OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Other Optics > Binoculars
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Zen Ray ED2 9x36
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Zen Ray ED2 9x36

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
woods1124 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: June/28/2010
Location: NW Oklahoma
Status: Offline
Points: 23
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote woods1124 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Zen Ray ED2 9x36
    Posted: July/16/2013 at 15:05
I've got a chance to trade for a pair of these. I've been trying to find some reviews on here and other sights, but I can't find a whole lot about them. How do they compare to the 7x36 and 8x43 ED2s?

Thanks
Back to Top
Klamath View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: May/20/2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1308
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/16/2013 at 17:37
As much as I like the ZEN ED series binoculars I'd advise you use a bit of caution.  My 7x36 ZEN ED 2 is one of the last binoculars I'd ever part ways with.

The caution advisory comes from the fact that the 9x36 ZEN ED 2 was directly responsible for the ZEN ED 3 series being introduced.  Zen Ray had a very good relationship with the factory that made the original ZEN ED and the newer ZEN ED 2 binoculars.  At  the time ZR was  introducing the 9x36, that factory lost some key people, key in the sense they were the ones who had it figured out QC was important.  Unfortunately, the people who replaced them were pretty lackadaisical or just ignorant about decent QC concepts.  The 9x36 ED 2 paid the price for that.  QC on that binocular, to put it mildly...sucked.  ZR had to examine every single one they ordered and refused over half.  I had my hands on two of the 9x36...both had too many issues.  This escapade made ZR take the leap into their own OEM capability in their own facility and the ED 3 was the result of that move. Unfortunately the x36 mm designs did not make the progression to the ED 3 series. Part of the issue was the ZEN ED basic design was/is property of the original OEM company, and in the parting of the ways, ZR only had the ability to use the x43 design in their new facility...kind of convoluted and I really don't know all the details.

Anyway, there is higher than usual chances of finding a poor sample.  On the other hand, since ZR let that one out the door, then it might be OK.  Neither one of us knows what one you will get.  I'd see about what kind of return policy is available with this unit, and if I was not satisfied with it, I'd not touch it.
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

Back to Top
woods1124 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: June/28/2010
Location: NW Oklahoma
Status: Offline
Points: 23
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote woods1124 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/18/2013 at 09:28
Thank you Klamath. As always, very informative.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 1.445 seconds.