I have a pair of Vixen 10X50 Apex Pro waterproof binoculars that I purchased in 1999. The scored ring on the big end of the optic warped, allowing water and debris inside. Can these be repaired? And, would the cost of repair be more than the value of the binoculars? Thanks

SOURCE: Are these binoculars waterproof/fogproof?

Only the Action Extreme series has those features: Nikon

SOURCE: Need right eyecup replacement for Nikon Action 10x50

contact nikon and these parts should be ordable through their customer service.

SOURCE: Binocular repair

Yes they can be but need to be completely taken apart and cleaned. The salt will corrode any metal parts such as screws etc. The water may have left a coating on the internal glass services. Any impurities in the water may cause fungus to grow. Professionally done this will cost a tidy sum so a quote would be best. The warranty wouldn't cover water immersion if they are not meant to be waterproof. You could ask but Minolta no longer make binoculars and have forwarded on their servicing here is the web address
http://ca.konicaminolta.com/support/contact/binoculars/

You may find that for the cost of repair you can purchase a replacement set. Minolta binoculars are heavily discounted now. For sentimental reasons I have paid more than a binocular is worth to have it repaired.

If you are going to buy a new set and still want to try at home....BE ADVISED this may RUIN the alignment and you should ONLY DO IT if you are going to replace them and DO NOT CARE if they end up in the rubbish bin. THIS IS A LAST RESORT THROW AWAY FIX.

Try and unscrew the objective barrels, the ones with the large lens. If they come off you should have access to the inside. If they don't unscrew easily stop. You will damage them. Flush them out with clean water and let them dry naturally. Avoid letting them dry where dust can enter the inside. This may clear the salt from inside them, Depends on how long since they were dropped into the water. The salt may have caused damage to the glass coatings. When dry, screw the barrels back on. You may end up with a double image. This may be able to be corrected by loosening or tightening the barrels. THIS IS A HACK FIX AND YOU SHOULD ONLY DO IT IF THE COST TO REPAIR IS TOO EXPENSIVE AND YOU ARE GOING TO REPLACE THEM.

SOURCE: My Nikon binoculars show two images

must have been dropped ...have to be realigned if you want i can supply estimate 15088331232 ...larry

SOURCE: Binocular out of synch, get a slight double image.

The yoke which carries the eyepieces has broken, allowing one lens to move independently of the other.

They can be repaired by replacing the entire yoke assembly (gluing is never accurate enough and never lasts) but the repair will not make economic sense as it will be cheaper to throw them away and buy another pair unless you have them covered by an insurance policy.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend a Japanese repair outlet, the closest I've used in your part of the world is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I've always found getting repairs to cameras and other optical devices to be near impossible in Japan due to the prevalent culture of buying new rather than getting things fixed.

Apart from in Kuala Lumpur, I've generally found that optical repair specialists worldwide typically have a six week turnaround time unless you pay a lot extra for the 24/48 hour turnaround aimed at professionals, so even if you can get the repair done cheaply you may decide to just replace them anyway.

However I have found an old list of Nikon repair outlets which you may wish to try and contact to ask for advice.

Nikon Service Centres Fukuoka (092) 415-6350 Nagoya (052) 954-0122 Nihonbashi: (03) 3281-6810 Niigata: (025) 222-1461 Omiya: (048) 644-8011 Sapporo: (011) 231-7896 Sendai: (022) 227-1237 Shinjuku: (03) 3349-0701 Yokohama: (045) 312-1101
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