Cleaning binocular prisms

[Eagle]

I just became the happy owner of a set of AOE 11x70' s, and they are just a wonderful piece of equipment to use so far, except for one little whinge. There is a bit of muck in the field of view, and it's been there since they arrived in the post. I would imagine that it's a bit of plastic or something from when the threads were milled, jostled onto one of the prisms during transit. It's only noticeable during the daytime, but it's going to have to go.
I'm sure AOE would fix it up for me, but I don't really feel like packing the set up and sending them back off, and would much rather drop them into somewhere and have them cleaned, if it isn't possible for me to do it without screwing things up badly. Does anyone know a place around Ballarat, or perhaps Melbourne, that might be able to fix me up for a decent rate? It's a real shame, but I'd like to think that this an isolated issue, but then again, I'm new to this game.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

to realign the prisms would probably be difficult. I'm sure AOE would fix you up with a replacement. these binos are cheap so repair is probably not worth it.

btw, welcome aboard Eagle!

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Steve is right, the only time repair is warranted on binocs is with an expensive set otherwise the bill will be WAY larger than the cost of the binocs.

Send them back for a replacement set minus the bit of crud.

Cheers

[Dennis]

That muck could even be something as exotic as fungal growth on the prisms - I would send them back and ask for a replacement. It’s a bit inconvenient but probably the best solution.

Cheers

Dennis

[Eagle]

Thanks for the replies guys, that's cleared some things up for me. I've just shot AOE an email, looking forward to seeing what they have to say. I'll keep this thread up to date, hopefully all will go smoothly.

My main whinge is that I don't want to do without them for a week or two yet! I can put up with the crud at night, it's just not a showstopper for what I want them for, even though it's gotta be done.

edit: attached photo of the problem, go go SE K750i phone camera!

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by Eagle

My main whinge is that I don't want to do without them for a week or two yet! I can put up with the crud at night, it's just not a showstopper for what I want them for, even though it's gotta be done.

I had a binocular where the fungus just kept on getting bigger, growing until the left hand tube assembly was approx 50% covered, although the fungus had an "open weave" structure so it wasn't a big, black, impervious blob.

Good luck.

Cheers

Dennis

[Eagle]

Okay, got a response, looks like they will be quite helpful:

Hi Ryan,
Thanks for your email. Im glad you like using the binos and I apologise for the slight problem you have there.
Looks like something may have dislodged and smeared on there ?? hard to tell from the photo. It may not effect the performance of the binocular but it depends on how visible and noticeable it is. Regardless yes please send them back so that we can have a look and we will either clear it or replace them.
The code is the serial number that gets applied when they are checked.
If you could pack them up nice and safe and send them to:

(yep you don't need that stuff)

Well have a look and turn them around ASAP.
Again I apologise for the problem and we will keep the time you will be without them to a minimum.
Thanks again.

Best Regards

(particularly nice customer rep person)




Jolly good eh?

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by Eagle

Okay, got a response, looks like they will be quite helpful:

(particularly nice customer rep person)

Jolly good eh?

That's been my experience with AOE over three binocular purchases and the return and repair of one of them.