Zen-Ray ZRS HD (Summit) 8x42 Waterproof Binoculars Binoculars
Binoculars Manufacturer: Zen-Ray
Zen-Ray Model: ZRS HD (Summit) 8x42 Waterproof Binoculars
Review Category: Binoculars
Purchase: Binoculars I saw these ZRS Zen-Ray Binoculars on several internet reviews and decided to give them a go. I do a lot of birding both in my back yard and at the local bird preserve was looking for something as close as possible to replace my Nikon Monarch binoculars which I love but with better optics. I purchased from www.agenaastro.com for $169.
Things I like about the Zen-Ray ZRS HD (Summit) 8x42 Waterproof Binoculars Binoculars: When I first received the Zen-Rays I was hoping they would be as good as the reviews led me to believe and man-oh-man they did not disappoint.
The thing I love the most are the optics which blow away my Nikon Monarchs. The ZRS has a nice deep depth-of-field, fantastic near edge-to-edge sharpness and great colors and super contrast images and fantastic clarity.
The ZRS are as clear and sharp from the center all the way out to around 95% of the total view.
Build quality of actual binoculars is near prefect and the hinge feel and movement is fantastic, perfect! Focusing once broken in felt wonderful.
Well packed and thought out carrying case even has a cool little place for the owner’s manual and warranty card inside.
Metal alloy 4-Stage Twist-up eyecups seem to work well and I love since I can hand these back and forth between people wearing glasses and not.
What I don't like about the Zen-Ray ZRS HD (Summit) 8x42 Waterproof Binoculars: There was a strong plastic smell at first which quickly wore off after a couple of days. The focus felt a little stiff at first. The objective lens covers are awful hard to take off and hard to put on. Plus the weight is noticeably heavier then my Monarchs.
Binoculars ZRS HD (Summit) 8x42 Waterproof Binoculars quality: Build quality of actual binoculars is near prefect and the hinge feel and movement is fantastic, perfect! Focusing once broken in felt wonderful. The look and feel much more expensive then they are.
ZRS HD (Summit) 8x42 Waterproof Binoculars summary: I quickly filled up the back yard bird feeder and took all my Binoculars out on the back porch for a bird watching feast!
The extra weight of the Zen-Rays was quickly forgotten when I got totally absorbed at just how much better the view is then any of my Nikons. Just a very clear near edge-to-edge fantastic viewing experience enjoying small color details of the birds I didn’t notice before. Plus as the afternoon wore on the Zen-Ray ZRS HD Summit focus wheel became smoother just about to the point where it matches the Nikon Monarchs. It seems like the Zen-Rays are as clear and sharp from the center all the way out to around 95% of the total view. The Nikon Monarchs only seemed to be clear out to about 60 to 70% of the view and are not as clear anywhere in the view as the Zen-Rays with a film I never noticed before around the edges where the Zen-Rays are clear.
Verdict:
I’m taking my Nikon Monarchs back for a refund. Although the Monarchs feel a little bit better in the hand (a little less weight) and have a have better objective cover the Zen-Ray’s ZRS optics are far superior and this is what I value the most. As a plus I save over a $100. I’m keeping the Zen-Rays!
Rating for this Zen-Ray product: 5
Author of this review on Zen-Ray Binoculars: Grant Brummett
Date: 2009-06-21
Usefulness Rating: 5 out of 5.
1 reader(s) voted.
This Zen-Ray Binoculars review brought to you by Hunting & Fishing Gear Review!
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