Jokulainen
member
Reged: 08/10/09
Posts: 29
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Basically, I was walking on a concrete path while the neck strap on my 15x70 Celestrons decided to fail me. There goes a fine piece of Chinese optics. All of the optics were undamaged, but the right hand side tube was disattached from the rest of the body. Tried to superglue it back. No go. 
Ironically, I had ordered a Garrett Optical 22x85 yesterday, so it might console me a bit when it arrives. Of course, it isn't particularly hand-holdable.
Edited by Jokulainen (09/16/09 09:08 AM)
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DarkSpark
member
Reged: 11/25/08
Posts: 51
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When you say fail do you mean the strap broke or came undone? I ask because I have the same binoculars and may need to consider getting a new strap strap beased on your comment.
Sorry for the loss. You might still be able to use it as a spotting scope.
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94bamf
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/15/08
Posts: 721
Loc: Kansas City,Mo
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Quote:
Basically, I was walking on a concrete path while the neck strap on my 15x70 Celestrons decided to fail me. There goes a fine piece of Chinese optics. All of the optics were undamaged, but the right hand side tube was disattached from the rest of the body. Tried to superglue it back. No go.
Ironically, I had ordered a Garrett Optical 22x85 yesterday, so it might console me a bit when it arrives. Of course, it isn't particularly hand-holdable.
I notice they seem to keep dropping the price on the 15x70 skymasters. If you wanted to replace the binoculars you had, here is a link for $64 with free shipping. They show out of stock, but for that price you could probably wait a bit..
LINK
Ken
--------------------
Telescopes:
Celestron C6 SCT on CG4 mount
Skywatcher 8 inch F/5 Newt on a GEM
Celestron 8 inch Starhopper Dob
Celestron Oynx 80ED
Celestron C130 Mak
Celestron C102HD
Binoculars:
Nikon 7x35 Action
Nikon 7x50 Action
Zen Ray Summit 10x42
Celestron 10x42 Noble
Orion 10x50 Scenix
Celestron 10x50 Noble
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster
Oberwerk 20x60
Zhumell 20x80
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F.Meiresonne
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 3383
Loc: Eeklo,Belgium
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I don't trust those chinese neckstraps on heavy bino's (or even the lighter ones above 50 mm). I have a series 8 Kunming binocular, very heavy. A rather light and flimsy neckstrap was included. I decided not to put it on.....The neckstrap is surely not on par with the quality of the optics thought....nor the weight...
So i use the bino handholded but most of the time on a tripod.
Quote:
Ironically, I had ordered a Garrett Optical 22x85 yesterday, so it might console me a bit when it arrives. Of course, it isn't particularly hand-holdable.
Jokulainen,
Very,very good, but heavy bino, forget the neckstrap IF included. Put it on a solid tripod...views will be thrilling...
Sorry to hear of your misfortune though...but you have a great thing coming.... 
--------------------
Freddy Meiresonne
Obsession 18 inch #1638
Orion Optics 8 inch F/4.5 -1/8 wave optics -Vixen GP-E
20x80 Helios Stellar Binos
15x70 TS Marine (=Obie Ultra)
10x60 Helios Quantum 4(= Obie Mariner)
10x50 Helios Nature sport plus
8x40 Helios Nature sport plus
Eyepieces in use :Pan 35,24,19, N13T6, Pentax 10 XW, N9T6, Ultrascopic 7.5, TV2, baader ortho 12.5 and 9 mm
Edited by F.Meiresonne (09/16/09 01:43 PM)
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Gordon Rayner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 971
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I recently posted about nylon webbing straps: Mountain climbing/backpacking suppliers such as REI, also dog leashes. Tie a waterknot, after passing the strap through both attachment points. Or, tie two waterknots. Google "waterknot" to see how to tie this easy knot for flat straps, leather belts, etc.
The shop which sells the webbing strap likely has an electric heater and cutter, which seals the end of the webbing when a cut is made. This prevents fraying of the fibers at the end of the strap.
If you cut the webbing strap with scissors or a knife, the ends can be sealed in a gas flame, or with a match.
For added security, or peace of mind, at least, glue or sew the two ends of the waterknot(s) to the straps. My waterknots have not loosened, so I omit this step.
Edited by Gordon Rayner (09/19/09 12:02 AM)
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Jokulainen
member
Reged: 08/10/09
Posts: 29
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Quote:
When you say fail do you mean the strap broke or came undone? I ask because I have the same binoculars and may need to consider getting a new strap strap beased on your comment.
It was the strap coming undone.. looks like it isn't very reliable.
Quote:
Sorry for the loss. You might still be able to use it as a spotting scope.
Yeah, or maybe use the components for some DIY projects.. 
Edited by Jokulainen (09/16/09 08:29 PM)
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Jokulainen
member
Reged: 08/10/09
Posts: 29
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Quote:
I notice they seem to keep dropping the price on the 15x70 skymasters. If you wanted to replace the binoculars you had, here is a link for $64 with free shipping. They show out of stock, but for that price you could probably wait a bit..
LINK
Ken
Wow, that's cheap.. though of course, one might use this incident as a excuse to get some better (semi-)hand-holdable bino later. But I dunno if the difference in quality is worth the difference in price, those Celestrons were actually pretty good, the difference was pretty huge when compared to some generic 7x50s I had earlier. 
Oh, and one more thing.. How fragile binoculars are in genereal? I would have assumed that the optics rather than the housing would break if you drop them, and if you get lucky, you just need to collimate them..
Quote:
Jokulainen,
Very,very good, but heavy bino, forget the neckstrap IF included. Put it on a solid tripod...views will be thrilling...
Sorry to hear of your misfortune though...but you have a great thing coming....
Nice to hear.. I have a Manfrotto 058B (3051) + 503HDV combination waiting for it. And no, I'm not going to trust any neckstraps for a while..
Edited by Jokulainen (09/16/09 10:09 PM)
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KBK
member
Reged: 08/05/09
Posts: 68
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I just had that happen with a completely rebuilt (for contrast enhancement) and collimated Kronos 26x70's...I JUST bought. I spent two days getting them right. During the day..I was watching squirrels play on the roof of a building that was 2.5km away.
They were glorious. I could see the vague colour striping of Jupiter..for the first time in my life..outside of the moon..I was looking at another planet.
I carefully took them off the tripod..with the strap around my neck before I started taking them off the tripod. You never know.
I head toward the house..and..Strap lets go and..WHAP! on the EDGE of the cement of the door. and then bounce BANG! SMASH! down the cement steps.
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It is the image of the ungraspable phantom of life; and this...is the key
to it all.
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richard7
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/02/07
Posts: 1542
Loc: Sacramento
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Quote:
I head toward the house..and..Strap lets go and..WHAP! on the EDGE of the cement of the door. and then bounce BANG! SMASH! down the cement steps.
That makes me cringe just to read it.
I took one look at the straps with my Konusvue and ditched them somewhere.
Haven't used any since.
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Richard Trost
Orion 130st, Ioptron e/r80
Meade 10x50, Konusvue 20x80, Zhumell Tachiyon 25x100
Coffee thermos and cup
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Jokulainen
member
Reged: 08/10/09
Posts: 29
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Quote:
You might still be able to use it as a spotting scope.
That's what I thought.. but how you can take the other half of the binos off? Just saw it off or is there a cleaner way?
Quote:
I head toward the house..and..Strap lets go and..WHAP! on the EDGE of the cement of the door. and then bounce BANG! SMASH! down the cement steps.
That sounds pretty bad.. how did they end up? 
Edited by Jokulainen (09/18/09 02:48 AM)
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Ian Robinson
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/29/09
Posts: 1165
Loc: Gateshead.NSW Nth Coast,Austra...
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Been there done that .... my old 20x65s hit the concrete a similar way once ..I was not happy about it when it happened and said some words I can't repeat here .. I managed to recollimate them , though since the thread was buggeredup where the cone part joins the part where the prism are , I have to be gentle with then now when I use them else I have to fiddle and get the collimation right , else I get double vision .... and thankfully the optics were OK .... too bad about the big dent in the front end of though.
Edited by Ian Robinson (09/18/09 06:04 AM)
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Man in a Tub
Not Retired!, But a little cranky!!!
Reged: 10/28/08
Posts: 2059
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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Although I am careful, I consider this thread a useful and gruesome heads-up. I shouldn't assume that my Garrett Optical Signature Series 15x70 is safer with the Deluxe Carrying Strap included with my order. I'm a nervous wreck every time I mount this 5+ pound 15x70 on my Orion Paragon Plus Mount/XHD Tripod! Now I can sweat too (even if I've checked how snugly the strap is attached)! I better check out that water knot tout de suite...
Thanks!
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Todd
Brunton Eterna 15x51 ° Garrett Optical Signature Series 15x70
Nikon Action EX 12x50 ° Oberwerk 15x60 and 20x80 Standard
Orion Paragon Plus Mount and Paragon XHD Tripod
Garrett Optical Series 2000 Grip-Action Monopod
Edited by Man in a Tub (09/18/09 07:20 AM)
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F.Meiresonne
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 3383
Loc: Eeklo,Belgium
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That 'deluxe' neckstraps looks pretty much thesame with theone that was included with my TS Marine. Flimsy, and too light. I don't trust it on such heavy bino's.
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Freddy Meiresonne
Obsession 18 inch #1638
Orion Optics 8 inch F/4.5 -1/8 wave optics -Vixen GP-E
20x80 Helios Stellar Binos
15x70 TS Marine (=Obie Ultra)
10x60 Helios Quantum 4(= Obie Mariner)
10x50 Helios Nature sport plus
8x40 Helios Nature sport plus
Eyepieces in use :Pan 35,24,19, N13T6, Pentax 10 XW, N9T6, Ultrascopic 7.5, TV2, baader ortho 12.5 and 9 mm
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KBK
member
Reged: 08/05/09
Posts: 68
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They survived! MMMMWWWaaahahahahahahaa....
More than bit scarred up tho'. Collimation went a bit off. Sigh.
So I fixes them..grumbling all the time. I had to bang a dent out in the prism cover on the one side, and the beauty rings are now a bit black eyed. Dents and scars.
So I proudly show their power capacity and newfound contrast to a friend the next day -me all eager and puppy tailed with my smile and wiggle. Look through these!
So they are safely on their tripod. With their supplied Kronos mount, on this clear day.
I finish showing them to him, not more than a few feet from their 'dance with death' on the prior evening (two evenings before).
I open the handle on the mount and turn them down so I can take the assembly, tripod and all into the house.
As I stop the handle after turning them down..the Kronos mount breaks.
Smash! Bounce! Into/on and skidding across the gravel/rock driveway.
Back to square one. They survived - again!
Except they need some work. Again.
The evil bino force is strong with this one.
--------------------
It is the image of the ungraspable phantom of life; and this...is the key
to it all.
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Ian Robinson
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/29/09
Posts: 1165
Loc: Gateshead.NSW Nth Coast,Austra...
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Quote:
They survived! MMMMWWWaaahahahahahahaa....
More than bit scarred up tho'. Collimation went a bit off. Sigh.
So I fixes them..grumbling all the time. I had to bang a dent out in the prism cover on the one side, and the beauty rings are now a bit black eyed. Dents and scars.
So I proudly show their power capacity and newfound contrast to a friend the next day -me all eager and puppy tailed with my smile and wiggle. Look through these!
So they are safely on their tripod. With their supplied Kronos mount, on this clear day.
I finish showing them to him, not more than a few feet from their 'dance with death' on the prior evening (two evenings before).
I open the handle on the mount and turn them down so I can take the assembly, tripod and all into the house.
As I stop the handle after turning them down..the Kronos mount breaks.
Smash! Bounce! Into/on and skidding across the gravel/rock driveway.
Back to square one. They survived - again!
Except they need some work. Again.
The evil bino force is strong with this one.
Sounds like the evil binocular gods are out to get ya !!!
I'd be careful how you hold your mouth from now on and out smart them by only ever getting the binos out of their case over sand or carpet or thick grass.....
Too bad you don't have accidential damage cover on your home contents insurance .... you might have scored a new pair of binos if you did.
Edited by Ian Robinson (09/19/09 05:12 AM)
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