Fixed Focus Binoculars

[Porthandbuoy]

I have a very old pair of Plastimo fixed focus binoculars. Not expensive when I bought them about 25 years ago they have delivered good value for money as far as I'm concerned. Unfortunately my eyes have not stood up to the test of time quite as well and I need glasses if I want to see any distance. I've tried folding back the eyecups on the bins and using them with glasses, but it's not as comfortable as using the bins alone.

The solution was quite simple. I peeled off the eyecups and found the the focus can be adjusted. Simply break the lacquer seal on the focusing ring, adjust to suit each eye and reseal with a dab of nail polish.

They're not much use for anyone else, but I wonder if I'l get another 25 years out of them?

 

[alahol2]

For future reference the dimension you need to look for when using binoculars with glasses is 'eye relief', the longer the better. I bought my Fujinon compass bins because they had the longest eye relief I could find in my price range. Although 'fixed focus', each eyepiece on mine is adjustable. I can't adjust for use without glasses as I suffer from astigmatism. What the individual eye adjustment does allow is adjustment for close focus, eg to view the masthead which would normally be outside the 'fixed focus' range.