Bino help

[Alderney (Dave)]

Hi guy's
Can anyone tell me if the 20 x 80 Triplet bino's from AOE and Andrews are the same unit. Both are BBFMC, AOE $219 Andrews $199. If they are different, in what way ie build or coating quality. I take it by what I read that the service at AOE would prob be a bit better than Andrews.
Andrews IN stock
AOE On order

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Chances are they are the same. For the kind of service I've received a number of times from AOE (both before and after sale), I'd be happy to pay a little extra. But in general you will find that most dealers will match prices, even though I think both these dealers operate on very tight margins. Always *ask* for the *real* price when shopping around.

[Alderney (Dave)]

Thanks Steve I will give AOE a ring tomorrow for a price and time for delivery.

[Jared]

I was also considering the Triplets from AOE ... although, it may mean sacrificing a $50 deposit I put on a pair of Clestron Skymaster 15x70s (ouch), but I think it will be worth it in the end. If I get the 20x80 LWs, even with the $50 loss it works out cheaper in the end!

I was told 1-2 weeks for the Triplets or their 15x70s. I was also told about these alternative 15x70s:

"... its an individual focus version of our 15x70, its more expensive though as it has a few extra features, its waterproof, nitrogen purged with oversize prisms for enhanced image brightness, fully blackened barrels and is precision machined and comes complete with aluminium carry case. Its $249.00. It will be listed on our website in the coming weeks".



Any opinions? I imagine the individual focus would be a bit of a pain?

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Once you get used to individual focus they are fine especially for astronomy. Actually they are better than cetre focuser + diopter adjust. For terrestrial viewing they are not always ideal though. You certainly would not use them for birdwatching.

But $50 deposit is a bit of cash to pass up. I'd read up on those skymasters if I were you. Try the binocular forum on Cloudy nights. There are some real hardcore bino fans there who seem to know everything there is to know about every binocular ever made.

[Alderney (Dave)]

Ordered & payed for 20x80 Triplets yesterday. According to Raff at AOE a small batch of bino's will arrive in 2 - 3 weeks, I presume by air, as the main consignment leaves at the same time but goes by sea and will take a fair bit longer

[Jared]

2-3 weeks is a bit longer than I thought. I still havn't made my mind up about whether or not to drop the Celestrons. Is it always this hard to decide on the right thing to buy?

[johnno]

Hi All,

I would certainly read ALL the info I could get.
Cloudy Nights,is a very good source for Binocular info.

Celestrons,definately have very mixed results.

I personally like A.O.E,NOT because they are cheaper,but Because they Allways respond to any query,AFTER the sale,with all the help you will need.

Andrews,ARE a little cheaper,but try and get some,REAL help,
good luck.

I have nothing against Andrews,(I have,and WILL buy from them in future,I just choose wisely what it is) BUT INMHO,their knowledge of optics,is very limited,they are more interested in fast turnover.

Regards.
John

[Alderney (Dave)]

Hi Jared.
When I spoke to AOE on the phone, I asked about the quality of binoculars being made in China, and any differences in products which look and seem the same from different suppliers. Below is part of the e-mail I recieved from Raff at AOE.

Also as we discussed even though a lot of binoculars on the market look the
same they certainly may not be the same.
There are only 1 or 2 very good manufacturers of binoculars in China, and
they are not necessarily the ones every one talks about, and these
manufacturers make binoculars from the budget economical right through to
premium binoculars. The same manufacturers make binoculars for Celestron,
Meade, William Optics, Oberwerk etc to the specification requested by the
retailer/wholesaler. The same or similar looking binocular can vary greatly
in quality and performance from obvious things like coatings and prisms to
the not so obvious but also very important parameters such as the strength
of the ocular bridges, the type of focuser, the coverage of anti-reflection
coatings in barrels, the body style, prism mountings, and even simple things
like the type of eyecups. This is all from the same manufacturer, so its
important to make sure that the right combination is chosen for the best
comfort and performance. So a combination/difference of any of these
parameters and more can be supplied from the same manufacturer in the same
looking binocular to different binocular retailers and it does make quite a
difference to the final cost.
After having looked at a lot of variants that are available we are pretty
happy with the combination of parameters that we have chosen for our
binocular range.
Sorry to ramble on for so long but just thought I would try to help a little
and explain the differences that there may be in the binoculars out in the
current market.

[JimmyH155]

I hjave just purchased my second pair of binos from AOE within one week. Last Friday The postie brought me my AOE 10x50HG binos, which also coincided with the arrival of my son from Perth who is over here to drive a submarine back to Fleet Base West in Rockingham. Well, he hadn't got a pair of binos with him and muggins here gave them to him I contacted AOE Tuesday, and the second pair arrived yesterday. These binos are a mere $119 plus postage, and I cant fault them. Last night I took them outside, mounted them on my camera tripod, and there due south past the pollution of Brisbane was the last of the Southern Cross - Mimosa just about to disappear over the horizon. I focused on it and to my astonishment, there was a small cluster of stars just above it. very clear in a triangle with 3 stars different colours, in the middle. "That CANT be the jewell box can it??" But it was. Unbelieveable So yes IMO the AOE binos are tops, and they are now being used by the Navy (well my son at least )

[Jared]

Thanks Dave for the info from Raff.

I was able to cancel my lay-by and get my deposit refunded on the weekend (thanks Matthew ), so now I'm definitely going to order a pair of the Triplets as well.

I wouldn't mind comparing notes once they arrive to see what you think. I'm not a pro when it comes to binoculars, but I am learning.

I was given similar information about arrival time ... a bit hard to pick, but should be at my house (in Brisbane) the first week of November.

Can hardly wait!