Oh boy, well, first of all, typically a new glass will be out in the field 20 years or more before we see it here, as most problems get handled under warranty. Is it tricky to source spare parts, prisms, lenses, etc.? More often, it is a focuser that is too stiff. Honestly, we rarely get a glass sent in for backlash. If a newer low-cost roof prism glass suffers from this, it is often a design flaw. But typically, a glass with these problems more often has other issues to contend with. If it is an older Porro prism glass, it's an easy fix. If it is a newer inexpensive Porro, it’s a design flaw, and corners were cut to make the glass cheap. How frequently do we see back-lash problems in the focuser? The binos got wet and we tried to take them apart.Īlong with a disassembly, corrosion often needs to be addressed. Then again, the glass gets collimated on our Mark 5 collimator.ģ. We use state-of-the-art damping grease for a smooth luxurious feel. The focusers get cleaned out and re-lubricated. Time and thermal cycles over many decades deposit a light film or haze on the internal optics which greatly reduces contrast and clarity. We get binoculars all the time found by someone cleaning out a closet or garage or even purchased online. Either way, the glass gets placed on our Mark 5 collimator and realigned.Ģ. We find the problem, ranging from a cocked barrel (on Zeiss style Porro prism models) or a prism jarred loose and that needs to be reset and epoxied in place. The top 3 most common causes for repair are: If you get a glass shipped back and it was knocked out of alignment in shipping, we will re-work it at no charge. We have decades of experience, proper equipment, and trained technicians.
We also re-skin instruments that have lost their leather covers and paint to prevent further corrosion if needed. We frequently re-cement optics that are in need. Collimation is a science, not a guessing game. That is what sets us apart from other so-called repair shops. This instrument assures perfect alignment for all users, regardless of their inter-pupillary distance. My oldest daughter Cat who left the aircraft industry with 20 years as an avionics tech, now works part-time learning the binocular repair craft.Įvery glass repaired here at S.O.R. I do the "big eyes" as well as the esoteric items. Passing the craft to Eric Suddarth (my youngest son) he handles the lion's share of what we call "handheld" binoculars. Likewise, Swarovski Customer Service back in Austria no longer services the Habicht series, and those are also referred to Suddarth Optical. If you call Carl Zeiss with an older Carl Zeiss bino, or, a Carl Zeiss Jena model, you will be referred to us. Current makes and models as well such as Eddie Bauer, REI, Zen Ray, Swift, Celestron, and too many to mention. Many vintage Bausch & Lomb, Hensoldt Wetzlar, Leitz, Nikon and Swarovski just to name a few. Now located in Henryetta, Oklahoma, Suddarth Optical Repair offers repairs on just about every make and model of binocular and spotting scope ever made. I got to set up the repair and optical testing department, along with product development and prototype machine shop. It was also while at Captains I got bit by two bugs: birding and astronomy! What a hoot! Like a kid in a candy store! Over 100 binoculars in the display cases, and more than 30 spotting scopes and telescopes set up on display!Īfter seven years at Captain's, I answered the call of Orion Telescope and Binocular Center in central coastal California. Basically, I was exposed to every name and type of binocular ever made from countries around the globe. It was there where I discovered the nuances and huge variety of commercial-grade optics. In 1990 I joined up with a former shipmate and fellow Opticalman Bill Cook at Captain's Nautical in Seattle, Washington. I have 12 years in military optics, as well as 15 years as a manufacturing optician. The in-depth program went deep into the repair and calibration of optical instruments, and, as you may guess, very deep into the repair and collimation of binoculars.
The recruiter offered me a spot in the Navy Opticalman program. I wanted to go into any optical field they may offer.
Interested in serving my country, I enlisted in the U.S. I recall having a part-time job in high school working around eyeglass processing machinery.
My father, Jack Suddarth, an inventor and engineer has numerous patents in the ophthalmic machinery industry. I was born into a family deeply involved in optics. Interviews with Optics Repairers: Cory Suddarth of Suddarth Optical Repair By Lee from Birdforum
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