We are due to travel to Spain in a few weeks and want to take our bins. If we can't take them in carry on luggage they would have to go into the aircraft hold.
There are issues around insurance and general safety- but would the bins be affected by the change in pressure? The birders I have discussed this with have a variety of views. Some have expressed the view that the lower pressure in the aircraft hold would lead to problems as the bins are nitrogen filled. Some have suggested that the lower pressure would cause the bins problems as the internal pressure would remain the same as it would be at ground level.
Anybody thought about this?
Can see no reason why you can't take them in hand luggage. I'm just back from Spain (Ryanair) and took bins and scope in hand luggage. Bag was searched and optics scanned (on way out only) but no problems. There have been a good few contributions to this forum on the subject of bins in the hold; the consensus was that they would come to no harm. But I recommend a search to view the relevant threads.
Sean
Bicycles travel
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,50773,00.html
and the tires do not blow up.
Binoculars have O-rings or similar parts to hold the nitrogen in. If some leaks out, air will go back in as it returns to regular pressure. The air works just like the nitrogen, but may oxidize some parts with time.