aligned binos

I was getting a headache looking through my binoculars.

Despite adjustments to the eyepieces and focus, changing the distance between the barrels, trying to contort my eyes, I generally could not bring the two images into one, synchronised. The double-image was annoying.

I wondered if it was possible to adjust my binos. It must be possible, I thought. But then, they were cheapies. Maybe it couldn't be done. I looked closely at the barrels of the Bushnells. Hmm. Strategically placed near the prisms were these round areas. Three were bumpy; but in the other I could see a flat-head screw, painted over! I realised the others were covered in a thick layer of glue or silicone.

I peeled the material from the top of the screws. Shiny brass screw heads were my reward!

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Later, in the dark, focused on a star, I adjusted—small moves—the screws. It worked! I was able to bring the images into alignment. Close enough that my eyes could comfortably do the rest. It is so much better!

The old clunkers are working again.

Maybe, they are like a Newtonian telescope: you simply must align them from time to time.