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zen ray 8x43 vs Vortex Viper?

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ccoker View Drop Down
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    Posted: September/15/2009 at 07:36
anyone do a direct comparison?
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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: September/15/2009 at 22:15
I have had both 8x and 10x versions of both as well as both the ZEN ED 1 and 2.
 
The Viper is a good binocular but it is not in the same league as the ZEN.  Brightness and color rendition are not much different, but the ZEN offers superior resolution, contrast and color rendition.  It also has almost 100' wider fov.  If you are sensitive to CA, the ZEN controls that better too.  The Viper is the most compact of the two.
Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/16/2009 at 07:27
thank you very much
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TexasPhotog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/16/2009 at 08:45
Klamath, Thanks for the info.  How would the Zen Ray ED2's stack up against the Vortex Razors?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/16/2009 at 10:01
Well, on one hand, I'd not trade my ZEN ED straight across for a Razor.  On the other hand, I'd probably not trade a Razor for a ZEN either.  If forced to make a call, I'd say the ZEN is a tiny bit better in resolution, and the color bias is more neutral than the Razor, so the image will appear brighter to some.  The Razor has a bit of a brown tint and it gives the image a bit different "look" than the ZEN.  But what you can see with one, you can see with the other.  By the same token, what you can't see with one you won't be able to see with the other either.
 
The big difference is the different feel they give while glassing, the Razor has a three finger gap between the hinges and the ZEN a two finger gap.  The eye cups on the Razor are more infinitely adjustable on the Razor too.
 
I guess if the price difference was an issue for me, I'd get the ZEN.  I think it offers a little better deal.
Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris II Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/16/2009 at 10:30
Agreed the Zen's are hard to beat especially when you look at something in its price range. I was very impressed they definately have the wow factor.
One day your life will flash before your eyes; Make sure it's worth watching.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brunoleke Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/16/2009 at 10:40
The "wow factor" is the most important factor [:D]
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Zen-Ray 8x43 ED2
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/16/2009 at 17:17
I did a direct comparison between Hawke 8x43 (very similar to Zen ED) and Viper 8x42.


ILya
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