and I am looking for my first nice set of bins. I have read through MANY post, searched the internet, asked opiniopns from those I know who may know optics so now I am down to asking you nice people.
Basically I am torn between the 8 x 42 2009 DB and the same size ZRS. I really like the warrenty from Vortex but heard lots of great things about the ZRs. I don't have the $ to buy both and compare. Any last thought to swing me one way or the other?
My thanks in advance
Some of us don't like the color bias in the ZRS that would bias me to the new DBs (though I've not seen them though I did have a pair of the old DBs).
The field flattener in the ZRS is nice. But the DB has a wider overall field but not sharp to the edge.
I recommend trying them both because deciding between both of these features is a rather personal issue. Even though you say you can't. Perhaps one months credit card interest (if you can't cover it) and shipping back the unwanted bin is perhaps worth getting the right bin.
Well Zen Ray offers a 30 day money back trial period. Same deal with Eagle Optics where you could get a Diamondback. So I would suggest you pick one and try it. Frankly, if that one (whichever one you get first) suited you, I would be tempted to tell you to keep it. You will find it hard to send that one back and get the other one, because you really need them side by side.
What I try to do in your shoes is to time the binocular deal so that I can get the credit back for the one I don't keep in time to pay whatever else I might have to pay. It is a bit of a pain to have all of the obligation on the card at once, but it is offset by a higher assurance of getting the one you like the best.
Here's the thing. While I happen to like the ZRS, as Kevin points out there is a reddish color bias he doesn't like. Now are you more like Kevin or Me in that regard?