Binocular Care Tips: 11 Ways to Keep Them New
The key to enjoying your binoculars for a long time is to take proper care of them.
A good pair of binoculars cost a considerable amount of money. Often, they are made durable and weatherproof. But you’ll still need to use them with care and clean them regularly.
Here are some practical binocular care tips:
1 – Use a Strap
Always wear the binoculars strap around your neck. Or use a harness. Many accidents can be avoided when your binoculars are securely held by straps and worn on your body.
Also, make sure the straps are in good condition – not too worn off that it can break any time.
Never hold the straps in your hand and swing them or leave them dangling while you’re on the go.
2 – Do Not Leave Under Heat
Don’t leave your bioculars in your car or anywhere where it can be under direct sunlight. Too much heat will damage any good optics.
3 – Return to Its Case
When you’re done using your binoculars, put them back in their case. Padded cases are the best.
4 – Read the Manual
Before you do any cleaning, read the manual. This ensures you won’t do anything that can damage them. And you can learn the best way to clean them.
5 – Clean the Lenses
When cleaning your binoculars, hold them upside down so dirt and debris will fall away from the lens.
Blow off dust and dirt from the lenses before wiping them. Use your breath to fog the lenses and use a gentle cleaning cloth. Wipe in circular motion.
6 – Wash Off Salty Water
If you used your binoculars anywhere near salty waters, don’t wipe or rub the lenses right away. Although there are no visible debris or dirt, salt water can damage the lenses.
Clean them with running water first to remove the salt water before wiping them.
7 – Remove Oil with a Lens Cleaner
If some oil ends up in your lenses, clean them with a lens cleaner.
8 – Hold Them Up to a Light
Hold your binoculars up to a light when you want to check for dirt inside your optics.
Don’t open the binoculars yourself. You might affect the alignment.
9 – Take Care of the Eyecups
When cleaning your binoculars, don’t forget the eyecups.
When you’re not using your binoculars, roll up or fully extend the rubber. Don’t leave them rolled down when you keep your binoculars.
From time to time, apply a rubber preservative on the eyecups to keep them in top shape.
10 – Keep Water Away
Find a way to cover them when it rains. When water leaks inside it can cause a number of problems for your binoculars.
When it clouds up inside, leave them in a warm, dry place. It will just dry up and the vaporisation inside will be gone.
If they were submerged in water, dry them as best as you could.
It will be best if you could bring the binoculars to a professional for a complete check up and cleaning within three days after the incident.
11 – Take it to Professionals
When something seems to be wrong with your binoculars or you just want to give your optics a thorough clean, bring them to a professional.
It may cost you a bit but you’ll have peace of mind knowing they’re in the hands of people who know what they’re doing.