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Anonymous
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I have an older pair of Parks 11x80's in need of service. I purchased these used for $200 5 years ago and have them mounted on a field tripod. A complete overhaul will cost around $150 including the shipping both ways. My question is whether it is worth putting $150 into an old pair of Parks 11x80's Bak 7 or should I consider a new binocular like the Oberwerk 15x70? I am somewhat reluctant to part with the Parks as the build quality seems very good, especially compared to many of the Chinese made binoculars I have seen but maybe it is time to move on to more modern pair? Don't know, any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
MJW
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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What are the conditions of the sky that you normally observe under?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I've always liked higher power than 11x for a large objective bino. If these were 15x or higher, I would definitely consider a rebuild, but alas, they are not.
However, I also would not look at the Chinese large models either, as quality is not up to Japan's standards. Orion imports Japanese 70's (Mini-Giant) and 80's for what is really a bargain price. My 15x70's show better color-correction than Fuji 16x70's.
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39690
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Sounds like you are looking for any positive feedback to get them rebuilt. Go for it! If the build quality is there, then write it off as normal maintenance. Like recoating a primary.
Then report back on the "new" binos.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2551
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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David,
I agree that the Japanese built 80mm Orions are much more solid mechanicaly than the Chinese 20X80 LWs but opticaly the Burgess/Oberwerks are noticeably better. Stars are just a bit sharper at the center of the LWs and stays sharp to ~80% from center. The Orion's loss sharpness 2/3 from center and stars turn into seagulls at the outer 20%. I have had the Orion 20X80s for 2.5 years and the Burgess LW for about a year. My Burgess gets used 80% of the time these days while the Orions stay in the case.
I'd try a pair of Oberwerk 80mm LW or Standard before I spend $150 repairing the old Parks. If I recall correctly, the newer 80mm Parks did not receive very good rating in Phil Harrington's 2003 review of 60-80mm binos either.
Erik D
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Daniel, I live about 40 miles southwest of Boston and the skies do have a fair amount of light pollution. Occasionally, but not often enough, I will head down to Plymouth, Ma. for dark skies
David, I have used my son's Oberwerks 15x70's and I do agree the extra power is nice. Mechanically, the Oberwerks are not up to the Parks.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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If I were in your position I would probably get the Oberwerk 15x70mm's. Unless you *really* like the Parks; personal preference always comes first. Since you've already tried the Oberwerks I can't really add anything else. So I suggest you get the Oberwerks, but if you want to overhaul the Parks- go for it!
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Has anyone had any experience with the Celestron 15x70? At only $69.95 and good reviews on Excelsis, they may be an alternative to the Oberwerks. I believe both the Oberwerks and the Celestron 15x70 model are made in mainland China.
At this point, I think I'm leaning toward replacing the Parks.
Thanks
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I haven't had any direct experience. But from what I've read it seems that they are a good deal. It doesn't really matter if they were made in the same place or not- the Oberwerks are better. But if you just meant that the Celestron should also be good because they are made in the same place, I would agree with you. You can pay $70 on a pair- or for 2x as much you can get a different pair that's 25%(made up by myself) better. After that you can pay 3x as much for a pair that's 10% (made up- and 10% is a LOT) better. If you're thinking of combining the Celestron and Parks I think that would be fine. But if you are considering just getting the Celestron- unless you don't observe often, I would think the Oberwerks would be worth it. Of course the Celestron are also worth it.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12566
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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These two binoculars mentioned, 11x80s and 15x70s,would have very different purposes. You could not replace one with the other. You could supplement one with the other.
An 11x80mm binocular with a 7.25mm exit pupil, under normal mag 5 skies and with normal eyes (5 to 6mm eye pupil) is going to show such a bright sky background that most objects will be somewhat washed out. These would be showing sky to you as if you were looking thru 55mm to 65mm binoculars.
15x70 binoculars on the other hand provide almost a 40% increase in image scale and a 70mm aperture at an exit pupil of 4.67, almost certainly smaller than your eye. You get to utilize the potential of the full 70mm aperture, and the sky background will be considerable darker than the 11x80s.
Under the darkest skies you could get to the 15x70s won't show you the faintest extended objects that you could see in the 11x80s. For normal skies near mag 5, the 11x80s are no match for the 15x70s.
None of the coated or multi-coated 15x70s will show you as much contrast in faint images or see as deep in magnitude as the fully multi-coated Oberwerks. You get what you pay for, depends on what you want.
I'd fix the 11x80s and buy the Oberwerks.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39690
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Why didn't I think of that!? Have your cake and eat it too! 
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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