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Sears 6287,6297 and the -A variants

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#1 bulletdodger

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Posted 10 October 2024 - 10:11 AM

    Haven't received them yet but found a pair of 6287's. Will post pics soon. Little is written on the non -A models. What is the differences and does anyone own the 6297 which I assume could be 7x50.

Thanks to anyone who can provide info.

 

 



#2 pat in los angeles basin

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Posted 10 October 2024 - 11:03 AM

the "ted williams" binocular line? 6287 (and-a) are 7x35, 7x50-6276, 10x50- 6277. I seem to recall the -a variant referred to amber coating, but I could be wrong on that..  Regards, pat



#3 MisterDan

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Posted 10 October 2024 - 11:15 AM

Smark offered this brief note on the 6287, several years ago:

https://www.cloudyni...-e-s/?p=7375181

 

I think United sold a "sibling" of the 6287 as did Simor.  In both cases (I think) the optics sported amber coatings throughout (rather than a mix of amber and traditional "blue" MgFl).  I also recall Smark noting that "stronger" (my term - not his) amber coatings did not translate as well to night-time astronomy, as they they tend to yield a yellowish/brownish cast which can attenuate star light.

 

Best wishes and regards.

Dan


Edited by MisterDan, 10 October 2024 - 11:16 AM.

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#4 pat in los angeles basin

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Posted 10 October 2024 - 11:21 AM

Dan- happen to know if there was a 6297 model- I'm not familiar with that model...Pat  (I have a 6245-  guess what that is?)



#5 MisterDan

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Posted 10 October 2024 - 03:11 PM

Sears did indeed sell a 6297 model, but it was a "Tower" branded 7x50.  The "Sears" name was not engraved/screened on the bino itself.  In fact, I don't think the model number appeared on the body, either.  The "6297" designation may have been limited to the original box, paperwork, and Sears catalog numbers.

 

Many of us will recognize the Tower 6297 design from examples carrying other brand names:  Janik, Simor, Baker Deluxe, Como, Regal...

Here is some info from a couple of older threads:

 

Baker Deluxe "Aristocrat" 8x30:

https://www.cloudyni...8x30/?p=5085424

 

Como 10x50:

https://www.cloudyni...iii/?p=11669537

 

The Sears (Tower) 6297 was a "sibling" of the Como 10x50 shown above.  (Tower's 10x50 version was model 6298.)

 

Sears sold this line for about two years - perhaps a smidge less.  They were manufactured by Tamron & Futaba.  I think most were J-B45/J-E26, but some may have been J-B26/J-E45.  Sears sold the following configurations:  6x30 (6294), 7x35 (6295), 8x40 (6296), 7x50 (6297), 10x50 (6298), and 16x50 (6299).

 

Here's an image from the Sears Spring/Summer 1963 catalog:

https://christmas.mu...er-Catalog/0664

 

My guess:  since Ofuna effectively ceased operations in 1963, Sears had to quickly shift their supply to take advantage of a new/recent binocular line from another manufacturer and/or exporter.  They opted to work with Tamron - a seemingly sound decision, but definitely a departure from the traditional designs they'd previously sold under the Tower brand.  I can imagine the new round-shouldered "streamlined" models not selling very well (no real proof of this; just speculation on my part), prompting Sears to shift again.  The result?... their new line of premium binos from Hiyoshi:  the 6287 (7x35), 6276 (7x50), and 6277 (10x50).  The -A "alligator skin" variants followed.

 

Also:  Ofuna's "finale" was likely their "J-E work" (parts/metalwork) partnership with Hiyoshi.  Perhaps Ofuna themselves were instrumental in Sears shifting to Hiyoshi during that 1963-1964 timeframe.

 

Okay, that's enough babble.

Best wishes.

Dan


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#6 pat in los angeles basin

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Posted 10 October 2024 - 04:59 PM

I have an 8x40 tower variant that has that same frame. I think the 16x50 that tower offered was the same slope shouldered frame as well. Interesting. Thanks for that info Dan. Reagrds, Pat


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#7 MisterDan

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Posted 10 October 2024 - 05:14 PM

I don't believe I've read anything bad about those Tamron/Futaba magnesium streamliners - not even anything ho-hum.  By all accounts, they are really good binoculars.  They also look heavy, but my understanding is that they are lighter-weight than one might guess.  Those "massive" hinge arms are deceiving.  The Sears catalog page indicates the 7x35 weighed 23 oz. - that's right in line with a Kowa Emilia or a '60s Swift Triton.  -Not the lightest 7x35s out there, but not heavy, either.

 

Cheers.

Dan



#8 pat in los angeles basin

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Posted 10 October 2024 - 05:29 PM

A bit narrow at 6.5 degree FOV but the haptics as they are called- handles well, almost too small for my largish hands, well corrected , generous sweet spot, no lash focuser. It's a good package. Pat


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#9 bulletdodger

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Posted 11 October 2024 - 05:56 AM

Darn, I was hoping it was the same as the - A model so I paid too much. I think the 6287 is optically inferior since it does not have bak4 prisms.

#10 MisterDan

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Posted 11 October 2024 - 12:27 PM

I'm not so sure the 6287 "non-A" was a BK7 model.  I've seen at least a couple of images showing views "into" the eyepieces of 6287s (fairly well on axis - not "overly oblique" views) that suggested the prisms were indeed BaK4.  (-And I'm certain they were 6287s - not 6287-As).  There may have been some configuration variance during the original 6287's production run(s); some may have been BK7, and some may have been BaK4.

 

Fingers crossed... fingerscrossed.gif

 

Cheers.

Dan



#11 MrZoomZoom2017

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Posted 11 October 2024 - 01:15 PM

According to the Sears Fall Winter 1964 catalog, see page 879 lower left corner, the 6287 does indeed have Barium crown glass BAK-4 prisms (BaK-4).  Here is a link:  https://christmas.mu...er-Catalog/0879

 

The 6287 was listed from 1964 - 1966 and in 1967 was upgraded to the 6287-A.  The other changes for the "-A" were the alligator grain split-leather body coatings and case, tripod mount boss on the lower body and wrist strap, revised eyecups, and a lens cleaning brush.

 

The 6276 & 6277 (7x50 & 10x50 respectively) show up in 1965 catalogs for the first time.  All 3 sizes of the -A versions are seen from the 1967 - 1973 catalogs.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers,

Tim


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#12 Mark Y.

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Posted 11 October 2024 - 05:07 PM

Dan,

 

Your consistently good information is never babble.waytogo.gif


Edited by Mark Y., 11 October 2024 - 05:08 PM.


#13 bulletdodger

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Posted 11 October 2024 - 05:44 PM

Fingers crossed, Mister Dan! Tim thanks for confirming. I thought they might be Bak7 since the -A versions are marked Bak4. There was some conjecture about what the -A designation was for. Pat said it possibly referred to the amber coating, but the 6287 is also amber coated. I'm thinking the -A stood for Alligator after reading Tim's post...


Edited by bulletdodger, 11 October 2024 - 07:12 PM.

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#14 bulletdodger

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Posted 11 October 2024 - 06:11 PM

A special Thanks to you custodians of Sears bino-lore, Mister Dan, Pat and Tim. I feel a bit better now. We have no power or water thanks to Milton so any good news is welcome. SMark mentioned he did not like the 6287 as much as the 6287-A, at least for astronomy use. Possible he got a bad one, but I doubt it. Very pleased they could be Bak4, tho!

#15 bulletdodger

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Posted 11 October 2024 - 06:35 PM

  I'll bite Pat, what is the model 6245...



#16 pat in los angeles basin

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Posted 11 October 2024 - 07:35 PM

Someone has too much free time- hey with the power out, does that make the sky darker  for you (trying to look for an upside to your situation!!)?

 The 6245 is a sears discoverer 7x25 - looks like a 7x35 that was left in the dryer too long (but BK7 as I recallbawling.gif )    Regards, Pat


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#17 MisterDan

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Posted 11 October 2024 - 08:32 PM

Is it like one of these wee beasties?...

https://www.magemma....m&ggpid=1004835

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/185783502443

 

Cheers.

Dan



#18 pat in los angeles basin

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Posted 11 October 2024 - 09:46 PM

Here's the 7x25, x35

 

IMG_0850.JPG IMG_0851.JPG


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#19 MisterDan

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Posted 11 October 2024 - 11:41 PM

Very, VERY cool. waytogo.gif

 

Do not let that one escape!

 

Thanks for sharing. -And I hope you didn't have to dig too deeply for it. grin.gif

Best wishes.

Dan



#20 pat in los angeles basin

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Posted 12 October 2024 - 08:35 AM

the bino works fine- one for the few that little work was required to declare it operational. I'm a sucker for the oddball format as I also have a 7x25 tasco that surprises me in it's capabilities (not at night though!)



#21 bulletdodger

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Posted 12 October 2024 - 01:49 PM

   Pat, that 7x25 is Super neat. As you know I have an affection towards the compact variants of the classic American and California unibody designs such as the Swift Vulcan. Never saw the 6245 before so thanks for showing them!



#22 pat in los angeles basin

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Posted 12 October 2024 - 01:53 PM

In my  looking through the old sears catalogs, I don't recall them ever being shown in the catalog.  Pat



#23 bulletdodger

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Posted 12 October 2024 - 01:58 PM

     You are correct in the darker skies, Pat. Half of Deland was without power. Had to go out to the porch to boil some water on the gas stove and glimpsed a gorgeous Orion with bright Jupiter directly overhead.       Grabbed my Swift Audubons for a quick peek. Fantastically clear views. Ordinarily this is not possible and shows another upside to out power less situation. The temperature was the same inside and out since no air conditioning. Ordinarily there is enough of a variation I am fogged up for a bit.



#24 pat in los angeles basin

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Posted 12 October 2024 - 03:13 PM

Hope the situation doesn't drag on for you- back to "norm"- quickest..   Pat



#25 bulletdodger

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Posted 12 October 2024 - 07:49 PM

  Thanks Pat, power restored. We were lucky, poor North Carolina and Southwest Florida




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