Binoculars that smell of cigarettes

[MacGee]

Is there any point in buying second-hand binoculars that have been owned by a smoker? Will the smell ever go away? I have two experiences to draw on.

1. When I was first married we were given a carpet by my aunt, who was a smoker. We tried everything we could think of to get rid of the smell, but in the end we had to throw the thing out.

2. A few years ago I bought a Mac PowerBook on eBay. It turned out the seller worked in a cigar company and the PowerBoook smelled accordingly. However, after a thorough wipe down, the smell went away. (The box it came in still smells, though - I must remember to throw that out.)

Theoretically, I would expect the binoculars, which are rubber-armoured, to behave like the PowerBook, both being made of non-absorbent material. Am I right? Would you risk it?

Michael.

[christineredgate]

Michael,I hardly think that one could smoke and look through binoculars at the same time.Also I do not think that bins can absorb the smell of cigarettes,chips etc,as do material and porous objects.So I think you would be okay.A quick wipe around should certainly help.I doubt anyone would leave expensive binoculars lying around without being in a case etc.

[Leif]

Is there any point in buying second-hand binoculars that have been owned by a smoker? Will the smell ever go away? I have two experiences to draw on.

1. When I was first married we were given a carpet by my aunt, who was a smoker. We tried everything we could think of to get rid of the smell, but in the end we had to throw the thing out.

2. A few years ago I bought a Mac PowerBook on eBay. It turned out the seller worked in a cigar company and the PowerBoook smelled accordingly. However, after a thorough wipe down, the smell went away. (The box it came in still smells, though - I must remember to throw that out.)

Theoretically, I would expect the binoculars, which are rubber-armoured, to behave like the PowerBook, both being made of non-absorbent material. Am I right? Would you risk it?

Michael.


I remember reading on the Honest John site that it is possible to remove the smell of cigarettes from cars. I cannot recall how, but I imagine the same applies to binoculars. Perhaps a search on that site will find the information.

Leif

[FrankD]

Somewhat related from this time last year. I used some odor eliminating spray typically sold to hunters at sporting goods stores after a thorough cleaning with soap and water on the exterior rubber.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=41575&highlight=smoke

[statestat]

Somewhat related from this time last year. I used some odor eliminating spray typically sold to hunters at sporting goods stores after a thorough cleaning with soap and water on the exterior rubber.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=41575&highlight=smoke


My dear old dad used to sit in his car and smoke cigars since he was not allowed to smoke in the house. He even smoked cigars in the winter with the windows all the way up! I got the smell out using an ozone generator that I borrowed from a friend. Only took about half a day. They use them in bars. I did hear that the ozone also could damge some materials so I would not leave it on too long.

[Hanno]

Michael,I hardly think that one could smoke and look through binoculars at the same time.
As an ex-smoker, let me asure you that it is possible. However, I noticed no smell on my bins within a couple of days of smoking (and getting caught in the rain a couple of times).

[Otto McDiesel]

Michael,I hardly think that one could smoke and look through binoculars at the same time.

Try again.

Smoked and used Optolyths for a long time. No smell on the bins.

[Otto McDiesel]

I would be very cautious about any cleaning method other than soap and water. Many chemicals, ozone included, degrade rubber and plastic.
I'm sure ya'll prefer smelly $1000 to crumbling $1000 binos.

[RichC]

Yup, one can smoke and use Bins. Although I DO have trouble rolling one and using Bins.
My wifes an Ex smoker and can smell it on me. But she has never mentioned it when she borrows my Bins.

[Swissboy]

...I doubt anyone would leave expensive binoculars lying around without being in a case etc.


Ours ARE consistently lying around without a case. How else would they be ready in an instant all the time? They are definitely meant to be used! So the only thing that is stashed away is that case which we never use. I'm taking about a Zeiss FL and a Victory I, as well as a Trinovid.

[Hanno]

Yupp, I wouldn't even know where the case for my bins is:-)

[birdpotter]

Wait, binoculars come with a case????