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Updated 20/8/2009

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Binocular Information

The following list contains some important recommendations which you should know about that will enable you to get the most enjoyement out of your telescope or binoculars.

Never use telescopes, Binoculars or your un aided eye to look at the sun without using proper "SOLAR FILTER" protection. Only use certified full aperture filters, or solar projection method. Do not under any circumstances use solar filters that screw into the eyepieces as the heat from the magnified solar energy can crack the eyepiece/filter and permanently blind you. This also applies to your finderscope.

Never Leave your telescope or binoculars outside unattended where children may accidently look at the sun through it. Children must always be supervised when using optical equipment.

Never Leave eyepieces or lenses lying around exposed the sun as the suns rays may be magnified and start a fire.

Always observe Electrical safety recommendations which come with the telescopes and never exceed the maximum safe working voltages.

Never clean the large internal mirrors on a telescope unless you are competent of doing it properly, this is best left for an experienced service centre. The mirrors are best left alone and very rarely (Years) require that degree of cleaning. A layer of fine dust on the mirror is not really a major problem.

Before cleaning any lenses or eyepieces always blow off any small solid materials off the glass surfaces to avoid the risk of scratching.

Never use any harsh solvents to clean your eyepieces or lenses as these fluids can permanently damage the special coatings which are applied to the glass surfaces. Only use recommended cleaning materials.

Do not expose your telescope or binoculars to impacts or shock as this can put them out of alignment or in severe cases can damage the glass or mechanics.

After using your telescope or binoculars do not wipe off any condensation which may have formed on the lenses, mirrors or eyepieces, it is best to leave them uncovered and allowed to dry naturally.

Always store your telescope in a dry environment and if practical have mirrors, lenses or eyepieces facing down or covered well to try and avoid dust settling on the surfaces.

Never over tighten screws or bolts as this may result in damage to the threads or components attached to them.

Never use force on any optical or mechanical components on your telescope as you may permanently damage them. The telescope is a precision apparatus and should always be treated with great care. If something does not want to screw on or move correctly, just pause and gently try again.

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Cleaning Telescope Optics

It is recommended that before cleaning any optics you check with the instruction manual or manufacturer to see if they have any preferred cleaning techniques. If you are unable to check then the following process will be able to provide you with a reliable cleaning method.

It is very important that you do not clean your optics out in the field as you risk damaging them by exposing them to dirt and dust etc. You should always clean your optics in a clean environment. Make sure you are in a bright natural or white light environment.

But as the old saying goes "prevention is better than cure" so please try and take care of your optics and avoid unnecessary exposure to dust, in other words always cover your optics well when not in use.

Cleaning Eyepieces and Lenses

1. Prepare your materials and your work environment. Make sure you have the following materials available.

A clean work area such as a clean kitchen bench, place a clean lint free towel down on the bench where you are going to work.

A quantity of De-ionised or distilled water.

A blower bulb or other pressure duster. (not compressed propellents)

An extremely soft camels hair brush.

Some Cotton Buds, Cotton Wool balls, lens or facial tissue. Do not use any tissues with oils or perfumes like lavender. (Preferably sterile)

Store your cleaning materials in a clean sealed plastic zip bag and do not touch the ends of cotton buds with your fingers. (There is no use in using materials that have been contaminated before you even start to use them).

Pure alcohol or alcohol containing only water as the other ingredient. If you use other types they may contain oils or perfumes which will leave streaks on your optics. Do not use nail polish remover.

2. Use the blower bulb to blow off any deposits of solid material on the lens surface such as dirt and dust. Do not use your breath as water droplets can get on the lens, causing spots. If the lens has particles that cannot be blown off you can try to remove them by gently flicking the camel brush in an upward motion away from the lens surface do nut brush the lens while the particle is still there, or moisten (do not soak) a tissue or cotton bud with distilled water and gently dab the surface, without rubbing. Once dry use the air bulb again to blow off any more dust if necessary.

3. Moisten (do not soak) a cotton bud or tissue with an alcohol mix of 75% alcohol and 25% distilled water and gently wipe from the centre to the outer edge using a circular motion. Move your cotton bud or tissue slowly enough to allow the cleaning fluid to leave an evaporating trail just behind the cotton bud or tissue. You may need to do this several times in order to clean properly. Remember to use a clean tissue each time, this will reduce the chance of putting contaminants back on your lens and possibly scratching it. Make sure you now do not touch the glass surface with your fingers as you will cause smudges. An important note is to not use too much liquid at the edge of your lenses as capillary action could drag the liquid inside. The liquid alcohol mix itself is not a problem but as it makes its way inside it can bring in disolved oils from the eyepiece or lens and leave this oil residue behind after the alcohol mix has evaporated.

4. Check your work by fogging the lens surface with your breath, you will be able to see how clean the lens is by the way the fog evaporates from the surface. This is also a good way to finally clean any small water spots that may be left, simply fog the spot up and wipe with a cotton bud or tissue. Some tissues may themselves leave dust, so after you have finished you can do a final dust blow off with the air bulb. Repeat the process if required.

5. Once you have finished, store your eyepieces back in their sealed canisters. It is a good idea to even give your eyepiece canisters a clean once in a while.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Acetone can damage plastic and painted surface use alcohol only. This is especially the case with binoculars and cameras.

Cleaning Primary Mirrors

1. Prepare your materials and your work environment. Make sure you have the following materials available.

A clean work area such as a clean kitchen bench, place a clean lint free towel down on the bench where you are going to work.

A quantity of De-ionised or distilled water.

A blower bulb or other pressure duster. (not compressed propellents)

A clean vessel or pan large enough to hold your mirror. Make sure the vessel drains the water away. (a clean kitchen sink can be used)

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate Soap (mild soap) (Palmolive).

Some Cotton Buds, Cotton Wool balls, lens or facial tissue. Do not use any tissues with oils or perfumes like lavender. (Preferably sterile)

Store your cleaning materials in a clean sealed plastic zip bag and do not touch the ends of cotton buds with your fingers. (There is no use in using materials that have been contaminated before you even start to use them).

Please make sure you have a firm grip on the mirror in all phases of the cleaning process. It will also be worth while removing any jewelry you have on your hands or wrists.

2. Use the blower brush to blow off any deposits of solid material on the mirrors surface.

3. Place a clean lint free towel in the bottom of your vessel or container, this will help protect the mirror from damage by softening any impacts against the vessel. Place your mirror in the vessel or container and raise it on an angle so that water can run off it. Make a solution of luke warm soapy water (not too much soap) in a jug and pour it over the mirror, rinse the vessel and towel. Repeat this process until you are happy you have removed any contaminants which may scratch the mirror surface during contact cleaning.

4. Leaving the mirror inclined in the vessel use the cotton wool balls to very gently wash the mirror surface with a clean solution of luke warm soap and water, be sure not to let the solution dry on the surface as a stain may result and you will have to repeat the cleaning process by gently rubbing the stained area as well as the rest of the mirror surface. Use a very gentle swirling motion while rubbing.

5. Use the clean distilled water to rinse off the mirror in order to remove the soapy solution from the surface. 

6. Remove the mirror from the vessel and allow the mirror to stand securely on its side so that excess water will run off.

7. Inspect the mirror for stains. If there are any then repeat steps 3 to 6.

8. Dry the edges of the mirror using a tissue to avoid staining the mirror from any excessive water run off.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Primary mirrors should be cleaned as less often as possible. Usually year(s). A layer of fine dust will not compromise the optical performance of your telescope, so do not go cleaning your primary mirror unless you absolutely feel you have to. Also the cleaning procedure can be tedious and unless you feel confident in doing the job properly you are best to leave it for an experienced service center. 

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