23 replies to this topic

[tmichaelbanks]

Hey Folks, I have a pair of Nikon Premier 8x42s that I purchased from a fellow CNer.  They are great binoculars, sharp to the edge, plenty of eye relief for me and my glasses, and have a really fabulous focuser.

 

Today I was sitting out on the back deck in the sun to warm up and check on the avian arrivals (apologies to Californians who are getting weather overflow from us here in New England, and best wishes to stay safe).

 

After several minutes I noticed that the smooth surface of the armor on the top became a little tacky as it warmed up, while the armor not exposed to the sun was cooler and OK.

 

I know that other binocular brands sometimes have similar problems (Canon IS binos, Zeiss FLs, etc.) and various and sundry solutions exist.  But I haven't seen any threads on this issue with Nikon armor.

 

I've tried some warm water and soap, but no change.  I called Nikon technical support and they said "send them in for repair" faster than you could say "send them in for repair," but I'm not interested in doing that.

 

Any suggestions?

[gokidd]

My wireless computer mouse did something similar after I had used it for a couple of years.

I put rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth and wiped over the sticky areas.

That has seemed to help for quite a while.

[Vertigo]

I know that other binocular brands sometimes have similar problems (Canon IS binos, Zeiss FLs, etc.)

Sorry but where did you get this nonsense from?
The Zeiss FL housing is a glass fiber reinforced polyamide housing, what should stick there?
On the contrary, the housings are very robust and durable, you have wrong information here!

 

With the IS Canon, however, there were always problems from time to time.

 

Andreas

[tmichaelbanks]

Hello Vertigo,

 

I was referring to the white, powdery substance that appears on the armor (not the housing) of some older Zeiss models after a time.  I mis-spoke when I said the Zeiss armor gets tacky.

 

IIRC, I believe Zeiss recommends applying glycerin periodically to remedy the white powder problem.

[Vertigo]

Hello Vertigo,

 

I was referring to the white, powdery substance that appears on the armor (not the housing) of some older Zeiss models after a time.  I mis-spoke when I said the Zeiss armor gets tacky.

 

IIRC, I believe Zeiss recommends applying glycerin periodically to remedy the white powder problem.

Hi,

 

that was a Zeiss Conquest what was discussed here, not a FL!

 

The FL housing is factually just great, one of the best cases ever.

 

Michael...

IMO send the glass to Nikon service they should take care of it it won't get better they should put a new armor on it, the current one is faulty.

 

Andreas

Edited by Vertigo, 10 March 2023 - 05:45 PM.

[tmichaelbanks]

Hi Andreas,

 

Yes, I do remember a fairly recent CN thread about the white powder forming on the Conquest armor.  However, I also remember several posts discussing the same issue regarding rubber armor on the 8x42 and 10x42 FLs.  That was a while ago and my memory could be faulty, but I'll try searching for it later.  The "solution" from Zeiss was to apply glycerin to the armor periodically.

 

If I send the Premier in to Nikon, they will not repair it because it is too old.  More likely they will send me a refurbished Nikon HG 8x42 and I don't want one of those.  I did own the 10x42 HG and it was a good binocular but I much prefer the sharper image and great focuser of the Premier.

 

Thanks,

Mike

[exup]

Hi Andreas,

 

Yes, I do remember a fairly recent CN thread about the white powder forming on the Conquest armor.  However, I also remember several posts discussing the same issue regarding rubber armor on the 8x42 and 10x42 FLs.  That was a while ago and my memory could be faulty, but I'll try searching for it later.  The "solution" from Zeiss was to apply glycerin to the armor periodically.

 

If I send the Premier in to Nikon, they will not repair it because it is too old.  More likely they will send me a refurbished Nikon HG 8x42 and I don't want one of those.  I did own the 10x42 HG and it was a good binocular but I much prefer the sharper image and great focuser of the Premier.

 

Thanks,

Mike

There seem to be many products that develop sticky surfaces.

 

Canon have tried to claim suncream or insect repellant, however that is still to be proven.

 

I noticed an ~10 year old Celestron 25x70 has developed a few sticky bits on some surfaces. It sits permanently on a tripod at a North facing double glazed window, so perhaps (?),  some limited UV is the cause?

 

Andreas, what are you doing with your WXs to protect them?

[Vertigo]

However, I also remember several posts discussing the same issue regarding rubber armor on the 8x42 and 10x42 FLs. 

Hi Michael,

 

that would be new to me?!
On BF. there are many hundreds of reports about the FL, there is hardly a binocular that is less complained about.

I myself have been using a FL 10x56 and 8x32 for many years and they have been in the sun for a long time, nothing?!

 

But I can understand that you don't want to exchange the Premier for an HG, Nikon sometimes tries to do the same with the EDG, actually a Nogo.

 

 

Andreas, what are you doing with your WXs to protect them?

Hi,

 

If you mean me, I've never owned a WX, at some point the fun stops for me at these prices.

In this case, I would really take large binoculars with interchangeable eyepieces instead, because then you have more options, especially since the WX is also a special binocular.

 

Andreas

[exup]

 

Hi,

 

If you mean me, I've never owned a WX, at some point the fun stops for me at these prices.

In this case, I would really take large binoculars with interchangeable eyepieces instead, because then you have more options, especially since the WX is also a special binocular.

 

Andreas

Sorry, I thought you had these, based on your recent comments about having the best optics.

[Vertigo]

Sorry, I thought you had these, based on your recent comments about having the best optics.

Hello,

 

no, I don't have the WX!

 

 

IMO I think the big advantage of the WX is the huge field of view, that is of course spectacular, everything else the other Alpha binoculars can do just as well.

The WX even has disadvantages, it is big and heavy, has no central focuser and even the transmission is not at the top and just because of the field of view the price is clearly too high for me.

Great for Astro, of course, but I'd still rather buy a high quality 100/120mm model.

 

Andreas

[f18dad]

I have read that clear Saran Wrap works well on binoculars with sticky surfaces. Maybe it could also be preventative for models prone to problems?

 

I have some old luggage with sticky handles. I just wrap them in duct tape.

[tmichaelbanks]

Thanks for those suggestions f18dad!  Appreciate it.

[f18dad]

Thanks for those suggestions f18dad!  Appreciate it.

​  OK. My bad. Sorry. Genuinely. Apologies. Sometimes a bit of humor goes sideways on CN.

 

I did actually read that on another CN thread. Poster was serious. I shouldn't have mentioned it in this context.

[davidmcgo]

My old Bushnell rubber armored Spacemaster was getting tacky and a wipe down with a cloth and a little Superlube pure silicone oil (not the spray) has left it feeling not sticky or greasy for almost a year now.  Just a few drops on a cloth, wipe it down.  Follow with a dry cloth a bit later.  Be sure not to get any on the lenses though.

 

Dave

[skybadger]

Wipe down with propanol takes the stickiness away.
At least for my cameras and binos. I think it's a biproduct of age too.

[tmichaelbanks]

No worries f18dad, I read your post in a hurry and thought, “Hm…okay. Let me think about that after I finish with the grocery shopping.”

 

One interesting thing is that now that the binoculars have cooled down, the tackiness has completely gone (65*F, 35% RH). I have some silicone lubricant for my treadmill belt. Picking up on Dave’s suggestion above. I could try it on a small area and see if it helps.

[SandyHouTex]

I had the handle of a Volvo umbrella that got really sticky.  I put a dusting of baby powder on it and the stickiness was gone.

[John Fitzgerald]

Rubbing alcohol, on a clean cloth, wiping it down, usually removes stickiness from outgassing.  Just damp with the rubbing alcohol, not soaked.

[Rich V.]

Isopropyl alcohol on a cloth helped did help on my 20 yr old Nikon EIIs but I still want to send them to Suddarth to put new skins on.  Still a bit sticky.  I want covernings that are less rubbery, and harder, thicker like my Nikon Es that have held up like new for 40 years without ever getting sticky and bubbly.  Once it gets warm again, the EIIs will likely get sticky despite my efforts.  

[Binojunky]

Lots of suggestions that should help, years ago when I was into world band radios I had a couple of Eton/Grundig sets that were covered in a black rubber finish, they went to a sticky mess in a few years, never did get the problem cured, Dave.

[tmichaelbanks]

Hi Binojunky,

 

I also have a portable Grundig SW radio with a finish that went tacky on me.  It has a matt black finish that had a soft feel to it originally.  I left it next to our basement dehumidifier for several weeks and the finish dried out to the point where the tackiness was greatly reduced.  I've also seen similar things when resin-based watchbands "age out".

 

Mike 

[Lawrence clark]

"Nextel" or some such finish
Vinyl

Like above comment

Instead of binoculars maybe try searching for sticky speaker cabinet remedies
I've never had it to have tried out the typical solutions given out in order to give advice

[Binojunky]

Hi Binojunky,

 

I also have a portable Grundig SW radio with a finish that went tacky on me.  It has a matt black finish that had a soft feel to it originally.  I left it next to our basement dehumidifier for several weeks and the finish dried out to the point where the tackiness was greatly reduced.  I've also seen similar things when resin-based watchbands "age out".

 

Mike 

Got rid of them , now its a finish on anything that I avoid, Dave.

[tmichaelbanks]

Don’t want to get rid of the SW radio because it has an air band. I often listen to the chatter from the local general aviation airport a few miles from my house. In my binoculars I can sometimes see pilots in the cockpit as they line up with the runway. Reminds me of the good old days as a student pilot.