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Equipment Discussions >> Binoculars

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George Methvin
sage


Reged: 01/30/06
Posts: 406
Loc: Central Texas
Cheap Bino surprize
      #1253155 - 11/15/06 03:18 PM

I wanted to get myself a pair of 7x50 bino for quick scans of the nite sky so I went to Wal to see what they had .In there sporting dept they had some Nikon bino for around $200.00 that had all the coatings and water proof after looking through them around the store I ask to see the $29.00 Jenson 7X50 bino. It look to have a single coating with nice rubber body. Much to my surpize I was shocked after viewing throught both the Nikon and Jenson I could tell very little different between the two at lest not a $180.00 different so I bought the Jenson bino and have been very happy with them the views are very nice and clear and if I lose or drop them no big loss.

Edited by George Methvin (11/15/06 03:18 PM)


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BillC
on a new path
*****

Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2109
Loc: Washington, USA
Re: Cheap Bino surprize new [Re: George Methvin]
      #1253173 - 11/15/06 03:33 PM

When you go back into the store, look at the two binoculars again. This time hold them in front of you, looking down at the objective lens. In the Nikon, you will probably see the silhoutte of your head. In the other, you will probably see the flesh-tone of your face. There is a reason for that. That extra light should be going THROUGH the binocular and not reflecting back to your eyes.

Cheers,

Bill

--------------------
William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Founding Editor, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
20-year vet. of Captain's Nautical Supplies, Optics Dept. Mgr.
Optics Machanic, WG11-3306, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma,WA
Yata, Yata, Yata . . .


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dgs©
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 03/29/04
Posts: 13899
Loc: West Monroe, Louisiana
Re: Cheap Bino surprize new [Re: BillC]
      #1253210 - 11/15/06 03:57 PM

Might notice some cutoff at the prisms too. Hold them up at arms length and see if the exit pupil has any straight edges.

Even so, if they do the job you want them to do, and don't cause you irritation in use, then congratulations on saving significant dollars, and when they get out of whack at some point, dump them and pick up another pair.

--------------------
- david
8"Ø Newtonian on SVP, Moonlite CR2, Telrad
PST Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 Orion Ultraview 10×50
Hand-me-down Sears Refractor (Discoverer) 60mm×900mm



"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal." --Albert Pike


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George Methvin
sage


Reged: 01/30/06
Posts: 406
Loc: Central Texas
Re: Cheap Bino surprize new [Re: dgs©]
      #1253217 - 11/15/06 04:02 PM

Thats what Iam talking about when my 5 year old grandson picks them up to look through them I don,t have a heart attack that he might drop them.

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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2551
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
Re: Cheap Bino surprize new [Re: dgs©]
      #1253238 - 11/15/06 04:18 PM

For daytime or In-Mart viewing one may not notice much difference between a 7X35 or 7X50 which collects 204% more light since eye pupil is no more than 5mm. I'd guess 20-30% less light transmission can be easily overlooked as well. Often times we don't notice internal reflection of a poorly baffled bino till it's taken outside to view objects under sun glare...

It's "possible" to purchase decent quality 42 or 50mm binos for under $50 with decent optics. Beyond the difference in coating paying more means getting a more rugged binocular. My first 7X50 was a Bushnell Sportsview purchased for about $70 in the early 1980s . I had it in my car for a few year thru the four seasons. The prism in on barrel came loose without me ever dropping the bino. The $150 Celestron Nova 7X50 my wife gave me as a B day present in the mid 80s is still going strong. I expect to pass it on to our granchildren in another 20 years...


Erik D


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Mike Rapchak
sage


Reged: 11/17/06
Posts: 450
Loc: Indiana, USA
Re: Cheap Bino surprize new [Re: Erik D]
      #1259264 - 11/19/06 01:56 PM

Erik,

Nice to see mention of the Celestron Nova binoculars. I bought a 10x50 extra-wide-angle pair back in 1984 (I think it was from Roger Tuthill) for someting like $230. I still have them. They're the most satisfying, best-performing binoculars I've ever owned.

Mike Rapchak Jr.
Hammond, IN USA


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George Methvin
sage


Reged: 01/30/06
Posts: 406
Loc: Central Texas
Re: Cheap Bino surprize new [Re: George Methvin]
      #1260463 - 11/20/06 09:10 AM

In fact I think for X-mas I am going to buy several of these bino to hand out on X-mas. I took these bino out last nite and I am always impressed with them the star are bright and sharp a real best buy I think for under $30.00.

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