Telescope Reviews: Zhumell 20x80s on Sale

BillC,

I appreciate your words of wisdom. I can feel your frustration. I only recently (2006) became interested in binocular astronomy and bird watching.

When I started out I was new to binocular optics and wasn't really aware of all the problems that I have since been exposed to, through different optics talk forums. (I never knew that there WAS such a thing as "optics talk forums").

I started out, cautiously, purchasing binoculars with familiar brand names on them, such as Nikon and Pentax, at entry level prices, to test the waters.

I sold my first Nikon Action 16x50 after only three months because the ghosting was not to my liking when viewing a full moon. Nikon advertised them under the heading of astronomy, at the time I purchased them, so I figured I could "trust" their advertisements.

Prior to the Nikon I had purchased a Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II and sent them in for warranty repair, because I was experiencing excessive blackout, and I felt that the focusing was not 100% on the mark. After receiving them back I was somewhat satisfied with the repair work but not entirely.

I had an opportunity to look through another brand new Pentax 20x60 in a Sporting Goods Store and discovered that there was absolutely no blackout problem present in a more current production model. Needless to say, I sent mine back to Pentax requesting a "replacement". That was a month ago and I am still waiting for a reply.

In between all of this I had purchased my first Garrett Optical Gemini 20x80LW giant binocular and have not been the same, since then. I really am excited about giant binoculars. I can't remember having so much fun, whether it is long distance bird watching, or, backyard stargazing.

I have been out of work for over a year, so I couldn't afford/justify spending alot of money on binoculars. However, I really wanted to try a 30x80, and my wife who is still working, gave me the green light on a Barska 30x80 X-Trail, for my birthday, last month.
Unfortunately, the first two that I received had collimation problems, so, I had to do the "send back" routine until the dealer credited my credit card and dropped out of the picture.

I had been in touch with Barska the entire time, and when the dealer decided to stop playing the "musical binoculars" dance, with me, I was able to get a 30x80 hand-picked directly from Barska, in California.

My reason for sharing all of this is to let you know that some of us didn't start out with alot of experience or good advice, when we began this journey.

Hopefully I "am" learning from my mistakes, and the future WILL be brighter, in the binocular optics department.

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Pentax 12x50mm PCF WP II FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 16x60mm PCF WP FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 20x60mm PCF WP II FMC/WP/FP
Orion 12x63mm Mini Giant FMC/JAPAN
Orion 15x70mm Little Giant II FMC/JAPAN
Orion 16x80mm Giant FMC/JAPAN
Orion 20x70mm Little Giant II FMC/JAPAN
Orion 30x80mm MEGAView FMC/JAPAN
Barska 30x80mm X-Trail LW FC
Burgess Optical Series II 20x90mm FMC/WP/FP

Handel's Messiah**Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth

Edited by hallelujah (12/17/06 05:30 PM)