Lighthouse Vario Versus Grande

Does anyone have experience with the Lighthouse Grande album system?

I am considering alternatives for displaying my stamps (rather than keeping them hidden in boxes). I bought one Vario binder with Vario Plus pages to test this system out, but I'm not completely happy with the Vario system because the usable area of the pages is too narrow for my taste. However, I like the sturdiness of the Vario Plus pages.

So, does anyone display/mount their stamps in the Grande albums using Grande pages? Or even create custom pages to insert in the Grande binders?

Looking at the dimensions of the Grande pages, the maximum pocket width seems to be roughly the same width (8.5") as the Vario pages, so whats the point of the Grande system?

The sales blurb says something like "Sheets GRANDE2C, 9 1/2 x 12 1/4" (240 x 312 mm), 2 pockets 8 5/8 x 6" (216 x 150 mm)". So, I am guessing the first dimensions quoted are the binder dimensions (9 1/2 x 12 1/4") but the actual width of the page pockets are 8 5/8". The equivalent Vario page has pocket width of 216 mm, which is the same. So, is the advantage only the height of the page?

I don't see any Grande Plus pages, so are the Grande pages similar in quality to the regular Vario pages?

I guess the only advantages of the Grande are
(a) the binder is bigger
(b) the pages have larger height (not much of an advantage for me)
(c) you can use Vario Plus pages in it
(d) and maybe it is better suited to housing custom album pages if you buy the Grande blank pages?

I'd appreciate any insights on the Grande system vs Vario.

I have never bought grande pages, but given that they are still Vario pages, I expect the quality would be identical to the normal-sized stockpages.

Hungaryforstamps has raised precisely the same questions I am considering right now. Unfortunately there was not much feedback.
Anyoone here with experience on the Grande binder? It says it will accommodate 80 pages, what about the rings, 're they sturdy for that kind of load?

Any pros or cons appreciated
Jon

Well, I still have the two Grande binders that I bought and one is holding Vario pages, but haven't really been working on them much. I probably have about 10 Vario Plus pages so far in the binder (the Plus pages are thicker). The binder seems sturdy. I could envision 40-50 pages, but maybe not 80. However, I haven't tested it. This is just a hunch.

I had actually decided I would print my own pages in the roughly the size of Scott National pages. So this binder will accommodate pages that are 9.5"x12.25" (which is Scott National size). For now I was staging the stamps in the Vario pages to be replaced "some day" by paper pages.

I use the Grande system. The quality is the usual Lighthouse - superb. The extra 'real estate' they provide for mounting stamps make them very enjoyable.

Hungary

In my case, there's no contest, because my GB stockist sells the Grande binder and slipcase for £5 less than the smaller Vario, and does better deals on Grande leaves. Capacity is high, and I typically mix printed A4 pages with double-sided Grande leaves to accommodate the "waiting to be hinged/mounted" material. I also use them for postcards, which are much bulkier, but a binder will hold 35 filled, double-sided Grande leaves, and thus 280 cards. They ARE heavy when full - don't break your wrist!

Looking at a printed catalogue, the width of the usable area is 8 1/2" cf 7 1/2" and the height is 12" cf 10 1/4".

Geoff

I got a few Grande binders but sold them - I found the D-ring mechanism to be a pain in the butt to deal with when trying to open to a specific page. Regular Vario binders just seem to open up and let pages turn more smoothly (to me at least). But they are nice binders and do give you more space for bigger pages and more pages, so to each his own.

HungaryForStamps,

I have a Grande binder that I don't need. I bought it when I was sampling different platforms for displaying my stamps. You can have it for free. Provide me with your mailing address by sending it to jkelley01938@yahoo.com and and I'll send it along to you.

Jack Kelley

Thanks to all for informative feedback, of which most seems to be favorable.

DJCMHOH mentions a negative on the D-ring, and I have had a similar concern. I have myself only looked at an empty Grande binder (and owns none myself), but it seems a bit awkward to flip through the pages, as DJCMHOH mentions. Anybody that uses a binder that want to comment on this?

I have a number of the D-Ring binders for the regular Vario pages and agree that flipping the pages is a bit awkward. That said, round rings cause the end pages to become crimped and squeezed as they try to "turn the corner" around the ring. This can cause the inner margins of some pages to become rounded, which in turn may bend the stamps. The D-ring keeps all the pages from this kind of pressure as they are aligned straight on the D-ring and thus rest flat at all times.

Also, round rings are much more prone to opening up slightly causing pages to separate from the rings, which is a major pain in the a**. Round rings are also much more likely to develop a permanent misalignment allowing pages to fall off the ring. For me, the trade-offs are well worth the awkwardness of turning pages on the D-ring.

The D-ring is a bit awkward at first but you get used to it. Page turning works best when done from the center of the page, rather than an edge. Lift straight up and over and the pages turn just fine. I use both Vario G (2" D-ring) and Vario-F (1" O-ring) binders for my collection. Most of my collection is in G's, which makes more efficient use of shelf space. I use the F's for smaller collecting areas that I like to keep separate from others, for one reason or another. Pages do turn easier on the O-rings, but the tradeoff is that the F probably only has 40% (at best) of the capacity of the G, and at almost the same price.

I agree with Shermae. Whenever a binder wears out (not just stamps, but personal records and memorabilia), I've replaced it with a D-ring, because the rings seem much less prone to getting misaligned or loose. Eventually, O-rings simply don't close all the way. I don't know if their symmetrical nature creates symmetrical pressure points that act on the middle, but I've rarely had one survive frequent and/or extended use. The pain-in-the-neckitude of turning pages in D-ring binders is fairly minor by comparison.

Again, very informative feedback, thanks a lot gents. Seems like it will be the Grande binders for me then

Blaamand,

The "D" ring is the way to go. Regular Vario has "O" ring anf the Grande has "U" ring. Even though the Vario binders are superior (in my opinion), I don't use them because of the rings that they use.

Jack Kelley

Different point of view.

I ordered a number of the larger Vario G or Grande albums but don't like them much. I do realize that D-rings are superior, but the size of the larger binder I just find awkward, clumsy to handle, and the pages just seem lost inside it.

The smaller F size binder, even with the round rings, is a much more comfortable binder to hold, take off the shelf, and is small enough to not leave the pages looking lost inside. I do realize these are entirely aesthetic reasons, but stamp collecting is about aesthetics for me. If it weren't I'd just use a lot of cheap 3-ring binders from an office supply store.

The F-binders are smaller, lighter, look good, but you will need more to hold the same number of pages as with the larger binders. But, the prices are not expensive (compared to albums) so I don't mind.

What about the rings? Yes, D-rings are probably better, and it's too bad the smaller F-binder doesn't have them. But ragged-edged rings (where the rings close) are not as good a way to hold rings closes as rings with a pin on one ring which inserts into a hole in the other ring. There are always going to be some minuses. Not sure why Lighthouse doesn't use the D-rings in the smaller binder. Then it would be best choice by far -- or would be if they'd use the better "pin" rings. But I can live with o-rings when carefully used. So far, anyway.

Thanks for taking the time to provide your very informative post Drew. I'd like to ask- in what dimensions are the Grande pages larger than standard Vario pages? Just wider? Just taller? Or both? Is there any difference in thickness or stiffness of the Grande pages? Thanks in advance.