49 replies to this topic

[jarrodeu]

Hello Jarrod,

 

A civilian Mark 30, seems to be an oxymoron.  Is it a commercial version of the Mark 30?

 

I have a Spencer Mark 30, which is  smaller than the other WWII US Navy or Army 7x50 binocular, with just a little more FOV. There is a problem in that the eye cups seem to be unique.  In good shape, it is a very nice glass, even if it older than I am.

 

Clear skies,

Arthur

Well, that's what I call it. It is a later pattern Mark 30, but there are no military markings, it doesn't even say Spencer. Only marked 7x50 and someone's name on it, which is why I got it cheap. Likely sold after the war from leftover parts after the contracts were cancelled. Spencer Mark 30s (I have 2 military ones) are my favorite of the standard American WWII 7x50s. 7.7 degrees, smaller, and lighter. Only downside is the color isn't quite as good as Bausch & Lomb.

 

Jarrod

Edited by jarrodeu, 24 June 2025 - 04:20 PM.

[bulletdodger]

       Thanks to all for your thoughts and responses!   I should somewhat clarify my interpretation of a beater pair. To me, a beater pair is not pretty, but gets the job done. I have many nice to mint classics that stay in the AC and don't get much use due to condition and or rarity.      Next, I have my favorites in each power range in both modern and classic form, that get brought out when sky condition matches their capabilities , such as a space launch or especially clear skies.

     Lastly, the beater...Sits near the door where my dog and cat are constantly demanding outside. 75°inside and 95° outside with 80% humidity so moisture galore. The cat has managed to knock them on the floor more than once  chasing a lizard it brought in. It is missing some non-essential items pillaged for another pair. So, it is too ugly to sell, but too useful to throw out. It is also the pair that I will glimpse a quick hummingbird feed, or a Bear  headed to the neighbors pond, precisely because I did not have to run to the back room, pull one from it's case, remove the lens covers and dash back out. If I am on the porch it is always beside me since it needs temperature stabilization. 

[pat in los angeles basin]

There was a gent on birdforums that mentioned an older birding guide that run a business showing fellow birders the avians of the Carribean islands. I think- his bino of choice was some sort of 7x50 porro that looked like it had literally been used to pound tent stakes all it's life. Made quite an impression on me seeing the picture. Literally a "beater". Pat

[luxo II]

...his bino of choice was some sort of 7x50 porro that looked like it had literally been used to pound tent stakes all it's life...

I suspect few would let him near their "beaters".

[pat in los angeles basin]

The WW2 stuff would be an excellent replacement- imagine a MK41 , or a Zeiss 8x60 BLC used for such a purpose     Pat

[dries1]

I keep a Hensoldt 8X30 DF in my pack, would not call it a beater but very useful for rough field conditions.

[Albie]

To me, “beater” suggests intent to abuse or allow a binocular to be abused, which isn’t something I would willingly do. High quality binoculars are not only more fun to use, but they are more likely to survive unintentional abuse. One my goals to own fewer binoculars of better quality, so having an additional “beater” binocular doesn’t appeal for me. 

I agree with what you said 100% .  These days I am down from 8 binoculars to 3 binoculars and a couple monoculars . One for the night sky , one for amateur birding and one for macro viewing . The three bins cover my needs well . I don't think I would enjoy owning beaters . To each their own I suppose .

Edited by Albie, 25 June 2025 - 08:40 AM.

[COMtnSkies]

       Thanks to all for your thoughts and responses!   I should somewhat clarify my interpretation of a beater pair. To me, a beater pair is not pretty, but gets the job done. I have many nice to mint classics that stay in the AC and don't get much use due to condition and or rarity. 

The above was the interpretation I had of 'beater' in the bino world.  Used a lot and in instances when you might not take your EDG model with you.

  For me, although they are in pristine condition, my SvBony SA205ED  8x42s are it.  At the low price of $135 they put up a great image, are easy to focus, and are not large. They go with me when I don't want to take more expensive bins.   Good topic, thanks.

[wrighty338]

I recently bought a Kowa YF II 8x30 from ebay. The pouch has absorbed cigarette smoke and passed it ever so slightly onto the rubber armour as its sat on someone's shelf un-used for a year. The binocular itself is as new condition so iv just attached the neck strap and Im going to enjoy the heck out of it on outdoor activities. 

[bulletdodger]

   Please.....Not to be rude... but...This thread is " about Beaters " And the uglier the beater, the better. I did not ask for grab n go's, I have an assortment of those as well.       If you don't have a beater, that's cool, but this thread is for those who do.

    I would like to see some binoculars with some character or signs that it was abused in the past, but still functions as intended.  I enjoy them and if something bad were to happen, by accident, I can replace them cheaply and not lose sleep over it.  

[dries1]

So in line with "beater" or character, a binocular that has some patina preferably not on the glass, but the case.

Edited by dries1, 28 June 2025 - 12:58 PM.

[bulletdodger]

Perfectly put, Sir!

[NinePlanets]

"Patina". Yeah, that's what it is. 

[pat in los angeles basin]

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[pat in los angeles basin]

SGW buy, rattled when picked up off counter, still bought it. Had to reset prisms (2 were loose, completely adrift internally) after  reshaping clamps , minor clamshell  chip (off image). had a sticker on it , since faded that stated "bric-a-brac $2.50- not what I paid. Eyepiece coating a bit scratched but the objectives are good . Mor of a beatup than a beatER as I treat it with repect, though I think a thief might have second thoughts of a quick grab. A delight  on the eyes even with the taped in place eyecups as it had none on pickup. Pat

[bulletdodger]

Pat, Sir, that might be the ultimate beater! An FPO Rangemaster is fantastic in any condition, as long as the glass is good, and will run rings around most modern binoculars. Great pics!

[pat in los angeles basin]

Thanks and for me it does overperform - buttery no lag focuser -  no slop diopter adjust and an excellent image, there is some field curvature and the single mag coating shows a bit short of a multicoat  but I love the thing. I got it early in my binoholism craze (not "reefer madness- glass madness!) and couldn't be happier with it.   Regards, Pat

[frankmorgan]

A beat up Tropical with awesome view, , and a beat up MarinerOB that works like new...I keep good working beaters and change them up every few years,also grand-kids walk away with a few...

[PEterW]

Got some 8x30 zeiss conquests for when my nikon e2 might fog up and get dinked. The conquest are well known as being near indestructible. I treat them nicely, but they give me peace of mind that they’ll probably be fine if any accidents befall them.

[PanamaRic]

Mine was a  Nikon Action Extreme 10X50. 

[LenticularParticular]

For me, it's my Kowa YF II 8x30. The view in it is surprisingly sharp for $120 and that price won't make me cry if I have to replace them. I don't mind letting them bake or freeze in the car. They easily fit in the car console. I get dirt, sand, and sweat on them when I'm rockhounding and hiking. They're lighter to have swinging around my neck than my SRBC 10x50 when I'm hiking. Good enough for casual stargazing even. I have an Svbony SV205 10x42 en route as we speak and I'm interested to see if it'll check the same boxes while providing more magnification and larger objectives.

[azure1961p]

My "beater pair" was a pair of 8x20s.  Forgot the brand.  Had it for years, compact, pocketable and not bad at all for 20mm!  HOWEVER, 8x20 wasn't great in low light.  These were NOT astronomy binoculars.  But they took on the sidearm comfort as the old standbys for daytime and moon observing.

 

Pete

[Juha]

Nife 8x30

[frankmorgan]

Thankyou Bullet dodger for this thread ..it really got me thinking about "beater" pairs of binoculars now and in past and I actually have 7 pairs laying around that are beaters,and the rest mostly have cases and are on a bookshelf . So ,scratch(s) on coating, or cosmetically too dinged and hopefully good optics/ low cost is a beater.I used to refurb a lot but shipping and prices went too high.The beaters are optically good/collimated ,Great for grandkids/guests but they pile up due to binocular addiction .I test binos for sheer fun ,some targets are 15-20 miles away by day, and the stars ,the ultimate test by night .The great thing about retirement is I have time for things I like doing ,Clear Skies, Frank

[bulletdodger]

    Just a few years away for me, Frank... Like you I enjoy comparisons of the glass and designs of the various Japanese factories. Numbers and specs are not enough.         They have to be viewed through to see which ones give your eyes that Wow factor which for me means a crystal clear view, wide fov, and lack of any form of eye strain when scanning.  Everyone's eyes and nose and face are different, so you may have to try several binoculars until you find your match.