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Bill and all,

I was surprised by the price info also and I'm glad you chimed in. I also couldn't find an exact match for "heavy flint" either.

There was a used M-19 on that auction site yesterday at ~ $41. There's some M-19 info and pictures on fantao's website.

What is your opinion on them? In good shape are they good binos? Pros / cons? It seems like they have an interesting history during development and use in the military.

Peter

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Not to worry; all optical glasses are not made all the time by all companies. Considering CURRENT availability, I would say BaSF10 or SF17 is as close as you are going to get. I can guarantee those are good enough choices for those of us on CN.

Thanks for the heads-up on the website. I have never been there before.

Yep, that is the B & H military M-19. I was pleased that he even mentioned it started out as the T14, years earlier. Very impressive. He didn’t mention Yoder, or others involved with the project, but only we opto-geeks would even care. I have the complete history in a box somewhere at home. However, feeling that it is safe—and that no one would care if it wasn’t—I think I will let it rest wherever it is.

Opinions on the M-19:

When it is in good condition, it works great. I would still work on them . . . I would like to have a home in the Bahamas! The concept of making a nearly perfect, field reparable binocular, is a MASSIVE overkill. It looks great on paper, but then, so did the Edsel.

Once upon a time, the M-19 could stand out because of superior baffling. But, today, many inexpensive binos have world-class baffling. It is light, has a good image, and makes a great collectible. There are a few downsides, at least for me.

First, they are as ugly as a homemade rock. Next, the axle seems to have o-rings and tends to alter (sometimes) the exact IPD setting you want. For example: you bring the scopes together to, say, 64 mm, and then, through backlash, the bino wants to take you back to 67mm. I know I am splitting hairs, but CN is WAY FULL of that. Next, the focus mechanisms can be a bit tight and the “groves” in the diopter rings are rather large and smooth. Got sweaty hands? In a hurry? Forget it!

And then, there is the issue of reparability (Yes, that is spelled correctly; I looked it up). Of the dozen I have owned, I only kept a couple, and they, like their documentation, are in the dungeon. And, the next time I find them, they will probably go to the trash can, too. They have broken and dislodged prisms.

So, my quick opinion is that, in good working condition, they are fine binos. However, I still see their greatest value being in that they are great conversation starters.

Just my highly subjective thoughts.

Bill

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William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Founding Editor, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
20-year vet. of Captain's Nautical Supplies, Optics Dept. Mgr.
Optics Machanic, WG11-3306, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma,WA
Yata, Yata, Yata . . .

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