The Binocular Blog - Part 10: Caring for your Bins

So, by now, you have decided to buy or have already bought a binocular. The binocular is not a toy. It is a sensitive optical instrument that will see many decades of flawless service if taken care of. I'm referring to the waterproof, dust proof and fog proof models and not the inexpensive ones. However, they also have to be cared for like any other gadget, to get the best out of them.

As I have mentioned in the earlier posts, binoculars are predominantly used outdoors. Therefore the risk of damage due to falls and knock are to be expected. Aside from that, depending on the weather conditions, it will be exposed to heat, dust and moisture. When your manufacturer says that the binoculars are waterproof, dust proof and fog proof, they mean that the internal surfaces are protected. Using the binoculars in the rain or dust can coat the outside surfaces dirt and grime. Not only that, if you make a habit of throwing the binoculars into your backpack or bag along with your water bottle, sandwich and bananas; rest assured it will reduce the life of your precious binocular.

1. STORAGE

When you store your binoculars make sure it is inside its own case. Don't just throw it in your bag with everything else to save the trouble of carrying an extra case. Binocular cases are designed specifically for carrying them in and all manufactures usually supply one or more cases, depending on the brand. 

Compact binoculars come with small pouches that can be looped on your belt. They will just about fit the binocular and nothing more. The neck strap of the binocular doubles as the strap for the pouch.

As the binoculars get bigger, the pouches get bigger and more sophisticated. My Zeiss Terra ED 8x42 came with two cases. One soft case with its own neck strap and a semi-hard case that could be looped on my belt.

Zeiss softcase

Zeiss semi-hard case

Zeiss semi-hard case with belt loops

The Vortex Viper HD 12x50 came with their Glasspak binocular harness but I found it a little tight for my binoculars. Perhaps they were designed for a 8x42 or 10x42, maybe even a 10x50, but I found putting it in and taking out the 12x50 a little annoyingly tight. Moreover, the mesh pockets are also a little tight and being made of mesh will not prevent stuff stored in it from getting dusty or wet. Not only that, since I also carry photography and bird sound recording gear, another thing on my chest is an interference. If you are only carrying a binocular this is perfectly fine. 

Vortex Glasspak binocular harness

Vortex Glasspak in position

Personally, I prefer a bag that I can clip around my waist as it stays out of the way of my photography and audio recording equipment.  So I got one from AliExpress which has five other zippered pouches beside the main compartment. It is useful for storing identity documents, driving license, Swiss army knife, purse, cell phone, GPS and any small stuff you fancy

Rests comfortably on your side.

Beside the extra storage, it takes the weight off my neck and shoulders when I carry the 12x50 into the field.

Lots of storage spaces

Main compartment has a purse-string closure, water resistant inner cover

While storing anywhere, either in your backpack or even in the binocular cover, ensure that your objective lens and ocular lens covers are in place. If it is off season and you don't intend to use the binoculars for a while, perhaps due to wet weather, it will be a good idea to place it in a zip-lock pouch with silica gel and then store in its case. If your hobby includes photography and you possess a dry-cabinet (de-humidifier) keep a small corner for your binocular!

2. CLEANING

Don't clean your binoculars too frequently. It is not usually required if you store it well even while in the field. When you are out hiking keep your objective and ocular lens cover on. Take it off only when you are  using it. That way you minimize the chance for dust and water to fall on your binoculars. Despite your care, sometimes you will have dust and moisture on your lenses and it will leave smudges. 

The immediate temptation, if you see a dirty binocular is to take out a tissue or any available material and wipe it clean. DON'T DO THAT. Dust is essentially microscopic sand particles. If you try to wipe it off, the particles may scratch the coating on the objective and ocular lens, eventually the scratches will result in a cloudy image.

The first step is to get the dust off. Use a blower brushes like the ones used to clean photography equipment. Try to dislodge the dust from the body and then the lenses by gently blowing air  while holding the binocular with the lens being cleaned facing down. Repeat for both objective and ocular lenses. 

Closed blower brush

Brush cover retracted

Blower nozzle under the brush end

You may have to dislodge larger particles with the brush on the blower or with a lens cleaning pen.  The lens pens usually have a brush on one end and a flat cleaning surface with a non-liquid compound on the other end. Both of these can easily be carried with you in your bag or pocket for use in the field.

Lens pen with brush exposed (top) and the dry tip (below)

Sometimes, stubborn dirt may require a little washing under a tap, assuming that the binocular is waterproof but let the flow be gentle. This might be required if you use the binoculars on the beach or sea. If you wash it in water, resist the urge to wipe the excess water dry. The cloth might cause scratches on the coatings. Wait for it to dry out naturally first. If there are smudges, it might require a wipe. 

Any smudges and more resistant dirt will need to be gently wiped out. To wipe the lenses, avoid using facial tissue, toilet tissue, ordinary towels, the edge of your T-shirt or saree or any handy material you find. Paper will most certainly leave scratches on the coating. You have to use a lint free cloth or micro fiber cloth for this purpose. Most binocular manufactures provide one inside your box. Keep that box along with your binocular in separate plastic cover so that it doesn't get dirty or dusty. A gentle circular wiping motion from the center to the edges with a dry micro-fiber cloth will usually do the trick but if it still refuses to go then you will need to use some cleaning liquids. You can also get lens cleaning kits that includes all or most of the items mentioned above.

Zeiss wet lens wipes and micro fiber cloth

Zeiss lens cleaning kit

There are lens cleaning solutions (with isopropyl alcohol) that are specifically made for camera and binocular lenses with coatings.  Don't use any glass or household cleaning liquid as they will most certainly damage the coatings permanently. Don't spray on the lens directly, instead spray a little solution (should be barely wet) onto one corner of the cloth and wipe in a circular motion. Once the smudge is gone, wipe again with the dry part of the cloth. 

Finally, don't wipe your binocular lenses very frequently. A slight layer of dust can be easily blown off. Wiping the lenses every time you use them will increase the risk of scratching them. Wipe only when significant dirt or smudges are there. Otherwise, store them carefully to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating. 

3. PROTECTION

1. While walking with a binocular, don't hold it by the neck strap and let it swing. It can hit something or the strap might snap and you can damage the binocular with a heavy knock or fall. Keep it hung around your neck or with a shoulder harness. 
2. If you have to move rapidly or through heavy undergrowth, either keep it zipped up inside the jacket or keep it inside the case. That will protect it from swinging wildly or falling. 
3. When traveling keep it inside its case with the lens covers on. Falling from a speeding vehicle can damage the binocular, including throwing its glassware out of alignment. It may then have to be sent back to the factory for repairs.
4. Don't keep it close to sources of high heat. It could melt the rubber or plastic armour on the body and also damage lens coatings and O-ring seals. 
5. In heavy rain keep it inside its waterproof case with the objective and ocular protection covers fitted snugly. If the case is not waterproof a zip-lock pouch over the binocular or the case itself will prevent it from getting unnecessarily wet.
6. When keeping in its case keep the eye cups down (retracted) otherwise a fall can twist it out of shape. In Porro prism binoculars, since the length increases when the eye cups are focus ring is turned, always close it to infinity focus position (down), otherwise it may not fit in the case properly.

For those who are impatient to go through the entire blog series, I'm giving below direct links to all the posts. You can go directly to the page you are interested in, though I suggest you go through each post as all of them contain some information that will be useful when you consider purchasing a binocular for your self.

1.       Introduction
2.       Part – 1: Anatomy of a Binocular
3.       Part – 2: Purpose and Portability
4.       Part – 3: Magnification, Objective diameter & FOV
5.       Part – 4: Eye Relief
6.       Part – 5: Exit pupil & Interpupillary distance
7.       Part – 6: Image brightness
8.       Part – 7: Focusing fundamentals
9.       Part – 8: Weather sealing
10.   Part – 9: Purchase decision
11.   Part – 10: Care & Storage
12.  Afterthoughts and accessories