The recent posts about a binocular repair is prompting me to share one of my experiences on the matter.  The first pair of "'intro" binoculars that I got were Nikon Action 10x50s.   After a few years of abuse, I accidentally dropped them and one of the prisms shifted.  They were impossible to look through without getting nauseated.  Since they were only about 120 bucks new, it didn't seem worthwhile to repair them.  I decided to replace them with a slightly more expensive Bushnell 10x50s.  I dropped these as well within a year of buying them.  Although they were damaged externally, they were still useless without being repaired.  Again, it didn't seem worthwhile to repair them.  They both sat on the shelf in broken binocular limbo.  After finally learning to be more careful with my binos, I bought the Audubon 8x42 HP Equinox.  This is a really affordable, really adequate set of binoculars- but that is a different discussion.  I haven't dropped them-yet.  
At this point, I had one functional set of binos and 2 non-functional ones.  I decided to box them up and send back to Nikon and Bushnell repair centers with a note saying "if you can fix them for less than $25 dollars, please do so.  If not, throw them away."
Much to my surprise and pleasure, Nikon quoted me $10 and shipping to repair the binos.  When I got them back, they were BRAND NEW-not "like new", brand new.  The same thing happened with Bushnell.  Now I have 3 sets of binos that I can take out whenever a non-birder or 2 wants to join me.  
My point is this-even though we seem to be a disposable society where we tend to throw stuff away because it costs as much to repair as to replace, this isn't always the case.  I encourage anyone with damaged optics to send them back and see what happens, they might be surprised.  
I also heard several House Wrens around the neighborhood yesterday and swear I heard Ruby Throated Hummingbird chatter from the kitchen.  No visual confirmation on that one though and no visits to the feeders yet.
Dan WeberAthens, Ohio                                           
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The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. 
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