How to Adjust Your Binoculars

How do I adjust binoculars?

Your new binoculars have arrived! Now of course you want to get started with them as quickly and as well as possible. We're happy to guide you through our step-by-step plan that allows you to easily adjust your binoculars. Of course we also have a few tips for when you head out with your binoculars, and we'll explain how to maintain them.

Which parts do you adjust?

• The lenses at the front of the binoculars are the objective lenses.
• The bridge sits in the middle of the binoculars — with this you determine the distance (fold) between the oculars.
• The oculars sit at the back of the binoculars and you look through them.
• The eyecups are the rubber rings attached to the oculars.
• The diopter wheel, with this the finishing touch is applied to focusing. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, there's a good chance you won't need to adjust this.
• The focus wheel, this is the final component of the binoculars and also the most used. It sits in the middle of the binoculars.

Adjusting your binoculars

Step 1: Adjusting the bridge

When adjusting your binoculars, start with the bridge. You need to make sure that the width, or fold, of the binoculars is comfortable for your eyes. Start by setting the binoculars to the widest position. Do you see two circles? Then the fold needs to be narrower and the bridge needs to be adjusted inward. Calmly keep adjusting the bridge until you see only one circle. Once you've found the point where only one circle is visible, the bridge is correctly adjusted.

Step 2: Adjusting the eyecup distance

At the back of the binoculars are the oculars with eyecups on them. The eyecups ensure that you can hold the binoculars comfortably against your face — they block out light and determine the distance between the oculars and your eyes. Do you wear glasses? Then this step is done quickly, because your glasses already create the necessary distance, so you don't need any more distance to the ocular. You can fold the eyecups fully in.

Don't wear glasses? Then fold the eyecups fully out. Look through the binoculars — is the image sharp and clear? Perfect, then this position is fine for you. Is the image not nicely round or do you see black spots? Fold the eyecups in a little bit and look again. Play with the distance and adjust in small increments until you have a perfectly sharp, circle-free image. Found this point? Then the eyecups are set.

Step 3: Adjusting the diopter focus

Almost everyone has a small difference in strength between both eyes. In daily life you don't notice this much. However, with binoculars you may notice that the image isn't completely sharp if you don't set the diopter. There's a chance your eyes compensate for this, but that can be tiring for your eyes. That's why in this step we'll explain how to correctly adjust the diopter.

For this step it's important that you can look approximately 12 meters away. Look around your surroundings and then find a reference point approximately 12 meters away — it would be best if this is a high-contrast object, such as a road sign or letters.

Time to focus. Close your right eye and look only with the left. Find the reference point. Turn the diopter wheel until the image for your left eye is razor-sharp and crystal-clear. Then close your left eye and open your right eye. Find the same reference point and turn the diopter wheel again until this image is also razor-sharp and crystal-clear. Can you also see everything perfectly with this eye? Then open both eyes and enjoy your sublimely adjusted binoculars.

One last tip for adjusting the diopter: on some binoculars you can't lock the setting. In that case, note down or remember the diopter settings — that will save you time next time you head out.

Step 4: Focusing on the object

Finally, use the focus wheel to focus on the object you want to view. This method of focusing is easy and fast. Always take a moment for this — otherwise your eyes will compensate for the lack of focus and will tire quickly.

Using your binoculars

After adjusting your binoculars you can start viewing. To enjoy your binoculars as much as possible, here are a few more tips.

Tip 1: Be gentle with your binoculars

Binoculars are a portable precision instrument that can last a lifetime. Your binoculars therefore deserve a little extra care and attention. Of course, binoculars are made to be super sturdy and robust. But unfortunately, they are not indestructible. With a sturdy strap you hang the binoculars safely around your neck and reduce the risk of damage. After use, you can store the binoculars in a case.

Tip 2: Don't look through your binoculars while walking

Walking while looking through binoculars is very dangerous. So preferably don't do this. Distances are difficult to judge and you risk missing obstacles.

Tip 3: Try using a tripod

When you use your binoculars for extended periods, your arms can get tired. It becomes harder to keep your arms still. Fortunately, many binoculars can be used with a tripod, allowing you to observe one object for longer without tired arms. Some binoculars have a direct connection for this, others require an adapter.

Tip 4: Choose the right magnification

Binoculars come with different magnifications. It's wise to choose a magnification based on the object you want to view. An 8x magnification is generally pleasant and light-strong, and the field of view is wider. The advantage of this is that vibrations from your hands are less noticeable. Due to the higher light power and stability, 8x binoculars are ideal for the active viewer and versatile in use.

With 10x binoculars the field of view becomes smaller but the object you're looking at appears even closer. As a result, the image is more sensitive to shaking. It's therefore important to stabilize yourself — for example, use a tripod or sit comfortably at a table. Less light comes out of the binoculars compared to 8x, so in dim conditions your image will be a bit darker.

Maintaining your binoculars

With regular use, binoculars can get dirty. That's why it's important to maintain your binoculars properly. This prevents blurry images, scratches, and damage. Maintenance doesn't take much time and is done quickly.

Keep the lenses clean

Make it a habit to clean the objectives and oculars before putting the binoculars away. First, dust and sand particles must be removed. Hold the lens that needs to be cleaned facing downward, and use a brush or lens pen to gently brush away the particles. The particles fall downward, away from the lens. Then check the lenses again to make sure all particles are really gone — you can use a magnifying glass for this. Are your binoculars waterproof? Then you may also rinse the lenses under the tap with lukewarm water. Note: never use a (lens) cloth for this, because you'll rub the particles over the coating or lens and this causes microscopic scratches and damage.

To clean and degrease the lenses, you can use a microfiber cloth and special cleaning fluid. The microfiber cloth is usually included with the binoculars. In addition, using a cleaning fluid is recommended. This degreases and cleans the lens without damaging the coating. Put one drop of cleaning product on the microfiber cloth and gently make a circular motion. Don't rub too hard and not in one back-and-forth motion. Is the lens clear and clean again? Then wipe the lens with a dry microfiber cloth until all residue is gone and the lens is completely clean.

Always use the right products for cleaning the lenses. Paper tissues or kitchen paper contain rough wood fibers that can irreparably damage lenses. Household products such as acetone and dish soap damage the coating. Therefore, only use cloths and products specifically intended for cleaning binoculars, such as the Zeiss Lens Cleaning Set.

Moisture and sunlight

Many binoculars are splash-proof or fully waterproof, but even then it's important to dry your binoculars well when they've gotten wet. Do this by dabbing the binoculars dry with a microfiber cloth. Then let the binoculars dry at room temperature for a few days without protective caps. Don't place the binoculars in direct sunlight! This can cause condensation.

Even when dry, don't leave your binoculars in the sun (for extended periods). The (rubber) housing can develop (hair)cracks and you also risk condensation forming. Absolutely don't leave your binoculars in the car either — the dashboard of a car can reach temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees in summer behind glass.