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Equipment Discussions >> Binoculars

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Wes James
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Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3450
Mixing old and new parts??? Bill- You listening???
      #2095591 - 01/04/08 01:19 PM

O.K.- here's an idea that came into being due to conversations over time of older binoc's mechanicals being superior- but newer optic/coatings being better, while the newer mechanicals have gotten cheaper/not as solid.
Wouldn't it be cool if one could take the optics out of a new bino and put in the chassis of an older, better made mechanically bino??? Sure, I'm certain you would have to choose candidates carefully to be able to do it, but, say, if one could take an old Swift Audubon 804 and swap the optics out for the 820ED's optics- should make a really sweet bino! BillC- what do ya' think?????

--------------------
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


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BillC
on a new path
*****

Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2237
Loc: Washington, USA
Re: Mixing old and new parts??? Bill- You listening??? new [Re: Wes James]
      #2095680 - 01/04/08 01:46 PM

Wes:

You know I don't THINK; if I did, I wouldn't have time to be here.

The industry does make binoculars exactly as you describe. Unfornatly, most of those binos don't get much bandwidth here, because you can't get them at bargan basement prices.

No, one does NOT need to buy the most expensive around to get a really good one. However, so many that are talked about on such lists as being---list of superlatives---are about $200+ short of what it should be for a quality product.

Believe me, I UNDERSTAND being short of money. Sadly, it is a lifestyle for me. HOWEVER, poverty cannot take a BAD binocular and make it a GOOD one; this is EARTH . . . NOT Oz!

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 . . .


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Wes James
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Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3450
Re: Mixing old and new parts??? Bill- You listening??? new [Re: BillC]
      #2095754 - 01/04/08 02:06 PM

????
Bill- you didn't answer my question! Is it a feasable project to swap newer optics into older bodies? ( I guess I'm on a quest for the ultimate binocular! )
Wes


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BillC
on a new path
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Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2237
Loc: Washington, USA
Re: Mixing old and new parts??? Bill- You listening??? new [Re: Wes James]
      #2095771 - 01/04/08 02:15 PM

Sorry, Wes:

I thought the answer would explain. No, it is not feasible. For ONE reason, the molds wear out. And, in many cases, when a run is unsuccessful, the molds are trashed. It costs A LOT to tool up for NEW--OLD parts.

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 . . .


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Wes James
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Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3450
Re: Mixing old and new parts??? Bill- You listening??? new [Re: BillC]
      #2095820 - 01/04/08 02:34 PM

What I meant was if I took a pair of my own Audubon 804's, and a new pair of the new 820 ED's, would it be possible for someone who knew what they're doing (someone, say, like YOU!) to swap the new optics into the old body. Kind of the same idea of putting a modern TPI fuel injected 350 into a '55 Chevy?
Wes


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BillC
on a new path
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Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2237
Loc: Washington, USA
Re: Mixing old and new parts??? Bill- You listening??? new [Re: Wes James]
      #2095860 - 01/04/08 02:46 PM

Wes:

You don't know how much I would like to tell you what you would like to hear. Sadly,I cannot do so. Regardless of how close you get, and how serendipity might work a bit in your favor, the chances of being successful are IFFY at best. If you decide to give it a try, I'm sure we would all be interested in your groundbreaking work.

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 . . .


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johnno
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 807
Re: Mixing old and new parts??? Bill- You listening??? new [Re: Wes James]
      #2097713 - 01/05/08 05:55 AM

Quote:

What I meant was if I took a pair of my own Audubon 804's, and a new pair of the new 820 ED's, would it be possible for someone who knew what they're doing (someone, say, like YOU!) to swap the new optics into the old body. Kind of the same idea of putting a modern TPI fuel injected 350 into a '55 Chevy?
Wes




Hi Wes,

I would imagine,even if you could get the new objective lenses to fit perfectly,into the older Body,

You would still have the problem of the focal lengths,being different.

So,Getting them to focus,might be a real problem.

Just a thought.
Regards.
John


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DJB
Carpal Tunnel


Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1589
Loc: Lisle NY
Re: Mixing old and new parts??? Bill- You listening??? new [Re: johnno]
      #2097810 - 01/05/08 07:57 AM

Hi Wes,

I like your thoughts on this. However, I agree with Bill that the "IFE" part of the equation factors in here.

I, for one, simply cannot fathom undertaking a project like this and expect BETTER results than one may have started out with. I have done this project in my mind's eye, but, practically, I could not advise it. But, I do like the concept tho, idealy.

Best regards,
Dave.


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