[riverdance]

Hi
I live on the West Coast of Ireland and have used my B&L 8x32 waterproof daily for the last two years, cutting a long story short - both eye lenses are very finely scratched. This presumably has happened as result of salt crystals! So I'm in the market for a new pair - but what do I do with the current pair? I have been quoted £50 for them to be examined + cost of re-polishing etc + postage. They are too good to bin or are they? Your views would be most welcome.
BTW what are the best 8x32 with flip up/down eye covers? I want something that will keep out the weather including salt/sand without having to do an assembly exercise each time it rains or blows. The Brunton 'Opti-visor' system seems good but is it only on their kit?
Thanks in Advance
Bill

[James Eaton]

Hi Bill,

Presumably your lenses have become scratched when you tried cleaning them. A good way to help against fine scratches if you have waterproof binoculars is the following:

Before your start your cleaning process, run the lenses underneath a tap, make sure it is fast flowing to get best results and keep them under there for a prolonged time, this is the best way to get rid of small particles such as sea salt, then leave to dry. Fine clothes are all very well in using, but if the particles are still on the lenses it will still scratch the surface. A good cleaning tool after this is a cleaning pen, Hama make a good one, brush at one end and then cleaning rubber at the other. Or just a good cleaning spray and cloth.

Hope this helps

James

[WJC]

Originally Posted by riverdance

Hi
I live on the West Coast of Ireland and have used my B&L 8x32 waterproof daily for the last two years, cutting a long story short - both eye lenses are very finely scratched. This presumably has happened as result of salt crystals! So I'm in the market for a new pair - but what do I do with the current pair? I have been quoted £50 for them to be examined + cost of re-polishing etc + postage. They are too good to bin or are they? Your views would be most welcome.
BTW what are the best 8x32 with flip up/down eye covers? I want something that will keep out the weather including salt/sand without having to do an assembly exercise each time it rains or blows. The Brunton 'Opti-visor' system seems good but is it only on their kit?
Thanks in Advance
Bill

The people who want to POLISH you lenses aren't handing out Favors. Polishing will remove all of the anti-reflective coatings. In addition, real scratches aren't polished out--they are ground and polished out. Grinding more than likely will change ythe prescription.

Just a thought,

Bill Cook

[Rob Smallwood]

If they aren't repairable you could donate them to a local bird group, reserve or school?

[elkcub]

Originally Posted by riverdance

Hi
I live on the West Coast of Ireland and have used my B&L 8x32 waterproof daily for the last two years, cutting a long story short - both eye lenses are very finely scratched. This presumably has happened as result of salt crystals! So I'm in the market for a new pair - but what do I do with the current pair? I have been quoted £50 for them to be examined + cost of re-polishing etc + postage. They are too good to bin or are they? Your views would be most welcome.
BTW what are the best 8x32 with flip up/down eye covers? I want something that will keep out the weather including salt/sand without having to do an assembly exercise each time it rains or blows. The Brunton 'Opti-visor' system seems good but is it only on their kit?
Thanks in Advance
Bill

Bill,

You mentioned that both eye lenses "are very finely scratched." So, is this essentially a cosmetic issue, or does it actually interfere with your view? If they are still useable you might just buy another pair of binocs and keep these as a backup.

Elkcub

[riverdance]

Thanks for your inputs - it looks as if my B&L are now scrap - pity B&L won't sell new eye lenses! Still looking for good 8x32 with effective lens covers - any suggestions. Lesson well and truly learned on how and where to clean eyepieces. Thanks again.
Bill
County Kerry
Ireland

[WJC]

Originally Posted by riverdance

Thanks for your inputs - it looks as if my B&L are now scrap - pity B&L won't sell new eye lenses! Still looking for good 8x32 with effective lens covers - any suggestions. Lesson well and truly learned on how and where to clean eyepieces. Thanks again.
Bill
County Kerry
Ireland

Find the same bino under another name and see if they will get the lenses for you. Better, yet, see if B&L has a whole bino in their return pile they will sell you.

Cheers,

Bill
County Meath

[riverdance]

Thanks again for all of your responses - very much appreciated. Have decided to order William Optics 8x42 and have written to B&L (Bushnell) requesting help with new eyelenses - fingers crossed! Still not sure on best eyeguard system.
thanks again
Bill