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Philip Levine
super member
Reged: 03/22/07
Posts: 156
Loc: near Boston, MA
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I recently purchased a Garrett Optics Signature series 22x85 binocular, and was somewhat surprised with the views.
The right barrel focus seems to be less crisp than the left. These are IF binos, I focus by covering one barrel end at a time, keeping both eyes open.
I also notice significant flare when viewing a bright object such as Jupiter.
So I am asking fellow CN members for feedback... are the issues I describe unusual for a set of binos this size?
Would I perhaps be better off with a different bino, say the Signature 15x85?
thanks for any advice, Phil
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Zhumell 10" Dob (modified with degree circle and Wixey inclinometer)
26mm 2" GSO eyepiece
9mm 1.25" GSO eyepiece
13mm Nagler T6
Crayford focuser
DewBuster w/homemade heater strips
Nikon 10x50 EX binoculars
University Optics 11x80 binoculars
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member International Dark-Sky Association
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GlennLeDrew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/18/08
Posts: 1267
Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Have you tried turning the bino upside-down, so as to determine if the problem does indeed lie within the instrument and not your right eye?
If it's the instrument, such a visibly different sharpness of view is indicative of a significant problem that should be addressed.
And no, there would not necessarily be an advantage to going with the 15X model just on the expectation of a better balance in quality between the L/R sides.
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Jokulainen
member
Reged: 08/10/09
Posts: 29
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I have a bit similar problems with the left barrel in my SS 22x85s, also recently bought.. I emailed Garrett and he said that there's some individual variation in the barrels of all but most expensive binoculars - however, I haven't looked through any other big binoculars so I don't know if it's at ok level or not. (this isn't an issue with my eyes as I'm left eye dominant and have sligthly better eyesight on my left eye).
Also, I noticed that there's some polishing marks *inside* the left barrel's eye piece, I don't know if they affect anything, though.
http://mniemela.dyndns.org/Marks2.jpg
Edited by Jokulainen (09/30/09 06:23 AM)
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Philip Levine
super member
Reged: 03/22/07
Posts: 156
Loc: near Boston, MA
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thanks for the feedback.
Just curious, what viewing quality should I expect from a "moderately high-end" ($500) pair of binoculars such as the Garrett Signature series 22x85?
Should stars be in sharp focus? What is reasonable to expect with these binos when viewing "faint fuzzies" such as M31?
Would a pair of large binos with removable eyepieces provide better viewing?
thanks, Phil
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_________________________________________________
Zhumell 10" Dob (modified with degree circle and Wixey inclinometer)
26mm 2" GSO eyepiece
9mm 1.25" GSO eyepiece
13mm Nagler T6
Crayford focuser
DewBuster w/homemade heater strips
Nikon 10x50 EX binoculars
University Optics 11x80 binoculars
Fujinon 16x70 FMT SX
Surveyor Tripod w Universal Astronomics Parallelogram
member International Dark-Sky Association
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2151
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
Also, I noticed that there's some polishing marks *inside* the left barrel's eye piece,
I would return it.
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Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
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planet-beaver
sage
Reged: 11/03/08
Posts: 262
Loc: Middletown, NY
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I had three Garrett boniculars and all three had tiny scratches or white smudges on the inside of the glass. I think that they just wipe them off with a rag before installation where other high end brands use clean rooms and suction cups to stall the glass.
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Garrett Gemini 30x100
Barska 30x80
Garrett SS 15x70
SkyMasters 15x70
Regal LX 10x42
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BobinKy
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 1683
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In my opinion, the benefit of the Garrett Signature 22x85 is observing star patterns and open clusters. As you are finding out from the comments of others, they tend to flare when viewing Jupiter or Venus.
Another quirk is daytime land use. They tend to generate a milky appearance if used for distance viewing. The close focus on these monsters is something like 275 feet. Therefore, they do not make good optics for observing birds in the back yard, unless you have a big backyard.
Despite these quirks, the Signature 22x85 is good at surveying the milky way to look for unique star patterns not visible with lesser magnifications. Of course, binoviewers on an APO refractor would give you optimum views of the planets, if that is your goal. For several thousand dollars, you can move up to the Kowa Highlander 
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Bob
38°N
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