Hey everyone, first post here! I'm in the market for a new 10x binocular that will be used almost extensively for muledeer hunting the badlands of North Dakota. I have spent an adequate amount of time researching several binoculars from many companies in the 400$-700$ range (as this is all I am able to afford) and have decided to go with Zen-ray. The problem I am now faced with is deciding on the ED3's or the Prime's. I want to know if its worth paying the extra 200$ for the primes. I have read reviews where people have loved their pair of ED1's/ED2's and weren't thrilled about the primes. Thanks in advance!
Zen-ray ED3 vs. Zen-ray prime HD
- Thread starter kupper
- Start date
Hilltop
Veteran member
Save a few bucks and look into Vortex.... just my opinion. No experience with the Zen-ray but the Vortex ones I have looked through were comparable to the very top end binos I have looked through.
I was originally going to go with vortex but several reviews found the zen-rays out performing both the vipers and in some cases the razors. Zen-ray also has the same warranty as vortex on these particular binoculars. I guess i'm going with zen-ray because in multiple tests its out performed vortex, has the same warranty, and is cheaper. that being said i've looked through both the viper and razor line of binoculars and they are fine optics indeed.
I've had Zen Ray ED2, ED3 and Primes. The Primes are exceptional. I gave a friend my ED2s and have the ED3s as a backup pair.
A friend has a pair of Vortexs and they aren't in the same ballpark as the Primes. His aren't the top end Vortexs though, I think his cost around $300 new. Maybe the Talons?
The only thing with the Primes that take some getting used to is the eyepiece is a bit larger than any other binoculars I've had. The clarity from edge to edge is amazing though.
One place that I go to check out optics is the Bird Forums, you never hear about Vortex there, but lots of the bird watchers (guys who are willing to spend $$$ on optics) rave about the bang for the buck you get with Zen Ray. I think Vortex is so big in the hunting community mainly because of all the guys on hunting shows that endorse them. They are decent glass I'm sure, but I really like my Zen Rays even if there isn't anyone on a hunting show on TV telling me how awesome they are.
My 2 cents. Nathan
A friend has a pair of Vortexs and they aren't in the same ballpark as the Primes. His aren't the top end Vortexs though, I think his cost around $300 new. Maybe the Talons?
The only thing with the Primes that take some getting used to is the eyepiece is a bit larger than any other binoculars I've had. The clarity from edge to edge is amazing though.
One place that I go to check out optics is the Bird Forums, you never hear about Vortex there, but lots of the bird watchers (guys who are willing to spend $$$ on optics) rave about the bang for the buck you get with Zen Ray. I think Vortex is so big in the hunting community mainly because of all the guys on hunting shows that endorse them. They are decent glass I'm sure, but I really like my Zen Rays even if there isn't anyone on a hunting show on TV telling me how awesome they are.
My 2 cents. Nathan
thanks Nathan. I believe your friend had the lower end diamond backs which are nice for their price point but aren't comparable to the HD glass in the vortex line. I couldn't agree more about using bird forums for reviews, those guys know their glass and post very detailed reviews. I have a few questions for you. How does the eyepiece of the prime compare with that of the zen ED3? Is it worth spending the extra 200$ for the prime over the ED3 (are you noticing better edge to edge clarity, less CA, larger sweet spot, or better light transmission)?
I would also like to note that I have nothing against vortex and agree that they make great glass with and exceptional warranty.
I would also like to note that I have nothing against vortex and agree that they make great glass with and exceptional warranty.
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
Welcome kupper! Tell us about you. I have owned the zen ray ed3s. I thought they were awesome for the money. I did have to send them back once and had a little problem with customer service but in the end I got a new pair to my door. Optically they are great, quality.. Meh. They will do if you are on a budget. Check out the comparable model in vortex line, I guarantee you the customer service is worth the price difference if there is any
I think the Primes are worth the extra $. They are just overall a higher quality overall and the glass is awesome. There really isn't a sweet spot, they are crystal clear edge to edge. About the only thing they aren't really any better on is light transmission. The ED3 was already pretty good. I actually thought the ED2 was a better quality build than the ED3, but the ED3 had better glass. The Primes are better in every way.
The eyepieces are just big. For me it was never an issue, but some people complained that it was hard to get used to the eye relief on them because not only does your eye need to be the right distance from the lens, but it needs to be centered as well.
My personal binoculars have gone from Nikon Monarchs to Zen-Ray ED2 then ED3, now Prime. The biggest step up from one to the next was going to the Primes.
My 2 cents, hope that helps some.
I don't have any experience the the Primes but I do have the Vortex Viper HD in 10x50 and I love them. I've had Nikon and Leupold for years and they don't compare to the Vortex.
Do you have a sporting goods store you can go to and do a side by side comparison to?
Do you have a sporting goods store you can go to and do a side by side comparison to?
xtreme
Very Active Member
I have the ED3s. I also bought a set of Diamondbacks to use while the Zen Rays are sent in for warranty. My fault on the damage, I expect to get a new pair but probably not going to make it in time for my elk hunt. As far as glass is concerned I wouldn't give $200. more for ELs. The Zens are not as durable as some of the others. I will be more careful with the next pair. BTW I paid $330.
I've been hunting with a friends pair of vortex vipers for most of the scouting season so ill be able to compare the zen-rays side by side. npaden has provided enough information for me to go with the primes. ill get back to everyone with a comparison of the primes vs. the vipers, ill also see if I can get my hands on a pair of razors to throw into the mix. thanks for the input everyone, its great to be part of a very helpful and knowledgeable hunting community. Also for anyone interested in going with zen-ray and are unsure of the warranty (which is a concern for most hunters) here is a link to their page http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/warranty/. its a lifetime no fault same as vortex. great to see that more brands going with this warranty.
I'm going to spend the extra coin on a pair of primes. I've used my friends vipers scouting few times this year so ill get them back and do a side by side comparison once I get the primes. for anyone interested in the zen-ray warranty I have the link here http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/warranty/. its essentially the same no fault lifetime warranty as vortex, I also have a 30 day period to send them back if I don't like them. thanks everyone for the advice, its great hearing knowledgeable opinions.
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
I think you will be happy kupper. As far as warrantee, it looks good on paper, my problem was getting ahold of zenray when my binos broke and then getting them shipped back to me not fixed over a month later. I hope you don't have to use their warrantee is all.
it is a little late for my 2 cents, but I did not like my primes. during regular daylight hours they performed just fine, but lower value glass (vortex, Alpen) out performed when I did a side by side comparison especially in low light. I had issues with two pair that I purchased having dust on the inside of the glass. the first pair was returned quickly as they had just starting shipping them when they first came out. the second pair took much longer to return and their response time back to me was very slow.
I don't have them anymore, but would say that for a few $100 bucks more the Razor HD's would be leaps and bounds better then the Primes.
I don't have them anymore, but would say that for a few $100 bucks more the Razor HD's would be leaps and bounds better then the Primes.
thanks for the advice jndeer. I would like to note that you had an absolutely excellent review on some high quality glass. I feel like the absolute best way to really know what binocular is truly suited to you is to go about it the way you did. The thing I found most true about the primes during my research is that it performed differently for some people due to the large eye cups, I guess I'm really hoping it performs well for me, if it doesn't ill return them and most likely go with either the vipers or bump up to the meopta meostar HD. I will be able to compare my set of primes against both the vipers and razors as soon as they get here. its just challenging financially for me to spend another 1000$ on binoculars after having purchased a new spotter (vortex razor 16-48). ill keep you posted on how I feel the primes compare against the razors and vipers.
I would like to know what your thoughts were on the razors vs. the cabelas euro.
thanks!
Kupper how did your season go with the Primes?
I think for the money you really can't go wrong with them. I feel the glass is just as good if not better than the razr HD vortex myself.
And the price difference is huge.
Cameraland Demo price "they are brand new"
Prime $499
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/zenray.pl?page=zenray-primehd10x42
Razr HD $950
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexrazorhd8x42_2012model
Both 10x42
You pay about twice as much because of the warranty they brag about. I think they come from the same factory really lol!
For the money Zenray glass really can't be beat and this is coming from a Swaro EL Zeis FL T guy.
Cameraland has ED3 for $330 by the way, thats a darn good deal as well.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/zenray.pl?page=zenray-zened30843
I think for the money you really can't go wrong with them. I feel the glass is just as good if not better than the razr HD vortex myself.
And the price difference is huge.
Cameraland Demo price "they are brand new"
Prime $499
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/zenray.pl?page=zenray-primehd10x42
Razr HD $950
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexrazorhd8x42_2012model
Both 10x42
You pay about twice as much because of the warranty they brag about. I think they come from the same factory really lol!
For the money Zenray glass really can't be beat and this is coming from a Swaro EL Zeis FL T guy.
Cameraland has ED3 for $330 by the way, thats a darn good deal as well.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/zenray.pl?page=zenray-zened30843
I am glad my review helped you some.
I wear glasses and would sometimes get a glare using the Razors, it was nothing horrible but noticeable. To me the Razor HD and the SLC HD are very similar in the type of picture you get looking through the glass. Ie shade colors and overall Brightness. The Euro HD and EL's were the opposite and had a more even dull coloration for the picture. I went back and forth and back and forth between the Razor HD and the Euro HD as I honestly liked them both. I would have probably tried another Razor HD to see if I could avoid the glare with my glasses, but if not I would have went with the Euro.
My brother and cousin also looked through a lot of the binos. They both picked the Razor HD over the Euro and they don't wear glasses.