Any used this site to get binoculars ?

[chris lewis]

Hi just wondering if anyone has brought products or has any knowledge of the below site. Looking at bringing in some Zeiss binoculars but want make sure it is a 'safe' site first.

http://www.bluebazooka.com/zeiss_binoculars1.htm

Thanks Chris

[sheeny]

Sorry haven't seen them before.

Al.

[bojan]

Those prices are ridiculous...

[dannat]

the zeiss bino prices are OK i would have thought - slightly cheaper or similar to US prices
bojan - why do you say they are ridiculous

Also i would check googlecheckout offers some type of buyer protection like ebay paypal

[bojan]

Zeiss is Zeiss.. but to pay almost $1000 for 8x40 ... you can buy decent telescope for that, and still have enough left for much cheaper (but not that much worse) and certainly bigger binos second hand or new from GSO.

Simply, it's not worth the money.

Last year I found 8x50 on Sunday market for $15. It needed cleaning and collimation (which was fun per se), and now I have excellent pair of binos (all metal !! ).

If you really want new things, have a look here: russian optics is excellent (they learned how to build them from Zeiss after WWII, BTW) but much cheaper.
http://www.rugift.com/photocameras/binoculars.htm

[chris lewis]

Sorry bojan in my opinion you are incorrect.
Carl Zeiss are worth the money - the increase in brightness, resolution, contrast, depth of field and quality of build is soon apparent.
I have had several Russian binos from the Zomz factory including some Berkuts, Baygishs and Tento's - including a 20x60's and 7x50 and a 8x35 and some other sizes - optically they were 'average' but let down severely by loose eye bridges that moved under even minor pressure. They all had limited eye relief and the build qualities were not that robust - one military version being an exception.
Surprisingly the 7x50 was the most inferior with marked aberrations and distortions of the optical field.
I guess for the price I payed it was difficult to critique them fully but I would have not payed full price if available new.
I am aware of the Zeiss connection to them.
My current CZ 7x42B T* P* classic and 10x40B T*.P* are excellent binoculars and display clearly superior optically and build qualities and they have remained classic and collectable binoculars due to this fact.
Also - but to a lesser extent - my Jenoptem 10x50 WA and 8x30W display good optical qualities but do have more limited E.R.
GSO does not make binos. Also you cannot compare a binocular with a telescope.
Those prices quoted on the above site are very competitive.
I know it is relative but to make broad and sweeping statement as you have done does not do justice to the quality that 'top end' binoculars display.
No one every regretted paying for quality.

Chris

[bojan]

Hi Chris,
I appreciate your comments about what I wrote, and I fully understand what quality is all about
However, alternatives are there to those who can afford only less than ultimate, and this is what I tried to stress.

[chris lewis]

Hi ! sorry if I sounded a bit sharp - I did not mean too. Sometimes I have to give myself a reality check when I spend money on a 'Hi-end' version [ my wife does as well !]. For most observers they are out of reach. I have been in the lucky position of being able to afford some of them.
Whilst I do have some 'hi-end' versions most of my binos are the 'higger end middle range' versions like from from Minox, Nikon and Oberwerk etc - which probably are more cost effective and do give 80% - 90% performace of the top end 'Alpha' versions at a third to half the cost - I tend to buy newish second hand or demo ones which cuts cost considerably .
I do recommend to people not to get entry level binoculars - collimation issues and poor optical and build qualities and some are absolute rubbish.
Some second hand binoculars are bargains as you say.
I just picked up an excellent condition BD Minox 10x58 ED BR - at half cost - that is a nice binocular !

Anyways take care and clear nights.

Chris