NL Carrying Bag Color Fading (2 Viewers)

[Dennis Mau]

I like to buy top-quality stuff , when I can afford it.
I then expect whatever I buy to acctually be top quality in all respects.
Top quality items should actually last for a good long while.
Why can't the cases for a top-class binocular be made from hard genuine leather anymore.
I actually use binocular cases in the field , as I like to look after my equipment.
The "environmentally friendly" mindset is often carried to extremes.

Leather cases look nice, and I really like them, but they may not be the best place to store your binoculars. The tannic acid in the leather can cause problems with your binoculars, and they also retain moisture more than fabric, so fungus and mold can be more of a problem.

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/789846-should-we-store-our-classics-in-those-lovely-leather-cases/

 

[limonabe]

Life is too short to worry about if your leather case is slowly eating away at your binoculars. For those interested in some really nice ones, check out these Deutsche Optik cases.

I am restoring a Lemaire 5.5x44 galilean bino that fits perfectly in the small D.O. case. I usually just wrap binos in a towel in my backpack, but I concede that some instruments deserve nothing less than the best when you're out and about.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Life is too short to worry about if your leather case is slowly eating away at your binoculars. For those interested in some really nice ones, check out these Deutsche Optik cases.

I am restoring a Lemaire 5.5x44 galilean bino that fits perfectly in the small D.O. case. I usually just wrap binos in a towel in my backpack, but I concede that some instruments deserve nothing less than the best when you're out and about.

It is probably best not to store your binoculars in a case, especially a leather one if you live in a hot, humid climate. Cases are fine for transporting and carrying in the field, but for long term storage they are probably not a good idea. Does the ocular go down the Deutsche Optik cases, or can you put them in the case either way? Some leather case are designed for the oculars to go in first with the objectives at the top, and I don't care for that. The green velvet lining is nice in the Deutsche cases, though. The Deutsche cases are too wide at the top and bottom for a lot of roof prism binoculars though because they would move around too much. My Nikon HG 8x42 is 6.5"tall x 4.5" wide x 2.5" deep. The Deutsch Optik (Medium) is 6" wide at the top, which is over an inch and a half too wide. Only a very wide binocular like a porro prism would fit correctly. I believe that is what they are deigned for.

Medium Binocular Case
6” x 2.75”, top, 5.5” x 2.125”, bottom, 7” tall weighs 14 oz

THE BEST BINOCULAR CASES MADE

Full-grain saddle leather binocular cases with brass hardware—felt-lined, heirloom-quality storage in two sizes.

redirect.viglink.com

 

[Richard D]

And once again one has to ask whether the environmental cost of replacement bags isn't more than that of one quality bag in the first place.

(Presumably they wear worse too.)

No need to replace a bag that's slightly faded (so no environmental cost) and no bags made from recycled PET don't suffer wear problems. Osprey and other companies making bags for much more demanding activities have been using Recycled PET for years.

 

[Richard D]

There are many ways to produce in an environmentally friendly way. For a long-lasting luxury good, the use of biodegradable and therefore intentionally short-lived materials is one of the worst IMHO.

I've not come across biodegradable binocular bags. Who makes them?

 

[Richard D]

Life is too short to worry about if your leather case is slowly eating away at your binoculars. For those interested in some really nice ones, check out these Deutsche Optik cases.

I am restoring a Lemaire 5.5x44 galilean bino that fits perfectly in the small D.O. case. I usually just wrap binos in a towel in my backpack, but I concede that some instruments deserve nothing less than the best when you're out and about.

Normally I just carry binoculars round my neck, but I agree a towel in a backpack is a good solution (and gives the option of carrying extra stuff - I don't find dedicated cases generally that useful (no matter what brand)).

If you want leather cases it's also worth looking locally for a hobbyist leather worker - the only real dedicated case I use was one I had made for a monocular and the cost was negligible.

 

[forent]

I've not come across biodegradable binocular bags. Who makes them?

Joking answer: all producers of cotton bags.

Serious answer: Yes, I was imprecise, sorry. When I think of Swaro, the ominous armour always comes to mind. What I meant was: The use of materials that are less environmentally unfriendly for whatever reason, which for whatever reason prove to be less durable and valuable in use and therefore devalue the entire product in the opinion of some people. Is this wording acceptable?

 

[Patudo]

My primary concern is the resale value.

I do not have other complain about the bag other than the fading color will definitively reduce the resale value of the bino in the future.

Purely out of curiosity ... how much is a faded bag likely to reduce resale value by? $25? $50 tops? If losing as little money as possible when reselling is so important, why not buy secondhand rather than new? Everyone knows that if you buy brand new you'll take a significant hit if you sell it on.

Also, how concerned should Swaro be about secondhand values anyway? Their literature implies that your NL or other Swaro is intended to be the SWAROMAN's possession for life, and it's not as though they are getting a cut from secondhand sales.

Incidentally, I personally do not use the original accessories supplied with outdoor equipment, which should retain their resale value. Bags, straps, etc. - usually not to my taste anyway - remain in their original packaging in the cupboard. Instead, I use inexpensive third-party accessories...

I suppose that's the best advice for someone determined to extract maximum resale value. Do you shrink wrap the binoculars themselves, too? 😇

@limonabe - those Deutsche Optik cases cost more than some of the binoculars I'd put them in! I have some original leather cases and do use them (only to carry their binoculars to birding locations, they are stored separately - this was the recommendation of the technician who worked on some of them for me), and yes they look very handsome - but in all honesty I think the more modern designs fulfil the purpose of a binocular case just as well. I've often wondered if a hard binocular case made from glassfibre (or carbon fibre for the owner who likes to go large!) but with some padding inside would be commercially successful - probably not, otherwise they'd already be offered!

 

[MiddleRiver]

Purely out of curiosity ... how much is a faded bag likely to reduce resale value by? $25? $50 tops? If losing as little money as possible when reselling is so important, why not buy secondhand rather than new? Everyone knows that if you buy brand new you'll take a significant hit if you sell it on.

Also, how concerned should Swaro be about secondhand values anyway? Their literature implies that your NL or other Swaro is intended to be the SWAROMAN's possession for life, and it's not as though they are getting a cut from secondhand sales.


I suppose that's the best advice for someone determined to extract maximum resale value. Do you shrink wrap the binoculars themselves, too? 😇

@limonabe - those Deutsche Optik cases cost more than some of the binoculars I'd put them in! I have some original leather cases and do use them (only to carry their binoculars to birding locations, they are stored separately - this was the recommendation of the technician who worked on some of them for me), and yes they look very handsome - but in all honesty I think the more modern designs fulfil the purpose of a binocular case just as well. I've often wondered if a hard binocular case made from glassfibre (or carbon fibre for the owner who likes to go large!) but with some padding inside would be commercially successful - probably not, otherwise they'd already be offered!

I think this is unnecessarily harsh. While I totally respect the desire to use more environmentally sound products and materials, a premium product which fades relatively quickly is fair game IMHO.