Low Quality Bins?

[Naemeth]

I think I know the answer... but I wanted your opinions..

I have some binoculars that I got about 2-3 months ago (not sure how long) that are 10x50. Before I saw through my telescope, I thought the views were amazing. But lately, I've been noticing black dots appearing through the eyepieces, which I think is kidney beaning...

I've also noticed I'm getting colour abberations around anything bright, at day and night, especially bad around bright stars... at first, I suppose I thought this was normal, but I'm guessing it's not.

My main question is, can anything be done with these Binoculars, or should they be replaced, and if so, what would be best? They really need to be quite light, and probably at 10x50.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Some chromatic aberration is normal, and even in my more expensive bins I can see some, because I know where to look. Kidney-beaning can be caused by improper selection of interpupillary distance, which means you cannot line the optical pathways up with your eyes (simply adjust the distance). One problem is of course that looking through better optics spoils you, and you no longer tolerate the quality of poorer optics. A bit like listening to a better audio system. If that is the case, getting better kit is the (often costly) answer.

[onesmallstep]

Hi

If you want to replace your current bins check these out:

http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/Meade_10x50_Binocular_Special_Offer.html

I've used them and they are extremely good for the money. I moved over to my current 7x50 because of a sight defect otherwise I would still be using the Meade.

[BinocularSky]

Hi

If you want to replace your current bins check these out:

http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/Meade_10x50_Binocular_Special_Offer.html

I've used them and they are extremely good for the money.

Same binocular, different brand, about a tenner cheaper at http://strathspey.co.uk

We had a dozen of these when I used to run a school astro society; OK, but not robust.

(On the batphone, so probably riddled with weird predicted text.),

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Hi

If you want to replace your current bins check these out:

http://www.telescope...cial_Offer.html

I've used them and they are extremely good for the money. I moved over to my current 7x50 because of a sight defect otherwise I would still be using the Meade.

The Meades are good value for money, but I do not know how much of an improvement they will be on the ones you already have. Without knowing the type this is hard to say. I myself might get either the Williams Optics 10x50 ED (about 279 euro) or the APM 10x50 HD Marine (229 euro). Yes they are a lot more expensive, but of very good build quality and optical performance.

[Naemeth]

http://www.amazon.co...uct/B005IDF5S6/

Not the best... the review wasn't there when I got them

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

http://www.amazon.co...uct/B005IDF5S6/

Not the best... the review wasn't there when I got them

That looks like the red gloss of "ruby coatings", which is not a very good sign. Maybe the photographs aren't very good, but better optics tend to have a very subdued reflection (often deep blue, greenish or purple). Distinct orange-red reflection indicates they are trying to mask chromatic errors by getting rid of some of the red light. The Meades may well be better than what you have.

[Naemeth]

The coatings are orange-ish. It's not just the picture.

[BinocularSky]

I so wish I could persuade people to read this before they buy! I get far too many emails from people who have already wasted their money and say they wish they had found it before....

[Naemeth]

I so wish I could persuade people to read this before they buy! I get far too many emails from people who have already wasted their money and say they wish they had found it before....

Fortunately I got it for about £10. They are still usable too, and got a great view of the Pleiades.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

If they were fun for a short while the money was not wasted. You can always convert them to a bigger finder for a scope.