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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Recent content by Mike V

  1. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Hi John, Nice trio there! Be careful or you will wind up with a dozen or more like me. Custom Compacts are addictive!!! The metal and leather B&L Audubon one is my personal favorite. The Audubon Bushnell with blue coatings and the embossed name on right housing was the last one made before the...
  2. M

    Determining Model Number of Vintage B&L 7x26

    Well, all of mine, save one e-bay acquisition, were in good shape, so I treated the rubber a few years ago and they are all still in good shape. I re-treat periodically with silicone. Oddly, the really old ones with the original thick rubber cylindrical eycups hold up better than the later...
  3. M

    Determining Model Number of Vintage B&L 7x26

    Hi John, I really find it amazing that Bushnell won't resupply the rubber eyecups for this classic binocular, and others, like the B&L Elites. If somebody wanted to start a business of selling replacement roll down rubber eyecups for many classics, they would do quite well! If you caught yours...
  4. M

    Determining Model Number of Vintage B&L 7x26

    Alexis gave the proper model number for the Bausch & Lomb 7x26. This was the final version of the metal bodied Custom Compact and it should have the green coatings and the National Audubon emblem on it. I have a pair I bought brand new in 1993 and still NIB (the star of my Custom Compact...
  5. M

    Bausch & Lomb Custom Compact 7x26mm

    Yep, 61-7261, and that is the final metal bodied custom Compact (and my personal favorite too.)
  6. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Hi John, it sounds like you have one that had its strap removed. The early strap had the binocular hanging objective end up and was a bit awkward. You can make one up by getting a piece of black shoelace similar to the kind the factory made them out of, make a tight knot on the end and unscrew...
  7. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Hi John, it is interesting that you have one with no strap. I recall someone commenting somewhere that the very first 1960's ones had no strap. The ones in the article show the same central strap as mine, mounted on the larger version of the hinge cap, and some photos show no strap, intimating...
  8. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Further new information on the early metal Custom Compact chronology. I just found a magazine article, Field & Stream, March, 1965, reviewing the Custom Compact. Also saw photos of the instruction paperwork for one, dated 1964-65, packed with warranty card from 1967. These all have photos...
  9. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    I just came across a review at this site: http://www.opticsreviewer.com/elite-custom.html that says the Bushnell factory technical rep advised the author that the new Elite 7x26 has an aluminum alloy body, not magnesium, under the rubber armor. It is a nice review, BTW. Also, I just noticed a...
  10. M

    Vintage Binocular Restoration

    Try Corey Suddarth. Collimated a Bushnell Custom Compact for me recently. Many folks on the forum recommended him. http://suddarthoptical.com/
  11. M

    Bushnell acquired by ATK Sept 5, 2013

    Just saw this news release: http://bearingarms.com/atk-buys-bushnell-in-985m-deal/ ATK buys Bushnell in $985M deal By BearingArms.com Staff / 5 September 2013 / 0 comments ATK is acquiring commercial optics maker Bushnell in a shift towards the consumer market: Alliant Techsystems...
  12. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Charlie, see my original post where I had the changes to the model numbers laid out: "This version was made from 1993 to 2004 as the Bausch & Lomb Custom Compact - Model 61-0726, and from 2004 until 2008, as the identical Bushnell Custom Compact - Model 12-0726." The 61- series was for the...
  13. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Mark, Good news on the Elite 7x26. I figured what the hell, I have two of them. I just wiggled the rubber armor around the objective housing and exposed enough of the lens barrel underneath to see that it indeed looks like it is metal. I see machining marks along the edge, which is very sharp...
  14. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Trouble is that all the parts on the Elite that seem to clearly be metal are also clearly metal on the polycarbonate version (like the hinge). The Bushnell website transfers a lot of information meant for the two full size Elites onto the 7x26 page, and I'm not convinced it really applies to all...
  15. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Hi Mark, I deliberately did not mention that the Elite has a magnesium body because I have no hard proof yet that it is. I have seen posts claiming it is so, but until somebody gets under that rubber armor and confirms it, it remains uncertain. My main reason for remaining uncertain is this...
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