vortex razor OR zen ray ed2 20-60x spotting scope

[sk]

I'm trying to decide which to buy, I can't make up my mind. I have been recommended by several the vortex is a little better, the company is established, and has the no fault warranty. The warranty was enough reason to make me go vortex.

However, I spoke with charles at zen ray, and he said they will be changing their ed2 spotter warranty to a no fault warranty as well, no matter when it was purchased.

there is a $275 price difference between what i can get the spotters for (i know what the retail price normally is, i am not confused here) and the zen ray also comes with a 30x wide angle lens, an added bonus.

i really want to save the additional $275, but am scared of not maximizing the performance i could get out of a spotting scope as i will not buy another one for many years to come

anyone have any thoughts or opinions that might sway me one way or another? what would you do?

thanks guys

 

[SteveC]

I don't want to repeat myself, but save the money. See my response in the Zen Spotter thread about two lines below this one.

 

[sk]

>I don't want to repeat myself,
>but save the money.
>See my response in the
>Zen Spotter thread about two
>lines below this one.


I see....glad to hear that's your opinion I've read many of your zen ray reviews on other forums. Will definitely strongly consider your opinion

 

[Ozzman]

Check with Doug over at Cameraland. They have an open box (demo) vortex nomad unit. My brother picked one up from them, and you wouldn't know it was a demo.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexnomad

 

[alaska_bou]

Go with the vortex, no question. There are a number of reviews online and the zen-ray, although not bad for the price, is a Chinese made razor knock-off. The majority of the razor is made in Japan. They are NOT the same scope with a different label. Optically the razor is superior. With that said, many of the optics sold by vortex, zen-ray and eagle optics are coming from the same Asian sources.

 

[sk]

>Go with the vortex, no question.
>There are a number of
>reviews online and the zen-ray,
>although not bad for the
>price, is a Chinese made
>razor knock-off. The majority of
>the razor is made in
>Japan. They are NOT the
>same scope with a different
>label. Optically the razor is
>superior. With that said, many
>of the optics sold by
>vortex, zen-ray and eagle optics
>are coming from the same
>Asian sources.

I have talked to numerous people who have used both and side by side as well....They say the differences are so slight you would never know the difference without a side by side comparison, and even then it's tough.

I went with the Zen ED2 spotter, wow is all I can say....was looking at shadows of rock formations at 7.2 miles yesterday. I can do a better review in a month or so when i have my digiscoping equipment and more time behind it.

Vortex is more established, but I opted to save the cash for more expensive binos, I pre-ordered the zen ray prime hd's