Worried about binocular fogging

[riscapule]

Hi,

I will be traveling to Panama in March and am worried that my Swift Ultra Lite binoculars will give me problems with fogging. I will be in cloud forests and some very humid areas and since they aren't waterproof is there anything I can do or am I worring unnecessarily?

Thanks

[Terry O'Nolley]

I've been to Panama twice (1983 & 1989) and my binoculars didn't fog up.

Of course I had US military issue binos both times.

[Keith Dickinson]

If the bins aren't waterproof then the chances are that they will fog up, as the water can be guaranteed to penetrate into the casing. The effects of water on the coatings on the prisms and inside surface of the lenses may ruin the binoculars if they cannot be properly cleaned within a short period of time after the wetting occurs. It would be prudent to consider purchasing a pair of waterproof bins.

[London Birder]

and an anti-fog lens cloth

[jackied]

Real problems with fogging only occur with swift temperature changes, e.g. if you take them outside in to a humid forest after they have been kept overnight in an air-conditioned room. If the insides get seriously fogged , then over time a fungal growth can occur, however this should take a few years to develop. So long as you keep them in a stable temperature and store them with a Silica gel bag when you get home, you should have no problem.
Jackie

[timmyjones]

I think that spitting on the lenses can stop fogging then wipe it off as this works on swimming googles