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Binocular ramblings (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Tero
- Start date
Tero
Retired
At least the binoculars get to travel at this time of year, even if we don't. 
I had forgotten to list my Minolta 8x25 compacts, my favorite ones from this year. They are either in my coat pocket or briefcase at all times, so they take lots of short trips. When going out of town, they have some other binocular pal to travel with, usually a reverse porro if it is not a birding trip. They hang out with the Kaufman field guide, old edition. I have not carried my new Kaufman to the field as it is autographed.
I had forgotten to list my Minolta 8x25 compacts, my favorite ones from this year. They are either in my coat pocket or briefcase at all times, so they take lots of short trips. When going out of town, they have some other binocular pal to travel with, usually a reverse porro if it is not a birding trip. They hang out with the Kaufman field guide, old edition. I have not carried my new Kaufman to the field as it is autographed.
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Tero
Retired
WHERE YOUR BINOCULARS ARE, continued
Now my Tasco 7x porro is homeless. I tried to give it to someone at work, no takers so far. It is sitting in a spot where someone might want to claim it.
***
OK, it has a happy home now.
Over the years, these were abandoned/adopted by someone/sold
Meade 10x roof prism, or was it an 8x mislabeled 10x? the eye cups fell apart
Bushnell 16x porro
Orion something reverse porro
Barska 10x porro, went to nature center
Bushnell 12x roof prism, gave to my son, never seen since (the binocular, not the son)
Now my Tasco 7x porro is homeless. I tried to give it to someone at work, no takers so far. It is sitting in a spot where someone might want to claim it.
***
OK, it has a happy home now.
Over the years, these were abandoned/adopted by someone/sold
Meade 10x roof prism, or was it an 8x mislabeled 10x? the eye cups fell apart
Bushnell 16x porro
Orion something reverse porro
Barska 10x porro, went to nature center
Bushnell 12x roof prism, gave to my son, never seen since (the binocular, not the son)
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nctexasbirder
young birder
Tero said:
:'D lets hope not!
Tero
Retired
I made a Finn stick today, intended for long staring at ducks and gulls. It does not attach to the binoculars so I need at least one hand up there to hold it. It is pretty steady. One problem: does not fit into the trunk of my car, it needs to inside, so I may have a problem with passengers. I do have a ski hole from the trunk to the inside, will try that. I have a monopod, I would need to rig a piece of wood at the top to use IT as aFinn stick.
richard866945
Bino repair man
Customise to suit your eyes.
Trashbird - it is possible for a binocular technician to deliberately mis-align your bino to suit your eye alignment. I know, 'cos I have done it for three customers this year. Means it is difficult for anyone else to use your bino b ut the alignment can be reset if you decide to sell the bino. You will have to visit the workshop and keep checking the alignment as it is slowly adjusted. Safe to give you my web site as we don't live close enough and I can't be accused of touting for business. It is www.actionoptics.co.uk Good luck.
Trashbird - it is possible for a binocular technician to deliberately mis-align your bino to suit your eye alignment. I know, 'cos I have done it for three customers this year. Means it is difficult for anyone else to use your bino b ut the alignment can be reset if you decide to sell the bino. You will have to visit the workshop and keep checking the alignment as it is slowly adjusted. Safe to give you my web site as we don't live close enough and I can't be accused of touting for business. It is www.actionoptics.co.uk Good luck.
FrankD
Well-known member
An update, the Leica 8x32 BNs arrived that afternoon, my Nikon LXs are due back on Friday and the third pair should show up on Monday. I must say I am absolutely stunned by these little Leicas. They really are everything that everyone has been touting them to be. I cannot believe the resolution, and even brightness, levels considering how compact they are. My short term impression is that they are going to be keepers and will be added to the collection.
Tero
Retired
My simple resolution test is how far I can distinguish Eurasian Tree Sparrows from House Sparrows. We have both. Those binoculars that just were not up to that simple task are gone. They are good for close up views of bird feeders 30 feet away.
So, are you going out in the field with the Leicas this weekend?
So, are you going out in the field with the Leicas this weekend?
FrankD
Well-known member
Are you asking what you can get for a binocular which is used but originally sold for $400? I think your summary of the actual physical condition of the binocular would, in large part, determine what I would expect to receive for it. That coupled with how popular the binocular brand name is and the respected price range. Many folks are only willing to spend a specific amount....say $300 or so.
FrankD
Well-known member
In that case I think half price is a fair amount. I sold a pair of Monarchs last year for just over $200 when they originally went for about $300. The brand name coupled with the popularity of that particular model is what probably moved them for better than 2/3rds their original price. You have to watch though. The more expensive the bin the more folks tend to look for any imperfections in it....be it optical, mechanical or cosmetic.
Pinewood
New York correspondent
Tero,Tero said:
I would expect two thirds of the original price or even current price, if the binocular is in almost perfect shape. Although, perusing the world famous online auction site, which I shall leave unnamed, may give a better idea of what something is worth.
I recently sold a $575 binocular for $405, shipping included, through Astromart's classified. The buyer was quite pleased, so I might have squeezed another $20 or $25 on the price, but Astromart does not take a per centage on the sale. He did not use that well known online payment service which takes another 3% of the total price. The buyer, who was not a collector, did not mind the used strap and case, nor the worn box but the finish, optics and mechanics of the binocular were like new. In fact, I do not want to deal with collectors, but that should not be problem in the under $400 range.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur
Tero
Retired
OK, thanks. I will ask for slightly over half, selling in local free press, no postage to send, and no checks, cash only. Otherwise, if it does not sell, I can list it here.
It is now listed right above this, in the "sports" section:
It is now listed right above this, in the "sports" section:
it was the closest section I could find, and hunters read it.
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Tero
Retired
I took the 10x25 Prostaffs for a last lunch time walk. I was able to follow a flying gull, despite the narrow 260ft FOV. I also had the 9x25, saw as much gull an FOV was an improved 290 something. Also brighter. If you are used to 10x and need something compact, I still recommend these for a "glove compartment" bin, either 9x Travelite or ProStaff.
The 10x25 are in a box waiting for a buyer. In the winter I will take my old 10x36 Sporters for the luch time walks to look for eagles. They are usually on the other side of the Mississippi. The Sporters have spent weeks in my trunk with no problems yet. I never keep them there in hot summer weather.
The 10x25 are in a box waiting for a buyer. In the winter I will take my old 10x36 Sporters for the luch time walks to look for eagles. They are usually on the other side of the Mississippi. The Sporters have spent weeks in my trunk with no problems yet. I never keep them there in hot summer weather.
Tero
Retired
I have now sold the ProMasters, I got 60 dollars, 43% of what I paid. I did not want to post it for a second week.
I tested brightness last night:
1. Monarch 10x42 brightest
2. Nikon Sporter 10x36 dimmer, not bad
3. Pro Staff 10x25 reverse porros
It was even a bigger step down in brightness.
They are good for medium distance on a bright day, but at long distance the Monarch clearly beat them at image clarity.
I tested brightness last night:
1. Monarch 10x42 brightest
2. Nikon Sporter 10x36 dimmer, not bad
3. Pro Staff 10x25 reverse porros
It was even a bigger step down in brightness.
They are good for medium distance on a bright day, but at long distance the Monarch clearly beat them at image clarity.
FrankD
Well-known member
I would really love to see what a phase coated version of the Sporters would be like. Though the Monarchs are lighter I think that a phase coated Sporter with click-stop eyecups would be preferable to me in terms of design. The eyepiece design of the Sporter seemed superior to me for some reason. The width of the ocular lens and the bins overall build seemed similar to that of the Venturer. It would have been interesting had they not been discontinued.
Tero
Retired
I now have only two 10x in use, the old Sporter and Monarch 10x42. That one is still my happiest purchase. But it also my best kept bin, so it is home a lot. I had some dim 10x Bushnell roofs. Tried to keep them at work, but in the end, I could see less with them than the Travelite 9x25 reverse porro. So the Travelite works for casual walks. I can get to the Mississippi at lunch time, walk a bit. May see a few eagles through the winter. I watched a distant flock of Starlings or blackbirds today, and one red tailed hawk.
In the car I have a 8x32 roof prism that works for birding in city parks. I guess I could replace it with something better, but then I would not keep it in the car.
For local Audubon birding trips I bring the Monarch and some other 8x. I tried a few pair in the sunset today at a nature center. The 9x25 did as well in the dim light as the 8x32 roof, but has smaller FOV.
I had some 7x porros to check out for a while, just to see how 7x works for me. The small apparent FOV bothered enough that I gave them away. This is not to say that 7x40 would not work, if it was a good bin. But not for me right now.
In the car I have a 8x32 roof prism that works for birding in city parks. I guess I could replace it with something better, but then I would not keep it in the car.
For local Audubon birding trips I bring the Monarch and some other 8x. I tried a few pair in the sunset today at a nature center. The 9x25 did as well in the dim light as the 8x32 roof, but has smaller FOV.
I had some 7x porros to check out for a while, just to see how 7x works for me. The small apparent FOV bothered enough that I gave them away. This is not to say that 7x40 would not work, if it was a good bin. But not for me right now.
FrankD
Well-known member
Tero,
I find it amusing when I visualize you out on an Audubon trip switching back and forth between two sets of bins to see which serves you better for that particular situation. I am sure you probably do not do that but it is the image I conjure when I read posts like the last one you made. I shouldn't laugh though as Mr. Traynor and I have spent quite a bit of time doing much the same thing when we are up sitting on the local hawkwatch. We often joke about it afterwards. Many of the other birders there must think we are amusing at times as well.
I find it amusing when I visualize you out on an Audubon trip switching back and forth between two sets of bins to see which serves you better for that particular situation. I am sure you probably do not do that but it is the image I conjure when I read posts like the last one you made. I shouldn't laugh though as Mr. Traynor and I have spent quite a bit of time doing much the same thing when we are up sitting on the local hawkwatch. We often joke about it afterwards. Many of the other birders there must think we are amusing at times as well.
