Matthew E
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/24/04
Posts: 925
Loc: Whitby, Ontario, Canada
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hey all,
just wanted to know if these Meade 12x50 are worth the $19.99.
Thanks Meade 12x50
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NexStar 114GT
NewStar 10” Dob with Moonlite CR-1
Short Tube 80mm
6mm Radian
14mm Radian
Celestron Ultima Barlow
Celestron NexImage - on order.
Durham Region Astronomical Association
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Toronto
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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Sportsman's Guide sells a lot of very low cost clearance optics. I have not had the inclination to purhcase binoculars or scopes from them. I had enough experience with bargain optics I don't do that anymore....still have: $79 20-60X60mm spotting scope, 7-21X40mm Tasco zoom bino and 20X40mm spotting scope sitting around colllecting dust.
I think the Meade 12X50 is a hit or miss proposition. It's probably the lowest grade optics comiing out of China. You have a 66.6% of getting a good one....if not, it will cost you $$ and more hassle to return them from Canada.
BTW, The eye relief is 11.5 mm. Just OK if you don't need glasses....
I have purchased military surplus clothing from Sportsman's Guide before. The description was "good condition" but they looked well used.
Erik D
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10155
Loc: Lancashire UK
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< Fully coated optics provide optimum brightness and high contrast; Jumbo 50 mm objective lens for distortion-free clarity; 11.5 mm eye relief for sharp images; >
Matthew ,
These kind of descriptions always put me OFF buying a binocular.
If the author of those words KNEW what he or she was saying, he or she would probably blush with embarrassment.
They are on offer for $19.99 for a REASON , and it probably isn't because they are worth any MORE :-)
Just HOW much they are "worth" depends on many factors.
IF these were THE only remaining pair of binoculars available on the planet , there would be a great rush to buy them for three times that price.
But they are not ! -- and hopefully never will be!
I'd say they are probably worth around $19.98 -- so they are probably overpriced.
Regards , Kenny
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hi Matt
I got their 10x50s recently for 12$. I am very happy with them for what I paid for. The optics are good (nothing really bad) and I really like them.
A fellow friend got 5 pairs as cheap christmas gifts and one turned out to be bad. They shipped a replacement promptly at no extra cost.
Good luck
Vishnu
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Matthew E
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/24/04
Posts: 925
Loc: Whitby, Ontario, Canada
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i wonder why they are so cheap?
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NexStar 114GT
NewStar 10” Dob with Moonlite CR-1
Short Tube 80mm
6mm Radian
14mm Radian
Celestron Ultima Barlow
Celestron NexImage - on order.
Durham Region Astronomical Association
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Toronto
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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Vishnu,
Very interesting homepage & Bio. I hope you visit this forum to share your astronomy tales with us.....
Erik D
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 27411
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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Amazingly, these aren't *that* bad. Oh they are pretty terrible if you stack them up against a premo pair, that's for sure, but Sometimes it's nice to have a set you really don't care about.
And more and more, that's how I'm using my bino's.
On a lark, I ordered all the Meade's from sportsmans guide this summer. Picked up 4-5 pairs for under $100.
Some what surprisingly, I found I prefered the 8x40 and the 12x50's. The 7x50's suffered from terrible internal reflections (the rest have a bad reflection and scatter problem, but it wasn't as distrubing as the 7x50's). The 10x50's weren't that bad either.
I kept the 12x50's, the 8x40's and sold off the rest.
T
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There are two theories to arguing with my wife. Neither one works.
Edited by Tom Trusock (12/09/04 03:28 PM)
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I am guessing they are cheap because they ARE cheap. I advise saving your $20 unless you absolutely need a pair.
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5030
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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That was a pretty honest assessment from Tom T.! I ordered the 10x50's yesterday to replace my Bushnells that have a focusing rocker I just can't tolerate. Rubber armored, coated optics, and for $15 I can throw them out or give them away if I'm not satisfied!
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 27411
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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Scott, that's exactly what I did with a set. Gave em away to someone who didn't have a pair but I knew would appreciate em.
Another pair or two I think I sold at a swap meet for about what I paid for em.
T
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There are two theories to arguing with my wife. Neither one works.
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5030
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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I plan to do the same, Tom. I'll give my old Bushnells to my assistant at work who's been drooling over scopes. He just went through a BK so they're not an option at this time. Hopefully he'll be satisfied with bino observing. Any pair of 10x50's I've own are my travel "scopes". I just throw them in a bag and drive up to Flagstaff or wherever my little truck takes me 
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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Matthew E
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/24/04
Posts: 925
Loc: Whitby, Ontario, Canada
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well they will be my first pair, and i dont mind spending the $20 them, so its win win for me!
--------------------
NexStar 114GT
NewStar 10” Dob with Moonlite CR-1
Short Tube 80mm
6mm Radian
14mm Radian
Celestron Ultima Barlow
Celestron NexImage - on order.
Durham Region Astronomical Association
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Toronto
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Sure. Having some binoculars is better to have none. This is most certainly true. But never forget that you get what you paid for. Enjoy your binos!
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 11636
Loc: At The Movies
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Quote:
well they will be my first pair, and i dont mind spending the $20 them, so its win win for me!
Maybe spend a few more bucks and get a better bino..
Optics Planet (Free Shipping)
http://www.opticsplanet.net/binoculars.html
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Tim13
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/07/04
Posts: 575
Loc: Midwest
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"...but Sometimes it's nice to have a set you really don't care about."
That's exactly why I just ordered a pair. I don't observe, so to speak, whith my binos. I find that I use them more as a free roving finder scope. When I'm trying to find something, and I need to get my bearings with a correct image magnified view, then I grab the binos. I don't care if the view is stunning, I just want the info (ie star pattern) that I'm looking for. As a plus, at less than $20 dollars, they can be set just about anywhere without worries. Space is often at a premium around a telescope setup, and at this price, the ground is likely to become the preferred resting area when not in use, something that I wouldn't dream of with more expensive binos.
Tim
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One blue telescope.
One white telescope.
One white(formerly gray!)telescope.
Imagine a world without hypothetical situations.
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10155
Loc: Lancashire UK
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< and at this price, the ground is likely to become the preferred resting area when not in use, something that I wouldn't dream of with more expensive binos. >
Tim , what's the matter with keeping them round your neck ?
Regards, Kenny
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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Tim13
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/07/04
Posts: 575
Loc: Midwest
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Very rarely do I keep anything around my neck (flashlight, binocs, pen, etc...)when I'm out at the scope. I spend too much time policing the hanging neck object to keep it from swinging around while bending over, getting up and down from the observing chair, and leaning over the eyepiece. Not to mention the weight of the object. I don't always bring out a table when I observe, especially when I just grab my 100mm refractor for a quick session, so terra firma will likely be my "table".
I hate to say it because our landfills are bulging at the seams, but at this price, these can almost be considered "disposable" binoculars.
Tim
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One blue telescope.
One white telescope.
One white(formerly gray!)telescope.
Imagine a world without hypothetical situations.
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10155
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Tim,
I understand your feelings , I think.
For me , there is only ONE length ANY lanyard should be adjusted to , and that is MINIMUM to do the job.
Unless my neck -straps are a real struggle to get over my head , I don't put them over my head.
This prevents untold annoyance with the "danglers" and "pendulum swingers" , not to mention eliminating 90% of potential "unwanted collisions", particularly when walking or cycling with my binoculars , but a useful tip for ANY situation in my opinion.
I CRINGE when I see toffs and idiots surveying the countryside with binoculars swinging around their hips from the neck, like some kind of line-dancing accessory.
I do not wish this point to in any way detract from the good sense you speak of with regard to regarding binoculars as nothing more than an alternative , disposable "finder".
It is probably the most fitting role for most sub $20 binoculars.
Regards , and clear skies -- of course !
Kenny
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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ccs_hello
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/03/04
Posts: 2805
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Thanks to info from John C., we know now it's $11 and free shipping.
Convinced??? 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50538&item=3861389412
ccs_hello
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 11636
Loc: At The Movies
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How about Bushnell 12x50 Waterproof/fogproof ... 
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=&pid=1513&m=8
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ccs_hello
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/03/04
Posts: 2805
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Quote:
How about Bushnell 12x50 Waterproof/fogproof ...
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=&pid=1513&m=8
From its advertisement excerpt:
.... World's Finest Binoculars ....
It ought to be 
I am more than convinced! 
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RLTYS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/18/04
Posts: 1742
Loc: New York (Long Island)
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Remember, in Astronomy you get what you pay for. But for that price what have you got to loose.
Clear Skies
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10" F4.8 Refl.
4" F5 Refr.
50mm F12 Refr. (Tasco #6TE-5)
12x63 and 10x50 Binoculars.
"I want to do more then just look."
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hi Eric
Thanks a lot for your kind words. The temperature difference between India and North Dakota have been rather shocking. But I do get to observe from time to time at some of the best sites in the world.
clear skies
Vishnu
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ccs_hello
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/03/04
Posts: 2805
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The same 12X50 bino is back on that auction place again. Same store, same price  Good Luck!
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Stargazer2
super member
Reged: 10/11/04
Posts: 172
Loc: Silverton, Oregon
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Wow! That was harder to resist than I thought it would be.
So I bought a pair. 
How bad could they be for 11 bucks? And they're going for $30.00 to $48.00 on other web sites (of course these could be listed under the buyer beware category).
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Dale
Hardin 10" DSH in Beautiful Black
Swift 7x50
Meade 12x50
Celestron 15x70
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hello, I've lurked for sometime now, but wanted to say thanks for posting this as I've been looking for a larger pair of bino's than my Japanese 8x47 which I've found to give me views more engaging than my roboscoped ETX-90 over the last year. If the Meade's are any kind of decent at all, it'll probably be the best $11 (with shipping!) on astronomy I've ever spent.
Now to save my pennies for some larger ones:)
Regards,
Chris Williams
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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If all you want is a sacrifical binocular that you can throw around in car glove box, back pack, or boat, I guess they're fine...better than nothing....but for anything else...don't bother.
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Bill Grass
Prince Regent
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 11652
Loc: Denham Springs, LA
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I picked up a set of these 12x50s on eBay. I figured for $11, I'm not losing anything if they turn out terrible. They're not bad at all! I haven't tested them at night (which might change my opinion), but daylight testing showed nice, clear views. I'm planning on checking 'em out in a little more detail soon.
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Matthew E
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/24/04
Posts: 925
Loc: Whitby, Ontario, Canada
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same here, i received mine and they are pretty solid for the $$, i spent more $$ on worse things before, thats for sure
--------------------
NexStar 114GT
NewStar 10” Dob with Moonlite CR-1
Short Tube 80mm
6mm Radian
14mm Radian
Celestron Ultima Barlow
Celestron NexImage - on order.
Durham Region Astronomical Association
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Toronto
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Bob W6PU
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/23/04
Posts: 2191
Loc: Springer-N.E.NM
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Where did you buy them? Heck, $11 is about 1/2 tank of gas for my Ford pick up! I just might get a pair for my wife's "window sill" binoculars. She is attached to my Swarovski 8X30Ws, and leaves them on our picture window shelf, where our dogs seem to love licking and sniffing the objectives and eyepieces! 
Bob in NM
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 7444
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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$917.00 forthem Bushnells? I like Bushie's, but not that much!! I'd buy Obies, or something else!!
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55 - "The Beast"
Starhopper 6" Dob - "Shiva"
Spaceprobe 130 EQ - "Spacey"
Bushnell Fatboy
The Abomination
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
10X25 Bushnell Camo Roofies
7X35 Tasco Classic Plastic (good views though)
7X42 Tasco Rare Bird
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters - "DroolMeisters"
One ratty old IBM 600E LapTop
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Bob W6PU
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/23/04
Posts: 2191
Loc: Springer-N.E.NM
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Stargazer WHERE DO YOU BUY THEM FOR $ 11???
I checked ebay-NG, other places-$40to50$
Bob in NM 
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