Just thought I'd pass on to the opto-philes a couple of references.

1) Better View Desired - A news-print style magazine devoted to educating
birders and bird-watchers about optics, has lots of
good reviews. I'll bring a copy of the issue reviewing
spotting scopes (2/93) to the "Carkeek Park Overrun
By Cacophony Of Optics Toting Tweets" escapade.
Better View Desired
WholeLifeSystems
Box 162
Rehoboth, NM 87322
was $15/year in 1993 - four issues a year

2) Captain's Nautical - In Fishermen's Terminal across the Ship Canal from
Ballard. I've been told it's a great place to compare
scopes, and a place to have your binoculars
re-collimated (as in - when you buy from mail order
houses you may need to stop by here - who me???).
Prices? Service - purportedly excellent - ask for Cory
(who will be giving a talk to Pilchuck/Everett Audubon
in Sept.)

--
Michael Patrick
Radiation Oncology
Box 356043
1959 NE Pacific St.
Seattle, WA. 98195
mike at radonc.washington.edu
(206) 548-4536