6 replies to this topic

[peaksix]

I bought one of those $200 Chinese binoviewers. Upon receiving it, I noticed that there appears to be a small crack on the edge in one of the eyecups. It seems to be internal to the binoviewer as I cannot reach it from the outside (an outer layer of glass blocks access). From searching around CN, I see some mention that these prisms are held in by tiny screws which can cause cracks in some cases. That's my best guess as to what's happening here.

 

I can't actually see it during usage; it appears to be outside the field of view. I would consider keeping it since it currently seems purely cosmetic. But my fear is that the crack may grow over time. Any advice on what to do?

 

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[vrodriguez2324]

Which Binoviewer is it? How do you like it?

 

I am looking into trying Binoviewers. 

[astrokeith]

From the photo that doesnt look like a crack. A scratch maybe, or a piece of scarf or similar lying on the surface.

Its too thick and stops abruptly to be a crack IMHO.

 

If I'm right it won't get any worse! 

[peaksix]

Which Binoviewer is it? How do you like it?

 

I am looking into trying Binoviewers. 

It's the Omegon. Seems fine. Pretty similar to the other options at that price point. I also bought the Arcturus but returned it because the IPD adjustment range is more limited than the others. 

 

 

From the photo that doesnt look like a crack. A scratch maybe, or a piece of scarf or similar lying on the surface.

Its too thick and stops abruptly to be a crack IMHO.

 

If I'm right it won't get any worse! 

I'm about 95% sure it's a crack, it's just difficult to take a good photo. It has "depth" to it, if that makes sense. 

[Eddgie]

It's the Omegon. Seems fine. Pretty similar to the other options at that price point. I also bought the Arcturus but returned it because the IPD adjustment range is more limited than the others. 

 

 

I'm about 95% sure it's a crack, it's just difficult to take a good photo. It has "depth" to it, if that makes sense. 

Looks like it could be a scratch or a crack, but my money is on scratch. Probe it with a sharp item like a needle. A crack would usually not leave a perceptible grove, but a scratch would. 

 

Just a guess. 

[AlexSH]

This is more similar to the failure of the instrument (the counter or adjusting tab on the blackened diaphragm). Improves the technological process during manual assembly. We could tint it, but we need to do more and cheaper. On Chinese ED binoculars I got this on the adjustment wheels, the groove was not evenly trapezoidal and there was a small scratch.

[peaksix]

Update: the vendor offered to send me a replacement unit. That arrived today, and unbelievably, it has the same type of defect in the same location (though slightly difference in appearance). I decided to pop off the plastic cover and was able to determine that it is not in the prism, but appears to be internal to the eyepiece holder assembly. But I'm still not quite sure what it is or what caused it.