Argh! Ultravids fogged!

[Otto McDiesel]

I had to take a few swims with the Ultravids around my neck (while counting shorebirds and shooting feral pigs from a boat).
I hate to report it, but the lil' window of the diopter adjustment fogged up, consistent with the instructions manual. The binoculars themselves were absolutely fine, again, consistent with the instructions manual.The fogging went away after a few hours in the sun, consistent with the instructions manual. Well, these are a fine pair of competently built binoculars and that is a competently written instructions manual. It must be boring to design and build such perfect binoculars all the time.
Long after sunset, after I could no longer see anything with the bare eyes, I could still find sandpipers and hogs and resolve fine details. Great light gathering and contrast. I COULD NOT BE ANY HAPPIER.

[scampo]

Just bought some 10x25 Ultravids, and I'd echo your final comments. In fact, I'm amazed at the little blighters!

[Jonathan B.]

I had to take a few swims with the Ultravids around my neck (while counting shorebirds and shooting feral pigs from a boat).
I hate to report it, but the lil' window of the diopter adjustment fogged up, consistent with the instructions manual. The binoculars themselves were absolutely fine, again, consistent with the instructions manual.The fogging went away after a few hours in the sun, consistent with the instructions manual. Well, these are a fine pair of competently built binoculars and that is a competently written instructions manual. It must be boring to design and build such perfect binoculars all the time.
Long after sunset, after I could no longer see anything with the bare eyes, I could still find sandpipers and hogs and resolve fine details. Great light gathering and contrast. I COULD NOT BE ANY HAPPIER.

The diopter window in mine has fogged two or three times after use in heavy rain, with the rain falling directly on it. I dried the exterior, popped open the diopter wheel, let it sit for a few hours, and the fog disappeared. As you say, this is as described in the owner's manual.

However let me report that one of the optical tubes in a friend's 8x42 Ultravid fogged up while he was birding in Costa Rica, so the model is not immune to problems.

[Otto McDiesel]

However let me report that one of the optical tubes in a friend's 8x42 Ultravid fogged up while he was birding in Costa Rica, so the model is not immune to problems.


I wonder if this is due to pressurized cabins on airplains, or such.

[Robert Ellis]

I wonder if this is due to pressurized cabins on airplains, or such.

Point taken. I must remember to drive down next time. :-O

[Otto McDiesel]

Point taken. I must remember to drive down next time. :-O

Actually, I have a project going on that involves exactly that.
I am rebuilding a Nissan Sentra 4x4, I have a locking differential in it, a diesel engine, and I am still working on the suspension. It will be used for driving and birding from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, during my sabbatical.
Nothing beats hitch-hiking from Spain to Siberia, though...

[Robert Ellis]

Are you planning on driving through the Darien Gap?

[Otto McDiesel]

Are you planning on driving through the Darien Gap?

That's what ferry boats are for.