Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Your Opinion on Broken Neckstrap Anchor on Binos

Hi all,

The right neckstrap anchor that holds my binoculars to my strap broke while I was walking through the woods. The binos fell from my neck. I emailed the manufacturer since the binos are still under full warranty. They told me they wouldn't be able to fix them because "the neckstrap anchor is an integrated part of the binoculars body, which can not be repaired". The warranty states that they'll repair or replace if needed.

I sent them back to the company anyway. I attached a letter with my concerns, telling them that I paid a fair price for a quality product, and would like for them make it right. I'm hoping to hear back from them soon.

Questions:
1. Am I expecting too much of the manufacturer to repair or replace the binoculars?

2. If I get them back without being repaired or replaced, are there any alternatives to using the anchor?

I don't want to mention the manufacturers name until I get a final confirmation on whether or not they'll honor their warranty. I love the binoculars but they will do me no good in my backpack while hunting.

Thanks for reading.

I would expect them to honor the warranty and that a full warranty would cover the WHOLE product.

Was it the factory strap? What kind of connector is on the strap end (nylon webbing, metal ring, etc.)?

Oh, this should get interesting.

I think we can rule out Swarovksi right off the bat.

It was an after market strap. It's a plastic lanyard style hook. The kind where you can only push one way. Terrible description I know. I've seen them my whole life but don't know what the proper name of them.

So go ahead and spill the beans.....which binocular is it?

My guess is Nikon

Unless the aftermarket strap was the cause of the break, I would expect the manufacturer to pony up.

A buddy broke a strap lug on his Swarovski SLC's during a hunt and the temporary fix was to put a plastic zip-tie around the body and another zip-tie attached to that and cinched down to where it was in the same position/height as the lug and clipped the harness into it. Didn't look all that great, but it worked.

That's not a bad idea. I appreciate the input. The post office said they'd most probably arrive by Thursday, so I'm hoping for an email by early next week.

Which company?

I received my binos back from Zen-Ray today. They fixed the eyepiece but like they said, they weren't able to repair the neckstrap anchor. I'm a little disappointed since their website clearly states that they'll repair or replace ed3's. Now I know this isn't that big of a deal but to me it's false advertising. You live and you learn I guess.

Completely unacceptable. Who doesn't use/need some sort of Neck strap!

I plan on going the zip tie route.

How about running a screw in side of the tube? Nice and secure. Hell, do it on the other side as well.

Note to self.... never by a Zen-Ray product.....I already knew that.

I said it a year or two ago when everyone was on the Zen Ray kick. "buy a binocular from a well know company, not one that no one will remember in 5 years" A lifetime warranty is only good for as long as the company is in business.

No, it IS a big deal.

From the ZR site:
If your PRIME HD, ZEN ED3, 2015 ZRS HD Binoculars or ZEN ED2 spotting scope requires service or repair, Zen-Ray will repair or replace it (even if it was your fault) for just $10, plus return shipping and handling.

I'd contact ZR and ask to speak directly to Charles.

That seems pretty clear.

To the OP.......IMO you got screwed.

Do what SKane says and contact Charles directly.

It seems ZR should replace the binocular. Fix is likely out of the question, actually on any binocular. The strap lugs are typically cast with the frame, so you have a busted frame, not a strap lug.

I don't care who makes the binocular or how much it costs, everybody needs something like this http://optechusa.com/adapt-its.html

In the case of the OP we don't know how he attached the strap. many cases a split key ring is used. These are a pretty bad idea. Either use a cable tie or one of the adapt-its linked, or something similar.

Should it have broken, probably not, should they stand up to the warranty claims, sure, they made the claim, that is then their deal. However everybody needs to look at how they attach their accessories.

I'm with the contact Charles directly posts.