As "no brainer" advice goes, "use the
strap" on your
binocular is near the top of my list. It is something I preach and practice, religiously. The number one reason
binoculars get damaged is not from wear and tear, but from being dropped or banged against a hard object. This is especially true when using
astronomy binoculars. Look at it this way. You are in the dark, fumbling around with a star map, flashlight or, perhaps, also dealing with a
telescope. Believe me, it's easy to lose your grip on a binocular under these circumstances. This is especially true on giant astronomy binoculars and doubly so in cold weather when wearing gloves. Joanie says, "use that strap or get the binocular on a tripod".