Telescope Reviews: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap?

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Equipment Discussions >> Binoculars

Pages: 1

cobra_fat
journeyman

Reged: 12/30/12

How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap?
#5634210 - 01/21/13 12:19 AM

I found this on Ebay:

Barska AB10526 25x100 WP Cosmos Large Binoculars with Professional Tripod Combo Backed by Lifetime Warranty + 30 Day Return Policy

It is item # 230911829530 and there are over 10 available.

It is only 349.99 with free shipping. The cheapest the binoculars go for is about $260. How is this possible?

Does anyone have any experience with these binoculars?

Post Extras:

hallelujah
Post Laureate

Reged: 07/14/06

Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: cobra_fat]
#5634229 - 01/21/13 12:42 AM

Quote:

It is only 349.99 with free shipping. The cheapest the binoculars go for is about $260. How is this possible?

Look a little further:

http://www.binoculars.com/binoculars/astronomy-binoculars/zhumelltachyon25x10...

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=2076

Edited by hallelujah (01/21/13 12:46 AM)

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Rich V.
Post Laureate

Reged: 01/02/05

Loc: Lake Tahoe area, Nevada, USA

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: cobra_fat]
#5634231 - 01/21/13 12:43 AM

How about $270 for the binos and $80 for the tripod or some combination thereof?

This "included" tripod is nothing to get excited about; it's no 35# capacity tripod like the ad copy says. At a max of 66" tall it's too short for standing use with these binos anyhow. I'd say the tripod is good for 10-11# loads maximum with 5-6# practical load. The 25x100s will likely take it to the limit. A tall, geared column tripod is best for these heavy binoculars.

Just be careful; these package deals may only be a deal for the seller. What's best for him may not be best for you.

Rich

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SMark
professor emeritus

Reged: 08/29/11

Loc: Atlanta, GA USA

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: Rich V.]
#5634250 - 01/21/13 12:58 AM

I guess I'll be the first to say it in this thread...

Generally, you can expect to get what you pay for when purchasing binoculars. If the price is really cheap, then expect to get a really cheap binocular.

I've only had one experience with Barska, and it wasn't a good one. I got a binocular that wouldn't properly focus. So if it's coming from such a company and the price is really cheap... Roll the dice, you might get lucky. Or, look around for some better quality.

$0.02.

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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: SMark]
#5634431 - 01/21/13 07:37 AM

Quote:

I guess I'll be the first to say it in this thread...

Generally, you can expect to get what you pay for when purchasing binoculars. If the price is really cheap, then expect to get a really cheap binocular.

I will be the first to second your assertion...

$350 is quite a bit of money, enough to buy a very good set of 10x50 binoculars and enough to buy a good quality set of 10 x 70 or 15 x 70 binoculars.

Astro-Physics Binoculars

This is not like buying pair of Celestron Skymasters for $70 and taking a chance, $350 could represent a life time investment. Barska and Lifetime investment are generally not uttered in the same sentence.

Jon

Post Extras:

Lt 26
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/19/09

Loc: Northwest Illinois

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5635052 - 01/21/13 02:13 PM

Barska, that says it all. Run.

Dereck

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Lane
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/19/07

Loc: Frisco, Texas

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: Lt 26]
#5635808 - 01/21/13 10:03 PM

The Zhumell Tachyon 25x100mm Astronomy Binoculars are $229 on www.binoculars.com.

I was thinking about rolling the dice on a pair of these, but since I want them for outreach, I was thinking that center focus would be better. So the Oberwerk 25x100mm Deluxe at www.bigbinoculars.com for $419 seem like a better choice for me.

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hallelujah
Post Laureate

Reged: 07/14/06

Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: Lane]
#5635814 - 01/21/13 10:07 PM

Quote:

The Zhumell Tachyon 25x100mm Astronomy Binoculars are $229 on www.binoculars.com.

Look again, the price is $299.98 in the link you posted.

Post Extras:

Lane
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/19/07

Loc: Frisco, Texas

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: hallelujah]
#5635928 - 01/21/13 11:13 PM

I just looked again and they are still $229

The Celestron's are $299.98.

Post Extras:

SMark
professor emeritus

Reged: 08/29/11

Loc: Atlanta, GA USA

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: Lane]
#5635977 - 01/21/13 11:39 PM

Actually, you're both right. But Stan was quoting the Zhumell 25x100 with the tripod package at $299.98.

The binocular alone is $229.98.

Post Extras:

Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: SMark]
#5636034 - 01/22/13 12:32 AM

Quote:

Actually, you're both right. But Stan was quoting the Zhumell 25x100 with the tripod package at $299.98.

The binocular alone is $229.98.

I tried to find the $230 binos alone but could only find the $300 price with the Celestron tripod..

Jon

Post Extras:

SMark
professor emeritus

Reged: 08/29/11

Loc: Atlanta, GA USA

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5636053 - 01/22/13 12:53 AM

Here is the link...

Zhumell Tachyon 25x100

Post Extras:

EdZ
Professor EdZ

Reged: 02/15/02

Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: Lane]
#5636340 - 01/22/13 07:38 AM

Quote:

The Zhumell Tachyon 25x100mm Astronomy Binoculars are $229 on www.binoculars.com.

I was thinking about rolling the dice on a pair of these, but since I want them for outreach, I was thinking that center focus would be better. So the Oberwerk 25x100mm Deluxe at www.bigbinoculars.com for $419 seem like a better choice for me.

Could turn out to be a poor choice of binocular for outreach.

The IPD range is limited such that many, if not most children, and even some adults, cannot see the image in both barrels at tthe same time.

Post Extras:

Lane
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/19/07

Loc: Frisco, Texas

Re: How can these binoculars and tripod be so cheap? new

[Re: EdZ]
#5637456 - 01/22/13 05:57 PM

Thanks EdZ, I wasn't even thinking about that. They don't even say what the distance is in the specifications for this binocular on the BigBinoculars site. I am guessing you have measured it though.

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