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20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:13 am
by Saganwannabe
I just purchased a great looking pair of Vintage WW2 era Toko Big Eye binoculars. I would love to learn all I can about these. They are in fantastic original, non-restored condition and have great optics.

I’m interested in hearing what everyone thinks they’re worth. I want to know if I overpaid, underpaid, etc.

In the end, I really don’t care because I already bought them and no way am I returning them.

I’m not gonna say how much I paid and I won’t get my feelings hurt no matter what estimate anyone makes. I’m happy with my purchase and that’s all that matters to me.

Thanks!

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:26 am
by Saganwannabe
Here are some more pictures...

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:28 am
by Saganwannabe
One more...

If anyone knows the English translation of the writing on the brass plate. Please tell me.

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 6:24 am
by Refractordude
Congratulations on the new antique binoculars. How are they aimed at Orion?

I found these eBay postings .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Japane ... 3718485365

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOKO-20x120- ... SwHptcWNtR

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 7:27 am
by Saganwannabe
I’ll be honest. I personally haven’t looked through them yet. I’m going on the word of someone I know that has looked through them (terrestrially) and some pics taken through each eyepiece and sent to me. I’m picking them up in person this week.

Also, they were manufactured in 1940 and purchased at an estate sale.

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 8:17 am
by Saganwannabe
A53B3BDA-1990-4816-8449-998512C3FC15.png
Here’s a better picture of the mount and the binoculars with the dewshields retracted.

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 8:46 am
by Saganwannabe
Just found out some more info on my particular Toko Big Eye’s...

*22.5 degree inclined eyepieces
*Erfle eyepieces
*60 degree FOV
*Large, Porro 2 prisms w/exit face angled at 22.5 degrees
*Swiveling Rhomboid Prisms to adjust IPD
*Performance rating= EXCELLENT

This information was acquired from:

http://home.europa.com/~telscope/japanbin.txt

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 10:35 am
by DeanD
They look fabulous, and in amazing condition for their age. Congratulations on the purchase, and even if we do all know how much you probably paid for them thanks to Refractordude's detective work(!) they are a unique item with a great mount and will give you many years of pleasure. I also suspect you won't lose financially if you ever want to sell them.

Looking forward to your "first light" report and review.

All the best,

Dean

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 11:39 am
by Saganwannabe
Thanks Dean

I have no idea what you’re talking about... what Ebay ad...

What’s Ebay?

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 12:28 pm
by JayTee
Greetings,

I moved this topic from the AP equipment forum to this forum because nowhere in any of the posts is AP or astrophotography ever mentioned. It's much easier for folks to find binocular info in the binoculars forum.

Cheers,
JT

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 9:52 pm
by AbbN
Nice! You know...in that last pic you posted (9/9)...the handle almost looks like a very small...finder scope.......:D

Abb

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 10:05 pm
by Saganwannabe
Huh..... you’re right. The handle does look like a finder scope

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2020 11:59 pm
by DeanD
Saganwannabe wrote: Tue Mar 17, 2020 11:39 am Thanks Dean

I have no idea what you’re talking about... what Ebay ad...

What’s Ebay?
I didn't mention Ebay. Did you get something on Ebay?... ;)

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 3:45 pm
by Saganwannabe
English translation of the brass plate:

Line #1- Modified 12cm high angle binoculars

Line #2- MARINE weight 23.300kg

Line #3- Number 158

Line #4- SHOWA 19th April

Line #5- Made by TOKO


And.....


English translation of round, brass, desiccant cover:

Open-Close
Desiccant
Cover

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 4:24 pm
by helicon
Great binos. Were they mounted on a ship?

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 5:00 pm
by Saganwannabe
I’m not sure Helicon. If they were on a ship, they must not have been used much. These things are in unbelievably good condition for their age (76 years old). They’ve survived a world war, a trip half way around the world to the USA and decades of civilian use.

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 5:00 pm
by Saganwannabe
After getting the brass plate translated, I have discovered the true production year is 1944 not 1940.

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:01 pm
by helicon
I thought ship because when my father took the family on his ship (USS Rathburne) from Oahu to Maui they had similar big binoculars mounted on the bridge and the fore.

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 8:23 pm
by Saganwannabe
The Japanese thought they could rely on their superior optics for warning them of incoming hostile vessels, whereas the US, Great Britain, etc relied on the new radar technology.
The Japanese would place these big binos in a “crow’s nest” 90 ft above the deck to scan for ships, subs, & planes.

Re: 20x120 Toko Big Eye binoculars

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:51 am
by Saganwannabe
I finally got them.
I finally got them.

I feel like a kid on Christmas