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New 2011 Zen-Ray ED2 20-60x82mm

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Brady View Drop Down
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    Posted: October/27/2010 at 11:08

After two years of product development Zen-Ray has finally come to market with their new ZEN ED2 20-60x82 angled spotting scope!

 
As a introductory promotion Zen Ray is offering a pair of 10x42 ZRS HD  binoculars for FREE. This offer is only available for pre orders. Once the scopes become available on 11/20 the promotion will be over. Orders after this date will NOT receive the FREE binoculars.

 

Pre Order here:

http://swfa.com/Zen-Ray-20-60x82-ZEN-ED2-Spotting-Scope-P48008.aspx

 

 

 
Zen-Ray ZEN ED2™ spotting scope is designed and manufactured to deliver the performance that is normally available from products 1.5x-3x more expensive. Featured with extra low dispersion glass, oversized prism system, fully broadband multi-coated optics, ZEN ED2 spotter is for the most serious birders and hunters who expect nothing but the best image resolution, extreme low light brightness, and edge-edge sharpness without distortion. The ZEN ED2 is lightweight thanks to the rugged compact magnesium alloy body
 



Edited by Chris Farris - October/02/2014 at 11:32

Dimension (HxW)

18x6

Weatherproofing

Waterproof/Fogproof

Magnification

20-60x

Field of View

115-60 feet/1000 yards

Eye Relief

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2010 at 13:33
Hmmmm......

That looks familiar.
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote coyote95 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2010 at 14:45
very interesting.... looks like the  Looking forward to reading the reviews Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote castlebravo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2010 at 18:09
Probably made in the same factory.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2010 at 18:39

Yes, it does look familiar, but as the saying goes looks are only skin deep.  Though in this case I expect the Zen to be another great product offered at a fantastic price.

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote castlebravo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2010 at 21:40
Agreed, the 3 Zen-Ray binos I have are excellent through my newbish eyes. I might just end up buying this scope.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote castlebravo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/05/2010 at 13:40
Anyone know if it will take different eye pieces, and if so, what size they are?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote castlebravo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/05/2010 at 15:12
Reply from Zen-Ray:

Thanks for contacting us.  The ZEN ED2 spotting scope is compatible with most of the Swarovski eyepieces. It is not compatible with astronomical eyepiece since those eyepieces are not optimized to work with spotting scope for daylight use.

We will also introduce 30x wide angle eyepiece in the future

Thanks
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/05/2010 at 16:11
I don't know which "looks familiar" spotter you refer to, but I'm guessing the Razor.  Keep in mind the Vortex is made in Japan, the Zen in China.  Can't be the same plant.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/06/2010 at 18:25
JGRaider,

If you are referring to my post, I was referring to the Razor HD.  I also do not think it is a rebadged Razor.  I would speculate it is a reverse-engineered copy with just enough differences thrown in to avoid trademark infringement.

I did not see where it is listed as made in China, although I would guess it is.  I am also interested to know if the objective is a true APO triplet, like the Razor, or a ED doublet, like the Chinese Celestron Regal ED series.

The real test will, of course, be performance.

Nice touch making it compatible with Swarovski Eyepieces. 
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 338LAPUASLAP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/07/2010 at 11:11
Is it me or is this about $400-$500 over the original cost estimatiion.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PERCEIVED MARKET VALUE?
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote castlebravo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/08/2010 at 11:37
Originally posted by Bitterroot Bulls Bitterroot Bulls wrote:

JGRaider,

If you are referring to my post, I was referring to the Razor HD.  I also do not think it is a rebadged Razor.  I would speculate it is a reverse-engineered copy with just enough differences thrown in to avoid trademark infringement.

I did not see where it is listed as made in China, although I would guess it is.  I am also interested to know if the objective is a true APO triplet, like the Razor, or a ED doublet, like the Chinese Celestron Regal ED series.

The real test will, of course, be performance.

Nice touch making it compatible with Swarovski Eyepieces. 


AFAIK, Zen-Ray was pretty upfront about their stuff being made in China.  Vortex is a little more coy on where their items are sourced (I seem to recall their policy is not to disclose it at all, with some of the stuff being made in China, and some in Japan, and some final assembly occurring stateside). 

I have a couple of Zen-Ray ED2 binos (thanks SWFA!) and the Vortex Razor 10x50s.  I would say the optics are a little better on the Zen-Ray in normal daylight...which may be why Vortex might be coming out with a new design at Shot Show. 

I'm intrigued by the possibility of slightly-better-than Razor performance for $400 less, but it's hard to beat the Vortex warranty.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/08/2010 at 13:32
I think Vortex has been pretty "up front" with where they make their products, including products made in the Philippines and China.  I am unaware of a non-disclosure policy, but it would seem counterproductive then to mark the products with the "made in ___" labels.

My Vortex Razor Binoculars and Razor HD scope are both clearly marked, "Made in Japan."  I suspect your (castlebravo) Razor 10X50's are likely marked the same.  Check the badge with the serial # on the inside of the right barrel.  I haven't heard that Vortex does any final assembly in the U.S.A.

I still haven't found anything about where the subject of this thread, the ZEN spotter, is made.  It stands to reason that it would be made in China like the bins, but maybe not.

I hope we get some answers, especially about the objective lens construction.
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/08/2010 at 14:47
Bitterroot, not being argumentative......Zen Ray spotter is made in China.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/08/2010 at 14:56
JGRaider,

I thought it probably was.  Where did you find that info?  I couldn't find it anywhere.
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote castlebravo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/08/2010 at 15:02
Originally posted by Bitterroot Bulls Bitterroot Bulls wrote:

I think Vortex has been pretty "up front" with where they make their products, including products made in the Philippines and China.  I am unaware of a non-disclosure policy, but it would seem counterproductive then to mark the products with the "made in ___" labels.


Well, not to quibble, but "made in ___" can be finessed (i.e., refer to where finally assembly occurs and not where lenses / prisms / bodies are made).  I'm not accusing Vortex of this btw, lest there be any confusion.

Regarding the ND policy, I may have mis-remebered...I tried finding the comment from the Vortex rep that I remembered, and couldn't find it.  It may have been in reference to identifying suppliers rather than country of origin.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/08/2010 at 16:11
Originally posted by castlebravo castlebravo wrote:


Well, not to quibble, but "made in ___" can be finessed (i.e., refer to where finally assembly occurs and not where lenses / prisms / bodies are made).  I'm not accusing Vortex of this btw, lest there be any confusion.

Regarding the ND policy, I may have mis-remebered...I tried finding the comment from the Vortex rep that I remembered, and couldn't find it.  It may have been in reference to identifying suppliers rather than country of origin.


I didn't think this thread was a quibble ... or an argument.  I thought it was a discussion about the OP product.  I love that optics are getting better and better at lower prices.  I am also fascinated by the optics industry in general.  I am curious about the origins and technology of the Zen ED Spotter, and even more curious about it's performance.

I really like the Zen products I have purchased (10X43 ED and 8X42 ZRS HD).  I have high hopes the Zen ED spotter could compete with a proven product like the Vortex Razor HD.  Competition is always a good thing.


-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/08/2010 at 16:43
Originally posted by Bitterroot Bulls Bitterroot Bulls wrote:

Originally posted by castlebravo castlebravo wrote:


Well, not to quibble, but "made in ___" can be finessed (i.e., refer to where finally assembly occurs and not where lenses / prisms / bodies are made).  I'm not accusing Vortex of this btw, lest there be any confusion.

Regarding the ND policy, I may have mis-remebered...I tried finding the comment from the Vortex rep that I remembered, and couldn't find it.  It may have been in reference to identifying suppliers rather than country of origin.


I didn't think this thread was a quibble ... or an argument.  I thought it was a discussion about the OP product.  I love that optics are getting better and better at lower prices.  I am also fascinated by the optics industry in general.  I am curious about the origins and technology of the Zen ED Spotter, and even more curious about it's performance.

I really like the Zen products I have purchased (10X43 ED and 8X42 ZRS HD).  I have high hopes the Zen ED spotter could compete with a proven product like the Vortex Razor HD.  Competition is always a good thing.




I couldn't agree more Bitterroot.  I appreciate the fact you noticed there was no arguing or quibbling going on, and I've read enough of your knowledgable posts to know that's not your style.  Anyway, to answer your question, Charles @ Zen Ray, via PM, told me they were Chinese made like the fantastic binos.  I look for good reviews from this spotter.  It is nice to have such choices nowadays.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote castlebravo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/24/2010 at 09:47
So has anyone looked through the new Zen-Ray spotting scope yet?  Any initial impressions?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/23/2010 at 16:26
Well I'll try this again.  Got booted on my first try.
 
The USPS delivered my 20-60x80 ED angled model today.  Just a first impression so far, but as a piece of equipment has only one chance to make the first impression, this one delivered.  It seems to be maybe a bit better built than the ZEN ED binocular.  It is also more compact (shorter) than the posted picture makes it seem,  It looks longer and slimmer than it is.  It also looks somewhat less like the Razor up close and personal than the picture makes it seem.  Although there are certain similarities that will be built into any two 80mm porro spotters. 
 
I know Charles at Zen Ray well enough to know he is "fanatic" about not selling a reverse engineered "knock off style" product.  Probably no more so than SWAFA is about selling something like  it too.  So as the ZEN ED class of binocular seems original as a roof prism binocular goes, I suspect this spotter is probably as original as porro spotters can get.  That is as far out on that limb as I will go...as I freely admit that is a WAG on my part. Smile
 
Now this seems to be every bit the optical equal of the ZEN ED binocular and first glance says it is well worth the $$$.  The eye relief I can get just right for me, which is not always the case with me and spotters.  The edge of the view is sharp and the field seems quite flat.  Edge distortion will not, in and of itself, force you to center something seen on the edge.  That and the flat field should help long scanning periods.  The color balance is pretty neutral and the images so far are quite satrisfactory.  Both the coarse and fine focus wheels work just about right for my taste too.  Saying any more than that will have to wait a bit.
 
The biggest revelation so far is...my damn tripod now needs to be replaced.
Steve
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