Sand in Focus Mechanism (5 Viewers)

[RogerO'T]

Following a trip to a beach location where my zeiss binoculars were dropped in the sand, there is a grating feel to the focussing now.
They are meant to be waterproof, but I'm not sure how to get the sand from the focus wheel.
Any ideas ?

 

[ronh]

Roger,
I've never had the problem you describe, so this is just a half baked idea. Immerse it in a basin of water and work the focus knob. Do this with the bino held in various orientations. Seems like it might rinse the particle out.
Ron

 

[falcondude]

maybe give manufacturer a call to see if they have any recommendation so it will not void your warranty if something went wrong.

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Roger,
I've never had the problem you describe, so this is just a half baked idea. Immerse it in a basin of water and work the focus knob. Do this with the bino held in various orientations. Seems like it might rinse the particle out.
Ron

THis seems a sensible approach (these are immersion waterproof bins).

You might try using a squeeze blower first to see if you can move the sand grains without water.

I'd work the central diopter adjustment too (as the sand might be trapped there).

If that fails then give Zeiss a call. This seems to fall between unit failure and failure in the field but Zeiss currently seem to be pretty good about dealing with even outright user problems (falling on a bin and breaking the enclosure) with a reasonable repair price.

Which Zeiss model has the problem?

 

[Alexis Powell]

Which Zeiss model has the problem?

I'd bet it's the FL. One of my big gripes about the FL has been the design of the housing at the hinge below (in front of) the focus wheel. Having spent a lot of time doing photography and birding in the sands of arabia, it's one of the first things I think about when evaluating the body design of optics. One of my nightmares is having my 8x32 FL come into contact with sand.

--AP

 

[Fireform]

I crawled over my FLs in sand (long story) and had to clean out the focus knob and environs. Little by little with a toothbrush and kleenexes and then rinsing it off after and it was clean.

 

[RogerO'T]

Which Zeiss model has the problem?

I've just relocated the box they arrived in!

They are " 8x40BT*" apparently, but I can't remember how long I've had them.
Not sure how long the warranty lasts.

Thanks for the help so far. I'll try Ron's idea soon, if no further info is gleaned.

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Ah they're the Zeiss Victory 8x40 (the model before the FLs).

I'd blow the focuser first whilst moving it then pop up the diopter setting and blow that whilst moving it. THen move to the water.

At least they have a lifetime warranty but this issue is a pain to deal with.

 

[RogerO'T]

Ah they're the Zeiss Victory 8x40 (the model before the FLs).

I'd blow the focuser first whilst moving it then pop up the diopter setting and blow that whilst moving it. THen move to the water.

At least they have a lifetime warranty but this issue is a pain to deal with.

Thanks, will give it a try.

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Thanks, will give it a try.

Let us know how it works out. And if I should avoid taking my Victory to the ocean ...

 

[ronh]

What can you do? Any binocular is going to have a part that moves against another part, and grit can get trapped in between. A good one will be sealed up so the grit can't get down deep into the innards, but there is no guarantee that even the best will never get crunchy on you.

Golly Fireform, did you have a knife between your teeth?
Ron

 

[Alexis Powell]

Some designs just appear to be looking for trouble. The Zeiss FL, for example, have a sand trap built into the top of the hinge in front of the focus knob, and and on the underside of the hinge they have a little cup for holding sand in front of the focus knob. Scares me to death, but I'm careful, so it it doesn't keep me from using them in sandy places. Still, I felt a lot more confident with the Leica BA/BN in these places.

--AP

 

[FrankD]

The 8x40 B*T* sounds like the Conquest model.....either that or the original Victory I but then wouldn't it say either Conquest or Victory on the box?

 

[Kevin Purcell]

The Victory doesn't have its name on the bin the Conquests do in the armor. It just says 8x40 B*T* on the hinge. Very cryptic! The others would use the fullname Zeiss Conquest 8x40 T ABK (the B was a given at that point).

It should say on the box though.

Pics here

Victory
http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/20

Conquest
http://www.opticsplanet.net/zeiss-conquest-8x40-binoculars.html

 

[ronh]

"they have a little cup for holding sand in front of the focus knob."

Well, I wondered what that was for. And, I thought it was a bad thing my Trinovid BA didn't have one. The FL is a beauty, but nothing I've seen inspires confidence like that old Leica.
Ron

 

[RogerO'T]

Let us know how it works out. And if I should avoid taking my Victory to the ocean ...

...the ocean is fine, they are certainly waterproof!

I held them under a basin of water and a running faucet as advised. They are c75% better, but can still feel a few particles at the extreme ends of the focus range.
Not enough to be an irritant, so I'll let time remove the remaining grains.
Thanks to all who tried to assist.

 

[spyglass]

Kevin, it's OK to take yer Zeiss to the beach and bird (or ogle birds, if it's that kinda beach....)....just don't fall down with it or drop it.