Chuck Hards wrote:
As the new models begin to appear, older model binoculars are hitting the discount & surplus market:
From Heartland America, www.heartlandamerica.com 1-800-229-2901
FOTAR 25x100mm binocular BAK-4 prisms, alloy aluminum body, individual eyepiece focus, multi-coated optics, long eye-relief, integral tripod adapter (the same type as above). These are the identical OEM binocular as the Celestron 25x100mm and Apogee 25x100 bino, the big monsters that Jim Gibson and I bought several years ago from Apogee when first introduced. Item No. D1-59959 $179.99
The binos arrived today. Chuck was right. They are VERY heavy for their size. I thought they would not be that much heavier than my 11x80s. Wrong! Neither of my camera tripods are stiff enough to hold them steady so I guess a new tripod is in my immediate future. But despite the wiggles the views of the Moon and Saturn (Titan and gaps between the planet and rings easily visible) are very sharp with just a little color. And checking my credit card, they did reverse the charge on the stuff they "accidentally" added so the total is as advertised. Thanks again for the tip, Chuck. Patrick