Hi Gary and tweets

A couple of comments on the binocular question. Several people have
suggested that you try several and they are right. As I tell my birding
classes there are lots of really excellent binoculars out there now, but
which ones are the "best" for any particular person is an individual
thing. You need to have them in your hand and see how they feel and
perform for you. What is perfect for one person may be the worst for
another. Find a place that has a wide range of brands and models and try
them out - the Seattle Audubon shop on 35th Ave NE is one place, the
shop in Anacortes is another. Another method is to go on the local field
trips and ask to try people's bins - most are really accomodating. Find
what fits your hands and eyes, focuses well for you. Do some quick
in-the-hand tests for collimation and curvature of field. Whatever you
get, make sure that you have a good strap with a broad part over the
neck, or get one of the harness type straps (distributes the weight).

My personal experience with B&L Elites was quite different than Brendas.
I had mine for about 10 years and they got knocked out of collimation. I
contacted B&L and sent them in. They notified me that they had been
abused, cancelled my warrenty, kept them two months and charged me for
the repairs. When I received them, the first time I tried them the focus
wheel locked up and wouldn't turn. When I sent them back, they did fix
them for no charge, but they kept them again for two months. When I went
the binocular search procedure after they were stolen, I compared many
different brands. I now have Swarovski 10x42 ELs and have been extremely
satisfied with them. One of the big considerations this time around was
the companies warrenty policy - I have heard too many stories about
Swarovskis - short turn around time, loaners, no charge - not to be
impressed. I found that the new Elites had an extremely narrow zone of
focus - you were either right on or out of focus. This does not work for
me - I like to have an idea what else is in the area. And I will admit I
was colored by my experience with B&L on warrenty.

Gary - If you can spend $350 or more you can get a pair of binoculars
that should last you for years and provide outstanding service.

Brian Bell
Woodinville WA
bellasoc at isomedia.com

Brenda Senturia wrote:

> Tweeters: A word of praise about Bausch and Lomb's repair/replacement
> warranty. I had a badly battered and bruised pair of Elites. The
> eyecups had completely disintegrated and there was a scratch on one
> lens (as well as many other signs of 15 years of heavy use). I sent
> them in for repairs with a note to do what they could and let me know
> how much it would be. In the meantime I treated myself to a pair of
> Swaroskis, thinking I might be months without binoculars and that it
> was time for a new pair. I planned to use my EIites as a backup. In a
> couple of weeks, to my surprise, B & L mailed me a brand new pair of
> 10X40 Elites!
> Brenda Senturia
>
>
> Brenda Senturia
> bbsenturia at earthlink.net <mailto:bbsenturia at earthlink.net>
> Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.
>