Alternative objective covers for Zeiss Victory SF (2 Viewers)

[HighNorth]

Hi All!

I'm looking for alternative objective covers for my Zeiss Victory SF 8x42 binocular, because I don't much like the ones supplied with it. I would very much prefer tethered objective covers, like the old FL ones, or the current SV/SLC or Opticron ones - whichever fit the best! ||

If anyone has any good sugestions, l'm all ears!

HN

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

HN,
How about no objective covers at all? After all users could very well live with it for more than a century and they are, in my opinion, completely useless.
Gijs

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

I can't stand caps in general, so I just keep a thin polyethylene gallon bag.
Faster ergonomics, and it keeps the dust and sweating off.

 

[perterra]

I prefer obj. covers because because the binoculars are rarely in the case in my truck. Usually laying in the back seat with hard hat and tool bags. If I have time I usually just stuff them in the passenger seat back pocket.

 

[SteveTS]

Horses for courses and I always use them.

One or two bino brands offer 'scratch resistant' lenses but none that I am aware of can resist wind blown sand, and we have hundreds of miles of sandy beaches here. Very useful too in other applications.

Opticron seem to offer the best range ; I have replacement objective covers on a couple of bins. There is a good choice, they are very well made, the over barrel loop has a good width, those for the larger objectives have a useful lip to the leading edge of the cover and if needs be you can secure them to your bino using a cable tie or gorilla tape.

best wishes,

 

[HighNorth]

Hi All!

Thanks for good input so far!

I was particularly interested to see if any SF owners who also own other 42mm binoculars with tethered covers could try to mate those covers to their SF, so I could see what works and what doesn't!

 

[Troubador]

HN

The SF objective cover does come with a cord to 'tether' the cover to the bins.

Its not an elegant solution but the cover does qualify as 'tethered'.

Lee

 

[Hermann]

I still see some birders who use the good old leather bags with their binoculars in the field. They can be left on the strap, and whenever the conditions get too bad these people simply stuff the binoculars in the bag. Zeiss and Leica used to make them, and the one for the Zeiss 7x42 Classic should fit the SF very well.

Hermann

 

[kabsetz]

HighNorth,

I don't think you could fit tethered objective covers designed for another binocular model on the SF. This is because of the "elegant" eyeglass-frame shape of the SF rubber armoring, when viewed from the front. A round objective cover, as they always are, would not fit over that non-round shape.

Herman's suggestion is good, if you can find one of those old bags, although it would have to be the 7x42 version since the SF is pretty long.

As to the need of objective covers in the first place, I agree with Gijs that they are unnecessary, unless you get into sandstorms, which are rare in Northern Norway. Objective lenses don't get scratched in normal use. The danger time is during transport, for which the Zeiss case should do just fine.

I usually don't have objective covers on my binoculars, but use their case whenever I pack them into a backpack or a suitcase. When traveling with a car, if they are not in their case in a bag, I have them hanging behind the front seat, with the strap around the front seat head rest. That way they are quick to take into use, and cannot get badly bumped or scratched.

Kimmo

 

[SteveTS]

A round objective cover, as they always are, would not fit over that non-round shape

That is the great practical utility of replacement rubber objective lens covers is that they will easily mould to fit over a non-standard profile objective barrel ; it works perfectly well with the Zeiss Conquest HD :t:

best wishes,

 

[HighNorth]

Hi All! Thanks for many interesting and tought provoking replies!

I think I still want to have objective covers for my SF in order to have some extra protection from dirt and rough handling (you know me)!

The Opticron ones indeed look the most promising, but there are at least two different sets of covers in the 42mm category: one for the Verano, and one for most other Opticron 42mm bins. If anyone could measure the inside diameter of these covers (including the Verano ones), I would be very grateful!

HN

 

[HighNorth]

By the way, I have acquired the cordura case for the Zeiss FL 8x42, which I will use for the SF. I think it will be far more practical than the case that came with the SF.

 

[tynedale]

Hi All! Thanks for many interesting and tought provoking replies!

I think I still want to have objective covers for my SF in order to have some extra protection from dirt and rough handling (you know me)!

The Opticron ones indeed look the most promising, but there are at least two different sets of covers in the 42mm category: one for the Verano, and one for most other Opticron 42mm bins. If anyone could measure the inside diameter of these covers (including the Verano ones), I would be very grateful!

HN

Covers for the opticron DBA oasis mg 8x42 are 49 cm inside diameter, They work extremely well, second nature to slip them off as I lift the binoculars, easy to 'snap' back on. The rubber seems just the right blend of stiff yet flexible (just the right tension) if that makes sense. They are also durable, almost daily use for nearly two years and no real sign of wear. Can't help with the Verano

Barrie

 

[HighNorth]

Covers for the opticron DBA oasis mg 8x42 are 49 cm inside diameter, They work extremely well, second nature to slip them off as I lift the binoculars, easy to 'snap' back on. The rubber seems just the right blend of stiff yet flexible (just the right tension) if that makes sense. They are also durable, almost daily use for nearly two years and no real sign of wear. Can't help with the Verano

Barrie

Thanks Barrie, that's really helpfull!

HN

 

[SimonLS]

If anyone could measure the inside diameter of these covers (including the Verano ones), I would be very grateful!

The following might be of use:

http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/bino_og_covers.htm

 

[HighNorth]

The following might be of use:

http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/bino_og_covers.htm

Thanks Simon!

I found a Norwegian dealer who stocks the full range of Opticron accessories, so I might soon do some shopping! :smoke:

 

[HighNorth]

On second thought, I might go down the Gijs and Kimmo route after all. Too much trouble mixing and matching objective covers, and the FL case seems to offer protection enough.