Originally posted by ving so what happens if they are on your eyes? i'd have thought the effect would be the same(ish)
The power density is much higher after the binocs. Before binocs: assuming 50 mm apertures, 3927 mm^2 of filtering area
After binocs: assuming 10x mag = 5 mm exit pupil, 157 mm^2 of filtering area.
So each part is absorbing 25 times more energy if you use the filters between the binoculars and your eyes.
Now lets say you have a 100 mm refractor with a 5 mm exit pupil and an eyepiece filter. 400 times more energy absorbed per area. No wonder the bloody things break.
Hi all, just updating. I have emailed Saxon 4 x now and still they have not had the decency to reply. Mike, how did you go with your phone call. (22/2)? What to do next guys? Dept. of Fair Trading? A Current Affair? Today Tonight? We have to get these off the open market somehow!
I really don't think that they, Saxon, realise how dangerous the filters are. Perhaps a DEMO? Anyone?
Regards, L.
Perhaps a suggestion to them about one of their directors showing it's use in conjuction with a 12" dob posted on their website to prove they're safe?
Over here it would be pretty straight forward - a complaint to trading standards about them not being 'fit for purpose' would do it (I don't think UK trading standards are over concerned about the downright dangerous factor...) Can you do the same thing in Oz?
Probably Andy. Will wait for Mike to reply re; phone call. Don't know if or what just yet. Great suggestion. A good place to start, I think. Luckily we have a solicitor on board. May get some relative info. from him. L.
Finally, a response guys. I received this eMail from Saxon and want you all to share in the good deed that we have done. As I said to Mike, we may have saved someone's sight in persevering with this issue. I just hope that they tell other companies about this. Thanks guys.
Regards, L.
Thank you, Saxon. Well done.
Good work Laurie, well done with your persistance. Sorry I didn't get around to replying to your emails, I had no joy with the phone calls, couldn't get through to anyone.
Hopefully your great work has potentially saved the sight of some poor sod who buys those pieces of junk. They really should do a recall from anyone who bought them, not just take it off the website.
MMMM 14 days to repond to a email , Mike unable to get through using the number and a lousy *regars* from *Stella*, not much to give you confidence in service relations .......maybe one of our Sky and space / Sky and Telescope magazine friends could help out
I have just lodged a complaint with Consumer affairs Victoria re the sun filter on their web form.
The gist of the compliant wording is as below.
My belief is that such filters have been illegal to sell in Australia for some years for the reason of being inherently unsafe due to risk of causing blindness. The filter has been advertised on the www.saxon.com.au website alongside a moon filter. Upon insistance from Astronomy community members the words "sun filter" have been removed but the picture remains. We request CAV ensures that Saxon comply and never offer such a dangerous illegal product for sale in Australia.
