midlandsbirder
Well-known member
After reading threads on stay on cases for Swarovski ATS HD 65 or the 80 version, I thought I would give a quick review and post a few pics of the London Camera exchange (LCE Optics) stay-on case (made for them by CCS)
I bought the official Swaro version for my scope thinking it would be ‘the best’ at around £116.00 but ;
Swarovski Case
Negative pointsThe worst feature was that when you are in a hide using a hide-clamp and the scope is too high, rather than looking around for piles of cushions to raise you up, you have to remove the case to use the scope swivel feature, which brings it down to eye level, so much for stay-on! The other problem is if it rains, the water runs inside between the case and scope (through the focusing wheel aperture) I know the scope is waterproof but if you don’t take the case off when you get home you will end up with mildew and condensation. The focusing wheel (audibly) rubs on the inside of the case when in use. The eye piece cover has a zip, which makes it slow to remove from the eye piece. You have to remove the objective lens plastic cap, while using the case (on the 65) the carry strap is a little on the thin side. You have to unzip slightly to pull out objective lens sun shade.
Positive points
It looks good, it is well padded. It is a nice colour.
L.C.E. Stay-on Case
Positive pointsPrice at £59.00 incl. P&P mail order. You can leave the plastic objective lens cap on with case Fitted. If it rains the scope is completely covered. No zips on the eye piece cover, it is on a flat elastic fixing. Just undo the press stud and pull off. The best bit! The removable middle section is press studded at the top and Velcro’d all round, just lift the flap, to access the focusing wheel and even if it is raining the wheel and your hand is under the cover! The even better bit, you can swivel the scope around (down) to eye level without removing the scope. The strap is wide and fixed off centre back and front so it hangs evenly
Negative points
The end caps are not removable, so when the wind catches them it moves the scope. Like the Swaro case you have to undo some Velcro to pull out the sun shade.
These are my personal views, concluded from owning and using both cases. I have no connections with either of the above manufactures.
John Chapman
I bought the official Swaro version for my scope thinking it would be ‘the best’ at around £116.00 but ;
Swarovski Case
Negative pointsThe worst feature was that when you are in a hide using a hide-clamp and the scope is too high, rather than looking around for piles of cushions to raise you up, you have to remove the case to use the scope swivel feature, which brings it down to eye level, so much for stay-on! The other problem is if it rains, the water runs inside between the case and scope (through the focusing wheel aperture) I know the scope is waterproof but if you don’t take the case off when you get home you will end up with mildew and condensation. The focusing wheel (audibly) rubs on the inside of the case when in use. The eye piece cover has a zip, which makes it slow to remove from the eye piece. You have to remove the objective lens plastic cap, while using the case (on the 65) the carry strap is a little on the thin side. You have to unzip slightly to pull out objective lens sun shade.
Positive points
It looks good, it is well padded. It is a nice colour.
L.C.E. Stay-on Case
Positive pointsPrice at £59.00 incl. P&P mail order. You can leave the plastic objective lens cap on with case Fitted. If it rains the scope is completely covered. No zips on the eye piece cover, it is on a flat elastic fixing. Just undo the press stud and pull off. The best bit! The removable middle section is press studded at the top and Velcro’d all round, just lift the flap, to access the focusing wheel and even if it is raining the wheel and your hand is under the cover! The even better bit, you can swivel the scope around (down) to eye level without removing the scope. The strap is wide and fixed off centre back and front so it hangs evenly
Negative points
The end caps are not removable, so when the wind catches them it moves the scope. Like the Swaro case you have to undo some Velcro to pull out the sun shade.
These are my personal views, concluded from owning and using both cases. I have no connections with either of the above manufactures.
John Chapman