Nikon EDG II 10x42 Lens Caps (2 Viewers)

[Roy K]

Can anybody recommend an alternative for the objective lens cap that Nikon provides for its EDG II 10x42? I love the binocular, but the soft rubber caps for the front lens flip open much too easily.

My apologies in advance if this is has been asked and responded to before - I'm new to this forum, so I did some searches - but came up empty.

 

[ceasar]

Have you gone to a binocular dealer and tried the objective covers of other 42mm binoculars on yours?

For example, the 42mm objective covers for the Swarovski SLC series fit on the Nikon 10 x 42 SE Porro Prism's objectives.

Bob

 

[Roy K]

Have you gone to a binocular dealer and tried the objective covers of other 42mm binoculars on yours?

For example, the 42mm objective covers for the Swarovski SLC series fit on the Nikon 10 x 42 SE Porro Prism's objectives.

Bob

Bob,

Thanks for your reply. One of the problems with living in Hawaii is that many types of specialized equipment dealerships are simply not available locally - binocular specialists being one of them. I guess not many consider the caps on the EDG to be a problem, judging from the lack of alternatives offered by web vendors. I'll just have to keep looking.

Aloha,

Roy

 

[ceasar]

Bob,

Thanks for your reply. One of the problems with living in Hawaii is that many types of specialized equipment dealerships are simply not available locally - binocular specialists being one of them. I guess not many consider the caps on the EDG to be a problem, judging from the lack of alternatives offered by web vendors. I'll just have to keep looking.

Aloha,

Roy

Roy,

They work even worse on the EDG I! When I took my new 10 x 32 out of the box one of the Caps on the objectives fell completely off! I still have the binocular but I don't put the caps on it anymore. The caps fall onto the ground. No caps will work on it because the front hinge of the EDG I gets in the way.

I suggest you call Eagle Optics and ask them to see if one of the 42mm Swarovski caps will fit snugly on a 10 x 42 EDG. They keep them in stock. They also have their own, less expensive, brand in stock along with Vortex caps. They did this for me when I asked them to try one on a Nikon 10 x 42 SE. I was told it would fit by a European member of Bird Forum and they were happy to find it out.

www.eagleoptics.com

Bob

 

[brocknroller]

Bob,

Thanks for your reply. One of the problems with living in Hawaii is that many types of specialized equipment dealerships are simply not available locally - binocular specialists being one of them. I guess not many consider the caps on the EDG to be a problem, judging from the lack of alternatives offered by web vendors. I'll just have to keep looking.

Aloha,

Roy

Aloha! Roy,

With any other Nikon bin, the solution would be simple - buy a pair of Bushwacker covers. However, with the EDG II, those big bumps they made near the end of the objectives for the straps that hold on the covers (but apparently don't prevent them from "flipping out" :eek! don't leave much clearance for Bushwackers.

Here's what they look like (though this is not the right size for the 42mm EDG):
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular-accessories/quake/bushwacker-optic-cover-size-4-matte-black

You might still be able to get Bushwackers on the "stubs," but you probably won't be able to push them all the way on. That's how it was with my 8x32 LX, which had stubs for barrels. They stayed put, but sometimes they would tilt inward and I'd have to straighten them out.

The other solution is to tighten the fit of the flip covers, which appear to fit inside the objective housings. I tried building up tape around the cups with a pair of Nikons that had that set up (XL Zooms), but the glue eventually dries up and comes loose. What I have had success with is foam insulation strips that go around windows, which you can buy at the hardware store, or you can here, because it gets cold in the winter (or at least it used to, it's October in PA, and the leaves are just starting to turn colors, only about 20% of the trees, and the high temp. for today is going to be 78* F. Usually, by Oct. the leaves have turned color and are starting to fall.)

So you have two options. Take off the OEM covers and replace them with Bushwackers and hope they fit, or build up the space inside the covers with insulation tape or something similar that provides a tighter fit.

Aloha! again,

<B>

 

[Roy K]

Aloha! Roy,

With any other Nikon bin, the solution would be simple - buy a pair of Bushwacker covers. However, with the EDG II, those big bumps they made near the end of the objectives for the straps that hold on the covers (but apparently don't prevent them from "flipping out" :eek! don't leave much clearance for Bushwackers.

Here's what they look like (though this is not the right size for the 42mm EDG):
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular-accessories/quake/bushwacker-optic-cover-size-4-matte-black

You might still be able to get Bushwackers on the "stubs," but you probably won't be able to push them all the way on. That's how it was with my 8x32 LX, which had stubs for barrels. They stayed put, but sometimes they would tilt inward and I'd have to straighten them out.

The other solution is to tighten the fit of the flip covers, which appear to fit inside the objective housings. I tried building up tape around the cups with a pair of Nikons that had that set up (XL Zooms), but the glue eventually dries up and comes loose. What I have had success with is foam insulation strips that go around windows, which you can buy at the hardware store, or you can here, because it gets cold in the winter (or at least it used to, it's October in PA, and the leaves are just starting to turn colors, only about 20% of the trees, and the high temp. for today is going to be 78* F. Usually, by Oct. the leaves have turned color and are starting to fall.)

So you have two options. Take off the OEM covers and replace them with Bushwackers and hope they fit, or build up the space inside the covers with insulation tape or something similar that provides a tighter fit.

Aloha! again,

<B>

Thanks for the tip! I went to Eagle Optics - and it looks like this one will work: Eagle Optics Tethered Binocular Lens Cover Set (Medium) Unfortunately, the website says they are out of stock, so I will look around. I don't use a dedicated case for my binocs, and instead it shares space in a waistpack or backpack with other gear, so tight-fitting caps are a must for me.

Mahalo!
Roy

 

[The Kingfisher]

I´m using caps from the Swarovski SLC HD 8x42 on my Nikon EDG II 8x42. They fits well on the Nikon, but not 100% perfect of course. You can see a couple of pictures down below!

 

[Roy K]

I´m using caps from the Swarovski SLC HD 8x42 on my Nikon EDG II 8x42. They fits well on the Nikon, but not 100% perfect of course. You can see a couple of pictures down below!

Thanks for the photos - I'll keep this in mind if the Eagle Optics caps don't work out.

I noticed that you use a plastic tie wrap and ring on your binoc... I assume you prefer to be able to quickly attach/detach straps. I use Utility Loops from OpTech to do the same - they're small and stay out of the way.

Aloha,
Roy

 

[The Kingfisher]

I use Utility Loops from OpTech to do the same - they're small and stay out of the way.

Aloha,
Roy

Aah..those I had to get myself. Thank you so much for showing pictures of them! |=)|

 

[ceasar]

Roy,
In the picture in thread 8: Do you have the eyecup under the horned eyecup on it turned up? I use mine in the down position.

Bob

 

[Roy K]

Bob,

Yes - I had it turned up to the first click position - I've been using it this way for a year, now, checking to confirm the eyecup was on the first detent before each use (frankly, it's been a hassle having to check this every time but I'm a creature of habit). Embarrassingly, I no longer recall WHY I decided to do this when I first set up the binocs - a quick check just now confirms that the fully retracted (down) position seems to provide the best view. Thanks for calling this to my attention!
Roy

 

[The Kingfisher]

I have found a simple, inexpensive, effective and not too ugly solution - rubber band! :t: It actually works really really good!

Just make sure to find two rubber bands of the same color (ideally, gray-black of course). I myself had only different colors at home at the moment.. |:$|