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  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...
  16. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Okay guys. I finally got a series of photos up on a web hosting site and can put some photos together to show the various Custom Compact models over the years. Let's start with the classic metal and leatherette Custom Compacts. There are four main variations with a few additional marking...
  17. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Hi Misanthorpe, I called Bushnell and they told me that BN05 is just the generic code for eye cups. You also need to tell them what model it is for. I told him, and he advised none in stock for the metal Custom Compacts. Did you order one that was for a different Bushnell/B&L model that you...
  18. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Hi Misanthorpe, I called Bushnell and they told me that BN05 is just the generic code for eye cups. You also need to tell them what model it is for. I told him, and he advised none in stock for the metal Custom Compacts. Did you order one that was for a different Bushnell/B&L model that you...
  19. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Now THAT is great information. I will be inquiring at Bushnell immediately! Have you tried it yet? Close fit, or need cutting or trimming, etc.? I hope to post a photo chronology of various Custom Compacts soon. Took a series of photos, but not happy with them, so I will re-do soon. (It is...
  20. M

    Aligning Custom Compact 6x25

    $85 including cleaning.
  21. M

    The Most Beautiful Binoculars in the World

    I agree Frank. The 8x and 10x43mm open bridge Elites are the best looking ever. But I think the final version with improved checkered rubber grips and finger cushions are even better looking than the original version:
  22. M

    Aligning Custom Compact 6x25

    A few months back, I picked up a very minty looking Bushnell 7x26 Custom Compact, metal version with the later style eyepieces. They looked great, but they were out of collimation, mostly vertically. I looked at a passing jet and saw two flying in formation! Anyway, I sent them to Cory Suddarth...
  23. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Read the part where I say their website continues to list them as e2 because of the way the website is confusingly arranged. The box that they come in and the actual binocular do not say e2.
  24. M

    Early Elite's

    I own the 2nd generation Elites (all three, 7x36, 8x42 and 10x42) all purchased new from B&H in 1994, and all have PC-3 phase coatings, and all have the rubber gripped focus wheels (it is not an add-on), similar to the Gen 3 Waterproof Elite. I have that one, an 8x42 bought new in 1996 as well...
  25. M

    Bushnell 7x26 Elite Custom vs Elite e2 Custom

    Easy, there is no such thing as an Elite e2 Custom! Many people continue to confuse this e2 designation. There were only two e2 Elite models made, 8 x 42 and 10 x 42. These ran as an Economy Elite line (TWO E's = e2 = Economy Elite, get it?) while the superior full bore regular Elite 8 x 43 and...
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