version of the Zens - but sell for more here in NZ? Likewise with the top of the range spotting scope.

If you are looking for a great value binocular you cant beat Zen Ray.
10-10-2013, 09:11 AM
Bill999

of all the zens which one is the one to go for Digit?

how can anyone not like you when your such a good bugger
10-10-2013, 09:14 AM
Bill999

Zen-Ray PRIME HD Binoculars from Zen-Ray Optics ?
10-10-2013, 09:15 AM
Bill999

ZRS HD 8x32 Binoculars SUMMIT from Zen-Ray Optics

And how do mid and compact binos compare with full size?
10-10-2013, 09:23 AM
Digit

ZRS are excellent value. I put them a step ahead of the Minox HG when comparing side by side. This was observing resolution and chromatic aberation. They were a giant step ahead of the Nikon Monarchs.
The ED3's are another level up again with better CA handling and better resolution. The ED glass requires a longer design though so the ED3 is bigger and heavier than the ZRS.
Rumour has it that the Primes are the same as the Leupold Gold Rings that are no longer manufactured, but built to a higher? spec for Zen-Ray. But thats just rumour.
Personally I wouldnt use compact binos for extended observation. If you are glassing for longer periods I would go for a full size bino.
10-10-2013, 09:50 AM
Bill999

Is the prime worth the extra coin over the ED3?
10-10-2013, 10:04 AM
Digit

I never got the chance to do a comparison with the Prime.
10-10-2013, 03:49 PM
Pop Shot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill999

Is the prime worth the extra coin over the ED3?

I recently imported a pair of the 'open box' ED3 10x43 units from CameralandNY. Landed for well under $500 - no issues at all ;).
10-10-2013, 04:24 PM
Ground Control

I've always used 8 power binoculars , what advantages or disadvantages are there to 10 power ?
What do you guys prefer ?

Ken
10-10-2013, 04:29 PM
Bill999

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pop Shot

I recently imported a pair of the 'open box' ED3 10x43 units from CameralandNY. Landed for well under $500 - no issues at all ;).

what do you mean "open box"?
10-10-2013, 04:51 PM
Hayden C

Open box = demo models Pop shot?

There about 369 from Zen Ray direct. I’m interested to here of any comparisons between the ED3 and the prime HD before I buy a pair.
10-10-2013, 05:11 PM
7mmsaum

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ground Control

I've always used 8 power binoculars , what advantages or disadvantages are there to 10 power ?
What do you guys prefer ?

Ken

10x power for most work and 15x for long range Sika
10-10-2013, 06:36 PM
Grue

Love my ED2's. Anyone in Taranaki want to try them, drop us a pm.

Now if only ZR started making scopes.....
10-10-2013, 08:16 PM
Fisherman

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

10x power for most work and 15x for long range Sika

Do you use a tripod with 15x ?
11-10-2013, 12:24 AM
GravelBen

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ground Control

I've always used 8 power binoculars , what advantages or disadvantages are there to 10 power ?

More magnification = see smaller things further away (if the optical quality is as good), less magnification = wider field of view, easier to hold steady, often smaller/lighter.

You pays your money and you makes your choice. I reckon 7-8x is good for an all-rounder, don't need to brace or rest them to hold steady. Mind you I haven't really hunted with 10x to give a decent practical comparison.
11-10-2013, 05:43 AM
Pop Shot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill999

what do you mean "open box"?

Open box demo unit.

I emailed Doug at CameralandNY and he said the binoculars he sells as 'open box' are shop display, or demo units he has taken to shows. He describes them as being brand new but with an opened box so to speak.
11-10-2013, 07:02 AM
7mmsaum

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fisherman

Do you use a tripod with 15x ?

Past 1500yrds yes.
11-10-2013, 08:52 AM
Fisherman

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Past 1500yrds yes.

The yanks are big on them eh. Ive never tried to spot that far...I imagine its part of that recon you do.
11-10-2013, 09:04 AM
Bill999

jeezus christ past 1500? I had a feeling 10 power was the way to go but that is the age old question.
I dont think iv ever had too much magnification. just not enough steadyness

Its a shame no-one has had the ed3s and traded up to the primes. I have a feeling tho it will be the primes I go for
11-10-2013, 09:24 AM
madjon_

If you've got ED3s you don't need to trade up.They OO awesome,like a Tikka when you can't afford a Sako:D