Hi all

This is not directed at any particular brand name. It is something to keep
in mind if you or somebody you know has allergies and is about to purchase
binos.

Roger Craik
Maple Ridge BC


----- Original Message -----
From: Alvin Cearley <AlvinC at AUSTINTX.NET>
To: <TEXBIRDS at LIST.AUDUBON.ORG>
Sent: Monday, 12 July, 1999 3:41 PM
Subject: Latex and birding!


> All, especially medically unimpaired!
>
> We are having a problem with Swarovsky binoculars. For about a year, I
have
> had lesions on my upper eyelids. I have always just shrugged it off as due
> to "over birding." If you use your binoculars more than 2 hours a day,
that
> is bound to happen. Then we had an emergency, when my Significant Other's
> binoculars clouded up after the huge rains down in the valley last week,
and
> she had to use my Swarovskies. Her eyes swelled shut! Some tests revealed
> that Swarovsky eye-cups are made of latex! Elaine is a nurse, and is in
> constant contact with latex, to which she, and a huge number of her
> coworkers are horribly allergic. There is still some question about
whether
> I have an allergy to latex, or whether I am just an insufferable nerd. I
> don't have the same reaction.
>
> Now I am a Swarovsky bigot. I now have three pair of their binoculars. I
was
> about to buy another for Elaine, but this allergy is a real problem. The
> ultimate solution, of course, is for Swarovsky to manufacture their
eye-cups
> out of some non-allergenic material. (silicone? neoprene?) But in the mean
> time we are looking for another binocular manufacturer.
>
> Do any of you have any recommendations. The criteria are: optics--best;
> materials--non-latex-based; cost--whatever.
>
> Alvin Cearley
> Travis Audubon Society
>
>
> --
> If you need help or have a problem or question with the list,
> contact <TEXBIRDS-request at LIST.AUDUBON.ORG>.
>