Well, here is what I can say now after spending a few days using them right next to other 8s I have for an hour or more at a time at different times of the day. The image quality on the Zen Ray ED is better than my Nikon Monarch ATBs and Vortex Vipers. The Zen Ray ED also has a better field of view at 426 feet at a 1000 yards.
However, they are not as good as my Swarovski EL, Nikon EDG, Zeiss FL or Leica Ultravids.
The question that remains for me is, how are they compared to the Vortex Razors. Don't know yet because I don't have a set of 8 power Razors but I will in a day or two.
So will I start recommending the ZR ED over the Nikon Monarchs and Vortex Vipers as my less than $1000 glasses? Not quite yet. My hang up is one that I brought up to the Zen Ray folks the very first day I received them. I don't like the way the Outdoorsmans Bino Adapter Stud faces out away from the user. It catilevers all the weight of the bino out on that quarter twenty thread and I just think it will end up damaging the hinge or causing the whole thing to tip over on the tripod. If it faced in towards the user like the ELs or even facing out but closer in towards the center of gravity like on the Monarchs and Vipers then yes I would recommend them without hesitation because they offer a better view. It may not sound like a big issue but it is for me because I am sold on the Outdoorsmans system and will only use and therefore recommend binos that use it properly. Seems like an easy fix to me.
If that issue doesn't pertain to you then you can consider the Zen Ray EDs recommended by Hardcore Outdoor as the best view for under $1000. The fact that they can be had for less than half of that makes them an exceptional value.
The next question is obvious I guess. How much better are the Swaro, Zeiss, EDG and Leica than the Zen Ray EDs? I can't put a number on it and it would be different for everybody anyway so why even try. The point is you will get something for the extra money and only you can decide if it is worth it or not.
What do I use? Nikon doesn't make the EDG in a 50 or 56mm objective. Leicas service is less than optimal, they don't make a regular 15 power with a 56 or 60mm objective and they don't have a doubler. You can't use the Outdoorsmans adapter on the Zeiss FLs. So, by process of elimination, I use the Swaros. They are top level glass, work perfectly with the Outdoorsmans accessories, service is very good, I like having the ability to use their doubler on the 8s, 10s and 15s and their 15 power has a 56mm objective. The Swarovskis work best for my system and style of hunting.
Wade
www.HardcoreOutdoor.com