🚀 go-pugleaf

Rich,
If the cheap zooms could work, their high powers would offset the crude
implementation of what binoculars should be, ie, crisp and clear.
I have not had much luck with Bushnell zooms as the poster you replied
to, but I was impressed in the same type store, Service Merchandise, with
a little zoom made by Meade, maybe that is what he meant.  I was not
surprised since Meade makes the only binocular under $200 that I have
ever handled that was in sharp alignment, their 8x42, really nice, but I
don't know who makes their current models, so not sure still true.

Why impressed by the Meade zoom?  Well, first, I could actually see
something clearer at the higher power instead of the usual lack of
resolution to make them completely worthless.

And I think as I zoomed, the zoom stayed in focus, maybe not, but this is
a killer for a zoom binocular, assuming there are some zooms that stay in
focus as you zoom along.  I have heard about this.  Can't remember if the
Meade could do this.  My Bushnell certainly can't and alignment is not
really possible, after _two_ trips back to the factory.  And my cheap
Nikon is the same way although I have not bothered sending it to Nikon
yet.

The problem I have with Zooms is not that an inexpensive zoom is not a
Leica or Zeiss or Nikon or Canon high-end, but they are useless because
something is out of whack as you zoom along to higher powers.  I just
cannot see clearly at 15x, can't read the writing, just useless for me,
with the possible exception of the cheap Meade.  Heard good things about a
Nikon zoom in the $250+ range but have never seen the beast.

Anybody have luck with a zoom that retains its resolution, clarity, and
maybe focus as you zoom to the higher powers?

Adam S.



On Sun, 8 Aug 1999 09:47:30 -0700; rnapo*remove*@znet.com wrote:

: Rich N. wrote in message ...
: >
: >Roger A. Moncrief wrote in message <37AD79B8.70C7@ix.netcom.com>...
: >>Susan,
: >>I use Bushnell's power zoom 9X27 binoculars. They focus very close. I am
: >>sure they focus to 8 feet or less. I carry them with me everywhere I
: >>might see a bird. They are small and lightweight. They weigh slightly
: >>more than one pound. The zoom feature is great for getting an extremely
: >>close look at birds. The only complaint I have is that the field of view
: >>is a little narrow. They cost $99.99 at
: >>http://www.servicemerchandise.com/. Hope this helps. Good luck.
: >>Roger A. Moncrief
: >
: >
: >Hi Roger,
: >Have you compared the image quality of the Bushnell power zoom to
: >fixed focus binoculars?

:   ^^^^^^^^^^^
: Oops.  I meant to say fixed power (magnification).
: >Rich