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Message: <blockquote data-quote="twest820" data-source="post: 3465961" data-attributes="member: 65706">Don't think there's a linguistic misunderstanding.  More specifically, if you were to pull the knob off (not recommended unless you're mechanically handy and used this sort of disassembly) what you'd see is the focus assembly is fixed to one side of the bridge (my memory is it's the left with the objectives facing away from oneself) and configured to provide a floating drive to the focus rod on the other side as the IPD's changed.  Calibration for the independent focus adjust anchors to the fixed side and the primary focus tracks with it as well, relying on the float to keep the other barrel in sync.  For the focus knob to work it needs a fixed point to push against to move the rods, screws, and sliders which make all this go.  That's provided by a snap ring on the shaft on the center of the bridge with the dust baffle in question sitting towards the objectives from the ring.  If the baffle wasn't free the focus knob would drag or jam when turned or the IPD adjustment would hang up.The baffle on the Conquest HDs I just got back is free but sits very snugly.  There has to be some mechanical slop but it's below what I can detect.  The Terra EDs have the same design but the baffle seems lighter and flexes a little under a fingertip.  No rattle on my pair and I'd just as soon have the weight savings, slight as it is, from the lighter build as there's no functional consequence to it.  My T*FLs don't seem to use this design---the bridge housing flares outwards to match the focus knob instead.  They do have a slight crunch at one point in the focus throw but I suspect that's related to their fancier independent focus design and possibly some grit from one of the previous owners.</blockquote>

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