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open letter to SWFA about SS 5-20x 50mm

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RifleDude View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/16/2015 at 17:26
Even re-marking a side focus knob for a small batch size alone is a logistics hassle that drives up the cost. You're wanting a niche item, outside the design intent of the product, that SWFA won't be able to sell very many of due to inability to focus at infinity, and you want them to sell this exclusive item at the same price. You believe the demand is there in sufficient numbers that supplying this exclusive item will be profitable for SWFA to do.

None of us share your optimism that this is feasible. We could be wrong, but for certain, none of us are in a position to make it happen or say one way or the other whether the scope's design will allow what you want in current form. SWFA is very unlikely to commit to a new product here in this thread. You need to call them and talk with Chris, as he is the only person who can make it happen, IF it's possible.

Serious competitive shooters are known to take matters into their own hands to get what they want. Benchrest shooters have been modifying the Leupold competition scopes for a long time, most notably by gluing the erector assy so it can't move and going with external adjustments on the mounts. Then there's the "Tucker" modification for locking the erector. Why don't you adjust the objective lens carrier yourself, since it's so easy to do and you're certain the scope will accommodate closer focus?

Or, you could just buy the 3-15.
Ted


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Steelbenz View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/16/2015 at 18:39
JRT, Ted and I are not trying to be dismissive or say your idea is crap. What I know is retooling a production is expensive. (I'm on my 5th major retooling) That cost must be passed on to the consumers, the more consumers the less increase in cost at point of sale. Man hours per unit plays a great deal in the cost of a product. If I where you, I would see how many you could sell, make the changes on one, verify your premise works. Then buy that many scopes make the changes yourself and sell them. But get Chris to buy off on changing HIS product.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JRT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/16/2015 at 18:46
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

Or, you could just buy the 3-15.
 
 
I took a gamble on it and ordered one of those yesterday, but that is not the scope that is the subject of this discussion.
 
If SWFA ever offers the scope that is the subject of this discussion, I'll order at least one.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JRT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/16/2015 at 19:00
Originally posted by Steelbenz Steelbenz wrote:

JRT, Ted and I are not trying to be dismissive or say your idea is crap. What I know is retooling a production is expensive. (I'm on my 5th major retooling) That cost must be passed on to the consumers, the more consumers the less increase in cost at point of sale. Man hours per unit plays a great deal in the cost of a product. If I where you, I would see how many you could sell, make the changes on one, verify your premise works. Then buy that many scopes make the changes yourself and sell them. But get Chris to buy off on changing HIS product.
 
I suspect that Chris occasionally spends some time looking through some of these discussions. He may be interested in the subject matter, but regardless that, SWFA is a retail merchant, and they must be looking to increase sales volume.
 
As for me paying retail or near retail for scopes and modifying those scopes for resale, no thanks, I don't like the business model. Regardless that, I already have irons in other fires, and no time for that.  I'm lucky if I find time to play with the few toys I have.  SWFA is already in the business.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/16/2015 at 19:26
Correct, but again ROI and the cost per unit is the driving factors.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/16/2015 at 19:34
The SS line is already a niche market, I can't see margins being that great. My belief is, Chris has a passion for delivering to that market. Your asking him to invest in an even smaller niche market that I doubt would support the cost of investment. Just my opinion of that market sector. If the big guys don't see the profitability of the sector with their lower overhead costs I can't believe it would be profitable to try.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JRT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/16/2015 at 22:19
Originally posted by Steelbenz Steelbenz wrote:

Correct, but again ROI and the cost per unit is the driving factors.

The marked knob would use the very same unmarked knob with different printing. In the pictures, to me it looks like a stencil or silkscreen marking usink ink, and I suspect it may be epoxy ink A-A-56032-IWHT or some commercial equivalent, because that is what I would specify in that application. If so, the difference is merely the use of a different silkscreen, which is a very inexpensive modification. Or they may be using a more modern automated printing method, in which case the difference in printing is truly trivial. Designing the marking to properly correlate with the changed paralkax distance is where some expertise is required, something I expect the scope supplier's design engineers should be very good at doing.

When the scope is assembled, the objective carrier would be adjusted to calibrate the parallax within design specifaction. An intermediate range variant would require adjusting to a different setting, with no difference in effort, with no difference in cost. Determining the different setting would require some expertise, something else that the scope manufacturer should be very good at doing.

SWFA might want a slight change in marking on the locking ring to differentiate the intermediate range variant from the long range variant. That change would be simiar to the knob, as it would be the same ring with different marking.

The supplier is in the business of designing, manufacturing, and selling scopes, probably spends significant budget trying to generate more sales. I would be surprised if they charged a customer forthis trivial design change if that customer was going to buy more scopes because of it.

SWFA is a retail merchant interested in generating sales volume. They work hard at keeping customers happy and selling them more products.

This scope is another product they could sell.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JRT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/16/2015 at 22:58
They don't make spurs big enough to kick any more distance out of this dead horse of a topic. 

I still think its a good idea, but this discussion thread has certainly been a failed effort at promoting positive consumer interest in support of that idea.


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