Binocular bargains (3 Viewers)

[FrankD]

Wow, nice catch Owen. Those binoculars are the proverbial steal for that price. Swaro EL 32 performance at close to 1/3rd the price!

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Sort of relates to other comments here on Zeiss FL

From EO in email today

Zeiss "No Box" Binocular Special

Unbelievable prices on these brand new, black Victory FL T* binoculars from Zeiss. Then save more when you send for the Zeiss $100 rebate.

- Brand New
- All original accessories
- Zeiss Limited Lifetime
- Transferable Warranty
- $100 rebate from Zeiss

Starting at $2,149.99

$2150 for unboxed bins ... Unbelievable, indeed.

I presume sales demos though often they're missing more than the box?

EDIT: Ah, I see the email was confusing for those of us who read our email in plain text.

I see on the hot deals page the actual prices ... around $1650.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/products/hot-deals

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/zeiss/zeiss-victory-fl-8x42-t-no-box-binocular-special-black

for $1650

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/zeiss/zeiss-victory-fl-10x42-t-no-box-binocular-special-black

for $1700

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/zeiss/zeiss-victory-fl-8x32-t-no-box-binocular-special-black

for $1600

 

[falcondude]

Sort of relates to other comments here on Zeiss FL

From EO in email today



I presume sales demos though often they're missing more than the box?

$2150 for unboxed bins ... Unbelievable, indeed.

It says brand new one, not demo. Why No box? It costs that much to print a box? With that amount of money to spare, I'd rather get a properly boxed Swarovski EL 8.5.

 

[oleaf]

I think it's more like $1699 or so for the unboxed bins.

 

[BinoBoy]

Promaster at Mike's Camera

Mike's Camera is having an inventory reduction sale. All Promaster products are 20% off. That makes the 8x42 ED $319 and the 10x42 $359.

http://www.mikescamera.com/spec_sheet.html?catalog[name]=PROMASTER%C2%AE-Infinity-Elite-ELX-8x42-ED-Binoculars-(1187)-(Promaster-Binoculars-and-Spotting-Scopes)-promaster-binocular&catalog[product_guids][0]=1073e6a3-8734-4824-ad62-e95b40582cd5

http://www.mikescamera.com/spec_sheet.html?catalog[name]=PROMASTER%C2%AE-Infinity-Elite-ELX-10x42-ED-Binoculars-(1194)-(Promaster-Binoculars-and-Spotting-Scopes)-promaster-binocular&catalog[product_guids][0]=e4d8d0c0-e84e-43cc-9c5d-9c2e886e8db9

 

[rjwims]

Mike's Camera is having an inventory reduction sale. All Promaster products are 20% off. That makes the 8x42 ED $319 and the 10x42 $359.

http://www.mikescamera.com/spec_sheet.html?catalog[name]=PROMASTER%C2%AE-Infinity-Elite-ELX-8x42-ED-Binoculars-(1187)-(Promaster-Binoculars-and-Spotting-Scopes)-promaster-binocular&catalog[product_guids][0]=1073e6a3-8734-4824-ad62-e95b40582cd5

http://www.mikescamera.com/spec_sheet.html?catalog[name]=PROMASTER%C2%AE-Infinity-Elite-ELX-10x42-ED-Binoculars-(1194)-(Promaster-Binoculars-and-Spotting-Scopes)-promaster-binocular&catalog[product_guids][0]=e4d8d0c0-e84e-43cc-9c5d-9c2e886e8db9

Good find, I think

 

[Tero]

Note that you have a week to figure out if you want it or return, not 30 days like some of us are used to.

 

[rjwims]

Note that you have a week to figure out if you want it or return, not 30 days like some of us are used to.

So true....leap of faith almost?

 

[Veracocha]

I managed to get a pair of Hawke Frontier ED 8x43 today from London Camera Exchange for £259.00 today, a massive saving over retailers like Sherwoods (£320). The sales guy said something very interesting though. His Alpha glass supplier commented on the possibility of the manufacturer (Hawke's) are under suspicion of breaking copyright law???? He wasn't prepared to elaborate any further or even tell me which supplier was supposed to have made the comment. Interesting though.

 

[Kevin Purcell]

I manThe sales guy said something very interesting though. His Alpha glass supplier commented on the possibility of the manufacturer (Hawke's) are under suspicion of breaking copyright law???? He wasn't prepared to elaborate any further or even tell me which supplier was supposed to have made the comment. Interesting though.

Without more details then I wouldn't put much stock in it (hearsay as they would say in court) unless it comes with a citation.

It's certainly not "breaking copyright law" (that would be "infringing copyright" as most copyright issue are not criminal ... regardless of what the warning at the start of a VHS tape says). Unless they're copying their manuals verbatim that's not going to be even copyright infringment

As I doubt they're infringing trademarks -- I've not seen a Chinese ED called Ziess or Lika or Swaroh yet.

That leaves patent infringement? Either design patents or "true" patents. I'm pretty sure that Zeiss, Leica and Swaro have a big patent collection they could use to find some detail to litigate on but it would seem like a stretch unless they feel these guys really are in competition with them.

But without more details ...

 

[Veracocha]

In fairness to the fellow I didn't want to push him (or even name his store on here) as he did me a cracking deal on the Bins. I will get in there again soon so I might pump him for more info. I believe these guys are now in direct competition with Hawke but that's covered pretty much in another thread.

 

[oleaf]

That leaves patent infringement? Either design patents or "true" patents. I'm pretty sure that Zeiss, Leica and Swaro have a big patent collection they could use to find some detail to litigate on but it would seem like a stretch unless they feel these guys really are in competition with them.

But without more details ...

I don't think the impetus to litigate depends solely on whether a company deems a competitor a threat or not... I think it depends if they have stolen/borrowed/copied their patented ideas.

Does any company say... oh well, they're not worthy competition... let them keep our patented ideas. I doubt it.

A Chinese company infringing on another brands patents? A stretch?

Cheers

 

[Kevin Conville]

A Chinese company infringing on another brands patents? A stretch?

Claude Rains' character in Casablanca- "I'm SHOCKED to see there's gambling taking place in this establishment!"

I have no idea if there's a case here or not but I, for one, would be surprised if the Chinese DIDN'T steal something from someone to produce these.

 

[ceasar]

Eagle Optics has a bargain sale on the old 8 x 42 and 10 x 42 Diamondbacks, per e-mail received today. 8's are $159.99 an 10's $169.99 Good buys for phase coated roofs with very wide FOV's and solid construction. I keep my 8x in the car. A real bargain now!
Bob

 

[swede]

Cameraland NY has a demo Zeiss 7 x 42 (non-lotutec) victory for $899 if anyone is interested. I would have picked them up in a minute a few months ago (have bought two pairs since). One left, have to call to get it.

 

[BinoBoy]

Minox BL 10x 42

SWFA has factory demo Minox BL 10x42 for $299. Looks like they've got 19 at the moment. They are going for $420 - $450 new.

http://www.samplelist.com/default.aspx?prod_type=2&hide_sold=False

CamerlandNY has the 8x42 for $289.

 

[falcondude]

Demo list

hm... from $795 retail price to $299 demo price, there is a lot of money to be made (paid) in between.

The same place have a EL 8.5x42 for $1600, almost $300 less than what I paid few years ago.

 

[Steve C]

Camertaland NY has a Swarovski 60th anniversary sale on Swarovski binoculars.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...bb/showflat/Number/2928125/page/1#Post2928125

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Camertaland NY has a Swarovski 60th anniversary sale on Swarovski binoculars.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...bb/showflat/Number/2928125/page/1#Post2928125

EO too ... those Swaro MAPs must be denting sales.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/swarovski

BTW, watching Law and Order UK (s1e5) last night I saw the legal protagonists get out of a taxi in the City of London (financial district) which carrying advertising for ... Swarovski. I presume the crystal not the bins (but it was just name brand advertising).

 

[oleaf]

If the economy was chugging along normally I doubt you'd see any Anniversary sale.

I think that's cover for "We haven't sold a bin in months!)

Good time to buy if you have the cash. Oh... wait... who has cash?

Cheers