With the current $100 rebate on the Leupold Golden Ring HDs, They seem like a no-brainer buy. In addition to that, I got some coupons from Cabelas which let me save an addition $75 of $500, making the 10x42s $525 plus tax. That is an unbelievable buy for a pair of Golden Ring HDs.
However, if they still don't compare to the Zen Ray ED2s, it doesn't really matter how good of a deal they are. I know that Leupold may have the upper hand in build quality. Company reputations and warranties aside, how do the two compare optically? Obviously the Zen Ray ED2s have phenomenal reviews for the most part. I've read great things about the Golden Rings HD, but I've also read some underwhelming reviews as well.
Are there some of you have had the opportunity to use or compare these together? Which has the better view? For the price on the Golden Ring HDs, should I snag them or are the Zen Ray ED2s that much better. Thanks.
i just evaluated the Leupold GR HD's and i am returnign them. very disappointed in them. not what i was hoping they would be
[QUOTE=motts;1760517]With the current $100 rebate on the Leupold Golden Ring HDs, They seem like a no-brainer buy. In addition to that, I got some coupons from Cabelas which let me save an addition $75 of $500, making the 10x42s $525 plus tax. That is an unbelievable buy for a pair of Golden Ring HDs.
Are there some of you have had the opportunity to use or compare these together? Which has the better view? For the price on the Golden Ring HDs, should I snag them or are the Zen Ray ED2s that much better. Thanks.[/QUOTE]
I have not handled the GR 10 x 42s but I do own both the Zen ED 8 x 43 and GR 8 x 42s. My comments, therefore, apply only to the 8X models and may be inapplicable to the 10 power glasses. However: the Zens in my opinion are a fantastic bargain and, as I have said repeatedly, are a wonderfully satisfying birding binocular. That said, however, the image through the GRs is (for my eyes) noticeably superior. The Zens might actually be somewhat brighter, but sharpness, contrast, absence of CA and, most of all, the intensity of colors makes the GR the real alpha challenger and the clear winner for WOW factor. The weight difference between the Zen and the GR is not trivial, although the supplied by Leupold harness helps greatly and both models have super warranties and super customer service. At the end of the day, $525 is an astounding price for the GR and that would be my choice assuming the 10X offers comparable performance to the 8 power.