Apropos of nothing except I saw this on the Western Washington birding list TWEETERS today. A recommendation for Close Instruments a binocular and optical repair in downtown Seattle (well, Belltown to be more precise).
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I recommend Close Instruments at 2316 4th Ave in Seattle. The gentleman - and I believe it is Mr. Close - has been in business for many years and does excellent work. He also seems to be reasonably priced.
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My name is Howard Close and I've been in business at 2316 4th Avenue since 1947. We specialize in service and sales, refurbishing and repair of binoculars, telescopes, transit levels, and drafting and surveying and equipment.
We restore instruments for businesses, individuals and traders on eBay -- such as ship's compasses, barometers, and antique telescopes. Our trader friends keep bringing their finds for repair, lense replacement, instrument cleaning, polishing and restoration for resale and personal use.
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Among the 8x42 binoculars we repair are the Zeiss Victory, Leica Ultravid, Swarovski EL, Minox HG, Pentax DCF ED, Vortex Razor, Nikon Premier LX-L, Minox HG and others. We are also skilled in repair of mid-size binoculars such as Leupold Wind River, Katmai 6x32, and Celestron Compact Waterproof binoculars and compact binoculars, Pentax Papilio 65x21, Bushnell Elite, Leica Black Ultravid, ZEISS 8x20 Victory, Nikon Premier LX L 8x20, Canon Image Stabilization Binoculars, Bushnell Legend, Eagle Optics Triumph, Nikon 7509 Travelite 25 and more.
Whenever we are in Seattle for a few days I always try to pop in and see Howard. I don't think he remembers me as sometimes it's been a couple of years since my previous visit.
He is a really entertaining guy to talk to though, and has forgotten more about binoculars that I will ever know.
I have never had anything repaired there so I can't comment on that side of it, but I just love to pop in there and BS about binoculars.
He is well into his 80s, but what a character!
I figured he must be getting up there (and perhaps another ex-WW2 services opticalman with his start in 1947).