Andrews 20x80 bino build quality question

[chrisw]

I recently bought an Andrews 20x80 binocular. I noticed as I looked through the binocular that the bottom right corner was blurry and grayish. I then looked through both the barrels individually and noticed that the right barrel was not straight from front to back. The left barrel, however, was perfectly straight.

I took the bino back to Andrews for inspection but they said nothing could be done - it's just bad manufacturing quality for this line of binos.

Is this true? Am I just expecting too much of these $150 binos? I'm satisfied with the image quality but the blurry gray bottom right is bothering me abit. Thanks

[chris lewis]

I am surprised at Andrews response. Your new binoculars should be in pristine condition. Under the fair trading act you are entitled to an exchange and / or refund. These binoculars come from the Kunming factory in China and are usually of excellent quality and Q.A.
If you could deal with Lee Andrew directly you may get a better outcome, however Andrews initial response would appear to be unsatisfactory.

[iceman (Mike)]

I don't think you a view as you describe is normal for a pair of new binoculars.

I won a pair of 20x80 binoculars from York Optical and the views initially were terrible as they were out of collimation. York immediately asked to take them back to get the problem addressed.

[g__day (Matthew)]

If Andrews says there is "bad manufacturing quality for this line of binos" then he has acknowledged product defects in gear he is selling. Unless he advertised in advanced "bad quality or reject gear for sale" its his problem - return them and ask for a proper pair when they arrive - he may not sell goods as fit for sale if they are not.

[chrisw]

I've taken a few pics to show what the problem is.

Here is the front view: Notice the right side is not round.
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/6...viewkf8.th.jpg
[img=http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/6249/binoviewkf8.th.jpg]
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/6249/binoviewkf8.jpg

Here is the view from the left eyepiece.
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3...iecenv0.th.jpg
[IMG=http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3796/lefteyepiecenv0.th.jpg]
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3...yepiecenv0.jpg

And the view from the right eyepiece.
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/408...iecear1.th.jpg
[img=http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4089/righteyepiecear1.th.jpg]
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/408...yepiecear1.jpg
Compare to the view from the right eyepiece. Notice how the left barrel is perfectly concentric whereas the right slants from back to front to the bottom right.

These are reverse views through the objective lenses. Here is the view through the left objective lens.
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1...tivepn1.th.jpg
[img=http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1179/leftobjectivepn1.th.jpg]
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1...jectivepn1.jpg

And the view through the right objective lens.
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7...tiveye5.th.jpg
[img=http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7536/rightobjectiveye5.th.jpg]
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7...jectiveye5.jpg

Again notice the misalignment.

I think I did talk to Lee Andrew. He looked through them and said the binoculars were A-okay and that there was nothing wrong with them. Only when I pressed him - and I mean really pressed him - about the misaligned right barrel that he acknowledged there maybe was something wrong.

I may have put words into his mouth about him stating that this line of binos had bad manufacturing quality. It may have been his assistant who suggested that. He did, however, come across as very dismissive of my concern and stated that he had sold many of these exact same binos without complaints from customers.

Any thoughts?

Chris

[chris lewis]

I am surprised at Lee Andrews response. My brief dealings with him have been cordial. These binoculars are clearly misaligned, It would 'appear' one of the the prisms is not set right in the housing. These binoculars are not acceptable. Lee andrews has acknowledged 'something is wrong' so he has admitted to selling faulty goods. You have options: 1/ Re-aproach Lee Andrews and become increasingly assertive and make him aware of his refund policy and his obligations under the fair trading act and the fact he has admitted to selling faulty goods. 2/ Return them and don't leave till you have a refund / and or exchange. 3/ If no joy approach a small claims tribunal / consumer protection agency [or Australian equivalent] and lodge a complaint. I'am sure 'Andrews' reads these threads and the bad press it is currently recieving. This should also be a 'motivating' factor for them to act. Good luck.

[mrsnipey]

Well, he just lost one customer. Was thinking about getting a Skywatcher
150 x 750 OTA. Have to look elsewhere if that's the sort of service they give.
And to think I've recommended them in the past.

Good luck chrisw.

[g__day (Matthew)]

If Lee insits they are fine say no they are not - please swap this pair you think are fine with another pair that are fine too - just check that they are okay. He should have no problem if he thinks they are fine.

Mention this is getting alot of attention here too and it may get better service.

[GrahamL]

Faulty is a refund or exchange .. afaik.
And the wholesaler wouldn't usually blink an eye at an account credit
for a single pair of binos given they don't usually have any problems
with them .. I'd politely ask again .