Do
binoculars wear out? Do binoculars just plain fall apart after a given number of years, assuming normal wear and tear, rather than abuse and neglect? The answer, of course, is sometimes and when you
buy a binocular, you should always keep your expectations in line with binocular price when it comes to
binocular lifespan.
Premium grade binoculars by Leica, Zeiss, Swarovski, Steiner, Nikon and so on are made to withstand a lifetime of hard and constant use and this kind of binocular durability is part of why the price on this class of binocular is so high. Short of an accident or extreme use, you can expect a binocular that costs, say, over $500 to be there when you need it most. Binoculars that cost over $1000 will probably remain in your family for more than a single generation. True, these are
expensive binoculars, but, considering the years of good service these binoculars provide, premium grade binoculars are actually the best value over time.
Of course, not everyone needs or expects that kind of durability in a binocular and a $1000 plus binocular is not in everyone’s budget. Then, too, less expensive binoculars can and do provide good service with a little reasonable care. Moreover, there can be quite a difference in build quality between a $50 and a $150 binocular, so the more you spend, the less likely you will be buying another binocular in the near future. When it comes to durability, you do get what you pay for in a binocular.