Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3455
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Why is it that manufacturers can make a really great binocular, then stick it in a case that's either garbage- or doesn't fit- with eyepiece/objective covers that fall off? Example: I have a pair of Swift Ultralights that I bought new... comes in a real nice leather case- what's the problem?? If they'd have made this beautiful hardcase JUST 1/8" thicker, it'd be perfect! As it is, you CANNOT get the bino's out without them pulling the objective caps off. The case is simply too thick for the bino's, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist in quality control to spot the problem! Somebody designs this stuff... These things aren't that hard to fix! They can build a binocular that works wonderfully in every aspect- then provide it with objective covers that fall off. ??? Is this really that difficult a thing? Probably the cheapest, easiest thing a manufacturer could do to provide the greatest, most cost effective improvent to their products with the least amount of effort.
Thanks for the vent! 
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Wes
Atlantic Beach, FL
Some bino’s from Miyauchi 5x32 Binon's up through Garrett 20x110 Signature's,
Some telescopes from a Stellarvue 80mm NHNG up through a couple of 8” reflectors…
And a wonderful 4.25" Delmarva Shiefspiegler!
Some good friends, made here on C/N.
Oh- several cats and a wonderful wife!
Anyone want a cat???? :-O
"When your work speaks for itself- Don't Interrupt" -Gamble Rogers
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kray
super member
Reged: 01/25/05
Posts: 140
Loc: NC, USA
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Properly made accessories never sold a single binocular; how often have we heard praises for such items in this forum. Companies only spend their efforts in areas that directly impact the bottom line.
Ken
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Ken
Celestron Regal LX 8 x 42 roof
Orion Expanse 7 x 32 (14 degree)
Nikon 10 x 35 E2
Nikon 10 x 50 Action V ( Made in Japan)
Oberwerk 15 x 70
GO 25 x 100 IF Bogen 501/3046
Celestron 102 F/5 Wide View Refractor
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Les
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/22/06
Posts: 730
Loc: Maryland
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Wes,
You are not alone. I fully concur with your gripe re Ultralites. Also must change focus to fully retract eyepieces for them to fit in case.
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Les
Canon 10x42L IS
Oberwerks BT80/45, Helix Hercules mount on Oberwerks Standard Tripod
Swift 8x44ED Ultralite
Questar 50th Anniversary Model, 501 head on Manfrotto 475 tripod
Stellarvue SV90T 90mm Fluorite refractor Bogen 3236/Televue Tele-Pod Head
Questar 7 Astro
Vixen GP-DX on Baader Surveyor Tripod
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medinabrit
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 648
Loc: medina ohio USA.
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I agree . I recently bought a Meade Montana for about $160
It came with an exellent case .Same with 80 buck Bushnell excursion .
Yet the multi dollar Swaros, Canon IS & Nikons come with a case that is shabby by comparisson.
The Minox also supply a pretty nice case.
Kinda like spotting scopes .
Get a $1000 nikon fieldscope or Pentax PF & you get a nice case .Get a $2000 Swaro & you have to pay multi bucks for a case .
$2000 Tak ,no case .$500 Williams comes with case .
Better stop now to many complaints to mention.
Brian.
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3455
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Quote:
Properly made accessories never sold a single binocular; how often have we heard praises for such items in this forum. Companies only spend their efforts in areas that directly impact the bottom line.
I strongly disagree. What does it take to make a case 2-1/8 inch deep instead of 2" deep????? Not a darn thing. What does it take to make an objective cover .002" smaller in diameter??? Nothing. Merely paying attention to your product design. Someone had to design the case- the covers- and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to dimension a case for an object. You wouldn't make an 2'-11" long case to fit a 3' long fishing pole, just as an example. You'd probably make it 3'-1" long, wouldn't you?
Wes
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BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2237
Loc: Washington, USA
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Wesleeeeeeeeyyy!!
Calm down, before you break something!!
Of course what you say is true. However, dealing with it is often out of the comfort zone for most of the folks we look at as “manufacturers,” especially those who do not have the finances to get the attention of the OEM.
We tend to think that optical company executives sit around thinking of ways to make a better products or how to be of better customer service. SOME do. But, for the most part . . . dream on. As a late mega-company CEO once told his sales reps: “Binoculars are to sell, not look through.”
I remember, years ago, I offered 3 major importers of binoculars a method whereby they could add a small modification to many of their large binoculars and solve a good many of the collimation ills of the 70mm + binoculars.
I will homogenize their responses: “Yes, we know it would only cost a few cents to make the modification you suggest. But you must remember that that would be a ‘few cents’ over the cost of hundreds or thousands of units per year. It all adds up.”
The fact is most “manufacturers” don’t really call the shots. They simply choose from the models and modification from a given OEM at a given time. If the product sells, great! If it does not, the “manufacture” will simply lick his financial wounds and return to his OEM catalog for a new model or series of models.
Just what clout does the average “manufacturer” have? A story: My Baywatch telescope came from the decision to drop a certain 80mm, brass embellished telescope from Asia. We were happy as could be to sell this model. However, according to Alan Hale of Celestron, the return rate, because of flawed finishes, was about 50%!! When Alan, who commanded big bucks, approached the OEM with the problem, he was told to “Take it of leave it.” Fortunately for me, he chose to leave it.
And that, boys and girls, is why we can’t always get what we want. We care. But then, the buck often stops there.
Cheers, & Happy New Year
Bill
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William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Founding Editor, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
20-year vet. of Captain's Nautical Supplies, Optics Dept. Mgr.
Optics Machanic, WG11-3306, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma,WA
Yata, Yata, Yata . . .
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3455
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Happy New Years, Bill!
Guess I see what efforts one must go to to get you to pop in on us here every now & then!!!  Hope you're doing well!
Wes
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kray
super member
Reged: 01/25/05
Posts: 140
Loc: NC, USA
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Wes,
I wonder if any "designing" is done at all for the cases, lens covers and other accessories or do they just pick something "stock" that will barely fullfill the function intended ; have their logo attached or embossed and go with it.
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Ken
Celestron Regal LX 8 x 42 roof
Orion Expanse 7 x 32 (14 degree)
Nikon 10 x 35 E2
Nikon 10 x 50 Action V ( Made in Japan)
Oberwerk 15 x 70
GO 25 x 100 IF Bogen 501/3046
Celestron 102 F/5 Wide View Refractor
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3455
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I don't know... but it seems to me if they can make an eyepiece to fit a body, a focuser to size so it mates properly, an objective lens to fit into a cell- then into a body, properly cover the body with rubber or leather, that the fit of a case or an objective cover is a lot easier task than any of those! And as some people have pointed out the problem is not limited to the bargain basement bino's.
Wes
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Ed Kessler
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/17/06
Posts: 828
Loc: Millersburg, PA
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Hi Wes,
Throw the case away and come up with something that works better. With smaller binoculars, even quite expensive ones, I have rarely seen a case that I thought was designed for ergonomics and functionality, let alone being well-made.
Clear Skies,
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Ed Kessler
Televue NP127is, Borg 101ED,
Coronado SM60, 1961 Questar Standard (updated with new optics and a Powerglide II Retrofit, 2009)
16" "Jeff Counsil Dob"
Vixen VMC200L
Pentax XO, XP, SMC Orthos, Vernonscope Brandons
Televue 2-4mm Zoom, 13mm Ethos, 22mm Nagler, 35mm Panoptic;
TAK 32mm MC Erfle; 25mm and 15mm Zeiss Microscope Eyepieces
sic itur ad astra (Just to look profound!)
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rogerry
sage
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 362
Loc: south east Michigan
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I agree and empathize with you, Wes. While this is the way it is and it will probably not change, you are right to complain. Actually, MORE people should complain! Let those manufacturers hear us with the voices of our pocketbooks!
By the way, I have a pair of Nikon 8x40s that have eyepiece caps that keep falling off. I fixed that by putting a layer of black electrical tape on the inside of the cap to shrink up the diameter a bit.
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Roger
Orion ED100
Vixen A80MF
Celestron C6R on a home made tripod and pipe mount
Orion xt12 classic
TV Gibraltar altazimuth
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Harry Jacobson
super member
Reged: 09/11/07
Posts: 156
Loc: 42º29'32.03"N 71º34'59.85"W
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Quote:
Let those manufacturers hear us with the voices of our pocketbooks!
I wonder how big a fraction of the binocular market is represented here?
If the majority of quality binos come with shoddy cases and caps how much influence will that have on your purchase choice?
For that matter, do any manufacturers (not importers) read this forum?
I fear we are just so much noise below their radar.
Harry
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8x42 early Pentax DCF WP
15x50 Canon IS
20x60 Pentax PCF WP II
4.5 inch f/4 dobsonian Orion StarBlast (it's fun, no kidding!)
a few Televue eyepieces
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14731
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
I wonder how big a fraction of the binocular market is represented here?
based on some previous conversations, Less than 5% is a good guess.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14731
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
You are not alone. I fully concur with your gripe re Ultralites. Also must change focus to fully retract eyepieces for them to fit in case.
Hmmm, I have the 8x42 Ultralite. Yes the objective caps fall off, but, while I do need to adjust the IPD to fit the case, I do not have to change the focus to fit the case. Fits just fine.
Same goes for the Oberwerk Mariner case. Somebody complained about that one not fitting the binoculars. A slight adjustment of the IPD and the binoculars, all three sizes of the Mariner, fit the case vey well.
BTW, these are not leather cases, they are vinyl over pressed cardboard.
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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My wife has the Leupold Katmai 6x30mm roof prism with a stretchy soft case. The first case was somewhat on the small side, but, the replacement case and binocular, sent to us under warranty, fit just fine. Both the objective caps and eyepiece caps fit well.
I have the Fujinon CD 7x42mm roof prism and the case is very nice, the objective caps fit exceptionally well and the eyepiece rainguard fits if the IPD is at maximum.
I did not care for the caps that came with the Pentax 20x60mm which fit 'inside' the front objectives, so, I called Pentax Service Dept. and they sent me a pair of the 'older version' that stretches over the objectives and that solved the problem.
Some Pentax rainguards are not deep enough, and have to be replaced with ones that have the proper depth, this is on the PCF WP II models. Also, rainguards will not stay in place unless IPD is adjusted to maximum width, preferably with the eyecups all the way down.
If a person gives some thought to the name "rainguard", one must ultimately conclude that they were intended to protect the eyepieces against rain, while hanging from the neck. They also do just fine, in a horizontal position, when the binoculars are mounted on a tripod.
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Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3455
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Quote:
Same goes for the Oberwerk Mariner case. Somebody complained about that one not fitting the binoculars.
That would be me...
Quote:
A slight adjustment of the IPD and the binoculars, all three sizes of the Mariner, fit the case vey well.
Ah, were it only that easy. Mine do not fit the case well at all. The wood blocks in the bottom are too close together. You must have been luckier than I was! Rather, perhaps I should say I wasn't as lucky!
Wes
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14731
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Wes, didn't the binoculars arrive in the case? If so they fit then. Why not now?
Could it be... just wondering here? The Mariners, just like some older 7x50s I own, all go into the case eyepieces first, objective end up. Are you flipping them over?
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3455
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EdZ-
Yes, the bino's did arrive in the case of course. While they "fit", it's a very tight fit... much tighter than it should be. I'm not flipping them, the wood blocks that go on either side of the eyepieces would prevent that anyway. You have to play with the IPD to get it just right to get them in at all- and then it's a very, very tight fit. Tighter than it should be, tighter than I want. May end up looking for another case of some sort. Or taking a grinder to the wood blocks! About 1/4" off either side should be enough. Working with a die grinder, I could sculpt the excess material out in a curve. A semicircle would be better anyway. Still would be plenty of block to support the bino's on their prism housings.
Wes
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Scanning4Comets
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/04
Posts: 5637
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Go figure, the case for the Burgess 25x100's is PERFECT in every aspect and even has a nice thick elastic thingy to hold the binos firmly in their zippered case. 
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Markus
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Rick
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/05
Posts: 3046
Loc: Tokyo, Japan
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For small bino's dump the eyepiece caps for a proper rainguard and use one of those inexpensive pistol cases available at most sporting goods stores.
clear skies,
Rick
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www.japanastro.com
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3455
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Hi, Rick- I have been doing that... and for my Fuji 10x50FMTR SX's- which came with no case- I found a small backpack-style padded carrying case intended for a Wii video game console! Absolute perfect fit!
Wes
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bbriggs
sage
Reged: 01/09/06
Posts: 217
Loc: Graham, Wa.
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Hello Wes,
What do you think of the case for your Garrett 20 x 110's? I have found that the pressboard is starting to separate from the trim along the long end on the bottom of the case. I have been thinking of getting or making a better case for mine.
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18 f4.5 home made newt
14.5 f4.5 homemade newt w/Zambuto
16x70 Fujinon Binoculars 20x110 Garrett Binoculars
Denk II power x switch 21's and 14's
31, 17, 9 Naglers
Televue Ranger
Astrogizmos Portable Observatory
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3455
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Hi-
I have not had any problems or gripes with the case for my 110's... but then I haven't had the case outside that much. Only had it out at the club site once, and the other times I've used it have been at home- and I left the case inside & carried the bino's out. There's a lot of weight there, though... might talk to Zach at Garrett and see if he has any comments? If the case eventually starts having problems, I'll certainly take steps to come up with another, better case befitting the bino's. I might even have a case made for it by a company I've had make some cases for a couple of my telescopes- Case Technology (www.casetechnology.com). They do nice work fairly reasonably. The other option might be a pelican case.
Wes
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DJB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1589
Loc: Lisle NY
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Hi all,
FYI, I have run into this situation on more than one occassion. No big deal for me. I know my IPD (or the indicated marker on the dial), so I just "close" the binocular before inserting in the case. I appreciate a snug fit but not a tight one.
I suspect that the markets make cases to fit any number of binoculars--none specific. Also, OOS cases can sometimes surface. Hope this helps a bit.
Best reards,
Dave.
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