Zen Ray 8x43 Review

 

Neither, the Japanese have been designing and manufacturing binocular optics much longer than the Chinese. However, as we are presently discovering, the Chinese, with the proper assistance, are now producing quality optical products.

 

Thanks

 

Are these three binoculars from China or Japan?

 

 

 

That is a difficult question to answer in that they don't really directly compare to any other bin out there...at least in one sense. They have the optical clarity, and overall specs (field of view, close focus, eye relief, etc..) of the Alpha bins. On that point I would respectfully challenge anyone but the most discriminating optics user to disagree. In my experience the Promaster and the Zen Ray might be a small bit ahead of the Hawke simply because the Hawke displays slightly more field curvature. Yet, the Promaster has a narrower field of view than either of the other two so that, too, has to be considered.

 

I guess what I would say is that if someone is looking for true Alpha level performance but cannot come close to affording it then these three binoculars are what I would direct them to.

 

...oh, and the pic is a bit distorted. The bins aren't anywhere near as long as they appear in the pic. It happened when I converted it to fit on the page. I will see if I can eventually rectify it.