eBay Astro Binoculars - the inside scoop - Sept. 17, 2003

Nothing beats a good deal on stargazer's equipment. That is one
important aspect that makes the hobby fun...at least for me. Having
said that, I now share with you what I have found of especial interest
to fellow binocular star starer bargain hunters...

Sweet Deal #1:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...perty =1&from

BSA 10x50, rubber covered, wide-angle, Bak4 prism, green multicoated
objectives, and fully coated. Extremely low dollar reserve and very
limited supply of about 2 dozen units on closeout. Can't give first
hand account just yet as mine are not in-hand. But, time was of the
essence to pass the word forward. IMHO, they do look very good.
Seller reports that, "BSA has replaced them with a similar model at
almost twice the cost".

Sweet Deal #2:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search... sortproperty

I have used these before and they are incredible performers. Very
sharp across much of a wide, breathtaking field. Contrast from high
quality Japanese optics and multicoatings is excellent. The eyepiece
design is superb and allows for an especially relaxing view. Highly
recommended model type that has sold for up to $500 in the past! You
can grab a pair of these beauties for $59! Not certain but seller may
have a limited number available as they have been posted up for bid
several times now.

Sweet Deal #3:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=2951851 055

Seller opticsggi now apparently carries these new giants for lowest
price on the planet(?). No idea on the performance. Is a brand new
offering. They look pretty cool. opticsggi also auctions a 12x60 FMC
WA that is the greatest and is only $66. I use and highly recommend
their 10x60 but they may or may not be currently available. However,
a person could ask them to find out.

I hope the above will be found as helpful information. I have no
personal affiliation with any of these sellers. Just trying to be a
good guy is all.

Clear skies,

Pete

BSA optics are generally the cheapest possible mfg IMHO. i would go with
burgess, at least.
jc

BSA optics are generally the cheapest possible mfg IMHO.

Probably as bad as BSA (******* Stopped Again) motorcycles. Yeah, I had a
couple of Beezers over the years. Fun to ride but binos? I think these are
just rebadges.

But just imagine if they were actually built by Birmingham Small Arms.

The leaking oil would foul the objectives.

The vibration would rattle them into pieces in a moment.

BSA binoculars would come with a new featu "Image Destablization" No need
to focus or have a given target in mind, the binoculars randomly scan in any
direction automatically.

But they do have one good feature. Very good for dark sky viewing. Even with
the lights on high beam they will not disturb even the pickiest of
astrophotographers.

jon

hey jon
a Lightning rocket would pull your hat off, at least. lucas ignitions were
inspired by satan, of course. BSA did made very rliable firearms--- even in
the trench mud, their SMLE's worked, until a german arty round impacted your
trench
jere

hey jon
a Lightning rocket would pull your hat off, at least. lucas ignitions were
inspired by satan, of course. BSA did made very rliable firearms--- even in
the trench mud, their SMLE's worked, until a german arty round impacted your
trench
jere


A Lightening Rocket might pull your hat off if it had not already vibrated
off.....

I actually had two B-50's, a B50MX that and a road model that had been stripped
down to about 275 lbs. Lots of fun, especially doing a bump start after having
been given a ticket...

jon

Jon Isaacs wrote:

A Lightening Rocket might pull your hat off if it had not already vibrated
off.....

I actually had two B-50's, a B50MX that and a road model that had been stripped
down to about 275 lbs. Lots of fun, especially doing a bump start after having
been given a ticket...

I had a 1966 Triumph Bonneville. The maintenance schedule in the manual
included the instructions to tighten all the nuts and bolts on the bike
every 1000 miles. They weren't kidding. I felt like I was vibrating
for an hour after a long ride. But I loved the bike.

My father had a 1964 MGB that he handed down to me. I gave it to my son
and has not only restored it but bought an MGA and an MG-YB saloon car.
He also has an MGA rolling chassis for parts and oil pans in his
driveway.

I now drive a Miata with license plate NO LUCAS.

Mike Simmons

On 18 Sep 2003 00:00:59 GMT, (Scribe2b) wrote:

BSA optics are generally the cheapest possible mfg IMHO. i would go with
burgess, at least.

Burgess binos are generally some of the cheapest Chinese product, too.
There isn't any way anyone could accurately judge this BSA 10x50 to be
actually good or substandard until a knowledgeable evaluation is made
by base comparison. If everything else is accurately stated by the
seller, the only thing I see as potential issue is for a substandard
eyepiece design where there could be compromise.

If there is any doubt that a cheap (as in $25 range) Chinese bino
*can* be on the acceptably good side, just check archive comments on
the Tasco 8x40 Tom Trusock got from Sportsman's Guide for $20.

Anything is possible and certainly there are some low quality models
floating around to be a disappointment. Then again, if these 10x50
are good cheap stuff they will be a steal.

Pete

Pete,

any opinion the Celestron closeout on Anacortes ? They were originally
over $50..

David

Pete Rasmussen wrote:

If there is any doubt that a cheap (as in $25 range) Chinese bino
*can* be on the acceptably good side, just check archive comments on
the Tasco 8x40 Tom Trusock got from Sportsman's Guide for $20.

Anything is possible and certainly there are some low quality models
floating around to be a disappointment. Then again, if these 10x50
are good cheap stuff they will be a steal.

Pete

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 00:20:24 -0500, David
wrote:

any opinion the Celestron closeout on Anacortes ? They were originally
over $50..

Hi Dave,

I looked and can't tell which ones you mean. Is there a link? The
ones I did see there all look like very good deals and should be nice
products, too.

Pete

en again, if these 10x50
are good cheap stuff they will be a steal.

Pete

The guy selling em is in the business to make money. Ebay is full of deals for
optics that are clearly of very poor quality, not only for scopes (8 inch F3.75
with a spherical mirror) but also many many binoculars. I mean how many "Ruby
coated lens" does one need to see.

If you have gotten some good ones, I think you have plucked the needle out of
the haystack.
----
I also enjoy finding a bargin, I have found a few over the years. I also know
that hunting for bargins is a search with many pitfalls and disappointments.

In the long run it is never clear whether one comes out ahead or if it just
better to buy something decent and be done with it. Clearly if ones time has
any value, Bargin hunting is an expensive hobby.

So good luck with those Beezers, hope they don't leak oil and get your pants
dirty.

jon