Rubbish German Binoculars

[fizzy]

A few years ago I was treated to a pair of Steiner 8x30s. Lovely binoculars or so I thought.
Been looked after very well and hardly been used.

The suddenly went rather floppy in use.
This often happens on porro prism binoculars - you pry off the end cap and tighten the usually brass centre pivot.

This is what I found - a horrid nylon centre pivot that has sheared off

Even cheap Chinese binoculars had brass centre pivots.

 

[Screwdriver]

Ouch. What's the plan? Make up a brass pivot or sell them to me?

 

[fizzy]

Oh and they are supposed to be rugged Military binoculars!

 

[fizzy]

I was horrified when I saw that!
Vorsprung Durch Technik

 

[Screwdriver]

That's grim. Seriously though, don't bung them out. I could be persuaded to make up a new pivot for you if you think its worth the bother.

 

[fizzy]

That's grim. Seriously though, don't bung them out. I could be persuaded to make up a new pivot for you if you think its worth the bother.

Thanks for that.
No way would I throw them out - the optics are brilliant - talk about spoiling the ship for a ha'porth of tar!
I have emailed Steiner to see what they have to say for themselves.
I will probably have a bash at turning one up myself but if I get stuck I will give you a shout.

Really shocked - how much did that save them I wonder? About £1?

 

[pedrobedro]

They do offer an unconditional lifetime guarantee so I would definitely get in contact with them.

 

[Wallace]

Military spec might mean rugged, but what’s the survival time in battle?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Military spec might mean rugged, but what’s the survival time in battle?

Nobody needs to use binos in battle these days, it's all monitors and drones....

 

[Migmac]

As soon as optics say “ military” , “marine” you know it ain’t expensive gear. It’s gimmick to make you think they are quality. Saying that Steiner used to be good gear, don’t know about the newer stuff

 

[sako243]

If you have no luck contacting Steiner directly then get in touch with Andy down at Haylett Grange Shooting Supplies in Haverfordwest. He stocks Steiner and is pretty good at wrangling stuff out of manufacturers warranties.

Note you may need to keep badgering him, I've known him for years and still have to keep pestering him.

 

[rockweasel]

My dad passed his on to me. They must be as old if not older than I am. Heavy things to hold and keep steady. I still have the original case, but have lost 3 of the lens caps.

Edit. I just Googled the name. They are worth a few dollars

 

[Brad93]

Get in touch with Steiner they should put that right!

 

[fizzy]

I still say the best binoculars you will ever get are the old East German Zeiss. I have about 5 pairs of them!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I have about 5 pairs of them!

But only two eyes.....

 

[slim_boy_fat]

As kids, yes....waaaay back, we used to go down to the rocks at the headland and make a nuisance of ourselves to the guy who sat in a small hut and logged shipping movements in a notebook - part of the Coast Guard setup at the time.

He'd let us look through the tripod-mounted binos he had - you could make out details of crews' features, and the boats/ships were a good way out. Wish I had those optics now.

 

[Brad93]

Zeiss now not what they once were in terms of build quality.

Swaros very good if you’ve got £1800.

Look at Japanese optics like Meopta etc or Vortex.
Vortex have a great warranty.

 

[Migmac]

Zeiss now not what they once were in terms of build quality.

Swaros very good if you’ve got £1800.

Look at Japanese optics like Meopta etc or Vortex.
Vortex have a great warranty.

The best Zeiss were the old 7x42, nothing comes close. Vortex are a good buy

 

[Brad93]

The best Zeiss were the old 7x42, nothing comes close. Vortex are a good buy

The ones like the Habitch? Look at the price they’re getting.

 

[Migmac]

Zeiss B Gat Dialyt 7x42