Unconditional Warranties...?

[Faulhorn]

With a 6 year old who is a 'binoholic' during his daily hour hikes with the rest of the family, I figure any binoculars we get will probably get dropped or scratched eventually.

I realize that some companies have a 'no fault' repair warranty. Some may charge a small fee.

So, any of you pros here mind listing the companies that have a 'no fault' repair warranty?

And have you found these companies to stand behind the products?

Thanks,
Faulhorn

[Jane Turner]

I had always imagined that no fault meant... not your fault.. but their fault... so if you dropped them or your child dropped them.. they would say its your fault....but if the central focussing mechansim went wonky.. they would.

Maybe I am wrong.

In the same circumstances I have adopted two stratgies.

1. but cheap but optically sound second hand optics and accept natural wastage!
2. get better bins and insure them

[Malcolm Fisher]

With a 6 year old who is a 'binoholic' during his daily hour hikes with the rest of the family, I figure any binoculars we get will probably get dropped or scratched eventually.

I realize that some companies have a 'no fault' repair warranty. Some may charge a small fee.

So, any of you pros here mind listing the companies that have a 'no fault' repair warranty?

And have you found these companies to stand behind the products?

Thanks,
Faulhorn

I read an article recently which seemed to suggest the Leica no fault warranty was just that. I wish I could remember where I saw it, but it seemed from what I read that dropping the bins or damaging them was covered by the warranty. In fact, I felt that it might even justify the purchase price if one was very clumsy! :)

[Rico]

At least in the US, Lifetime Passport Warranty from Leica is pretty damn impressive:The Leica Passport Protection Plan will completely protect and cover the equipment against manufacturing defects, parts and labor, and will even cover damage to this product, including breakage, water damage or any accident, excluding fire or theft.Doesn't transfer like the one from Zeiss, but it has lifetime duration. I believe they require the item - or what remains of it - before repair or replacement, so don't drop your Ultravids overboard!

(B&H link (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=297716&is=USA&si=inc) containing this info)

[Faulhorn]

Thanks for the responses. Keep em coming.

Right now, the 6 year old is using a $10 pair of Tascos. Hurts my eyes just to look through them but he doesn't know any better. Time to upgrade soon so thanks for the comments.

Thanks,
Faulhorn

[marcus]

Hello Faulhorn
I saw this while looking through some binocular sites and thought you may find it usefull.

Navigation: Home/Products/Binoculars/Warranty, No Fault






CELESTRON BINOCULARS

UPCLOSE

TRAVELER

OUTLAND

ULTIMA

NOBLE

REGAL LS

OCEANA

SKYMASTER

OPTIVIEW

VISTAPIX

WARRANTY




CELESTRON NO FAULT LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Applicable to Ultimas, Nobles, and Regal LS Series Binoculars

A. Celestron warrants this binocular to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for its usable lifetime. Celestron will repair or replace such product or part thereof which, upon inspection by Celestron, is found to be defective in materials or workmanship. As a condition to the obligation of Celestron to repair or replace such product, the product must be returned to Celestron prepaid together with proof-of-purchase satisfactory to Celestron.

B. The NO FAULT provision of this warranty means that regardless of how the binocular may have been damaged or rendered unusable (fully or partially) by the
Owner of the binocular, Celestron will repair or replace the binocular without any questions being asked.

To take advantage of this provision, enclose a check or money order for $ 25.00 (U.S. dollars) with the binocular to cover inspection, handling, and shipping.

All returns must be accompanied by a written statement setting forth the name, address, and daytime telephone number of the owner, together with a brief description of any claimed defects. Parts or product for which replacement is made shall become the property of Celestron.

Celestron shall use reasonable efforts to repair or replace any binocular covered by this limited warranty within thirty days of receipt. In the event repair or replacement shall require more than thirty days, Celestron shall notify the customer accordingly. Celestron reserves the right to replace any product which has been discontinued from its product line with a new product of comparable value and function.

CELESTRON DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WHETHER OF MERCHANTABILITY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN.

THE SOLE OBLIGATION OF CELESTRON UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE COVERED PRODUCT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SET FORTH HEREIN. CELESTRON EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY LOST PROFITS, GENERAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY, OR ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY CELESTRON PRODUCT. ANY WARRANTIES WHICH ARE IMPLIED AND WHICH CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO A TERM OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Celestron reserves the right to modify or discontinue, without prior notice to you, any model or style binocular.

If warranty problems arise, or if you need assistance in using your binocular contact:

Celestron
Customer Service Department
2835 Columbia Street
Torrance, CA 90503 U.S.A.
Tel. (310) 328-9560
Fax. (310) 212-5835
Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM PST

This warranty supersedes all other product warranties.

NOTE: This warranty is valid to U.S.A. and Canadian customers who have purchased this product from an Authorized Celestron Dealer in the U.S.A. or Canada. Warranty outside the U.S.A. and Canada is valid only to customers purchased from a Celestron Distributor or Authorized Celestron Dealer in the specific country and please contact them for any warranty service.






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[Atomic Chicken]

Greetings!

For a "no-fault" warranty, where even accidents or abuse are covered, there are currently only 2 options that I'm aware of. Nikon has a lifetime warranty where they will fix ANYTHING that goes wrong with your binoculars... even if you run over them with your car or drop them off a cliff. I'm not sure if this applies to all the Nikon binocular models, but it definitely applies to the HG models. This is transferrable to any subsequent owner, at least in the U.S.

Leica has a "passport" warranty that covers the first 3 years of binocular ownership, with the same features as the Nikon warranty, but after the 3 years have passed it reverts to a standard lifetime "defects in materials and workmanship" warranty that doesn't cover accidents, etc. This warranty is also non-transferrable, unlike the Nikon warranty.

Warning about the Leica warranty though: you MUST send in the warranty registration card within 30 days of purchase or you will NOT be covered and will have to pay for any repairs. They are quite inflexible about this, based on what I've read over the internet and heard from a local dealer who STRONGLY urged me to send in my warranty card when I bought my recent Trinovid 7x42 BN.

Best wishes,
Bawko

[Bill Atwood]

These bins just for your 6 yr old? Or are they used mainly by you?

I'd stick with a cheap pair for the kid until he's 15 or so. I dont' see why any company should warranty bins for repeated abuse by a child.

[BMR]

Greetings!

For a "no-fault" warranty, where even accidents or abuse are covered, there are currently only 2 options that I'm aware of. Nikon has a lifetime warranty where they will fix ANYTHING that goes wrong with your binoculars... even if you run over them with your car or drop them off a cliff. I'm not sure if this applies to all the Nikon binocular models, but it definitely applies to the HG models. This is transferrable to any subsequent owner, at least in the U.S.

Leica has a "passport" warranty that covers the first 3 years of binocular ownership, with the same features as the Nikon warranty, but after the 3 years have passed it reverts to a standard lifetime "defects in materials and workmanship" warranty that doesn't cover accidents, etc. This warranty is also non-transferrable, unlike the Nikon warranty.

Warning about the Leica warranty though: you MUST send in the warranty registration card within 30 days of purchase or you will NOT be covered and will have to pay for any repairs. They are quite inflexible about this, based on what I've read over the internet and heard from a local dealer who STRONGLY urged me to send in my warranty card when I bought my recent Trinovid 7x42 BN.

Best wishes,
Bawko



Bawko,

Leica extended their 3 year Passport warranty a couple of years ago to full lifetime, including retroactively all those sold prior to the change.

[John Traynor]

USA and Canada customers should also consider Eagle Optics' house brands. Their Platinum series have a comprehensive transferable warranty
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?dept=2&type=12&pid=3017.

It seems most warranties are pretty good these days.

John

[Kevin Mac]

For my youngster I also bought hideously cheap bins which at $20 was an absolute waste of money. You couldn't see anything out of them. Try some reasonable ones in the $75- 100 range. Remember, wide field of view is important for beginners.

[Faulhorn]

Thanks to all who responded so far.

As to the logic of getting a nice pair right off the bat for a 6 (and 9) year old. IF we are to spend the money, we might as well get an all inclusive unlimited warranty. AND if as others have noted that eventually we're going to need to upgrade as they grow up, then we might as well get them now and the whole family can enjoy them from the get go. And since they are warranted, if they are accidentally damaged, no expenses incurred.

So, its either pay for one cheap pair now and then an expensive later versus one expensive pair for now and later. The latter approach seems to be a cheaper route - AND we get to enjoy the better bins right off the bat.

Any fault with this logic?

One more bit of info: We homeschool and our kids hike an hour every day. The bins are an inseparable part of our kids' hikes, especially the younger one. He's extremely nature oriented.

Of course, after all is said and done, we may not go with these higher end bins and may go for the 'closeout' deals where very solid bins can be had for under $200. No non-fault warranty - but cheap enough.....

The Celestron does seem to be a great buy with their warranty. Eagle Optics too - except my guess is that Celestron may be a bit more stable company with a greater certainty of staying around to warrant the bins?

Thanks again,
Faulhorn

[Kevin Mac]

Stick to the cheaper end of the scale- you will upgrade one day anyway. We all do - just ask my wife.

[Curtis Croulet]

The Celestron does seem to be a great buy with their warranty. Eagle Optics too - except my guess is that Celestron may be a bit more stable company with a greater certainty of staying around to warrant the bins?

Maybe not. A few years ago, Celestron and Meade tried to merge, but the Federal Trade Commission wouldn't allow it, as it would have eliminated most of the competition in high-end astronomical telescopes, notwithstanding the many small manufacturers. Then Tasco bought Celestron. AFAIK, the Celestron part of it remained sound, but Tasco itself went under, and Celestron was bought back by its original owners and employees. The survival rate of employee-owned corporations is not good, at least not in the USA -- think of United Airlines, for example. I know a gentleman who is in the telescope-manufacturing business who thinks the prospects for Celestron are not good, though possibly the situation has improved with the retirement of John Diebel from Meade. Most of the astronomical community wishes the best for Celestron, not just because of the general high quality of their products, but because we need the competition in the industry.