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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jeff Bouton" data-source="post: 1269592" data-attributes="member: 14925">Eegads! what to respond to first?!?...Regarding the individual who compared the cost of an APO 62 purchased in 2005, I think it VERY important to consider that the American dollar has tanked considerably to the Euro over the 3 years since. As such "street price" for an APO Televid 62 and zoom eyepiece when discontinued last year was already ~$2300 and it is likely to assume this trend would have continued over this year. Regarding durability issues, I think it important to note that the Televid scope when rolled out some 12 years ago was Leica's first forray into the spotting scope business (vs. ~90 years of binocular manufacturing at that point). As such, we've learned a lot about things that worked well and things that we could improve upon since. Typical of Leica, however, we have naturally incorporated all of this new found knowledge and consumer feed back into this second generation of scope. As such, I'm certain people will find these next generation products will stand the test of time even better than their predecessors. Despite negative jabs being thrown out here, I've found MOST consumers have absolutely loved their Televids over the years, and most are still being treated to stunning images after 8-9 years of use. Regarding the complaints over consumer issues, I truly believe that the future of Leica Sport Optics is very bright. The fact that new management is recruiting experienced individuals from a variety of sources of late, including not only public figures like Gerold Dobler, but also additional support staff in the offices, etc. speaks volumous IMHO. Regarding costs, I can't really speak intelligently here about R&D costs & pricing, except to say that significant improvements in quality and performance at the levels we are at now will come at a steep price obviously. One anecdote though, in the course of working some 25 consumer events annually, I regularly see someone using a pair of old "Leitz" Trinovids that they have owned >20 years and still love. So let's say you save a fair amount of money on a cheaper scope today. Is it still a good deal if you have to buy it twice to one piece that was say 25% more initially?!?... Food for thought and I'd invite all to go online to any resell spots and compare resale on Leica Televid scopes to ANY similarly aged competing product. I suspect there are few other products you could use for 6-8 years and sell for near what you paid for it after all that time!Best,Jeff</blockquote>

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