I suppose that you could get rid of any given focus that way, or, I imagine, most focuses in general. It seems to me to just be an efficiency question. My guild is going to be killing these pirates for quite a long time, and old Bloody Marc has already come to the party three times now. Might as well loot the ring as let it rot, and save the tribute for something harder to get.
lots of people are probalby looking at this focus and drooling, since the old level 70 capped range foci's are no longer as valuable.
Well i have this to say to you.. Go check your home cities' tribute master. Look for "power of sight". upgrade it to the max. Power of Sight benefit 6 = extended reach 6. No longer have to waste a aug or item slot on range focus.