Care For Your Bird Watching Binoculars
No matter what amount of money you spend on a set of binoculars, you want to take good care of them. Binoculars are a central part of your bird watching hobby and making sure they are in tip top shape will keep them ready for that rare bird sighting you only have seconds to take part in.
How to wear binoculars
No, this is not a fashion statement. There is a proper way to "wear" your binoculars for safety, ease of use and your health.
Hanging a set of binoculars around your neck all day can result in a pain in the neck and not from just missing all those bird sightings. If you gave the habit of using a long strap around your neck the torque of the long strap swinging can create more problems than if you used a shorter strap that carried the binoculars higher on the chest. If you find your neck strained or your neck and upper back sore after a long day of hiking, make sure you have a shorter strap, especially with a larger, heavier set.
Having the strap too long can also cause the binoculars to swing like on a pendulum [also increases possibility of neck pain] and bump or bonk into logs, rocks or even against your car when you are getting in and out. A sad thing to do to a set of expensive binoculars.
But there is another reason to keep your field glasses higher on your chest - you can get them into position to view a bird much faster. You want to be able to do it in a smooth, easy motion without having to take your eye off the bird to search for your swinging glasses. In bird watching, time is of the essence.
Cleaning the lens
Another item you will want to carry with you is a light air brush to clean the lenses. Don't use your finger or a tissue or other paper to wipe duct and grime from your binocular lens. You can scratch the coatings and ruin the expensive eye pieces. You will also find an item called a Lenspen for cleaning your optics. They are specially designed to do the job without damaging the lens in any way.
If you are near salt water and your binoculars have been exposed to salt spray , clean them thoroughly under a gentle tap of clear water. If your binoculars are not water proof be very careful you don't get water into the inner workings. If you get oil on them then add a little dish detergent to the water and clean carefully.
Storage
When you are finished using your binoculars, store them in a cool, dry place if possible. It is a good idea to store a small packet of nitrogen crystals or silica gel available from camera stores along with them to prevent moisture from penetrating them and misting up the inside of the lens.
If misting should occur, place them in an airy, warm spot to dry off. Don't have them near a hot water heater or radiator that puts moisture into the surrounding air. You could end up with more misting, not drying them out.