Jay_Bird
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/04/06
Posts: 959
Loc: Nevada 36N 115W
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There are some established web sites with "factory refurbished" SE and Sports&Marine Nikon binos - has anyone purhcased these and found the refurbishing to deliver full "as new" optical quality, or not?
I can read the warranty fine print (and it seems good in this case) but want to hear about any other's experience with refurbished quality.
With 3 past clearance/open box/refurb purchase of low to mid price binos my results were great!, good enough to keep, and bad enough to return. I'd hope for lower risk with a better mid-price to high-end refurbished model; is that a fair assumption with Nikon refurb units?
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'these things stand like stone - kindness in another's troubles, courage in your own' Gordon
C-8, Nighthawk, C-90; Binoculars 6-11x21-80mm; Paragon p-mount
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5668
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don't know about Nikon,
but I got a good as new Leica "demo"
from CameraLand-NY
edj
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n w arkansas
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Bob K
member
Reged: 05/13/06
Posts: 19
Loc: NE Pennsylvania
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I picked up a refurb Nikon 10 x 35 EII Porro at Highpoint a few years ago. Great binocular, esp. for daylight- birding and hawk watching, etc. but also surprisingly good for astronomy on clear nights! I've had no problems with it whatsoever and have no idea what was fixed on it. I saved $200.00 on the then listed new price of $450.00. A real bargain!
Bob
Edited by Bob K (09/28/09 10:38 PM)
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John F
sage
Reged: 02/16/04
Posts: 383
Loc: Washington State
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My pair of 10x70 Nikon Astroluxes are factory refurbished and I've been very pleased with them.
John Finnan
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BINOCULARS
Nikon 7x50 Prostar
Swarovski 8.5x42 EL
Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe
Zeiss 15x60 B/GAT
Takahashi 22x60 Astronomer
SCOPES
Questar 3.5-Inch
Tele Vue NP-127 with TV Bino Vue
EYEPIECES
Deep Sky: 31Nagler, 17-13-10-8-6 Ethos
Lunar & Planetary: 16-10-6-4 ZAO-II
Binoviewing: 24Pan,16Nagler, 10ZOA-II,7.5Taks
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KBK
member
Reged: 08/05/09
Posts: 68
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Will somebody please bust their brand new 150's so I can wait by the river long enough and spear them as refurbs at half price.
Thank you.
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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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RichD
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 564
Loc: Derbyshire, UK
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John, how did you come by your factory refurb Astroluxes?
I'd like a pair of these, but am unwilling to pay new prices.
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Clear skies
Rich
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
John, how did you come by your factory refurb Astroluxes?
I'd like a pair of these, but am unwilling to pay new prices.
Perhaps we could help one another by posting links when such binoculars are available. 
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Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
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
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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richard7
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/02/07
Posts: 1542
Loc: Sacramento
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Quote:
Perhaps we could help one another by posting links when such binoculars are available.
Here's one list you may want to keep an eye on if you aren't already.
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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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John F
sage
Reged: 02/16/04
Posts: 383
Loc: Washington State
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Rich,
I got mine on eBay and I bought my used pair of 7x50 Nikons on Astromart. The former were refurbished by the latter were not. However, both are extremely well built and neither have given me any problems. However, because of their large 7mm exit pupils they are best used at VERY DARK SKY SITES. If you don't have access to those then a pair of 10x50 Fujinons would probably be a better choice for a 10x binocular.
John
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BINOCULARS
Nikon 7x50 Prostar
Swarovski 8.5x42 EL
Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe
Zeiss 15x60 B/GAT
Takahashi 22x60 Astronomer
SCOPES
Questar 3.5-Inch
Tele Vue NP-127 with TV Bino Vue
EYEPIECES
Deep Sky: 31Nagler, 17-13-10-8-6 Ethos
Lunar & Planetary: 16-10-6-4 ZAO-II
Binoviewing: 24Pan,16Nagler, 10ZOA-II,7.5Taks
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Mark9473
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/21/05
Posts: 3216
Loc: 51°N 4°E
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Quote:
Here's one list you may want to keep an eye on if you aren't already.
The number of facory refurbished Nikon Monarch binoculars on that list is just staggering. Why would so many get sent back to Nikon?
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Mark
Leica 8x20; Vixen 8x42; Swift 8.5x44, 10x50 and 20x80; TS 7x50; Orion 15x63; Docter 15x60
WO Megrez II 80 FD + Baader 90° T2 Amici
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GaryHeath
super member
Reged: 08/13/09
Posts: 118
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Hi Mark,
I have two sets of Monarch 8X42's.
Optically they are excellent.
Mechanically they are also very good, But ..... the eyecups are total junk.
After two trips to Nikon for repair of the worse adjustable eyecup design that has ever graced any optic I've ever seen, I gave up and bought 4 Orion 1/25" eyepiece 'accordion-style eyecups' (about couple of bucks ea.), took off and threw the stock Nikon units in the trash, replacing them with the Orion eyecups that are made for telescope 1/25" eyepieces (tight fit and much better than stock).
I had to buy eyecup caps for the Garrett 80mm Geminis at $5 a set, to fit the Orion eyecups (a tad on the loose side but working 'very well' when using a strap), so for less than shipping back to Nikon (a-freakin-gain), I had what I needed and am now a 'very' happy camper with these binos.
I suspect the eyecups are the lion's share of why these otherwise awesome binoculars get sent back ...... again, and again, and again .........
Best regards,
Gary
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For equipment see: My Gallery
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Thanks Richard, I am familiar with SWFA.
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Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
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
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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Jay_Bird
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/04/06
Posts: 959
Loc: Nevada 36N 115W
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Thanks for feedback!
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'these things stand like stone - kindness in another's troubles, courage in your own' Gordon
C-8, Nighthawk, C-90; Binoculars 6-11x21-80mm; Paragon p-mount
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