West marine binoculars

Same here. The stainless steel is fine. The cushions are shot.

Dont Quote me in any manual anywhere but, I would try 45 degree's
Hope this helps

The coatings cannot be replaced once damaged unless new lenses are fitted. Strictly speaking, they can, but it will cost far more than buying new lenses.

Without the coatings your binoculars will work just fine but under some lighting conditions you may notice a lack of image contrast and perhaps some lens flare. Under other lighting conditions a total lack of lens coatings can actually improve the image as more light can pass through the optics to your eyes. It's not a fault which usually merits replacing the binoculars.

Just use the cleaning cloth sparingly in future on any coated lenses: dust should just be blown off but small amounts make no practical difference and careful handling should prevent finger marks on the glass surfaces. Salt spray and errant finger marks should be removed using a lightly dampened lens cloth: de-ionised water with about 5% alcohol is ideal.

Find the Vivitar Binocular manuals here for download.

These binoculars work on the Galilean principle in that they are just lenses. No prisms. These folding types were made as opera glasses. The addition of the compass is a gimmick added and such units were sold as cheap touring or travel binoculars. These types were popular in tourist locations. France at one point had a significant optical industry mainly producing opera and Galilean field glasses with the exception of Huet and Krauss who made prism binoculars.
An interesting but cheap collectable.

Hi, Do you still need help? I can email the instructions. Tony

Without seeing a picture it is difficult but there is hope. Most binoculars branded by companies other than the big three come from China. Namely the Kunming United Optics Corporation. Just type in United optics China into google. Have a look at the BC 6 in the compact binoculars section they may look like your ones. Not many 8x26 units are nitrogen filled so I'm guessing on this one. They have a support section and may be able to help.

Check this post for lens covers.

http://www.bluewaterweb.com/MarineHardware/Hardware.asp?

How to use the reticle:
The vertical scale (reticle) visible through the left half of the binocular, above the compass display, allows you to calculate distance to an object if you know its height, or to calculate the height of an object if you know its distance from you.
Each mark on the vertical scale has a value of 5 MIL (1Mil is equivalent to an angel that can determined an object one meter in height at a distance of 1000 meters). Therefore, if a navigation chart gives the height of an object, by sighting on it and counting the number of MILS, you can determine how far away it is.
To Measuer distance when height is known:
Object Height(m)/Scale Reading x 1000m=Distance in Meters
To Measure height when distance is known:
Distance(m)xScale Reading/1000=Object height in meters

You can order a replacement set at: http://www.bakermarineusa.com/index.php?id=17&cat=38&prod=137