Posts Made By: Glen Warchol

I'm in the middle of trying to decide on a pair of binox, and yet another roof enters the fray.

Has anybody seen these new Pentax? They look the same as the old (and very good) WPs, but they cost 2x as much. (I can't image the extra mm in the 8x43, makes THAT much difference.)

I have an old Ranger that I use hard for birding.
today the slide focuser tube rotated and came all the way out!
It looks like two allen screws engaged a slot/groove in the bottom of the tube to prevent it from rotating or backing all the way out. Apparently (there was not much left), two tiny brass pins that were mounted in these steel screws wore off.

Where can I get replacements or does this have to go back to Al?

I got the slide tube screw from TV and fit it.
Tested the Ranger on Bald Eagles Sunday at a nearby wetland, the temps started at zero and warmed to low 20s.

My minimally lubed focuser worked flawlessly.

Hey Jim,

For what it's worth, I use a Televue Ranger for birding. I've used the TV 90* mirror, an Orion 45*, and the porro straight thru.

1. The first 45* I used produced a glare "line" when I looked at something intensely bright like a planet, but didn't show anything in daylight. I replaced it with a similar one from Orion and don't have the problem anymore. So there's difference between seemingly identical equipment. Mark it up to quality control.

2. I really can't notice any difference in contrast, brightness and sharpness between the 45* and the TV mirror 90*!! I tried. An astronomer friend of mine says you really only see difference at high powers. I've used mine at 60x or more without seeing a diff.

Also, when I have used the mirror diagonal at high power birding, I have a hell of a time finding the bird because of the left-right reversal.

In short, I use my 45* 99 percent of the time.I often share the view, so a 45 works out nice as my partner and I have almost a foot difference in height.

Finally, if i replace it, I would probably go with the one you mentioned just because it looks like it was assembled with some care and quality control is 50 percent of the reason that top brands are worth so much more than bottom brands. $99 isn't that much for something you'll use for years and years.

cheers and good birds to ya!

very nice!
where geographically was the bird