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Would you buy a used Victory SF with these marks? (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Gdavis248
- Start date
forent
Well-known member
I would look elsewhere.
When I - once in years or even decades - buy a very expensive top-of-the-line pair of binoculars, I want satisfaction from perfection and not a second-hand device whose very obvious lens scratches keep catching my eye every day. A high price is eventually forgotten, but such defects remain and are annoying, even if they don't detract from the image impression. In addition, there is the doubt as to what else the seller may have concealed or glossed over.
Better 'buy once cry once' than 'save once and regret forever'.
When I - once in years or even decades - buy a very expensive top-of-the-line pair of binoculars, I want satisfaction from perfection and not a second-hand device whose very obvious lens scratches keep catching my eye every day. A high price is eventually forgotten, but such defects remain and are annoying, even if they don't detract from the image impression. In addition, there is the doubt as to what else the seller may have concealed or glossed over.
Better 'buy once cry once' than 'save once and regret forever'.
seawatcher
Well-known member
Agree wholeheartedly with Denco here. The very obvious scratch(es) suggest that either these suffered a genuine accident, or were not properly looked after. I would be very wary, although give the seller their due that they are not hiding the fact that there are marks on the glass. There are other alternatives and the two models Denco suggests are a good buy. Alternatively, sit it out and wait until a better deal comes up, with a pair of binoculars that are in a better condition. And, I have seen worse on FleaBay at ridiculous prices. Hope you find something that suits. SW
temmie
Well-known member
Some observations, from someone who is not a collector but a user of binoculars:
1. cleaning marks vs scratches: one doesn't exclude the other: Not carefully cleaning with sand / small particles on the lenses, whiping / frotting them off, can result in those cleaning marks / scratches.
2. You will never ever see the scratches in your view. You can have an awfull lot of dirt on objective lenses before you'd be even aware of something decreasing the quality of your view. Scratches / little impacts on the eyepiece side are much worse as those are discernible / can be annoying.
3. If you buy them, you'd have to see it as buying a car with scratches: you won't worry about a scratch more or less (vs. if you bought them new or pristine), but you won't be able to resell them at a good price anymore, so you shouldn't buy them at a price higher than the lifetime expectancy (let's say 10 years) without any value left (to take into account), but they're as good / as performing / perfectly useable. I would look into the 1300$ range if I'd like to have a pair that I would use until end-of-life, and if collecting, you'd ofcourse not buy them and look for another pair. So in the end, it all depends of what your aiming for.
1. cleaning marks vs scratches: one doesn't exclude the other: Not carefully cleaning with sand / small particles on the lenses, whiping / frotting them off, can result in those cleaning marks / scratches.
2. You will never ever see the scratches in your view. You can have an awfull lot of dirt on objective lenses before you'd be even aware of something decreasing the quality of your view. Scratches / little impacts on the eyepiece side are much worse as those are discernible / can be annoying.
3. If you buy them, you'd have to see it as buying a car with scratches: you won't worry about a scratch more or less (vs. if you bought them new or pristine), but you won't be able to resell them at a good price anymore, so you shouldn't buy them at a price higher than the lifetime expectancy (let's say 10 years) without any value left (to take into account), but they're as good / as performing / perfectly useable. I would look into the 1300$ range if I'd like to have a pair that I would use until end-of-life, and if collecting, you'd ofcourse not buy them and look for another pair. So in the end, it all depends of what your aiming for.
MiddleRiver
Well-known member
Good point! I own SFL's in both 8x30 and 8x40, as well as the 8x32SF's. Frankly it's 50/50 which of the bigger bins I prefer on a given day. I've seen SFL's sell waaaay too low, so an 8x40SFL would be a great alternative (while retaining the stellar overall design which includes what is imho the best focuser in the biz).
One of the better known characters on this forum has claimed he'd stick black plastic cups to the objectives and folks trying them wouldn't notice...
But if I wanted that specific model, to use (not to collect or resell) - yeah, I'd go in hard and offer a "deal" that'd make Trump blush.
I would take these, but at a bargain price. The scratches aren't enough to affect viewing, but they definitely affect resale value. Thinking the $1300 area is probably about right.
It's just one lens too, I would want to evaluate pictures of the whole thing, the other lenses & body. You can pay $1300 and send them to Zeiss and they can replace that lens if you want....will cost some more $$
It's just one lens too, I would want to evaluate pictures of the whole thing, the other lenses & body. You can pay $1300 and send them to Zeiss and they can replace that lens if you want....will cost some more $$
The Zeiss warranty is transferable. If you bought them at a discount say $1300 could you send them in to Zeiss and get them fixed or would you have to pay for the repair because it was the previous owner's fault that they are damaged?
peterginsburg
Well-known member
Yes, the warranty is transferable however it does not cover scratched lenses so it matters not if one is the original owner. Lens replacements are not cheap.
Peter
That is what I figured. I would stay away from them then. Buy this new Zeiss SFL 8x40 for $1349.00 on Greentoe. No scratches, lighter and darn close optically to the 8x42 SF outside of a slightly smaller FOV.
ZEISS 8x40 SFL Binoculars 524023-0000-000 Greentoe
Buy ZEISS 8x40 SFL Binoculars featuring UHD Optics, ZEISS T* Multicoating, Wide 60° Apparent Angle of View, Lightweight, Rugged Magnesium Chassis. Review ZEISS 8x40
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I agree.... it shows a lack of general care.
Really? I check the classifieds here often and they are pretty rare to see in my opinion.
tehri
Well-known member
An optical instrument with such scratches loses all its meaning, all its charm for me !!!
I would buy it maybe for $500, but I would still hesitate !!
Hermann
Well-known member
Well, if you're a birder rather than a collector or a member of the Binocular Appreciation Society you might want to go for it - if the price is right and the binocular is otherwise in decent shape. Because you'll never see these scratches in the image when you look at birds.An optical instrument with such scratches loses all its meaning, all its charm for me !!!
I would buy it maybe for $500, but I would still hesitate !!
If, however, you look more at your binoculars rather than at birds, you shouldn't.
Hermann
If you have OCD, they wouldn't be the binoculars for you.
tehri
Well-known member
Of course, I understand what you are saying, Hermann... But I am very 'sensitive' to the beauty of objects, and I think I can say that I look at my binoculars (NL's) as much as I look at birds ! ahaha !
Furthermore, such an optical instrument is for me something almost 'magical', and I like that its lenses are like crystal clear and deep water when I look at them... but that is of course very personal to me
