Binocular acccessories

When it comes to binocular accessories supplied with a new binocular, there are some binocular accessories I always use and some binocular accessories I never use.

In the always use category, the most important binocular accessory is the binocular strap. This is a binocular accessory that is supplied with all binoculars and rightfully so. In the world of binoculars, the number one culprit for damaging a binocular is dropping a binocular while in use or putting a binocular in harm’s way while in use. Both possibilities of damaging a binocular can be completely eliminated simply by making it a habit of using that binocular strap. I use the binocular strap on all my binoculars, from my smallest compact binoculars right on up to my largest astronomy binoculars. The only time I don't have a binocular strap around my neck is when mounting a binocular on a tripod, as in the picture. The binocular strap, however, never comes off the binocular.

Next, in the always use category or, at least in the almost always use category, is the rain guard or eyepiece covers. The only time I don't keep the eyepieces on my binoculars covered is when I am actually looking through my binoculars. Why? The eyepieces on your expensive birding binoculars or hunting binoculars are directly exposed, not only to the elements – rain, snow, dust – but also to whatever abuse you inflict on them, be it peanut butter from your sandwich or scratching caused by other gear you happen to be using at the time. If you instal your binocular rain guard properly by attaching it to only one strap, you flip it off the eyepieces as you are raising your binoculars with no loss of time.

In the never use binocular accessory category, for me, at least, are binocular objective covers. In forty years of NOT using objective covers on my binoculars, I have yet to scratch or damage an objective lens on my binoculars. On the other hand, I can promise you that messing with the objective covers is one sure way of alerting birds, deer and other wildlife to your presence. Those precious extra seconds it takes to mess with objective lens covers on your binoculars will cost you opportunities in birdwatching and hunting and general wildlife viewing. On my binoculars, objective lens covers stay in the box, permanently.

Another never use binocular accessory are the cheapie lens cloths that often come with lower-priced binoculars. While I give manufacturers points for supplying a lens cloth, the only type of lens cloth that is useable on binoculars for cleaning purposes is a microfiber lens cloth, such as the Carson Stuff-it At that price, you can't afford not to have one for your binoculars. If your new binocular does not come with a bona fide microfiber lens cloth, my suggestion is to round file it and get the real thing.