I did something stupid, put a bag with binoculars inside on the roof of the car and drove off, then heard this loud noise accelerating and instantly realized what it was.
It's Swarovski EL and they were inside their soft case, which was inside a backpack which had a few other things, it was thrown from the car roof into the pavement at 15 mph I would guess.
Visual examination revealed nothing, no dents, no scratches so I suppose the soft case + backpack helped. The view appears to be just as sharp. Shined a flashlight inside - nothing unusual. Nothing is loose inside when I shake it. I tested them for collimation by loosening the diopter wheel one way, then another by looking at stars and they were fine (one circle within another circle).
Everything looks normal but I am still concerned I dented or damaged something inside.
Anything else I forgot to check?
I looked at the moon and I thought I saw more glare in the glass than before, a few small glare "stars" running back and forth as I moved binoculars left to right. But I don't see how a fall could have caused this and I don't remember if it was there before as I don't do that much astronomy.
It will be mostly a use test. If it gives eye strain or there is some obvious change in the field, then get it fixed or checked out.
Hello Etc.,
Find a flat roofed building, outlined by the sky, preferably overcast sky. Focus on a corner of the building. The slowly move the binocular away from you, keeping it aligned with both eyes. Repeat for the other corner of the building. If you see a shadow image of the building's corner appearing, it certainly needs collimation.
Does not Swarovski Opitcs of North America provide service?
Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood