Waterproofing binoculars has got to be the single most useful advancement in binocular technology. Without it, there wouldn’t be military binoculars, marine binoculars or hunting binoculars. But waterproofing isn’t just useful in these binoculars, but all binoculars. Almost any binocular you can think of can come in either water resistant or waterproofed varieties.
Who knows when moisture might damage your binoculars? You could be taking a nature walk and drop your binoculars in a puddle or find yourself caught in a freak rainstorm. Wherever you may be, it is a good idea to have a pair of waterproof binoculars with you.
It is always wise to know what you want, before you make a purchase and the same holds true for waterproof binoculars.
If you never plan on using your binoculars near water, then you should probably look at getting a water resistant binocular. That way, you never have to worry about dropping your binoculars in the proverbial drink. You won’t have to worry about being caught in the rain or spilling your canteen of water on them and ruining them for the rest of time.
But there are several activities that you should strongly consider getting waterproof binoculars for. One of these is boating. Only a fool would bring a pair of binoculars in a boat if they weren’t waterproof.
Hunting is another such activity. Hunting binoculars must be rugged, but it must also be waterproof. A hunter never knows when they may find themselves in some standing water. They can never know what weather conditions they might find themselves in. All the planning in the world will not help you if Mother Nature turns her back on you.
The military knows this, and that’s why all military binoculars are waterproof. But the military does have one significant advantage over the civilian; almost unlimited funds.
How expensive is waterproofing
The simple answer is, not very. Sure, you will have to pay a few extra bucks if you want waterproof binoculars, but the price isn’t exorbitant. For instance, you can get a Meade 7X42 waterproof binocular for about two hundred dollars. You can even pick up a set of waterproof digital binoculars at about the same price.
The important question to ask yourself, is how much will I have to spend if my binoculars get ruined from water damage? The answer would be; the same amount you paid the first time, over and over again, every time they get damaged. Isn’t it smarter to make the investment in a waterproof binocular that will last you years, or even decades?
Of course it is. Any sensible person can see it. At the very least, you should consider buying water resistant binoculars.
Water proofed binoculars are purged in nitrogen and the O-ring seal makes sure that no water gets in. They are usually fog-proof and because they are usually meant to stand up in harsh marine conditions, they are also built to withstand impact. Another words, they are generally more rugged in design than their non-waterproof cousins.
Bushnell also makes durable and fairly cheap waterproof binoculars that can be used for a variety of purposes. If you plan on using them for hunting, birding or boating, it is a good idea to check out some binocular reviews on the web or in your favorite outdoor magazine and see what the experts say.
The more knowledge you have, the better. Now get out there and pick up your very own waterproof binoculars!
About the Author
Scott Gray is a freelance author and web site publisher who provides useful information and money saving tips about binoculars, hunting binoculars and binoculars accessories.
