• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Knacks, tricks and modifications (1 Viewer)

jafritten

Well-known member
Many users on BF have found ways round major or minor problems to make their binoculars more enjoyable. I got excellent advice here and I think it would be great, if there was a thread where everyone can post their knacks, tricks or modifications and share their ideas with others.

My thoughts typically revolve around the questions how to carry my binoculars in the most practical way and how to reduce jitter and shake.

I'd like to make a start with a simple trick that remedies a very annoying problem I had with my Nikon 8x30 E2s: it is the way they hang on your chest. This is not really a modification. I just looped the standard strap around the ocular housing and fastened it there. Now they sit perfectly flat on my chest and make a perfect hiking binocular!

This will also work with other binoculars, e.g. similar porro designs but also the Curio.

X0005583.jpg

X0005585.jpg

It does take away (some of) the elegance, but it makes my Nikons much more enjoyable.

What are your knacks, tricks and modifications?
 
Looking at how you've routed the strap naturally made me curious as to just how long it took to come up with that.
It is rather obvious that the problem lies with the position of the strap lugs (same with the Curio btw). So I tried this Nikon rubber bands and Peak Design anchor links some time ago, but the rubber bands wouldn't stay in place. At the time I used Peak Design anchor links with all my binoculars and I didn't find a way to make things work out well with the Nikons.

Last summer I used the Curio on a hiking trip with no anchor links but with the standard strap which I quite liked. The way they hung on my chest made them less enjoyable than they could have been, so I came up with this method on a hike.
 
Last edited:
I think this is an interesting thread. Maybe I can try that method in the picture with my EII. I am also wondering if anyone has tried a DIY forehead rest like the Swarovski's. I think it should be possible to make with a 3D printer
 
I have fitted prescription lenses into a couple of my binoculars - I posted a thread about it a few weeks back.

Another simple mod is ribbed shrink wrap on the focus wheel. Helps traction if you are wearing gloves. I tried o-rings first, which looked neater, but they kept coming off.IMG_5276.JPG

If you have an old wetsuit lying around they are great for making a binocular carry case. I made this one over 20 years ago and whichever binocular I am taking out, I put it in this case. Just drop the binocular down the arm/leg of the wetsuit, where it stops, cut the wetsuit an inch or two further down and 4 inches above to make the flap. Sew a seam at the bottom, shape the flap and sew on some velcro to hold it shut. I will be looking out for another wetsuit when the car boot season starts - I could use 2 more of these.

IMG_5277.JPG
 
The nicest view I get from my binoculars is when I float them in front of my eyes with the eyecups fully retracted. The problem is that using the binoculars this way, it is not always possible to get the right eye position in an instance and, what's more, the view suffers from decreased stability.

I used to think that my 8x32 Ultravid was not as sharp as I would have liked it to be until I put it on a tripod. That was quite a revelation. I then realised, I needed to find a way to make the view more stable. What I did is this: I took the rubber eyecups from my shed bins (Bushnell Legend M) and simply pulled them on the original Leica ones, which resulted in about 2mm more eye relief. Now I can rest the eyecups gently in my sockets, which results in increased stability. Again, a cosmetically less than elegant solution. But the view is greatly enhanced.

For @Bentley03 and everyone, who is interested.
X0005587.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have fitted prescription lenses into a couple of my binoculars - I posted a thread about it a few weeks back.

Another simple mod is ribbed shrink wrap on the focus wheel. Helps traction if you are wearing gloves. I tried o-rings first, which looked neater, but they kept coming off.View attachment 1625743

If you have an old wetsuit lying around they are great for making a binocular carry case. I made this one over 20 years ago and whichever binocular I am taking out, I put it in this case. Just drop the binocular down the arm/leg of the wetsuit, where it stops, cut the wetsuit an inch or two further down and 4 inches above to make the flap. Sew a seam at the bottom, shape the flap and sew on some velcro to hold it shut. I will be looking out for another wetsuit when the car boot season starts - I could use 2 more of these.
Where did you find the shrink wrap?
 
Are there any modifications that allow reducing the diameter of the eyecups so I can look through medium (8x32, 10x32) of large binoculars with both eyes simultaneously?
I hope that does not voids the warranty when buying new binoculars and modding them.
Currently I own a Zeiss Notarem, a large 10x40 roof that I can finally use it using both eyes. They might not be waterproof because they developed some fungus inside and I am not sure are phase coated or not but the image is good and well collimated and because most modern 8x32 binoculars don’t fit my face for now they are the only alternative I could find that I proved it works.
 
Last edited:

Obviously a UK supplier but you should be able to get it in the US. It is designed for adding grip to handles rather than for electrical purposes - worth knowing when googling.
 
Are there any modifications that allow reducing the diameter of the eyecups so I can look through medium (8x32, 10x32) of large binoculars with both eyes simultaneously?
I hope that does not voids the warranty when buying new binoculars and modding them.
Currently I own a Zeiss Notarem, a large 10x40 roof that I can finally use it using both eyes. They might not be waterproof because they developed some fungus inside and I am not sure are phase coated or not but the image is good and well collimated and because most modern 8x32 binoculars don’t fit my face for now they are the only alternative I could find that I proved it works.
I have thought about this as I find compact 8x25 binocular eyecups (33mm diameter) far more comfortable than the fat ones on modern 8x32 bins (39mm diameter) . I must have deep set/narrow eye sockets I guess. I would like an 8x32 with 8x25 eyepieces - this beast of course doesn't exist :-(

Having removed and dismantled the eyepieces from several binoculars I am fairly confident that I could machine a plastic eyecup to fit a larger binocular and mount the soft rubber covers from a smaller binocular. But I do have a lathe and don't have the sense to leave things well alone :)

When I recently added prescription lenses to a pair of Opticron Travellers I purchased a set of spare eyecups so I could figure out if and how to do it before touching the binoculars. Maybe you could do something similar, you can always return the bins to their original condition with the spare eyecups.

Your binoculars may of course be constructed completely differently from anything I have taken apart.
 
Are there any modifications that allow reducing the diameter of the eyecups so I can look through medium (8x32, 10x32) of large binoculars with both eyes simultaneously?
I hope that does not voids the warranty when buying new binoculars and modding them.
Currently I own a Zeiss Notarem, a large 10x40 roof that I can finally use it using both eyes. They might not be waterproof because they developed some fungus inside and I am not sure are phase coated or not but the image is good and well collimated and because most modern 8x32 binoculars don’t fit my face for now they are the only alternative I could find that I proved it works.
I don't quite understand the problem. What's this about "both eyes"? Could you explain, please?

Edit: I've read your post #12 in "Why most companies produce large roof binoculars only of “beer can” style?". I understand your problem now. I don't have a solution for your problem. But there are binoculars with small eyecups like the Retrovid 7x35 for example.

 
Last edited:
I don't quite understand the problem. What's this about "both eyes"? Could you explain, please?

b'lover has difficulties finding matching bins because of a broad nose and narrow set eyes

 
Are there any modifications that allow reducing the diameter of the eyecups so I can look through medium (8x32, 10x32) of large binoculars with both eyes simultaneously?
I hope that does not voids the warranty when buying new binoculars and modding them.
Currently I own a Zeiss Notarem, a large 10x40 roof that I can finally use it using both eyes. They might not be waterproof because they developed some fungus inside and I am not sure are phase coated or not but the image is good and well collimated and because most modern 8x32 binoculars don’t fit my face for now they are the only alternative I could find that I proved it works.
I also struggle with this issue so can sympathise with your frustration. Have you tried any of these?

Opticron Explorer or Traveller 8x32
Zeiss Conquest HD or HDX 8x32
 
Are there any modifications that allow reducing the diameter of the eyecups so I can look through medium (8x32, 10x32) of large binoculars with both eyes simultaneously?
I previously recommended Meopta MeoStar 8x32, a top quality model with unusually small eyecups that seems likely to suit you perfectly. Did you try it? Have you tried any of the recommendations you've got here?
 
Last edited:
I previously recommended Meopta MeoStar 8x32

Thank you for the Meostar 8x32 suggestion. This model is now on my watch list.
There is no store where I can try Meopta , some stores might have a simpler Meopta but not a Meostar. The official importer brings only riffle scopes of Meopta brand, but not binoculars. It seems that for trying Meopta Meostar binoculars in store I should go to another country. I am sick and tired of ordering online and returning binoculars as I returned 4 binoculars last month (two of them were 8x32 Svbony SV202, one Olympus and for the last one the brand is not even worth mentioning).
Is a shame we don’t import binoculars made in another Eastern European country as Meopta, because our industry produce only rugged and heavy premium binoculars IOR (sold as Valdada in US), some hunters love them but are definitely not ideal for birding.

But after searching more about Meopta binoculars I have seen a Meopta model that have the smallest eyecups as you can see at the minute 00:58
I don’t know how good is this model but their aluminium eyecups got my attention.

a top quality model with unusually small eyecups that seems likely to suit you perfectly.

I would love to fit perfectly, but I am not sure. How large is the diameter of their eyecups? The one from the video I posted above with innovative aluminium eyecups I am almost sure might fit perfectly (when removed) but for Meostar I am not sure yet.
 
I don't quite understand the problem. What's this about "both eyes"? Could you explain, please?

In order to pass the nose (to pass the swelling in the middle of the nose) the user have to open the binoculars wider that his/hers interpupilary distance, but because is opened too wide can’t look through both barrels in the same time. He/she have to look with either the left eye or the right eye.
Some people alternate looking through binoculars one second with right eye only the next second with left eye only. Most of the people in this situation are not aware that are not seeing a 3D image with both eyes because they are squinting a lot and alternate the eyes in the effort of trying to look through both barrels. The eyecups are too large and don’t allow to look through both eyecups in the same time, only to alternate them.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0994.jpeg
    IMG_0994.jpeg
    46.3 KB · Views: 3
In order to pass the nose (to pass the swelling in the middle of the nose) the user have to open the binoculars wider that his/hers interpupilary distance, but because is opened too wide can’t look through both barrels in the same time.

How about wearing glasses with uncorrected lenses and using binoculars with eyecups in the appropriate (usually) fully-retracted position? The vast majority of contemporary binoculars should then be at your disposal. A little inconvenient, perhaps; but probably better than struggling on with a highly compromised suite of optics to choose from.
 
Last edited:
Many binocular eyepieces will unscrew just like the Meopta in the video.

Would you be happy using binoculars with the eyecups removed? You would need to hold/hover the binocular at the correct distance from your eyes all the time.

You can get spare eyepiece rubbers easy enough, Maybe buy a pair of smaller rubbers and mount them onto the binocular instead of the original eyecups. If you search around you should be able to find some plumbers pipe or similar that can be lashed up with sticky tape. With a bit of thought and care a half decent looking bodge could be achieved :)

Or find a mate with a lathe who can machine something decent - if you were round the corner from me I would sort it for you. If you buy a pair of Optricron Traveller 8x32 I can measure mine and make you something.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top