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Message: <blockquote data-quote="WJC" data-source="post: 3310664" data-attributes="member: 25191">Suppose an optical engineer designs a beautiful specimen, and the company produces 500 binos to that exact design. Then, a problem develops with the producer of the glass, and the formula is so close the specs are still the same. But, there is the slightest variance. Do you think the optical firm is going to cancel orders and lose money, knowing the majority of potential buyers won’t notice a thing? Do you think they will have the designer waste money on a slightly new design, perhaps creating a need for some re-tooling $$$? Or, do you think they will go full speed ahead, getting “boxes out of the plant”?Some companies would be willing to halt production until they KNEW a certain number of the correct design could be shipped. It would cost them money. But, wanting to maintain a great reputation, they would do it. For slight anomalies—most of which would go unrecognized, anyway—most companies wouldn’t. The “alphas” have price tags that so many criticize. However, behind the scenes, that extra cost is often buying you the insurance that you don’t appreciate needing.Will I ever need to spend the money on many of the models so popular, here? No! But, that is a conscious decision, based on my need, visual acuity, budget, and knowledge of the industry. To each his own.Bill</blockquote>