Zeiss SFL - focus wheel (1 Viewer)

[Decumulate]

I just tried out the 8x40. This is a tough Bino to assess because the fit and optics seem spot on, and the lightness feels great.

But then there’s the focus wheel. Wow, this thing makes the binoculars feel like a toy. It in one focusing cycle it will turn extremely tight, then super sloppy, then tight again.

Did anyone else have a similar experience or is this just this pair? As it stands, these are a “almost great” bino - but that focus wheel mess is so distracting that this pair will go back.

 

[pm42]

Mine is ok.

 

[Troubador]

My review unit was fine.

Lee

 

[Bill Atwood]

No slop, but mine is tighter than I prefer, but given the focus speed it's acceptable. I will likely see about having Zeiss loosen it sometime in the future.

 

[Vespobuteo]

Have there ever been any binocular release without initial anecdotal complains on the focuser?

 

[Troubador]

Have there ever been any binocular release without initial anecdotal complains on the focuser?

Good point.

Lee

 

[Aquaplas]

Mine is stiff but very good. Fast and direct. Think with time there comes some loosen.

 

[Scott98]

Did you try turning it all the way from one side to the other 5-6 times? To spread the lubricant around. If that doesn't work I'd exchange them for a different pair.

 

[b-lilja]

Mine are excellent, fast and excellent. Not stiff at all, and consistent.

 

[AlphaFan]

No slop, but mine is tighter than I prefer, but given the focus speed it's acceptable.

Completely agree. No issues with stiction inconsistency over the entire focus range.

 

[Decumulate]

Sounds like I might have just gotten a bad model then based on all of these comments

 

[Aquaplas]

Mine is now after a Week of use smoother. Overall a very good focus. The first day ist was very stiff.
Use it often from infinity to near. I have done that.

 

[Decumulate]

Mine is now after a Week of use smoother. Overall a very good focus. The first day ist was very stiff.
Use it often from infinity to near. I have done that.

Consistent stiffness wouldn’t have even bothered me that much. In this case, it was the flipping between sticking and sloppiness that was weird - I’m wondering if the knob is slightly misaligned

 

[pm42]

Consistent stiffness wouldn’t have even bothered me that much. In this case, it was the flipping between sticking and sloppiness that was weird

You said so already but posting here again won't do any good.
Did you consider having returning them or having them exchanged or repaired under warranty?

 

[Troubador]

You said so already but posting here again won't do any good.
Did you consider having returning them or having them exchanged or repaired under warranty?

If binos are faulty when having been bought new, they were not fit for sale and IMHO should be returned and a replacement unit requested.

Lee

 

[pm42]

If binos are faulty when having been bought new, they were not fit for sale and IMHO should be returned and a replacement unit requested.

I agree but sometimes, the brand or reseller policy is not as good as expected.
And when it comes to SFL, it seems that replacement units are scarce. At from what I hear from my reseller.

 

[Decumulate]

I already returned - was wondering if it made sense to do another try. It sounds like it does based on everyone’s experiences

 

[Troubador]

I agree but sometimes, the brand or reseller policy is not as good as expected.
And when it comes to SFL, it seems that replacement units are scarce. At from what I hear from my reseller.

In the UK the Sale of Goods Act allows one to reject product on the grounds that it is not fit for sale, and I would hope that there is similar legislation in other countries as I cannot imagine that anywhere would tolerate the notion that if you have bought something that is not fit for sale you have no redress, so I would hope it is not a matter of brand or reseller policy but of law.

If replacement units are slow in coming through then it becomes a matter of balancing the length of wait for one versus the length of wait for a repair and bear in mind that if replacement units are scarce at this point then spare parts to effect repairs are likely to be scarce too.

Lee

 

[Troubador]

I already returned - was wondering if it made sense to do another try. It sounds like it does based on everyone’s experiences

It seems most folks' reports are that the focuser is initially stiff and then loosens-up with use and this is how it was with my review unit. So I would definitely order a replacement.

Lee

 

[Robert Moore]

Mine was a little stiff at first now excellent