First big Binos: Barska 20-140x80 Zoom Gladiator Binoculars

[paulF]

Hey guys,
any one has tried one of those before?
I read some good/bad reviews and was hoping if anyone in OZ have tried them before.
Thanks for your time.
Cheers

[leon]

Paul can you give us a pic or a link mate.

Leon

[slippo74]

I believe Paul is referring to below Binos:

http://www.barska.com/ab11184.html

71197

Product spec:

Model # AB11184
Magnification 20-140x
Objective Lens 80mm
Prism type Porro
Prism Glass BAK-4
Exit Pupil 4mm
Optical Coating Multi Coated
Focusing System Center
Field of View (ft@1000yds/m@1000m) 54/18@20x
Close Focus (ft/m) 87/29
Eye Relief 21 mm
Weight 70.4 oz.

[paulF]

That's the one Leon , thanks for the link/info Cristiano.
Will do better in my next post :)

[dannat]

as a generalisation most zoom binos are no good (with companies like leica being the exception)- above 20x up they are often unusable..much better to get a fixed mag pair like 20x80. Often at high mags the barrels of the bino are not aligned either. Barska have some QC issues - so make sure you check them for collimation once you get them

[PCH]

I had a pair of zoom binocs, not this brand or model, but they suffered from the things Dannat describes. I threw them away in the end !

Plus, these are only described as "multi coated". Fully multi coated is best.

If you want big binocs, get a pair of fixed 25x100 or something :thumbsup:

[paulF]

Well the thing is my budget is quiet low and i know from experience that getting low quality Binos/Scopes can be a big turnoff. I can get these for 150 AU$ thus why i'm asking about the quality. otherwise i prefer to save and get some good quality ones

[mswhin63]

I must admit my 20 x 80 are more than enough for Bino viewing, controlling the lever for higher mag there is gonna be a lot of movement even with a single point of fixing for the tripod. Best higher mag with a scope than bino's

[chris lewis]

Do not buy the Baska zooms. Do not but any zoom binocular esp. entry level Chinese ones.
I can summarise why briefly - poor image [that is always degraded due to the zoom optics], difficulty in collimation, narrow FOV and expensive / impossible to fix.
They are esp. usless as astro binoculars. [see the web. site below]

'otherwise I prefer to save and get some good quality ones' - yes I strongly suggest that. If you want some Hi quality 'large' binos I suggest you invest in the Kunming-United 'Ultra' 15x70 8AB series binos like the ones that Andrews sell at $449. These are Hi grade binos that have excellent optical and build qualities. They have a true aperture of 70mm. Most Chinese 80 mm binos have a clear aperture of only 71-72 mm - like the Barska's.
To maximise there potential you will need a decent HD tripod / Parallelogram for which you have to factor the extra cost in.
Buy quality the first time - your wallet will hurt for a short while - but the quality will last you for a life time.

http://www.bigbinoculars.com/nozooms.htm

[paulF]

Thanks very much Lewis, i'm definitely convinced now :)
No cheapish Bino's, i will save and get a proper good quality pair.
Thanks everyone :)

[Sharyn_Wragg]

I'm after my first pair of observing binoculars, too. I must admit to considering the Barlow zooms, as well! After more research I realised I needed better quality, but low price is a big factor, so I'm looking at some 20x80 from AOE - AOE have good reviews in these forums http://www.aoe.com.au/aoe80lw.html

However, their website's not been updated since Aug. 2009, and after a month there's still no reply to my emails. This is their only contact detail listed, apart from a PO address. Does anyone know if AOE are still in business? Does anyone have contact details for them? Thanks!

[mswhin63]

I think it is a smaller buiness operating part time, I have managed to emails back after a long waiting period but they are still in business from what I believe.

[mercedes_sl1970]

I'd also suggest having a look at the CloudyNights binocular forums: http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/binoculars.

There is a wealth of information under:
1. Featured Topic - First Binocular Purchase? Questions? http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1723161/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
2. Links to 427+ Binocular Mini Reviews in this Forum http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/63783/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
3. "BEST OF" the Binocular Forum - Start Here ( 1 2 3 all ) - (search this section for a discussion on zooms) http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/44730/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

I'd certainly support Chris Lewis' suggestions about the Kunming binos - an excellent longer term investment. Ditto for what Daniel says about the Leica duovids - but you may need to remortgage your house to pay for them...

Andrew

[dannat]

the 20x80 should be OK, others have had trouble contacting aoe lately..but as fas as i know he is still operating..andrews comm sells virtually th same binos - however they do not check theirs (though any chinese bino could come with a problem, depends on their own QC)

[Sharyn_Wragg]

Many thanks all for your advice. I'll continue researching binocs with those links, and may eventually source some outside AOE...by that time I may have saved enough for a better pair ;) Cheers, Sharyn

[jack124]

http://www.binocularcenter.com

[ManUtdFans]

Interesting, they offered free shipping to Aus?
I tried Celestron Skymaster 20X80 (http://www.binocularcenter.com/celestron-skymaster-20x80) add to cart and select NSW,AUS.
They have Free shipping option only.

If they sell genuine Celestron then it is a good buy.

Edit:
Oops, that is US$.