FAQ
- Keep your binoculars like new...
Not too many things can go wrong with
binoculars. If you buy a decent pair and take care of them, they will generally
last you decades. A few care-giving tips...
- Try not to drop them or
bang them around unnecessarily. If you do, what may happen is that the optics
will be knocked "out of collimation". You will be able to tell this has happened
because you will either get two images instead of one or you will no longer be
able to focus your binoculars. If you notice this problem, you will need to send
them in for repair to the manufacturer. Don't try to take them apart and do the
repairs yourself.
- Keep your binos away from
sand, dirt, and water (unless they are waterproof). Grit and sand can work it's
way into the joints and make focusing difficult, and of course water can seep
into the optical chambers and fog or mildew the inside of the glass. This will
also require a trip to the manufacturer for repair... and in some cases
(especially mildew/water damage) the only answer will be replacement.
- Clean the objective and
eyepiece elements sparingly. Excessive rubbing will only reduce the life of the
optical coatings and will introduce tiny scratches into the optics, reducing
light transmission and image sharpness. If there is dirt on the lenses, use a
camel's hair brush or "blower" brush to gently remove the particles; these items
can be purchased at a camera store. After all the loose dirt is removed, THEN
use a lens cleaning cloth or some good-quality lens cleaning tissue to finish
the job. In most cases, breathing a little on the glass first will produce
enough moisture to remove a slight film, etc. If the optics are REALLY dirty or
you have a big, fat fingerprint on them... then use a cleaning fluid expressly
made for optics. DO NOT put the fluid directly on the glass! It may run into the
crevasses and cause fogging, etc. Put the fluid on the tissue and rub GENTLY in
circular motions, and then follow up with a fresh, clean tissue until the glass
is dry. A high-grade cotton swab can help get little dirt particles from in
between those places where glass meets metal.
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