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Vortex 8x42 Viper HD vs. Zen-Ray 8x42 Prime HD

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BeltFed View Drop Down
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    Posted: April/22/2015 at 09:48
My old 7x50 binocular finally gave up, and I'd like to replace them with something that's liter with decent glass, and good low light performance.
While I have a long list of possibles, the Vortex 8x42 Viper HD and the Zen-Ray 8x42 Prime HD have come to the top of my list (and budget). I was wondering what the differences in optical performance might be, and how their low light performance might be compared to the Steiner 7x50 Police. Anybody want to chime in?
 http://swfa.com/Vortex-8x42-Viper-HD-Binocular-P48307.aspx
http://swfa.com/Zen-Ray-8x42-Prime-HD-Binocular-P76769.aspx
http://swfa.com/Steiner-7x50-Police-Binocular-P809.aspx

Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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Klamath View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/22/2015 at 11:14
The big difference is ergonomics.  The Prime is bigger and on a downside it has pretty large diameter eye cups.  Maybe not an issue if you wear glasses but it can be if you have slightly smaller than average diameter eye sockets (those in your face), or if you need an IPD of much less than 60 mm.  The Viper is noticeably lighter than the Prime.

The Prime has a lot wider fov than the Viper, and it has better edges.  Both have very similar general image characteristics.  
Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/22/2015 at 19:02
Originally posted by Klamath Klamath wrote:

The big difference is ergonomics.  The Prime is bigger and on a downside it has pretty large diameter eye cups.  Maybe not an issue if you wear glasses but it can be if you have slightly smaller than average diameter eye sockets (those in your face), or if you need an IPD of much less than 60 mm.  The Viper is noticeably lighter than the Prime.

The Prime has a lot wider fov than the Viper, and it has better edges.  Both have very similar general image characteristics.  

I would try the Prime, hoping that it fits my face, for the reasons presented above, especially the field of view, making for nicer image.. 

This morning i tried a Sightron SII Blue Sky 8x32 right next to my old Swarovski EL 8x32 and a Viper HD 8x42. I hate to say it, but the Sightron was as nice as the Swaro and nicer than the Vier. It had beautiful image, super sharp. It was light and comfortable. My experience hunting with 8x32s tells me that 8x32 works well deer hunting in low light. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/10/2015 at 07:18
I'm also considering these as an option
http://swfa.com/Sightron-8x42-SIII-Magnesium-Binocular-P45640.aspx

Any thoughts as compared to the Zen-Ray 8x42 Prime?
Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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