I may have lost a beloved companion today....

[XemaSab]

My binoculars.

This morning was like any other.

I woke up, goofed off on the net for a bit, and went out in the field.

I got out of the car. The sun was shining, the birds were singing. Suddenly, an oriole flew into the nearest tree. I raised my binoculars to look at it, and I realized that there was a gray haze over the right eye.

I lifted them up to wipe the condensation off the lens, and I realized to my horror that the gray haze was on the INSIDE of the lens.

My binoculars are waterproof and nitrogen purged, so there should not be any internal condensation. The sight of internal condensation filled me with deep horror. This happened once to a friend who had a pair of the same brand, and they could not be fixed. The company sent him a new pair, but I don't WANT a new pair. I love the pair I have.

I got them in 1998 for $845, and they have been my close companions ever since. I have had probably over 350 life birds through them. They have been with me on three trips to the east coast, three trips to Arizona, three trips to Canada, Texas, to every county in California, and on every pelagic trip I have ever taken.... they have been by my side for 8 years. I have worn them for days, weeks, and months at a time. I have worn them through years of field work in the redwoods, the desert, and everywhere in between.

I called the manufacturer and they said I would have to send them to Rhode Island initially, but if Rhode Island couldn't fix them, they would have to go to Austria. This would mean not having them for 7 weeks or more.

I feel so depressed about the whole thing. What am I going to do for 7 weeks without binoculars? How will I live?

[Dave Reynolds]

1. I'm so sorry.

You have my condolences.

Go to Wal-Mart and get some nice ones while you wait for yours to come back.:P

[XemaSab]

5. You're absolutely right

That's exactly what I should do.

I'm sure 5 dollar Wal-Mart binoculars made by Chinese slaves making 5 cents an hour are equal to or better in quality than 850 dollar binoculars made by Austrian PhD's making $100 an hour plus 8 weeks of vacation a year.

:think:

[Dave Reynolds]

11. That's the spirit!

Keep China's economy booming!

:patriot:

[Wetzelbill]

2. I am sorry for your loss

:)

I know, I get attached to stuff too. I just recently retired my pair of U of AZ basketball shorts. They were ripped and everything but I held on to those suckers until their dying breath. :)

[norml]

3. Get a cheap spare pair.

These look cool.



http://birding.binoculars.com/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. I am so sorry, my dear Xema.....

:cry: :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. Check here for a spare pair...

http://photography.search.ebay.com/binoculars_Binoculars-Telescopes_W0QQsacatZ28179

[swag]

7. Sorry.

That certainly hurts.

edited ending: Best wishes with the outcome. I hope the pain lifts.

[Fox Mulder]

8. That sucks.

I know what you're going through. I lost my $350 Brunton compass in the field last summer. It was hard. I had to buy a cheap compass to finish my work (which sucked). Then my grandma bought me a new one. I was happy.

If I were you, I'd go to Wal-Mart or Cabelas or something and get a cheap pair until your other one comes back.

[pitohui]

9. omg

that is distressing

all i can suggest is send them in but if you have the $$ go ahead and get another pair

then you will always have a back-up if your first love can be saved

and if your first love can't be saved, well, then you didn't go 7 weeks with i can't believe people are suggesting it wally wonko world binoculars!

[XemaSab]

10. I know

I'd probably finish up the 7 weeks with the nastiest headache ever from the "loo rolls."

Right now I am moving so I really can't quite swing the 2G's for a replacement pair. But I was planning to take my bins to Mexico at the end of the summer, and I really don't know if that can happen now. :(

[LSK]

12. im sorry about that

You will just have to spend more time in the lounge while you wait.

:popcorn:

[Jazz2006]

13. Ouch. A sad loss indeed.

I'm not a birder but one of my very best friends is and I know that if she lost her "binos" (as she calls them), she'd be devastated.... so I feel for you vicariously.

Thus, I'm with whoever suggested buying a cheap substitute while you're waiting for the replacement. The intervening substitute will be better than nothing, and when the real replacement arrives, it will feel like Christmas.

:D

[XemaSab]

15. "The intervening substitute will be better than nothing"

I'm not sure sure about that. :D

[billyskank]

14. Oh no

:hug: