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Redfield, Nikon (2010), Zen Ray, Leupold, Vortex..

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stainless Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Redfield, Nikon (2010), Zen Ray, Leupold, Vortex..
    Posted: May/17/2010 at 12:56
Hi Everyone...

I have seen TONS of reviews and read many many forums on the various binos but none have included Redfield (The Redfields are made by Leupold) or 2010 Nikon Monarch III w/ Dielectric coating or combination of the below.  I hear a lot of the Zen Ray but have seen some less then stellar reviews by Outdoor Life Magazine though the forums seem contrary.  I am looking for a set around the $250 mark or less, all are prism/roof, focus/center, magnification/10x, waterproof/yes, fogproof/yes and the aperture size/42.  Items that I feel are important is but the number can't show is clarity, low light use, quality of build… and of of course what the numbers can show: field of view, exit pupil, size, weight and warranty.  A feature that I would like is a locking Diopter and caps that are connected to the binos.  As we know, price doesn't always predict quality, so it's less important.  I will be using them for outdoor sporting (backpacking/hiking, hunting, fishing, star gazing (to early to retire to the tent.))   I am finding a lot of confusing data on the net, even from the manufactures themselves i.e. Nikon Manuel says Angular Field of View (degrees):  6.0 and Angular Field of View (Apparent):  55.3° but their website have completely different & less attractive numbers!!!  So any real input would be appreciated and any additional options with other brand (Pentax, Minox or Celestron) would be GREATLY appreciated!  Here is what I have compiled so far and below that is a ranking;

Redfield Rebel 10x42
Linear Field of View (ft @ 1000yd):  341
Angular Field of View (degrees):  6.5
Angular Field of View (Apparent):  ?
Exit Pupil (mm):  4.0
Eye Relief (mm):  16.3
Interpupillary Distance (mm):  58-73
Close Focus Distance (ft.):  4.3
Weight (ounces):  26.4
Size (Length x Width):  5.9x?
Fully Multi-Coating:  Yes
Warranty:  Redfield binoculars are warranted by the Redfield Limited Lifetime warranty for as long as the original owner owns them. We warrant them to be free of defects in materials and workmanship, and to function satisfactorily under normal use conditions.

Leupold Acadia 10x42
Linear Field of View (ft @ 1000yd):  325
Angular Field of View (degrees):  6.0
Angular Field of View (Apparent):  ?
Exit Pupil (mm):  4.1
Eye Relief (mm):  14.0
Interpupillary Distance (mm):  57-76
Close Focus Distance (ft.):  9.0
Weight (ounces):  23.5
Size (Length x Width):  6x?
Fully Multi-Coating:  Yes
Warranty:  Warranted for as long as the original owner owns them. We warrant them to be free of defects in materials and workmanship, and to function satisfactorily under normal use conditions.

Zen Ray ZRS (Summit) 10x42
Linear Field of View (ft @ 1000yd):  315
Angular Field of View (degrees):  ?
Angular Field of View (Apparent):  60
Exit Pupil (mm):  4.2
Eye Relief (mm):  15.2
Interpupillary Distance (mm):  55-74
Close Focus Distance (ft.):  6.6
Weight (ounces):  23.2
Size (Length x Width):  5.5 x ?
Fully Multi-Coating:  Yes w/Dielectric Coating
Warranty:  Guarantees your product to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product. These warranties do not cover consumer caused damages such as misuse, abuse or repairs attempted by someone other than our authorized technicians.

Nikon Monarch III 10x42 (2010 w/ Dielectric)
Linear Field of View (ft @ 1000yd):  288 ft
Angular Field of View (degrees):  5.5°
Angular Field of View (Apparent):  51.3°
Exit Pupil (mm):  4.2
Eye Relief (mm):  18.4
Interpupilary Distance (mm):  56-72
Close Focus Distance (ft.):  8.2 ft
Weight:  21.9 oz
Size (Length x Width):  5.7x5.1 in
Fully Multi-Coating:  Yes w/Dielectric Coating
Warranty:  Then great unknown!!! Not on their Bino site or even mentioned in the product manuel… SHAME ON NIKON!!!

Vortex Diamondback 10x42
Linear Field of View (ft @ 1000yd):  345
Angular Field of View (degrees):  6.6
Angular Field of View (Apparent):  ?
Exit Pupil (mm):  4.2
Eye Relief:  16.0
Interpupillary Distance (mm):  57-73
Close Focus Distance (ft.):  5.0
Weight (ounces):  24.4
Size (Length x Width):  5.9x5.6
Fully Multi-Coating:  Yes
Warranty:  Repair or replace your Vortex product for any reason at NO CHARGE TO YOU. It doesn't matter how it happened, whose fault it was, or where you purchased it. Unlimited lifetime Warranty, Fully transferable, No warranty card to fill out, No receipt needed to hang on to.  If you ever have a problem, no matter the cause, we promise to take care of you.

Rankings
Linear Field of View (ft @ 1000yd):  Vortex then Redfield
Exit Pupil (mm):  Zen Ray, Nikon, and Vortex tied then Redfield
Eye Relief (mm):  Nikon then Redfield
Interpupillary Distance (mm):  Leupold, Nikon tied
Close Focus Distance (ft.):  Redfield then Vortex
Weight (ounces):  Nikon then Zen Ray
Size (Length only):  Zen Ray then Nikon
Fully Multi-Coating:  Zen Ray, Nikon tied for both having Dielectric Coating
Warranty:  Vortex…  NOTE TO OTHER MANUFACTURES FOLLOW THIS PATH!!!

Thoughts…  
Zen Ray win on size, weight (+1.3 oz), exit pupil, and offers Dielectric Coating.
Redfield offers FOV (-1 foot) , exit pupil (.1mm off), eye relief (2nd) and close focus distance.
Vortex wins on the FOV, close focus (-7 inches), exit pupil and the WARRANTY is amazing.
Nikon takes weight, size (+.2 inch), exit pupil, eye relief, interpupillary distance, and offers Dielectric Coating
Leupold is only taking interpupillary distance


So where does this leave me, it leaves me considering Vortex for greatest range of use and a warranty that means they care and stand behind their product.  Redfield in there with Vortex but sucky warranty.  Nikon and Zen Ray each having benefits and offer Dielectric Coating, which suppose to be best for low light situations. And Leupold in the middle of the pack on about everything with the same sucky warranty that all the manufactures offers, other then the Vortex of course.

So now, please give me your input into all of this… have any of you used Redfield, I read that Zen Ray best Nikon and Vortex but seen others contradict that.

Thank you for any input in advance and encourage any manufacture to reply.

Regards,
cMason

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zen-Ray Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/17/2010 at 23:14

cMason,

We did a major design change when we introduced the 2010 ZRS HD in early March, 2010.  The brightness, resolution have been significantly improved over the previous generation with the new design.  We introduced dielectric prism coating on ZRS because of several benefits. Please see my comment below.

http://www.zen-ray.com/blog/?p=34
 
You may also want to consider the new 2010 VISTA, which is quite competitive with some models in your list.  Do check with SWFA. They have all the Zen-Ray products in stock.  Feel free to PM me if there is any technical question that I can help answering.  Thanks a lot for considering ZRS binoculars as one of the potential candidates.
 
Charles
Charles
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/18/2010 at 17:00
How's that for customer service, information and a reply staight from are good freinds at Zen-Ray. Yippee
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote matchetman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/21/2010 at 21:05
I can speak for Vortex customer service. Ordered a pair from Bass Pro. After hours and hours of intense "studying" and reading, finally went through with my ordering.... Realized several days after I had actually order a pair of 8 x 42 instead of 10 x 42.  Called BP, and it was a futile effort at best to help me with my situation (which was my fault by the way). Had heard Vortex had great Customer Service, so mentioned to BP i'd just call them - which I was told by BP NOT do do. Anyway, called Vortex the next day, told them of my issue, and they said no problem at all, they'd ship me exactly the pair i wanted. Definitely a great way to start an extended relationship with some glass...
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