Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Zen-Ray ZRS HD 10x42

Can anyone tell me about the low light performance of these Zen Rays?
Presently using a pair of Zeiss Classic 10x40's, Vortex Diamondback in 8x 42 and Leupold Yosemite 6x.

I tend to hunt black hogs early and late or at night in moonlight (like tonight!) and looking for good dim light performance.

Thanks for the advice.

stumpy

I know nothing about Zen Rays, but a hiqh quality pair of 8x56's are hard to beat for night use.

The ZRS HD have very good low light performance partially because of their state of the art dielectric coatings. They are brighter than most of the other bins at their price point. To my eyes their color representation is slightly warm (reddish) which makes game animals "pop out" a bit more in a variety of conditions.

The Minox HGs are hard to beat.

Thanks for the replies so far.
Glad to hear they work well in low light.
Wish I had more field reports.

Unfortunately, price is an issue.
Zen Rays are about $215. HG's are 3x's that?

stumpy

I have 8x42 and 10x42 zen rays eds and they have the clarity and low light quality of Zeis and swarovski at a lower cost.

Thank you. I will give ya'll a hunter's review in a few weeks.
Compared to those above and some others.

Thanks, Doug for the great service.

stumpy

Stumpy,

The ZRS is a top notch glass, but it is rather typical of 42mm class binoculars as far as low light performance goes. As you get past 30-40 minutes past sunset. depending on overall light conditions, they get less bright, but just about all 42mm glass does. The best 42 mm glass I have seen in low light is the Zeiss FL. Very high light transmission percentage coupled with a brighter, cooler color balance. The ZRS has a warmer, somewhat reddish color cast.

You may need to look at an 8x56 of some nature if low light performance is really critical. The ZRS is a typical sort of 42mm glass and that they do lots of things well, especially considering the price, but will not excell at low light. They are not bad there, but you will have to go bigger objective to improve much on what they will do.