Price of Periscope Binocular (1 Viewer)

[Dave Deison]

Hello everyone,

What is the price range for a periscope binocular with tripod? The ones on ebay sell for over 800 dollars, and I feel the sellers are tagging their price too high. I thought they only cost about 300 to 400. I know the German ones are crazy expensive for their collectors value, but didn't expect other country's version to be over 500. It maybe I am just not informed enough of the binocular periscope market.

I might have to abandon my obsession if periscope binoculars indeed cost beyond 600-800 dollars

Thanks in advance

 

[WJC]

First, there is not a periscope market, per se. Secondly, if you are speaking of the rangefinders, you will probably find them costing several thousand dollars.

 

[Dave Deison]

Yes, I realized it was stupid to use the term "market". I assume by rangefinders you meant the modern laser ones. I understand they are very expensive, and I have no interest in them. I use the old the coincidence rangefinders which costed me around 400 dollars. I thought the periscope looking binoculars from world war 2 films would be cool for bird watching. I was just surprised that they cost much than the binoculars from their time.

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi Dave,

Hand held periscope type binoculars date back to 1894. They were introduced by Zeiss at the same time as their first regular Porro prism style binoculars!

See some details and images in post #79 at: Zeiss: Collection of cross-section and cutaway images
The last image gives a clear idea of the optical construction.

They were relatively compact at around 7 1/2” (20 cm) when folded, and 14” (35 cm) when extended for use.
Some images and comments about an an early 8x unit can be found at: Very early Zeiss relief-telescope - Classic Telescopes - Cloudy Nights


As you know, larger versions went on to see military service for much of the 20th century, and beyond
- I've seen several images of them currently in use with Ukrainian forces (a quick search shows an example at: IMAGO. )


John


And a variation on a theme. Combining a commercial binocular with an improvised monocular periscope extension:

From: ‘There’s always danger’: Preparing for war on Ukraine’s front line

 

[Trinovid]

Yes, I realized it was stupid to use the term "market".

Nothing stupid about your post and most of us won't try to make you feel that way. There are good reasons why we can't see posts from some of the members here and you may do well to discover who some of them are so that you can carry on, enjoy the site, and get some useful input.

For example, look at the response from a helpful member in post #4, compared to the other one that offered nothing. John Roberts is one of the most knowledgeable posters here.

One thing that I will say regarding your search is that patience and research can be your most helpful allies, especially if you lack funds to spend as you'd otherwise like to. The more you learn, and the longer you keep up the search, the better your chances become and finding what you're after.

 

[Mono]

More modern periscopes can be had for a lot less.

british army tank / AFV periscopic binocular no.2 mk1/1 dated 1956 | eBay

In excellent condition.

www.ebay.co.uk

I can't really see what utility they would have for birdwatching!

 

[Binastro]

I have a British rangefinder about 5ft long.
Cost £60 at a camera fair.
No idea why I bought it. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Of course, it is not collimated.

A friend has a Zeiss folding periscope rangefinder.
He is an optical specialist, yet nobody has succeeded in collimating it.

If one has the right set up, I am sure an expert could collimate it.

I am not sure Zeiss would do these any more, and if they did, they would charge a lot.

Perhaps Optrep in southern England has succeeded with these.

I assume that the military had technicians with the correct equipment to service these.

Laser rangefinders up to about 2,000 metres might be £500 new.
They are accurate to about 1%.

Safran laser rangefinders go to about 20km. They are very expensive and not generally available to civilians.
They use longer wavelengths than the cheaper ones.

The old foldable ones were also made in Romania.

Regards,
B.

 

[Mono]

600m laser rangefinders aimed at the golf market can be had for less than £80.

 

[snapshot2022]

More modern periscopes can be had for a lot less.

british army tank / AFV periscopic binocular no.2 mk1/1 dated 1956 | eBay

In excellent condition.

www.ebay.co.uk

I can't really see what utility they would have for birdwatching!

Maybe if a really military trained bird was able to shoot at a birdwatcher, it would help keep them from becoming "bird shot". No Pun intended.

 

[Foss]

Hello everyone,

What is the price range for a periscope binocular with tripod? The ones on ebay sell for over 800 dollars, and I feel the sellers are tagging their price too high. I thought they only cost about 300 to 400. I know the German ones are crazy expensive for their collectors value, but didn't expect other country's version to be over 500. It maybe I am just not informed enough of the binocular periscope market.

I might have to abandon my obsession if periscope binoculars indeed cost beyond 600-800 dollars

Thanks in advance

They were also made for the US armed forces and can be had well within your range. They are not rare, per se, but don't surface all that often so it's likely a waiting game. This B&L Model 1915-A used by the Israeli Defense Force left my collection a few years ago within that price range.