Leaving Optics in your vehicle (extreme heat-extreme cold)

[DustyGmt]

So I was thinking about designating a pair of nocs to my vehicle as I'm often traveling up and down the different mountain roads in my car going to different jobs and there are many times I wish I had my binoculars with me to get a closer look at wildlife. I have a nice pair of Luepold BX-1's 10x30 and a not super nice pair of Bushnells 10x42 and was wondering if prolonged exposure to the elements of extreme cold in the winter and extreme heat in the summer would be bad for them.

I would assume that over time moisture and condensation would find it's way in possibly, just not sure. I know they are both nitrogen purged and O ring sealed and such. Was thinking if it was bad I would just throw my cheaper Bushnells in the rig but if it makes no difference I'll use my luepolds because they are a lil bit clearer and higher quality..... also, anybody have the Luepold BX-1 Yosemites? What do you think of em, is there anything significantly better than them in the $200+/- price range? I'd like to have a nice quality pair of binoculars but I cant spend much more than that on binoculars. I might just stick with what I have, idk.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have been carrying a pair of cheap Bushnells in my truck for about ten years. Cab temps range from 0 or so to probably well above 100 when parked in the sun. The binoculars seem to be unaffected.

 

[DustyGmt]

I have been carrying a pair of cheap Bushnells in my truck for about ten years. Cab temps range from 0 or so to probably well above 100 when parked in the sun. The binoculars seem to be unaffected.

Very good to know. Yeah, I was thinking about it the other day. Why do I even have binoculars if not to carry them and use them. From now on I will always have them. Up til now I only brought them along hunting a couple weeks out of the year but there are many times I wish I had them out of season just to get a better look......

 

[k_dawg]

I've only ever had issues with those not properly sealed/N2 filled.

 

[chicharrones]

Late to the thread, but I've kept a pair of old Nikon Travelite III 8x23 binocs in my glove box for the last 7 years or so with no ill effects. The carrying case has shed some exterior vinyl, but the Travelites themselves are just fine.

Now my slightly newer Nikon Action 10-22x50 binocs with a rubber shell covering . . . well that rubber shell is getting whitish areas in the rubber now. They still work fine, but haven't been as age resistant as the plastic shell Travelites.

 

[jmr40]

also, anybody have the Luepold BX-1 Yosemites? What do you think of em, is there anything significantly better than them in the $200+/- price range?

I've had a pair for several years. Unless they've dropped in quality recently I can highly recommend them. Especially the 6X30's. The 8X30's suffer a little in low light. I keep a pair of them in one of my trucks and have never had any issues. And I can't think of anything significantly better until you get over $200.