Tasco "Zip" 8X30 binocular

[brian livesey]

This is another flea-market bargain acquired this week for £5. Not quite in mint condition, but virtually there. The optics are unblemished, which is the main consideration.
One criticism to make about the Zip is its focuser. It isn't the usual barrel-type focuser, only a section of a barrel. Instead of rotating the focuser, it has to be pressed down to achieve focus.
It's a quirky design, but it works.
For we elderly skywatchers, with correspondingly age-related reduced irises, a 8X30 bin probably yields the same light input as a 7X50 binocular, where the exit pupil is too big to fully enter through the iris.
As for definition, it was good on the Full Moon this morning. Not bad at all for a Hong Kong binocular.

[David Frydman]

These are toggle focus, Brian.

I don't like them as they are too fast, and I needed two hands to achieve sharp focus.

They were common for a while.

Value £5 plus postage.
So you saved postage costs.

Regards,
David

[skyhawk]

Actually they are on ebay for £20 plus, like everything quality depending

[brian livesey]

I agree with David that the "toggle" focuser is inferior to the barrel focuser. When I saw the 8X30 binocular, it was obvious on inspection that it's a low budget Hong Kong model, not likely to cause a riot ( the pun is irresistible ), but it works and the optics are clean.

[cuhnkedrik]

The "toggle" focuser is not as good as the "barrel" focuser, as David has pointed out. The 8X30 binocular is obviously a cheap Hong Kong model; it didn't impress me enough to start a riot (I couldn't resist), but it does its job and has clear optics.