How To Prevent Binoculars From Fogging Up ? – Prevention Guide & Tips

A pair of binoculars is a good thing to have when you are so fond of observing your environment at a distance. Whether at night or in the morning, it does not matter as there are so many different kinds of binoculars that can allow seeing far objects as if they are close to you.

However, in order to make use of the most out of your binoculars, you need to know how to properly maintain them. And one of the things that you should know is how to prevent binoculars from fogging up.

The quality of the images can be affected due to fogging. So, in this article, we are going to discuss the reason why your optics fog up and share some tips on how to stop binoculars from fogging up. Learn and enjoy!

How Do Binoculars Fog Form?

Before anything else, what are the reasons why binoculars fogged up? It is important to be aware of the cause why your binocular is fogging up so you can prevent them and ensure that your optics is in good shape.

Though there are binoculars claiming to be waterproof, it does not mean that they are also fog proof and weatherproof. It is a different kind of thing. Also, there are binoculars that are said to be fog proof but it does not mean that you will not keep in mind the ways to protect your optics from fogging up.

In fact, the main reason why binoculars fogged up is due to the extreme exposure to humidity or changes in the temperature. In short, binoculars tend to fog up when water droplets get stuck on the surface of the binocular lenses. When fog is formed, it reduces the visibility making the image quality poor. Actually, there are two kinds of fogging – internal fogging and external fogging. Let’s know more about them.

External Fogging

External fogging is the most common form of misting on the binoculars. It is when the outer lens or the outer body of the binocular gets fogged up on the outside. Fogging on the outside can affect your view but it can be easily fixed. On the good side, it is very easy to manage.

When external fogging happens, you just need to wipe out the condensation using a clean, soft cloth. However, it is not recommended to do a quick wipe on the glasses. Instead, try wiping as if you are cleaning it when it is dirty. Do not over clean so your binocular still remain its flawless glasses.

Internal Fogging

When it comes to internal fogging, it can be a bit annoying. Internal fogging is a result when the external fog condensed inside the binoculars causing the inner lens to form fog. This condition is the worst part and you cannot do much about it. All you can do is wait for the fog to dissipate on its own before you can use your optics the way it was before.

As we all know, if this happens, it can greatly affect your view as the lenses are already covered with fog giving you an unclear and poor quality image. In some cases, the fog inside binoculars can create fungus that can be damaging to your optics. In other words, you may need to prevent internal fogging as much as possible.

If you are wondering how to prevent binoculars from fogging up, we will share the tips to make your optics free from the fog as much as possible.

Easy Ways On How To Stop Binoculars From Fogging Up

Having binoculars fog problems? Worry not as here are some simple ways to make your optics free from fog and possible fungus.

1. Clean binoculars gently.

If you already notice some moisture in your binoculars, you need to clean it gently to remove the water condensing on the lenses.

As a matter of fact, fog reforms easily so make sure to clean the lenses as needed. You can do this as much as needed but do not over clean as it might damage the lenses, just wipe the moisture enough to get rid of the fog.

2. Use anti-fog for binoculars.

In the market, you can find numerous anti-fog products specifically used for binoculars such as anti-fogging sprays like optix 55, wipes, creams, drops, and other treatments that you can apply on the lenses to reduce the chance of fog formation. Anti-fog for binoculars is essential but you need to carefully choose the product or treatment suitable for your optics.

Take note that the efficiency of the treatments differs from one another and the effectiveness will depend on the condition of usage.

In order to ensure that you are using the right anti-fog treatment, you may need to contact your binoculars manufacturer or go to a trusted and reputable binocular store to ask for the best recommendation about the best product to use.

3. Make use of desiccants.

A desiccant or silica gel helps in absorbing moisture to avoid fog or any fungus that may form from a certain thing. This will also be applicable in binoculars to prevent it from forming fog.

If you will not use your binocular for a while, then it is advisable to keep it in a bag or storage and put a desiccant along with it. This is one clever hack on how to prevent binoculars from fogging up.

4. Keep your binoculars in a dry place.

When it comes to storing your binoculars, it is advisable to keep them in an airtight bag or storage in a dry place. For sure, you are already familiar with this way of keeping things. This will become super effective on how to stop binoculars from fogging up along with putting a desiccant or silica gel to prevent condensation and accumulation of fungus.

5. Try the spit-and-polish hack.

Aside from using anti-fog for binocular treatments, saliva is a good alternative when you are outdoor with no other anti-fog tools. It is true that spitting into your binocular lenses to clean sounds weird but it works.

Using your saliva is also an effective way to fend off excess moisture from the lenses. Just make sure that before spitting, your optics is clean and no dirt is present on the surface.

6.  Temperature Adjustments

You can allow your binoculars to adapt naturally to local temperature and humidity level is one of the best methods to prevent binoculars from fogging up.

However, this may not be effective at all times but it helps. To do this, you can leave your optics in a locked automobile or place with windows a little open in a minimum of 30 minutes to expose your optics from outside conditions.

Just ensure that it is not too exposed to the sight of others if you want your binoculars to be safe from thieves.

7. Choose fog-proof binoculars.

In order to be free from fogging up problems related to your binoculars, why not invest in fog-proof optics instead.

Therefore, it is important to know the features, specifications, and other related data about the binocular before deciding to purchase it. This is to avoid maintenance problems in the future. There are a lot of fog proof binoculars available in the market nowadays and you should invest in them instead.

What Makes Anti-Fog Binoculars?

Anti-fog binoculars are optics, which use Nitrogen and Argon. These 2 gasses are used to make binoculars resist fog or moisture formation. Most makers of fog-proof binoculars utilized anti-fog finishings, which is usually a water-repellant mixture that can prevent water droplets to stick with the surface of the lenses.

This process avoids fog from forming in the lenses. In fact, nitrogen or argon-purged binoculars have been to the process where all the humidity is carefully removed inside the optics. When assembling anti-fog binoculars, they put nitrogen-dry gas or argon inside the binoculars and sealed them using O-ring rubber. This can prevent internal fogging on the binoculars and improves the quality in the long run.

This is effective and proven for a very long time already, most especially if the lenses are cleaned consistently. Since binocular is your best buddy for observing things around you, then it is a good idea to treat them with care and be aware of the best way to keep them from fogging up.

To Wrap Up

Having your own pair of binoculars is not just about using it to satisfy your eyes. It requires maintenance for you to make use of it at its fines for a long time. With the proper maintenance, you can prevent future issues in regards to your binoculars like fogging up. Remember that you invest in optics to capture beautiful things around you so it is significant to protect your optics from any potential condition that may lead to damaged or poor quality images.

These simple ways we have mentioned in this article can help on how to stop binoculars from fogging up. So, no more fogs and unclear images and enjoy your view!