JIS Waterproofing Standards for binoculars (1 Viewer)

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The most widely recognized standard for water-proofness is the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards). Many manufacturers will list their products as being water-proof then give you the protection degree in JIS 0-8. Here are the JIS classifications.



JIS 0 - Without protection

JIS 1 - Drip Proof - Having no harmful influence by dripping of water falling perpendicularly.

JIS 2 - Drip Proof - Having no harmful influence by dripping of water falling from the range covering 15 degrees from perpendicular.

JIS 3 - Spray Proof - Having no harmful influence by rainfall covering the range of 60 degrees from perpendicular.

JIS 4 - Splash Proof - Having no harmful influence by receiving splash of water from any direction.

JIS 5 - Jet Proof - Having no harmful influence by receiving direct jet of water from any direction.

JIS 6 - Watertight - Having no ingress of water into inside by receiving direct jet of water from any direction.

JIS 7 - Immersion Proof - Having no ingress of water into inside when immersed in water under specified conditions.

JIS 8 - Submersible - Always usable when submerged in water of specified pressure.



This is word for word per JIS. Keep in mind that this standard is used for many types of products. Most high end binoculars are JIS 7 or 8 but some low end optics can claim water-proof and only be JIS 1.

Interesting article, but I'd recommend that anybody be pretty cynical about build quality and the lifetime of associated seals and whatnot. Pity the reference doesn't say how long the binoculars are exposed to water - an afternoon birding in the rain might be several hours. I once received the following as part of a reply:

We are sorry to hear of your experience in cleaning the 820 Swift Audubon.
It is most unfortunate that the term "waterproof" is not clearly defined for
all and commonly known. The standard definition for "waterproof" is that an
instrument can be submerged in one meter of water for 5 minutes.

(very nice optics, though)

Not a clear standard.

Interesting article , true. I've never seen this table.
This standard is far to be a real one applicable to a technical device. As we see there are no details of the procedures and "dimensions" of parameters for each JIS level.
So in JIS 5 a jet of water flowing from a syringue is not different to one coming from a garden hose or by the way a fireman hose.
As others japanese standards this one has no numbers, is "qualitative", and has purely commercial (not technical)aims. It is vague and fouls custommers with this well presented straw.
Have a nice day - Scipius