Re: Old Viewer Pricing vs. Building New

[fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Dr. George A. Themelis)]

>This makes me ask the question - couldn't we BUILD a new viewer ourselves for
>$130 - 150 that could blow away these 50's things??  The pricing on these
>old viewers is getting higher everyday.  Why not have some of us on this
>list put our heads together and develop some plans for one using readily
>available lenses?  What do you think photo-3d?  Can we do it???

Dr. T's answer:  No, no, no, no, no, I said NO!

Just ask yourself this question:  How many viewers are you going to sell?
Not many.  Have you priced good quality achromatic lenses lately?  Even at
large volumes a good pair of optics will cost you $60 minimum.

IMO, the red-button Realist viewer is WORTH EVERY PENNY OF THE $100 THAT IS
GOING FOR.  In addition to great achromatic lenses you get a very good
mechanical construction, metal rack and pinion focusing, metal lens holders
and interocular adjustment, coated contacts, attactive design.

You could possibly build a viewer that will match the quality of these
viewers...  This "blow away these 50's things" implies that the 50's things
are in some ways inferior to what our modern 90's technology can make.  I
don't think that's a very accuarate assesment of the situation.  Even if
you were able to build a viewer to match a Stereo Realist red-button, it
would cost at least two times the price of a used one to be produced in
small quantities...

Just wait and see what RBT will come out with and at what price...

George Themelis


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