Want a solid performing 20X binocular with an unusual aperture size? Here is a classic Japanese optics probably made in the late 1960s to early 1970s. It has served one lifetime and has many, many more left! You will pass these onto your grandkids to use and enjoy.

Not so large that it can't be easily offhanded with a bit of practice, it of course excels when tripod mounted for stargazing. To that end we added a unique tripod mount that goes around the center hinge since this set lacks the usual front hinge mounting hole that would normally be drilled and tapped for the universal 1/4-20 thread used on tripod screws.

At three pounds ten ounces with the OPTICRON tripod adapter on, it is easily lugged around for flora and fauna gazing using the easily detachable, wide nylon web carry strap we added. With the adapter off, this big beauty weighs a mere half a pound more than my B&L Mk-28 7x,50! That's amazingly light for such power and aperture.

When out for a wipe down we blackened sides of large, probably hand polished, BK-7 prisms. With scant eye relief one should press their own optical orbs as close as possible to the lenses to minimize, if not totally negative, the gray, diamond shaped chordal cuts that BK-7 glass produces. This is how these old optics were meant to be used. And how one achieves the widest Field of View (FoV), especially when using vintage wide angle binos. So expect to wipe eyelash grease from ocular lenses after each session. And, yes, eye glass wearers can also use them if they prefer not to go bare eyes.

Focus controls now much smoother after a lube job. We use NYE synthetic damping grease for a lifetime of service and far less chance of gumming up. Some of these old timers arrive frozen solid from dried out old lubricants. Should you happen across one, use a hairdryer to get parts warmed up and moving again. At least temporarily...

Entire chassis cleaned and conditioned using an automotive grade product meant for rubber and vinyl trim.

No case came with the optic so we added two sets of up-cycled lens caps. They fit well and help protect near pristine lenses from dust. Most will keep this set mounted on a tripod for instant use, I'm sure. We've had a similar old 30x,80 on a tall tripod in our sunroom for nigh two years now. No problems. As long as your wife is tolerant.

Addendum: just came back from a stroll to see the swans on a big pond near us. From at least 500 yds away it was easy with this set to identify their four gray cygnets! When the distance is long there is no substitute for sheer power!

Satisfaction or request a return and cheerful refund within three days of receipt, please.

And with the anniversary of the staged September 11th Terror Attacks rapidly approaching, you should ask yourself how a decrepit Saudi millionaire with a handful of followers and a cell phone from a cave in Afghanistan - and while on kidney dialysis, no less - managed to defeat the combined Military and Intelligence Assets of the world's sole Super Power that had spent multiple TRILLIONS of dollars (20-50?) on such defenses since the end of World War Two?  Especially once you realize how many millions go into just ONE trillion! No comparison. None. Their story doesn't make sense.

Nor does two planes hit buildings in NY that day, yet THREE buildings fell down. In their own footprint. And the poisoned air was NOT tested after they fell despite your taxes, to the tune of billions, no doubt, being used to fund an entity titled the Environmental PROTECTION Agency run by the, now mass murderer, and former governor of NJ, Christine Todd Whitman. Hmmm.

Want answers? Read: SOLVING 9/11, by Christopher Bollyn! Available here on eBay and a book that will rock your world. I promise.