Welcome back to another Optics Trade Debate. In this episode, we are going to be answering a question from one of you, that is: What sort of accidental damage can be repaired in binoculars?
Allow us to rearrange the question a bit, as some manufacturers repair everything, and some do not repair any damage. There is a clear distinction, namely European premium brands can repair binoculars that no one else thinks can be fixed.
For example, a pair of Steiner binoculars was sent back to us in 3 parts: the compass and the central bridge were broken off, and they were still able to repair them. There have been similar instances with Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski. Then, there are brands from Japan and China, which are not able to repair anything because their business model is different. So, the main question here is which binoculars can and which cannot be repaired?
Talking about European manufacturers, we have to mention those with in-house production. Those with excellent service departments are Swarovski, Steiner, Leica, Zeiss, Noblex, and Meopta. These brands can repair almost anything, even 50-year-old binoculars.
On the other hand, there are manufacturers from which you buy optics, but if something goes wrong, you have no other choice but to buy a new pair. There are some exceptions, for example, Vortex and Athlon – these two come with a warranty that replaces your binoculars.
Moving on, what actually can be repaired? Collimation problems – double vision, when the two optical axes are not aligned anymore. Housing damages can also be repaired, for example, if your binoculars have been exposed to sun or saltwater. Focusing problems, worn-out seals, worn-our eye-cups, and many more fit into this category.
There are still some damages, however, that cannot be repaired. Usually, scratches on lenses fit into this category, and also, if your binoculars are damaged in a fire. Some big mechanical damages can be repaired, but some cannot – it depends.
How does it work? You can send the binoculars to us, or directly to the factory, and they tell you how much the repair would cost, so you can decide if is worth it or not. So, if your binoculars are premium, most things can be repaired, but if you have more affordable models, you usually need to buy a new pair. This is it, and we will see you in our next debate.
Products mentioned in the What Sort of Accidental Damage Can Be Repaired in Binoculars debate:
Binoculars: https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/binoculars.html
Author and source: Maruša Justinek, www.optics-trade.eu
