Bushnell 8x23 Spectator, circa 1991-93 (1 Viewer)

[OPTIC_NUT]

The first one I got was extraordinary compared to similar binoculars,
but I sort of wrote it off as 'sometimes a certain pair is just right'.

I got a second pair, and the sharpness, flatness, and sweet-spot width
is just as exceptional for a pocket model. I have three restored small Customs
now (6x25, 7x26), and the view through these is right up there in terms of
viewing comfort and especially resolution. Better than the Powerview-type
models and even the smaller Audubon-stamped models, even the 8x30
(which is a little dull).

 

[Cluster]

Nice to hear of older bins that give good performance.

Dave

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

I just took delivery on a third pair. They auctioned off fairly low
($23 with shipping), but the blurb said 'clear view' and they have
mold inside, after cleaning a gunky outside. You have to take risks
buying used, but these are small and 'water proof' (probably not when
lost in a leaf pile for a year and icing though), so working on them is brutal.
Even current pricey pocket binoculars use lots of glue and silicone filler
so going in is not worth it.

So....I'm still quite up on this model,
but I have a reminder of the risks in buying
used, small, weather-sealed binoculars.

I'll make this third pair into two nice telescope
eyepieces, somewhere around ~10-13 mm.

probably.

 

[Cluster]

A not-so-expensive indulgence then?

I love the reverse porro 7x24 Opticron MCF, AKA Monk Optics, AKA Fumoto.
Great performance, a gem. But, out of the three, one of the used and the "new" one turn out to have alignment problems.
Great view but a little straining on the eyes, but then they are generally for intermittent use anyway.
A metal bodied quality bin. Do you think that there might be access to adjustment screws under the covering?

Dave

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

One of my favorite sizes (7x23, 7x24, 7x25...)
OK....reverse-Porro, compact...
I can't tell how they are aligning them.
Most likely shims and/or screws on the prisms.
Right...screws would be fantastic. But I can't confirm.

Sometimes binocs like that are cross-threaded at the eyepiece
but they still sock down all the way. If that's true you would see
a very slight gap on one side. Other times, the eyepieces were swapped.
(and others, of course, the thing is just off at prism or objective level).

I don't have enough info. I have two small Bushnell Customs and
the little Jason Venture 4000 and they have 3 different alignment systems.

You can roughly check with the 'sun' collimation test:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=184856

If they don't seem off that way, it might be the system is sensitive
to eye placement. (in that case careful setting of your IP distance is key).

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

(just a quick epilogue/note)
I was going to salvage the troubled 8x23 Spectators...
figured I had nothing to lose on the surface crud, and cleaned the eyepieces
outside face with Bon Ami, believe it or not. Not only did it clean a nasty biofilm
off, it exposed a nice intact coating underneath without stripping it!
Did the fronts as well. The contrast is high now, so I have a third great 8x23 Spectator!

 

[Ramps]

I have a current model Bushnell Elite Custom 7x26, Which gives a great for a compact. Great build quality as well.

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

I have a current model Bushnell Elite Custom 7x26, Which gives a great for a compact. Great build quality as well.

I won't deny that. Excellent, like the small customs before it and a bit better.
It's in a different league than this, price-wise. It's a good deal though.