Andrew,
It is unnecessary, I'm sure, but if the customer demands it, well... Swarovski know how to keep their customers happy, and if fashion demands there should be a case, they'll supply one.
Regards, Ronald
Hi all -
I have been busy at a birding festival and doing Swarovski Optik NA stuff, so I'm jumping into this one a little late. I think that Ronald hit it right on the head - if you all remember when Swarovski Optik introduced the "S" series of scopes with the green armoring, there was no additional case offered. Within weeks, new scope owners were asking both we here in the US and the fellows at Swarovski Austria for an additional "protective" case. It took two years to get there, and it certainly is handsome.
It evidently is a "piece of mind" purchase, especially since some owners of the older, gray scope would go slightly mad when the paint was scratched or chipped. Even though the rubber armor is VERY resistant to scratches and scuffs (my well-traveled STS and ATS 80 HDs still look brand-new), some people feel like their scope looks "naked" without some sort of case on it. If it makes them happy....
As for the waterproof-ness of the Swarovski spotting scopes, I checked with the engineers back in Austria, and they confirmed that there should be no leakage either through the focusing ring, or even if the eyepiece is removed from the scope body.
A few weeks ago I was digiscoping a White-rumped Sandpiper in the pouring rain. Ok, I was in my car, and the camera had a plastic baggie atop it to keep it relatively dry, but the water was sluicing off the scope body and focusing ring, down the window mount, and into my car. My armrest on the car door filled up with water, but the scope performed perfectly.
Clay Taylor
Swarovski Optik N.A.
Here's the sandpiper and all the raindrops, including the splashes in the puddle