Internal Cleaning - Nitrogen Filled

[Charic]

Are there any tricks / advice that can be shared regarding the internal cleansing of  Nitrogen filled/purged optics?

Sadly I had to return my Helios Apollo 15x70's  before any proper use was obtained from them, due to an annoying speck/flake/particle that was visible in the left eyepiece, though not visible at night, which  rotated around my  peripheral view whilst adjusting  focus.
It could have been ignored, but whatever it was, it should not have been there, and was probably dislodged during transit, as it passed 'carefully'  through the delivery system?

I questioned the retailer  for advice advice and was requested to try and dislodge the particle?
I tried to create static, remove static, cool, heat, jar, shock and knock, all to no avail?

After  further discussion, It was suggested I return the optics for their replacement,  this concluded by way of a full refund. 
I'm not sure there is anything else one can do apart from sending them back, but I thought I'd ask!

[Ben the Ignorant]

I've wondered if that kind of particle could be dislodged with a powerful laser, those in the 50mW range, I guess. But the thing would remain inside, and unless it touches a part lubed with that glue-like syrup, it will wander inside the binoc until it sticks to a lens again. Or the laser could completely burn it, but the ash and fumes would stay inside, plus the burning spot could mar the lens.

Opening a nitro binoc or ocular ruins the nitro filling, thus there's no do-it-yourself solution to that.

[Peter Drew]

Air is 78% Nitrogen so opening up a binocular would only lose 22%.  

[Charic]

15 minutes ago, Ben the Ignorant said:

...........glue-like syrup..............

The vendor suggested the same, they check/test their optics before dispatch, and suggested  that this particle, which has dislodged in transit, may have some internal lubricant on the particle allowing it to adhere to the lens, or its held there by static, hence the  the options I  have tried to move the particle, but as you state, there's the possibility it could end up elsewhere, maybe on axis, spoiling the view completely?

[Charic]

5 minutes ago, Peter Drew said:

Air is 78% Nitrogen so opening up a binocular would only lose 22%.  

That sure brings back old  memories of my theory training, the composition of air, elements of fire!

[Ben the Ignorant]

12 hours ago, Peter Drew said:

Air is 78% Nitrogen so opening up a binocular would only lose 22%.  

And let water vapor in, which will condense on the lenses, and fog them up when it's cold.

[Peter Drew]

Ben. More of a tongue in cheek comment but you are right of course. 

[Stormbringer]

If you had succeeded in dislodging it Sods law would mean it would stick right in centre of view 

[ghostdance]

Hi Charic

Given the great reputation for optical quality of the Apollo bins, why refund and not simply replacement? Bit off- topic but I just wondered....

I'm sure your next pair will be fine!

[Charic]

Hi there Ghostdance, HNY to you!

Astroboot supplied them, the price was very good,  however they needed to be returned, but  Astroboot recently closed their UK site/outlet? and were unable to source an exact replacement, and due to some layover, with the bins going one place, and staff to another, the system refunded my purchase. It was probably the easiest outcome, but yes, I would like to try some more. 

I used to have the Helios Stellar 20x80s, a mis-priced error for the vendor in Inverness, a big smile for me, but they were heavy, needed supporting and had a very narrow field of view. They were sold on, made some £££'s  then got involved with astronomy on a proper scale, so now wanting to trial something better. 

Nearly bought some Fujinons? love my 8x40s, next though, maybe try the Oberwerk or Apollo's again, but their not cheap! the ones I sent back were?

[ghostdance]

Ah...of course. What was your impression of the Apollo vs Stellar? From Helios I have 15x Quantum's, central focusing, and the Aquila 10x - I've always wondered what the Apollo range would bring to the table. Never had the £££ to find out: too many damn Radians etc to buy!

Astroboot is down? That's sad news...

Happy New Year to you too - hope you have a great 2017

I'm looking forward to 2018 already: Mars!

 

[Charic]

With the Stellars I just loved them, the first Day, 2 mins out the store, my eyes were filled with distant mountains, and passing Inverness airport, you gotta look at a plane!  there was  an E3 Sentry  NATO-OTAN flying overhead, normally at about FL240 and when you can see body  panel lines,  and other markings so clear, I knew these were just going to be good, but heavy. That's how I remember the first day.

I remember another day, infact was  night at my work. I was shown how to locate M31 and saw Saturn for the first time in the early hours of the morning, with its distinct shape. I don't recall any real detail, I just knew it was Saturn.
The field of view was tight, and without checking now, cant remember their angle, but these bins were priced £125, and my Mrs could not understand my eagerness to buy them and leave the shop, plus I was given a small pair of roof prisms too!
They were about RRP  £220 if I`m not mistaken, maybe more back then, so I felt they were mis-priced. But my interest was more towards the aviation side, and these optics  seemed heavier, too powerful, unless mounted, so I sold them on at a profit, the buyer was over the Moon with them!

The Apollos were this side of £175, and from all reports very good. Their very heavy though due to their design and quality. 2.5ks - 5 1/2 ibs, but I managed to get them up to my eyes, and initially I believed I could see M31 better than  my Revelations, optically better maybe! given their of the same magnification and aperture.
I tried to mount them then struck my first obstacle, my mount was too wide to fit the binoculars, so I went out without them, only using the Revelation 15x70s ( cant waste a night )

The next day the Mrs lifted them and said there was something wrong with the left eyepiece ? ( not noticeable against the dark sky the previous night ). I was gutted, made contact, given some advice, but all efforts failed to dislodge something attached to the inside of the left eyepiece, not acceptable to be honest, could only be removed by a specialist, so I opted for a replacement, however, this was not possible, due to supply,  so the only alternative was a refund, so unfortunately, they never got the proper test I so desired. 

They look the business too, but so do the Oberwerk optics  that I have been thinking about for some considerable time, but the price of the Apollos was a no brainer, and if I did not like them, I  could have sold them on. You gotta try first!

Like your self at present,  much £££ has just been diverted towards setting up another project, my new  recording studio, pretty much the same old PC, but new audio interface and new synthesizer, its just awesome!

As for Astroboot, not sure their uk site is totally down, but I believe they moved their business out of the UK, and their euro site is  available. I have not looked since.
I  have no regrets using their service. These things do happen,  James could not have been more helpful or understanding, during the process.

[Dave In Vermont]

As an aside - the use of N2 (nitrogen) is designed to put the optics in an inert gas to prevent any oxidation from taking place. That's the whole charm of using N2 in the first place. But as N2 is essentially the same as the air we breath, you can't easily replace it once the seal is broken and the interior and it's N2 is exposed. You'd need a vacuum-source to put the interior under negative pressure, and then slowly feed it pure N2 and re-seal. There is another way though.....

Using a source of pure Argon-gas, you can very slowly fill a container with the Ar (argon) from it's opened-end. Ar is quite a bit heavier than room-air, so you could feasibly fill a standard drinking-glass with it - or the optics of the binoculars from above the open end - it would displace the room-air due to it's heavier weight. I'm not suggesting you do this, I'm just pointing out how & why you could if you were to go down this road.

I once demonstrated this to folks in a chemistry-class by filling a balloon with Ar from a cylinder (it's commonly sold and used for inert welding). Then I'd drop the balloon on the concrete-floor: THUD!

The demonstration went over like (wait for it...) a lead-balloon!

Dave

 

[BinocularSky]

On 09/01/2017 at 16:08, ghostdance said:

Astroboot is down? That's sad news...

Now up again; UK website but operating out of EU now (explained in their FAQ)