Finding options for a binocular repair place is a peculiarly difficult business! Most googled info seems to be out of date, quite a few operators are gone. (I was aiming to have my Nikon Monarchs repaired but have been talked out of it).
For anyone else looking, below is my summary that might save someone some time. Of course you’d need to satisfy yourself that they are suitable, and there might be other places too.
ONE-MAN BANDS
Astronomy Alive (Melbourne) – Cris in Bentleigh - 03-9576 5325 - http://www.astronomyalive.com.au/ (active repairer; happy to talk about options; quote was reasonable).
Optical Repairs and Services (Perth) – Chris in Beldon – 08-9307 3059 - http://www.opticalguru.com/ (active repairer; used to do repairs for other businesses still found online; happy to talk about options; quote for my bins was expensive but may have been some misunderstanding)
Binocular Telescope and Optical World (Perth) – Keith in Malaga – 08-9249 6825 - http://members.iinet.net.au/~champas/contact.shtml (haven’t managed to contact him).
Another man in Sydney – (he is talked about on the web within the last year but I can’t find contact details. Possibly the same person mentioned by Erika)
ORGANISATIONS
Camera Clinic (Melbourne) – Collingwood – 03-9419 5247 - http://www.cameraclinic.com.au/index.php/en/what-do-we-repair (reasonable quote + $22 post, these guys do repairs for Ted’s Cameras)
Adelaide Optical Centre – 08-8232 1050 - http://www.adelaideoptical.com.au/ (seem to be a very active shop, Ron does the repairs, currently two week delay, quote was a bit higher than some).
Nikon Australia (Sydney) – 02-8748 5222 - http://www.nikon.com.au/en_AU/servicecentres.page (quote was reasonable)
Tasco (Bushnell), Canon, Outdoor Sporting Agencies (Zeiss) etc – most manufacturers have their own repair facilities, though I think the Euro brands mostly send overseas.
OPTION FOR CANBERRA PEOPLE THAT DOESN’T INVOLVE POSTING YOUR BINOCULARS
The only means I found of having binoculars fixed without posting them from Canberra is to take them into Teds who will send them on to Camera Clinic.
Otherwise you could drop them in when next in Sydney but I haven’t found anywhere in Sydney yet, other than Nikon and other agents/importers.
A few places seem to have disappeared including the Heidleberg business that Philip used (phone is disconnected) and a couple of the most visible Perth businesses on the web.
(Incidental info on binoculars – if I were in the market now I’d seriously consider the new 2012 version of the Vortex Razor HD’s – around $1100 and arguably up there with the alpha models in terms of performance, for around half the price. Significantly better than earlier versions. I have no interest in them other than as would-be purchaser)).
Julian
www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Lawson [
Sent: Thursday, 4 October 2012 16:46
To: COG chatline
Subject: [canberrabirds] Binocular repairs
Can anyone help me with this request:
"Dear Tony,
Where can I take my binoculars for check-over/repair? Very old now and one eyepiece has come off. I have another, less satisfactory pair but would like to have my usual ones for the coming walks if possible.
Shall be grateful for your advice."
Tony
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