myrna33
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/09
Posts: 5
|
|
I have two pair of Bushnell Rangemaster 11degree 7 x 35. One was sent to the manufacturer who cant repair them.The other pair need what I believe is a simple adjustment or minor repair. Any recomendations ?
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14725
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
|
|
see the 'Best Of" thread pinned at the top of the forum. Follow to the post ?Need Repair? and follow links to a LIST of repairs shops.
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
|
myrna33
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/09
Posts: 5
|
|
Quote:
see the 'Best Of" thread pinned at the top of the forum. Follow to the post ?Need Repair? and follow links to a LIST of repairs shops.
edz
Thanks for the push in the right direction. Of those listed whom do you think would be the best for the repair of my particular binoculars ?
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14725
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
|
|
I've never used any of them
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
|
BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2237
Loc: Washington, USA
|
|
Welcome Myrna33:
With 2 posts under your belt, it is plain to see that you are new, welcome! As such, folks much kinder than me won't have the nerve to tell you that when you consider the cost of a QUALIFIED tech, such binos are WAY not cost effective to repair.
If, however, your problem is collimation error, you can learn how to do “conditional alignment” which is--for ONE IPD setting--as good as “true” collimation which so many members of this list allude to when they really refer to the previous. Even so, at one IPD (Interpupillary Distance) your view will not be impaired. Thus, if you align it for your eyes, others may have problems using them, but at least you are up and running, have learned something about binoculars and collimation, and have saved money!
Nice combination.
Cheers,
Bill
--------------------
William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Founding Editor, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
20-year vet. of Captain's Nautical Supplies, Optics Dept. Mgr.
Optics Machanic, WG11-3306, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma,WA
Yata, Yata, Yata . . .
Edited by BillC (07/12/09 12:09 AM)
|
BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2237
Loc: Washington, USA
|
|
PS Are these the Rangemasters from the 50's. If so, I may have to fall on my sword. The cosr of "serious" work will be prohibitive. But, They would PROBABLY be worth sending to Texas Nautical Instrument Repair in Houston. Ask for Les Swift.
Cheers,
Bill
--------------------
William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Founding Editor, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
20-year vet. of Captain's Nautical Supplies, Optics Dept. Mgr.
Optics Machanic, WG11-3306, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma,WA
Yata, Yata, Yata . . .
|
myrna33
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/09
Posts: 5
|
|
Quote:
PS Are these the Rangemasters from the 50's. If so, I may have to fall on my sword. The cosr of "serious" work will be prohibitive. But, They would PROBABLY be worth sending to Texas Nautical Instrument Repair in Houston. Ask for Les Swift.
i appreciate your frank response and the good thought behind it. The pair that was dropped may well be beyond any reasonable repair. The other one
seem to be optically good but the center focus wheel wont turn enough to allow the lens barrels to come out. The prime reason in seeking a repair is that the very wide 11 degree view is so pleasing.
I dont know if this wide field is available in a modern binocular
|
Obx
member
Reged: 08/01/08
Posts: 71
Loc: Beautiful OBX
|
|
Cory Suddarth (former US Navy Opticalman) is one of those on Ed's list. He repaired a pair of my Navy Binoculars and did a splendid job.
--------------------
Swift Sea Hawk 6x30
Westinghouse M3 6x30
Spencer Lens Mk 13 US Navy 7x50
Bausch & Lomb Mk 28 US Navy 7x50
National Instrument Mk 32 US Navy 7x50
Celestron Ultima 8x42
Orion Mini Giant 15x63
Meade 2045D S-C
Meteorites & Tektites
|
orlandog
member
Reged: 01/10/08
Posts: 32
Loc: wilmington, north carolina
|
|
Hi Myrna33 – I trust that you are aware that your Bushnell Rangemaster 11degree 7 x 35’s are most likely among the best vintage binoculars that Bushnell made – they are “keepers”
If you wish to part with both pair then send me a PM to let me know you are putting them up for sale.
Otherwise, if you or those you know have brave souls then check this out:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/11912773/Binocular-Disassembly1
Regards, Howard
|
Gordon Rayner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 965
|
|
Who was the "manufacturer"? Are they individual focus? What is the logo on the hinge end cover at the front? A volcano, with F.P.O.? Or ?
Does the prism cover plate say "Triple Tested"? D.P. Bushnell (RIP) told us at the 2003 Abrahams convention that "Triple Tested" meant once at a Japanese factory, second occasionally or randomly in Pasadena, and third by the customer.
Does anyone recall/know when the JTII oval gold stickers began, to indicate passing some sort of test by that now-defunct Japanese industry group?
|
BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2237
Loc: Washington, USA
|
|
Gordon:
The ORIGINAL Rangemaster was Fuji Optical, but I don't recall them making a center focus model!
cheers,
Bill
--------------------
William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Founding Editor, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
20-year vet. of Captain's Nautical Supplies, Optics Dept. Mgr.
Optics Machanic, WG11-3306, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma,WA
Yata, Yata, Yata . . .
|
BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2237
Loc: Washington, USA
|
|
Myrna33:
The last time I talked to Cory, he was ONLY doing work for Garrett. He is the only one I would trust to do work I needed!
Cheers,
Bill
--------------------
William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Founding Editor, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
20-year vet. of Captain's Nautical Supplies, Optics Dept. Mgr.
Optics Machanic, WG11-3306, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma,WA
Yata, Yata, Yata . . .
|
Gordon Rayner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 965
|
|
Yes, the original was IF FPO, then IF and CF FPO, then somebody else , when the contour changed, and probably some other factories ( I do not want to take the time now to review and repeat the history of the Rangemaster which I recall to be in the Abrahams letters).
I do not know when the IF was dropped, but my recollection is that Rangemasters from the last decades of the century were CF. I have or had at least one non-FPO CF.
|
myrna33
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/09
Posts: 5
|
|
Quote:
Hi Myrna33 – I trust that you are aware that your Bushnell Rangemaster 11degree 7 x 35’s are most likely among the best vintage binoculars that Bushnell made – they are “keepers”
If you wish to part with both pair then send me a PM to let me know you are putting them up for sale.
Otherwise, if you or those you know have brave souls then check this out:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/11912773/Binocular-Disassembly1
Regards, Howard
I appreciate the repair instruction ,but It is beyond my level of skill or patience. I was hoping to find a repair person for the pair that Bushnell rejected for repair. This may be wishfull thinking. If this can not be done I wouldn't want to foist them off on anyone.
I may send the other pair to Bushnell as I think they are easier to repair . If ever find a binocular I prefer I will keep you in mind
|
Gordon Rayner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 965
|
|
So, Cory is the only competent technician remaining on earth? Or is he the only competent and ethical one? Or the only competent and ethical and affordable? Or the only competent and ethical and affordable who would want to bother with that job? Or, because he is a former co-worker? Or the only one you know personally?
Why would a competent and ethical work on the cheapos with sloppy central focus which Orion(and others) were selling? Affordability? To get away from Seattle rain to a better( or more frequently available) star observing location?
What about the techs who work on the high-grade Czech roof prism, or the Zeiss, or the Swarovski? Or the the top-grade of Kamakuras( in their various labelings)? Of course we know that these and other choices are too preoccupied to be interested .
Somewhat out of context: There must be(at least we hope) some competent assemblers in China. Again, are there any Chinese equivalents to the JTII "hand collimator" comparator, a rhomb with beam combiner on one end, and two rotating correction wedges for the less than accurate rhomb?
|
Obx
member
Reged: 08/01/08
Posts: 71
Loc: Beautiful OBX
|
|
Cory Suddarth repaired my Mark 28 Binoculars last September. The reason I chose him is because he obviously had top-notch training and experience working on the same or similar glasses (I've looked at the Opticalman 1&C training manual), and being ex-Navy myself I value that training. I have no experience with any other repair facility.
--------------------
Swift Sea Hawk 6x30
Westinghouse M3 6x30
Spencer Lens Mk 13 US Navy 7x50
Bausch & Lomb Mk 28 US Navy 7x50
National Instrument Mk 32 US Navy 7x50
Celestron Ultima 8x42
Orion Mini Giant 15x63
Meade 2045D S-C
Meteorites & Tektites
|
Pinewood
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/07/04
Posts: 821
Loc: 40.77638º N 73.982652 W
|
|
'Phone Nicolas Crista, whose web site is httP://www.nrcoptics.com
He used to work for Swift and was highly recommened to me, but I have not used him. Do consult with him first.
Cory Suddarth has worked on many binoculars for me, to my great satisfaction.
Arthur Pinewood
--------------------
Bread is not enough. We demand circuses!
|
Gordon Rayner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 965
|
|
The last time I looked, it was in OM 3 and 2 that the Mk. 28 was the example. They called the general isosceles swing triangle "equilateral". Actually, that is not far off in the swing range of Navy 7 x 50. They also continued to advocate heat for lens separation ( instead of the much safer for the lens solvent method), and antiquated Canada balsam as lens cement, pre-warming the lens, etc.
The major miltary binocular problem today is cheapskate, ignorant, easily duped procurement, working with only semi-relevant requirements which sufficed when Rochester B&L was active in WW II. Consider the brittle prism "securing" glue in the Katsuma near-copy of the Mk. 28. (USMC Tasco).
So, do not abuse your Takahashi Canon(?)-Katsuma 22 x 60 hybrid.
|
BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2237
Loc: Washington, USA
|
|
Dear Gordon:
In attempting to answer your questions.
1. I don’t recommend people on the basis of being cheap. I base it on being GOOD. And I am probably as old as you and know many would-be techs--Including some who have been in the business for years.
2. Yes, I have known Cory and worked with Cory for years. As I have said, until I hang my shingle back out, he’s the best.
3. IF my shingle gets hung back out, he goes back to being optical dog meat!
4. BUT, he is STILL the only optical dog meat that I would trust with my work.
5. You brought up integrity. Cory has it. And to me, it is no small thing. (Despite the run-around I gave poor Milt.)
6. I know what Cory is capable of. He has scared me more than once, BUT, he has ALWAYS come through.
7. There is a big difference between 30 years of experience and one year of experience 30 times. Cory is the real deal.
8. Finally, you should see someone about this need to dwell on the bubbly glue! I don’t like it; you don’t like it. But, Gordon, they didn’t ask us. So, . . . . don’t worry; be happy!
Cheers,
Bill
--------------------
William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Founding Editor, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
20-year vet. of Captain's Nautical Supplies, Optics Dept. Mgr.
Optics Machanic, WG11-3306, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma,WA
Yata, Yata, Yata . . .
|
myrna33
journeyman
Reged: 07/01/09
Posts: 5
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
PS Are these the Rangemasters from the 50's. If so, I may have to fall on my sword. The cosr of "serious" work will be prohibitive. But, They would PROBABLY be worth sending to Texas Nautical Instrument Repair in Houston. Ask for Les Swift.
Thank you for the excellent recommendation. Les did a perfect repair and this was after Bushnell returned them as unrepairable
|
danielgolite
member
Reged: 09/29/06
Posts: 44
Loc: Erie County, PA
|
|
Cory collimated my Celestron 10x50 Ultima Japanese-made binocular about 2 years ago and I was pleased with his work. He cleaned the objectives and eyepieces so well that when I received the binocular back it looked brand new.
--------------------
-Daniel
"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything." -Hebrews 3:4
Celestron 6" reflector/eq. mount
Tele Vue Ranger
Celestron 10x50 Ultima & 15x70 Skymaster binocs
|
Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3453
|
|
I, too am a satisfied customer of Cory... he was a most enjoyable person to deal with, very conversational- appreciative of the inexpensive binoculars I sent him to clean/collimate (12+* Sears Towers) and did a wonderful job with a quick turn-around time. As good as it gets.
--------------------
Wes
Atlantic Beach, FL
Some bino’s from Miyauchi 5x32 Binon's up through Garrett 20x110 Signature's,
Some telescopes from a Stellarvue 80mm NHNG up through a couple of 8” reflectors…
And a wonderful 4.25" Delmarva Shiefspiegler!
Some good friends, made here on C/N.
Oh- several cats and a wonderful wife!
Anyone want a cat???? :-O
"When your work speaks for itself- Don't Interrupt" -Gamble Rogers
|
Richard McC
member
Reged: 12/31/04
Posts: 13
Loc: Australia
|
|
Quote:
Phone Nicolas Crista, whose web site is http://www.nrcoptics.com
He used to work for Swift and was highly recommended to me, but I have not used him.
Arthur Pinewood
Nicolas recently serviced two pairs of Swift Kestrel binoculars for me and I am very happy with how they turned out. He was also very straight forward and easy to deal with.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 