Understanding Using & Fixing Binoculars: A Virtual Laboratory (II)

My goal here is to discuss features that impact successful field use of binoculars, to show my audience what to look for when evaluating binoculars and tests they can duplicate, and to suggest some fixes for broken Porro prism units. My target audiences are students and teachers involved in field biology, birders, docents, nature preserve managers, and naturalists. This is a Virtual Laboratory based on an actual binocular laboratory and I expect people looking at this video will have before them their own binoculars (if they have them but it is not absolutely required) so that the Lab exercises I present will be applicable to their own instruments. Topics covered here in Part II are: Repair References, Distance Between Eyes [not mentioned but one should check the minimum interocular distance of binoculars vs distance between eyes of a child you are buying a pair for], Hinge Adjustment, Warning on Fixing Binoculars, Tools, Focusing Systems, Focus Stability Adjustments, Eye Differences Adjusting, Alignment Testing and Fixing, Near Focus Testing, Optic Quality Testing, Cleaning Lenses, Reducing Jitter, Finn Stick, and Binoculars and Birding

[lotsabirds]

This is another phenomenal vidro! In my youth, I was a naturalist/teacher at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary in Emmaus, PA. That was 35 years ago! Your videos are a great tool for anyone who really wants to learn the ins and outs of binoculars in detail! Thank you! I learned a few things while watching! Fabulous! Now that I'm retired in FL, I get the birds to come to me! LoL!

[CircleOfSignfighters]

As someone who is getting into vintage binocular collecting, this video series has been invaluable when trying to parse the terms used on cloudyskies and birdforum. As with any new hobby, parsing the vernacular from old hands is 70% of the battle! Thank you!

[chrisa]

Thanks for your information very helpful

[coldspring]

Nice video, but I think sharper delineation between porro and roof prism binoculars might have been useful. Porro prism binoculars are in general DIY repairable, roof prisms are only for pros. I tried and successfully repaired a number of porro binoculars, but managed to destroy my cheap roof prism binocular in repair attempt. So old broken porro binoculars are good DIY repair candidates, while older roof prism binoculars should be avoided when look to be broken in any way

[taterhead]

Aloha. I thought I'd research how to fix a pair of BUSHNELL "Powerview" binocs for my elderly lady neighbor. Got to at least try. The problem is double vision. Mahalo for the input. I'm mechanically inclined and have believed for a long time that if man can make it, man can fix it. I'm working on finding/making the proper tools needed. Thanks for the help.

[chrisa]

I have a pair of trybe optics 10x42 ed HD the right eye will not focus ..$320.00
Its a manufacturer defect however I didn't use them for the first year that I owned them and warranty expired..
So I have a $300.00 paper weight

[milosukic]

as a rule, with small binoculars, the image shakes, the eyes get tired. What is the stability of the stillness of view with the Nikon 6x15 and Nikon 8x20hg, with the Zeiss 8x20, Trinovid 8x20, the image shakes, shakes! Are the Japanese ones better?

[avianfish]

Hi I put some prix binoculars back together, they only focus on short distance. The longer horizon focus is not achievable. Am I missing something?

[ladakhi_From_Heart]

Hello...My Binocular Lens has Big can I clean that lens??Please reply

[supercommando]

i have Nikon Trailblazor 10x25. Is it even possible to fix the collapse/folding mechanism? One side is rigid and works good. The otherside has no tension. So 2 hands required to use them. I have no idea how to get it to stiffen up again.

[calmdymon]

You say how to adjust the dioptre but not how to fix it, I can't adjust it properly as it is end of scale, can I some how shift the scale? So I could adjust a little bit more.
When I look at objects that are close then I'm able to adjust to the sharp point, but when I look far away I can't adjust right eye as the scale finish and can't turn anymore .
It there a way to fix this ?
It's a Celestron skymaster 15x70

[think-about-it]

I have a pair of decent old binoculars--Audubon Equinox HP 10x42 Binoculars Sheltered Wings. I think that the eyepiece screw threads are stripped. I had duct tape holding the eyepiece, and that works. I am guessing there is not much else to do. Any ideas? Thanks

[Karl-P]

I should've have watched it before starting colimating 20x80 binos 😅

[zzyzxRDFwy]

35:00 A person in a birder group who has to back up while trying to view a bird with binoculars is an embarrassment. Don't be that guy. Choose the right type of binoculars to view bird close up or else the birding group complainers might see to it that you are not invited to go with the group to look at birds any more.