Collimation of binoculars in Sydney

[madkiwinz]

Hi guys we are heading to Sydney for the vivid festival after being blown away with it last year. I have a set of Celestron SKYMASTER PRO 20X80MM which I would like to get sorted out while we are there for the week. Here in Christchurch we don't have anyone that does this, so I see this as a perfect opportunity. Is there somewhere in Sydney I can get it done or them to tell there isn't a problem and my eyesight has gone to rack and ruin. Thanks Paul

[Bobbyoutback]

Sorry but I would like to know who as well , maybe there are some members who know how to do a complete binocular service ? :shrug:

Cheers
Bobby

[RAJAH235]

Hi,
Well, I just tried DAW Optical but was unable to get their page to load.
From this link > https://eyesmart.com.au/supplier/daw-optical-services-p-l
> http://www.i-optic.com/daw/

Possibly gone out-of-business ?

Bintel still advertises a repair service, so try them?

> https://www.bintel.com.au/contact-us/

Good luck.

[kencas]

Whenever I hear the words "binoculars" and "collimation" in the same sentance a cold chill runs down my spine! Far too many have been done as a lowly Army tradesman over the years...

[madkiwinz]

Just an update. Bintel replied to me and they don’t do collimation their suggestion was
www.opticalrepairs.com.au

Malcolm Eames
Phone / Fax: (07) 3715 5603
Mobile: 0407 007 116

They are in Brisbane.

Not much help when heading to Sydney. For me I just want mine checked when looking into them seems it my be out but my wife is putting it down to eyesight and astigmatism.

[seeker372011]

In the past Lee Andrews at Andrews Communications helped me on one or two occasions but that may have been because I bought those binos from him.

Don’t think he does that anymore but maybe worth shooting him an email and asking if he will do it as a paid service.

[RAJAH235]

Hi Paul,
A suggestion...

Most good binoculars have a rubber sleeve on their out side to aid in you holding them & not slipping.

Please note that you only have to perform this on one side....say the right hand one.

Using a small blunt screwdriver & a small wooden toothpick or two, If you gently prize up that rubber sleeve at the top (eye piece end) & then gently move the screwdriver or toothpick along the rubber sleeve, you'll eventually see a couple of very small screws.

Now, with the binoculars held securely, look through both eyepieces at a reasonably distant object....say 100 metres or so.

Focus the binoculars & using the left side, line up your selected object & DO NOT move the binoculars.

Perform the "blink" test.
Close your right eye, observe where the object is, the do the left eye & note the object's location.

If it changes position, then you need to collimate the binoculars.

Best if you can place a reference mark on each small screw before moving either one.
You do this by very, very carefully & slowly, turning one of those small screws at a time BUT only on the right hand one.


You must do the "blink" test after each tiny adjustment.
If the "view" gets worse....going the wrong way, then turn that screw back a bit more past the original reference mark.
Takes a while but it can be done.


Take you time & make sure that the binoculars are solidly held.

I've done this quite a few times.
-----------------------------------------------

Another suggestion....

Try any optical/opticians shop, as they may have a contact that they use.

[anthony2302749]

Hi Paul

If you have time the following two publications are very helpful in regards to collimating a binocular, they are;

Choosing, Using and Repairing Binoculars by J.W. Seyfried. Which you will need to purchase.

and

Repairing and Adjusting Binocular. Free, see link
https://www.scribd.com/document/385978348/binocular-repair-pdf

A binocular collimator is very useful and can be made cheaply, see link.

https://thegreenlever.blogspot.com/2018/11/diy-table-top-binocular-collimator.html


I used to do repairs once and learnt my trade from Roger Davis when I worked at BINTEL. I had a home business but not a lot of money in binocular repair.

Anyway if you can follow the information in the above publication and knock a cheaper collimator together you should get your binoculars aligned. And with the new gained knowledge you may be able to start a cottage industry in binocular repair.

Hope this will help, good luck.

Anthony.

[Saturnine]

Thanks for the links Anthony, most helpful. I have a couple of pairs of binos that need collimating. Don't know why I hadn't thought to find any Utube videos on the subject and now I have the info to make a collimator, most of the materials I have already amongst all the bits and pieces in the garage / workshop .