You're looking for Caladan. He'll be along at some point and I'd trust his opinion over anyone's.

Hi IslandAg,

Here's the way I look at it: one can buy a new 10x42 Conquest HDX for $850 (Eurooptic.com), or $125 more than what they want you to pay. A new SFL is $1445, so only $213 more than what you would need to pay. Depending on the exterior cosmetic condition of your binos, and assuming they are returned to proper mechanical function, your binos would most likely be worth more than that $125/$213. Exactly how much more I don't know, but the older Victorys are held in high regard, so I don't think they would be hard to sell.

Personally, given that their quote for refurbishment is pretty reasonable, I would get them refurbed and proceed from there. They might come back so good that you will decide to just keep them. And if they don't come back good enough to make you happy, then put them up for sale. As long as you get more than $275/$363, then you will come out ahead. Yes, I suppose this would be a bit of a gamble, but then again we aren't talking about a huge amount of money.

C