Waterproof Binoculars for Safaris

June 15, 2010 | Posted by Safari Guide

Do I Need Waterproof Binoculars for Safaris?

The MOST important thing is that you do have a pair of binoculars for your safari, it is the single most important piece of equipment that you can take with you and will transform your experience.

Ok now that we have established that we are going on safari with a pair of binoculars, which pair of binoculars is the next question? I have written a guide to choosing binoculars for safaris, which goes over all the important features you should look out for. One of them is waterproofing, which I will go into more detail here:

Whilst having a pair of waterproof binoculars on safari is not absolutely essential, it is preferable. We all hope that it does not rain on your holiday, but if it does, you should be prepared. Whilst it is true that spotting some types of game is harder in the rain and depending on how hard the rain is you may not even go out on game drive. But on the other hand I have also had some of my best experiences in the rain.

A particular example was sitting for hours watching a cheetah sheltering from the rain under a tree. Sure everyone and everything got wet, but hey it is only water and everyone on the game drive had a magical experience watching one of the most elusive creatures in the bush.

Dry and Sandy Environments

It is not only wet and humid conditions where water and fog-proofing can help: in an extremely dry and dusty climate, like on safari the O-ring seal used to make your binoculars waterproof will also prevent dust and tiny debris from entering the unit.

The Waterproof Fogproof Binocular

Many binoculars are either waterproof, fogproof or both where as some manufacturers call their optics weather protected or even weather proof. But what exactly does it all mean and just what do they do to make a pair of binoculars waterproof and fogproof?

Waterproofing

Waterproof binoculars are sealed internally using O-rings to prevent moisture as well as dust and other small debris from entering the inside of the unit.

Fogproofing

Fogproofing means that the optical barres are filled with nitrogen or argon gas to prevent internal fogging caused when subjecting the optic to temperature extremes, especially in high humidity. Fogproofing is sometimes referred to as nitrogen-purging. This term is probably more descriptive of the actual process; O2 (oxygen) is purged from the barrels and replaced with an inert gas (usually nitrogen) which doesn’t condense.

A pair of binoculars or can be waterproof without being fogproof. What this means is that the binoculars are sealed, but the oxygen inside the barrels haven’t been purged and replaced with an inert gas. But if an optical instrument is fogproof, it has to be waterproof (sealed) as well.

Today even fairly inexpensive binoculars are both waterproof and fogproof. Just look out for manufacturers that claim that their optics are “weather protected” or “water protected” this usually means that they are not 100% water or fog proof, If you are paying for it, make sure that they are 100% waterproof.

Water Repellent Lens Coatings

Another feature to look out for and one that is often found on high end optics are special lens coatings that are actually water repellent or sometimes known as “hydrophobic coatings”. These water and dirt repelling properties, not only repel water, but they are have more resistance to abrasions and make it much easier to remove your fingerprints and dirt particles from the lenses. Lenses treated with the hydrophobic coating allow water to just roll off them.

Popular Waterproof Binoculars for Safari

Categories: Safari Binoculars, Safari Equipment | Tags: Binoculars, Steiner Binoculars, Swarovski, Waterproof, Waterproof Binoculars | No Comments »