John A Roberts
Well-known member
In the Binocular Bargains thread, SteveTS recently posted about Weaver Super Slam 8.5x45’s that were on sale for $399 US, see: https://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3889001&postcount=3840
These were a premium priced model produced briefly from around 2009
While they don’t have particularly attractive styling, they do have 2 unusual features
Firstly, there is an interesting implementation of the focuser location on an open bridge design
It’s attached to the front face of the rear bridge, so it’s like that of the later Zeiss SF - but without the SF’s secondary bridge in front of the focuser
see the attached images (the first is from: https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/weaver-super-slam-binos-8-5x45.64579/ )
Also of interest is the knob on the front bridge. It can be used to lock the IPD setting (in the page from the 2012 catalogue it’s incorrectly referred to as a focus lock!)
While a useful feature, it’s a much less sophisticated version of the one on early Zeiss Porro binoculars
The Zeiss design used a notch and an adjustable pin to record the IPD:
- the binocular could than be folded and put in it’s case, and
- when taken out and opened, the pin would fit into the notch at the set IPD
see the image from Anna & Terry Vacani’s website: http://www.binoculars-cinecollectors.com/html/body_educational_t_p2.html
While long out of fashion, it’s not an idea without merit, particularly as roof prism binoculars typically don’t include an IPD scale to enable checking the setting
And as an aside:
- on dual bridge designs like the Swarovski EL, it would be simple to place an IPD scale on the rear face of the front bridge for easy verification of the setting, and
- on other designs a scale could be placed on the front face of the bridge (a less convenient location than one visible from the rear while holding the binoculars, but nonetheless useful)
John
These were a premium priced model produced briefly from around 2009
While they don’t have particularly attractive styling, they do have 2 unusual features
Firstly, there is an interesting implementation of the focuser location on an open bridge design
It’s attached to the front face of the rear bridge, so it’s like that of the later Zeiss SF - but without the SF’s secondary bridge in front of the focuser
see the attached images (the first is from: https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/weaver-super-slam-binos-8-5x45.64579/ )
Also of interest is the knob on the front bridge. It can be used to lock the IPD setting (in the page from the 2012 catalogue it’s incorrectly referred to as a focus lock!)
While a useful feature, it’s a much less sophisticated version of the one on early Zeiss Porro binoculars
The Zeiss design used a notch and an adjustable pin to record the IPD:
- the binocular could than be folded and put in it’s case, and
- when taken out and opened, the pin would fit into the notch at the set IPD
see the image from Anna & Terry Vacani’s website: http://www.binoculars-cinecollectors.com/html/body_educational_t_p2.html
While long out of fashion, it’s not an idea without merit, particularly as roof prism binoculars typically don’t include an IPD scale to enable checking the setting
And as an aside:
- on dual bridge designs like the Swarovski EL, it would be simple to place an IPD scale on the rear face of the front bridge for easy verification of the setting, and
- on other designs a scale could be placed on the front face of the bridge (a less convenient location than one visible from the rear while holding the binoculars, but nonetheless useful)
John
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