If you are a wildlife enthusiast and using binoculars for wet conditions like snowfall and rainfall, then there are many possibilities of getting moisture or fogging into the lens. The moisture content inside the lens may blur your vision and create irritable moments which will worsen your viewing experience of the environment.
Internal binocular fogging enhances the growth of fungus inside. It may also cause severe headaches when you’re viewing through the binocular for a long time. So it is very important to remove the moisture content from the interior of the lens. For this, you should have at least the basic knowledge of cleaning the lens from moisture or fogging.
In today’s market, most of the binoculars are said to be waterproof and fog proof. Even low price binoculars come with the fog-proof feature. But don’t get confused with fog proof and weatherproof features, because they are not the same.
Moisture gets accumulated over outside or inside of the binocular optics. If the fogging occurs on the exterior of the binocular lens, then you can remove it easily just by wiping the lens with a cotton cloth. Yet, if the fogging is internal then you should put an extra effort to clear up the moisture.
If the moisture continues to spread internally, it will prevent your viewing capacity completely. Sometimes over humidity may cause damage to the binocular.
However, the steps of removing moisture are quite simple and easy, and you can do it on your own and don’t need anybody’s help. But you should have more patience while cleaning.
Steps Involved in Removing Moisture or Internal Fogging
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Place Your Binocular in a Warm Place
Placing the binocular in a dry or warm area for 1 to 2 days is the preliminary step in removing the interior moisture content from the binocular. The construction of a binocular allows the air to penetrate inside and goes outside easily.
And therefore, moisture built-up on the interior of the binocular gets evaporated when you expose it to warm air for several days. Hence, the binocular returns to its original state without moisture.
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Prefer using a Desiccant
Desiccants are the substance that absorbs water or moisture from the airtight container. This substance keeps the product dry by absorbing the moisture from the air either by physical or chemical reaction.
Then you have to place your binocular in an airtight plastic container with a few amounts of desiccants and seal it. Keep it aside for a few hours, the desiccants will absorb the moisture content and keep your binocular safe.
This method can also be used even when you are not assured that the binocular has moisture.
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Spit it and clean the binocular
It may be disgusting to hear, but it works extremely well in cleaning the outer lens.
How to Block Moisture or Moisture formation
Already you have known how to remove moisture on the binocular. Prevention is better than cure, therefore, you should know how to prevent moisture from binocular for future use.
- Use anti-fog products
Prevent fogging by applying anti-fogging products like spray, cream, or wipes which are widely available in the market. Yet, the efficiency of the anti-fogging products differs from a few hours to a few weeks based on the usage of the binocular.
Better prefer using anti-fogging products which are preferred by your binocular manufacturers.
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Gentle cleaning
Always clean your binocular lens as much as possible. When clouds get produced on the lenses, gentle cleaning with a cotton cloth will keep the device free from fog buildup. This will prevent the moisture from penetrating to the interior of the device.
Fog Proof Binocular
Fog proof binoculars are purged with nitrogen or Argon gas instead of oxygen. Because the presence of oxygen in the binocular is the main reason for moisture and fungus growth.
Keep in mind that waterproof doesn’t mean fog proof. Both are entirely different.
Conclusion
I hope this article will be helpful for removing and preventing fog in the optic gadgets. Taking extra care of your binoculars will give a guarantee that your binocular is free from moisture formation and it is the best effective way.
You have to place the binocular in the less humidity area or in the airtight plastic when you are not using the binocular. This will reduce the development of moisture and also ensure the better performance of the binocular in various weather conditions.
Better buy the best waterproof and fog proof binocular to overcome these issues.