Green button Edsels and Ni-Cads.

[P3D Jonathan Orovitz <jorovitz@xxxxxxxxx>]

Regarding my recent post on Realist green button viewers, Dr T
responded:
>The only problem with the green button that you mentioned in your first >posting was that it is considerably dimmer than the red button when used with batteries.

Actually, in my first post regarding the green button viewer (March 21)
I mentioned several of its shortcomings.  I reluctantly repeat myself:

>> . . .  Due to its size and shape, the green button viewer is not as >>portable as either a red button or a Kodaslide.

>>Mine [green button] lives in a closet most of the time.  Big, bulky, expensive, no tripod socket but good optics. Fragile Bakelite construction. 

Once again I thank Dr. T for his remarks concerning the design of the
Stereo Realist green button viewer.  He has suggested several changes
and upgrades to make it more usable.  I still think the green button is
>> A fine investment but not a "user." 

>Aha!  You have not checked prices lately, have you?

No, I have not.

> In sell-3d Elliott Swanson has sold a red button for $135 and he cannot sell a green button
for $125.

Although I have not seen the posting, I might surmise that the
contemporary 3-D community is becoming aware of the ST-2062's
shortcomings. With prices on the decline, maybe it isn't such a great
investment after all.

> The Realist engineers went to great lengths to assure that you can >switch from AC to DC _without_ opening the top cover. 

While thoughtful of them, it's not something I want to do often (with
any convertible viewer).  I want to change the batteries far more often,
especially if I use Ni-Cads. 

>Of course, you will need to open the top cover to install batteries.
>The problem of the 2 screws falling off, is nicely solved by using 2
>plastic nuts to hold them in place.  I got this idea from Jon Golden
>and I supply these nuts (together with a new reflector) with my 
>book on this viewer.

Around the third time the bolts fell out, I cursed the designers for not
including retaining nuts standard.  Other things fell out too.

>I have been using the regular Ni-Cd batteries (_not_ high capacity)
>and I am very pleased with my considerably lighter (less weight) viewer.

"Standard" Ni-Cad D cell batteries are hardly standard.  The percentage
of empty space varies from brand to brand and model to model.  It is
ironic that a green button viewer fitted with a pair of Maxell Ni-Cads
(65 grams each) weighs exactly the same as a red button viewer using two
high capacity Radio Shack Ni-Cads (162 grams each).  BTW, High capacity
Ni-Cad D cells weigh the same amount as alkalines.  The Maxell Ni-Cads
are some of the lightest, emptiest and cheapest I have encountered. 
They avoid putting an amp-hour rating on their product.

> One charge lasts for a minimum of one week under considerable use (2-3
>weeks under moderate use.)

I cannot imagine changing batteries in my green button weekly.  Before
long, something will drop and get lost or damaged.  If not the bolts
then the reflector or bulb holder. 

I change batteries in other viewers about monthly.

For now I will leave the green button viewer in the closet.  

Jon O


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