Comments on: Equipment Review: Meade 8X42 Travel Binoculars

By: Tammy Plotner

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:43:36 +0000

rajaee? Just google in "Meade B120208" and you'll get various sites to choose from to order a pair. However….

You might just want to wait a little bit until you hear how competitive versions compare. Right now there's two others that are going through the "Ooops. I left them in the backseat of my car on a hot sunny day test." and will be handled by 150 different members of the Ohio Military Police tonight at a program.

Ian? The quintessential "first telescope" will be showing up here soon!

By: rajaee

rajaee — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:38:22 +0000

i think that good piece of equipment ,
maby you can provide me with the web site i might order one!!!;)

By: Ian O'Neill

Ian O'Neill — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:17:43 +0000

I think your reviews are awesome. As a non-astronomer (I know how stars work, but I have no clue where to find them!) you present the product in a balanced review. To be honst, I'm not bothered with apertures, focal lengths, super-duper-non-abberation coatings… I want to know if it works and if it does the job. Plus, you tell us how they cope in the real world When I get my first telescope, the Tammy Test will be the first review I read

Cheers!! Ian

By: Tammy Plotner

Tammy Plotner — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:53:56 +0000

The "Tammy Test" is realistic. I don't go out of my way to ask optical equipment to be rugged – but neither do I wear white gloves when I use it. This is why you'll never see a review unless I've had it for awhile. No one wants a telescope that works great for a few weeks and then falls apart… No more than they want a pair of binoculars that work well until they actually are asked to what they claim.

If no one here feels like I'm playing favourites by telling the honest truth about what lasts and what doesn't? I'll be happy to carry on!

(heheheee… ian? it was a comet party and i laid them on top the tire and then forgot they were there when i moved the jeep. about a year later i was out fishing and went to look for c-bouy and the boat rocked… i let go to steady myself… and down they went! that's why you should always use a neck strap. that way they'll know where to find your head. )

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:49:57 +0000

I've had binos that were dropped and knocked out of collimation on many occasions. Fortunately these older versions had accessible collimation (tiny) screws on the barrels under the grip surface. I could access them and re-adjust the prisms with a bit of fiddling. Double images were worked back to unison. I've saved heaps on doing this myself. But nowadays binoculars are design to prevent you saving money. The collimation screws are nowhere to be seen. Bump them and you're up for a service collimation job that can cost the same as the binocular itself!

Martin

By: Helio George

Helio George — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:29:04 +0000

Thanks Tammy. Nice to get negative, real-world, accounts.

By: Vanamonde

Vanamonde — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:38:10 +0000

Great review. We seek the truth, be it awful or awesome. Thank you!

By: Ian O'Neill

Ian O'Neill — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:22:17 +0000

Wow Tammy, I'd hate to be packed in your luggage when you go on holiday! My vision would be impared, I'd be battered by you reversing over me in a 1-ton Jeep and I'd probably end up sleeping with the fishes

Actually…. that sounds like the last stag party I went on…

Just an idea, I reckon these reviews should be called the "Tammy Test"

Cheers, Ian

By: Tammy Plotner

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:32:37 +0000

No worries. We're friends.

So what's your opinion? Do you think the collimation should have failed just from having them in a suitcase? Or from the pressure?

(I had a pair of Tascos once I ran over with a Jeep and they still worked! I imagine they're still working at the bottom of the lake where I dropped them from the boat, too…)

By: Gerald, Walnut Creek, CA

Gerald, Walnut Creek, CA — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:03:36 +0000

The above should have been addressed to Tammy, not Ian. Sorry about that.

By: Gerald, Walnut Creek, CA

Gerald, Walnut Creek, CA — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:58:27 +0000

Ian,

About 6 years ago, my wife gave me a pair of Bushnell 8×42 binoculars for my birthday. They have been the best pair of binoculars I've ever owned. They are lightweight, fully coated, rubberized … all the plus features you mentioned for the Meade. The optical quality is superb, and the lightweight and balance make them easy to hold for extended astronomical viewing. You want rugged? I've been hauling these babies around in a backpack almost every week for years, and have never had any problems. And I have not been kind to that backpack.

By: Tammy Plotner

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:31:14 +0000

Thanks, Ian!

Your camera sure sounds a lot like my old JVC camcorder – and my IBM ThinkPad. Dropped. Kicked. Scratched. Sat on. Shipped. Abused. Funny thing, though… They took the licking and kept on ticking.

That's an excellent observation about air pressure differences. There may very well be something to that as many astronomy and optical equipment cases have an air pressure purge valve. But at the same time, I've also taken binoculars (ok, dreadfully cheap ones…) along in my suitcase with no problem.

I want very much to be fair with Meade – but the moment I held them I had this gut-awful instinct they wouldn't take what I put equipment through. For most people, they'll more than likely never have a problem with these ultra-light quality binoculars… But for those of us who drop, throw in the trunk of a car and pile groceries on, shove in a backpack or duffel bag on a whim, give to children to use and generally abuse? Oh, my…

I think sending back a box of little itty bitty pieces parts might void my warranty.

By: Ian O'Neill

Ian O'Neill — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:27:32 +0000

Oh no! Poor old binoculars. I had a similar thing happen with my ancient Yashica SLR camera. Was forced to pack it in my hold luggage, but wrapped it tight in a tough case and towels. Impregnable? Nope. I was flying with Continental, and someone must have taken a sledgehammer to my bag. I found my beloved SLR inside a buckled case and a defined impression in the metal bodywork. Bless it though, there was no damage to the optics or mechanism and it's working to this day.

What can I say? The Japanese sure know how to build a camera! As for Meade, I think I'd have to put their products in my carry on luggage.

Just a thought, do you think the pressure difference when flying can tinker with the inner workings of sensitive optics? I just wonder as it is an airtight compartment between lenses… hmmm…

Great article Tammy, give the 8X42 Travel Binoculars a shake from me (hear a rattle?).

Cheers, Ian