NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 11505
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Ok, I'm seeing these at Telescopes.com for only 69.00... Regular price elsewhere is 139.00...
Are these OK?
I know Zhumell offers a great 25 year No-Fault warranty, which I think makes these a no brainer, but I still would like other peoples opinions...
Anyone?
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Neo... (Jeff)
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10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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hallelujah
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 1385
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mt. High
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At that price I would give them a try. 
http://www.zhumell.com/warranty.html
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Fujinon 7x42mm CD PC/roof FMC/WP/FP Japan
Pentax 12x50mm PCF WP II asph FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 16x60mm PCF WP asph FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 20x60mm PCF WP II asph FMC/WP/FP
Orion 15x70mm Little Giant II FMC/Japan
Orion 16x80mm Giant FMC/Japan
Orion 30x80mm MEGAView FMC/Japan
Barska 30x80mm X-Trail LW FC
Burgess Optical Series II 20x90mm FMC/WP/FP
Edited by hallelujah (10/29/07 08:36 PM)
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AppFire
sage
Reged: 11/17/06
Posts: 296
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I have been looking for a decent pair of 20x80's here and on the bay. Thanks for the heads up on this. I just ordered a pair. They will be here on Wednesday since they also have free shipping and for some reason I got free second day air. Go figure. But for $69 bucks you cannot go wrong since Zhumell has a really good warranty.
Chris
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 11505
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Do me a favor and send me a PM, or post a review when you get them... I'll be putting these on my xmas list...
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12049
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
But for $69 bucks you cannot go wrong
Well, for a 20x80?, if you don't put your expectations too high, then maybe you won't consider anything that goes wrong really too wrong. But this is precariously close to expecting something for nothing.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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stargazertony
super member
Reged: 09/25/07
Posts: 181
Loc: Apple Valley, CA.
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Those binoculars are Identicle to my Barskas same focuser, same front cell. I dont know if the coatings are different but the 20x80s that I have really do a nice job on DSOs for a budget priced binocular. Side by side comparison the image quality is the same. I was able to compare the 2 about 2 weeks ago.
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Anthony Rogers 
12.5" Discovery PDHQ Dob."Aldebaran"
4" Mak w/Stellarvue Dielectric Diag.
20x80 Barska Binoculars Mounted
7X35 Simmons Wide Field Binoculars
My CN Photo Gallery
Apple Valley, CA.
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Dennis Menace
member
Reged: 10/14/07
Posts: 27
Loc: Memphis, TN
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Darn, I paid $139 + shipping for mine! 
They are o.k. for the money. They are not very rigidly aligned, and take some pampering to keep them aligned.
Opticsplanet.com has 20x100mm Astrovue Binoculars for $139 including tax and shipping if you prefer 5mm exit pupil to 4mm.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12049
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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This binocular is another version that appears identical to the Anttler Optic Sky Sweeper 20x80 that I reviewed a few years ago. Some of the advertised specifications are not what you get in the delivered product.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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william
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/20/04
Posts: 556
Loc: Lexington , South Carolina
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I have to admit, that I was tempted to try these. A 20x80 delivered for $69, what a deal  . But on second thought, I think that I'll take edz advice and pass on these.
William
Pentax 10x50 PCF WP
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Falcon Birder
super member
Reged: 04/16/07
Posts: 111
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what about their 25x100? Are they the same as the GO or Oberwerk 25x100 IF, or just some imitators? It is only $250 though.
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Zen-Ray SUMMIT 10x42 WP
Swaroski 8.5x42 EL
Leica 8x32 Ultravid
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Topcat
sage
Reged: 02/25/04
Posts: 350
Loc: RI
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For $69.00 I ordered a pair. they have to be better than the 10 x 50 clunker I've been using for years.
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Stellarvue Nighthawk
Stellarvue 80/9D
WOZS66 SD
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AppFire
sage
Reged: 11/17/06
Posts: 296
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The ones I ordered is supposed to arrive tomorrow. I will let everyone know how they look and some quick info on the viewing and collimation.
Chris
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Topcat
sage
Reged: 02/25/04
Posts: 350
Loc: RI
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Quote:
The ones I ordered is supposed to arrive tomorrow. I will let everyone know how they look and some quick info on the viewing and collimation.
Chris
Mine are arriving Friday.......I hope it's clear this weekend.
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Stellarvue Nighthawk
Stellarvue 80/9D
WOZS66 SD
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dvb
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/18/05
Posts: 1624
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I very nearly pulled the trigger on these, but decided my 15x70's would suffice -- I like to work tripod-free. I can manage this acceptably with the 15x70s, at 3 pounds. Altho the 20x80s are only 1.4pounds more, adding that weight and an extra 5x, I think I'm better off staying with the 15x70.
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I'll take one of each, please:
Antares 10" f/5 Dob w/SkyCommander
Skywatcher 10" f/4.7 Newt on Matilda
Celestron 8" SCT
Meade 8" SN f/4
Celestron C6 SCT
Skywatcher ED100 f/9
Skywatcher ED80 f/7.5
EQ6 Pro "Matilda"
Skymaster 15x70
Minolta 10x50
Mallincam HyperColor Plus
Speco 9" CRT
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lynntx
sage
Reged: 03/25/04
Posts: 282
Loc: North Texas, USA
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I am interested to hear your experience. Man that is amazingly cheap!!!!
Lynn
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Texas, USA
*******************
Orion ST80
127mm F8 Burgess Refractor
8" F6 Dob
8X21, 8X30, 8X42, 7X50, 15X70 Binoculars
(Psalm 19:1)
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AppFire
sage
Reged: 11/17/06
Posts: 296
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They have arrived, just unboxed them and took a quick glance through them and the views are quite nice. So nice in fact I am ordering another pair just to have. Hey, $69.00 is a steal for these, I do not care what anybody says...........
Over the weekend I will write up a reveiw of them as I will have the time to really use them etc....
Chris
Chris
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stargazertony
super member
Reged: 09/25/07
Posts: 181
Loc: Apple Valley, CA.
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.
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Anthony Rogers
12.5" Discovery PDHQ Dob."Aldebaran"
4" Mak w/Stellarvue Dielectric Diag.
20x80 Barska Binoculars Mounted
7X35 Simmons Wide Field Binoculars
My CN Photo Gallery
Apple Valley, CA.
Edited by stargazertony (11/03/07 11:41 PM)
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OvidiuDanut
super member
Reged: 09/25/07
Posts: 102
Loc: Romania
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Just ordered 3 pairs:))
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When we look at the immensity of the Universe we start to see ourselves smaller and smaller...
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cota_scope
sage
Reged: 05/16/04
Posts: 355
Loc: sioux city ia
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don't realy need them but could not resist ordered a pair also for that price, john
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Dennis Menace
member
Reged: 10/14/07
Posts: 27
Loc: Memphis, TN
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One of you guys send me the empty box...I want to smell that new binocular smell... 
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jsmithy
member
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 40
Loc: KCMO
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Chris,
I look forward to your report. I am waiting on mine.
There are 70 reviews on their website with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. They have to be fairly decent.
Quote:
They have arrived, just unboxed them and took a quick glance through them and the views are quite nice. So nice in fact I am ordering another pair just to have. Hey, $69.00 is a steal for these, I do not care what anybody says...........
Over the weekend I will write up a reveiw of them as I will have the time to really use them etc....
Chris
Chris
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12049
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
There are 70 reviews on their website with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. They have to be fairly decent.
Most of them are not reviews. They are "I love my xxx, they are the best ever" They really don't tell you anything.
Just a thought.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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drshivas
member
Reged: 10/30/07
Posts: 37
Loc: Maryland, USA
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FYI, www.telescopes.com and www.binoculars.com appear to be the same company.
Taking a peek at www.resellerratings.com reveals some recent negative customer feedback.
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Telescopes
and
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/binoculars
I personally chose not to make a purchase from this company due to the feedback, ultra low prices and the risk of poor quality control. I'd love to hear points to the contrary.
just my $.02.
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Oberwerk 11x56
Oberwerk 11x70
GO 15x70 LW
Oberwerk 20x80 Deluxe II
GO 25x100 IF
Bogen 501HDV Head / 475B Tripod
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jsmithy
member
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 40
Loc: KCMO
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OK. Review may be to strong a word. Customer's impressions may be more appropriate. Nonetheless, if that many people seem to be happy with them, I'm willing to give them a shot.
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Orion XT12 Intelliscope
Orion Q70
38mm
Baader Hyperion
17mm, 13mm, 8mm, 5mm
ASKC Dark Sky Site
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 9798
Loc: Lancashire UK
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You know , I can still remember the very first time I saw the name Zhumell -- and my admittedly spontaneous , frivolous decision to publicly remark upon the audio similarity between the words Zhumell and Zoom Hell .
Now I'm beginning to wonder if I really was , with hindsight , as rash and mistaken as I remember being made to feel at that time , or if , by some miracle , that instinctive response was somehow inspired ?
Kenny
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GRAND PRIZE for NON - INTELLECTUAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Troll Doll of the month ( June 2008 )
2 eyes and a preference to use both
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12049
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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CAUTION.
We have had two people TODAY ( make that THREE) post to this forum and exclaim, I bought (or my friend bought) these Zhumell 20x80 binoculars from telescopes.com, but the alignment is so far off they can't be used.
I would caution anyone thinking about these binoculars to be aware that this condition might exist before you consider purchasing these binoculars. Think twice. You think you are getting a bargain for $69. You may not be getting such a bargain.
For most of our members, this IS NOT a good recommendation. For those of you who want to gamble on a potential problem piece of equipment, go ahead. But You've got to ask yourself, what the heck are you expecting for $69!
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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hallelujah
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 1385
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mt. High
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Quote:
CAUTION.
Think twice. You think you are getting a bargain for $69. You may not be getting such a bargain.
edz
Back in 1967 I learned, from playing card in the military, that losing my money ($5) was not an enjoyable experience. I have never gambled since.
Perhaps the $69 "bargains" are a learning experience.
Just a thought. 
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Fujinon 7x42mm CD PC/roof FMC/WP/FP Japan
Pentax 12x50mm PCF WP II asph FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 16x60mm PCF WP asph FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 20x60mm PCF WP II asph FMC/WP/FP
Orion 15x70mm Little Giant II FMC/Japan
Orion 16x80mm Giant FMC/Japan
Orion 30x80mm MEGAView FMC/Japan
Barska 30x80mm X-Trail LW FC
Burgess Optical Series II 20x90mm FMC/WP/FP
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JerryZ
journeyman
Reged: 10/19/07
Posts: 8
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I received my Zhumell 20x80 SuperGiants today and the collimation is T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E. I have to ship them back for an exchange.
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Falcon Birder
super member
Reged: 04/16/07
Posts: 111
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Quote:
CAUTION.
We have had two people TODAY ( make that THREE) post to this forum and exclaim, I bought (or my friend bought) these Zhumell 20x80 binoculars from telescopes.com, but the alignment is so far off they can't be used.
I would caution anyone thinking about these binoculars to be aware that this condition might exist before you consider purchasing these binoculars. Think twice. You think you are getting a bargain for $69. You may not be getting such a bargain.
For most of our members, this IS NOT a good recommendation. For those of you who want to gamble on a problem piece of equipment, go ahead. But You've got to ask yourself, what the heck are you expecting for $69!
edz
Nod, nod! You pretty much get what you pay for. I have seen too many binoculars below $100 price range. They all fall into the horrible optics category. Those were smaller 40-50mm lens. With 80mm, you would expect spend more than $69 for just one piece of the lens that is used to construct the binocular. That's why a quality binoculars like Oberwerk BT series costs that much. I am saving my $69 for something better.
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Zen-Ray SUMMIT 10x42 WP
Swaroski 8.5x42 EL
Leica 8x32 Ultravid
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mfs4n
newbie
Reged: 11/02/07
Posts: 1
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I also just received a pair of mis-collimated Zhumell's. But it didn't take long to get them into perfect collimation. I've been drinking in amazing views of Comet Holmes the last couple of nights. It's unfortunate (but workable) that the problem lies in the weak frame that support the two large optics. The frame bends under force misaligning the two optical trains. This property also makes for an easy "adjustment". It took me about four twists and pulls on the two sides to bring them into collimation using a bright star for reference. Since that time they have remained collimated under normal gentle use. Personally, I'm thrilled that a mere $69 has delivered such a wonderful observing capability.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12049
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
The frame bends under force misaligning the two optical trains. This property also makes for an easy "adjustment". It took me about four twists and pulls on the two sides to bring them into collimation using a bright star for reference. Since that time they have remained collimated under normal gentle use.
Oh my word. These are absolutely the WORST qualities you would ever want in an optical instrument housing. And NO, YOU DID NOT COLLIMATE YOUR BINOCULAR. You twisted it until you could see out of it. Frankly, a good quality, even a fair quality instrument, would never allow you to do such a thing.
This is one more testament from an owner that makes me want to SCREAM OUT LOUD, stop buying this stuff, stay away from this stuff, stop recommending this stuff, stop, stop, stop.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 9798
Loc: Lancashire UK
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