I'm shopping for a new pair. My last were Soligor 8x21s and were small and light. I haven't really used them for a few years but when I went to get them today, I found all that protective rubber coating had metamorphosed into a sticky tar like coating. I tried to strip it off but each successive layer was just as bad. Has anyone else have this happen?

anyhooo, now I need a new pair and I'm open to any suggestions for a replacement. I wear glasses so that will be a consideration in what I buy.

Have you considered monoculars instead? I've never really understood the benefit that binoculars provide when trying to look at things that are far away.

I find the scope on my rifle is quite good for taking a closer look..kidding..bad..

wonder if some stove fuel or other liquids, such as bug repellant leaked onto your unit.

It could have been some sort of solvent that got to the rubber but didn't effect the case. It was under all sorts of other misc camping crap....oyvay, I need to do some spring cleaning!

Off can be quite harmful to some plastics, but then other less toxic liquids, even in small doses, can do harm over time in storage.
Guess its an excuse to shop and try another new product.

I really like the Nikon Travelite EX series. Small, waterproof (essential for me - I don't need another piece of gear that needs mollycoddling), don't fog, suitable for use with glasses. I have the 8x25s.

Degrading rubber could just be normal. How many years or even months do you get out of a rubber band? The rubber, or whatever, on the binoculars could just degrade naturally. Nothing lasts forever.

Peter

if you take care of your equipment, i recommend 10x32 Zeiss Conquest Binocs. Tiny and light.

They are expensive ~$700, but they are the first things i throw in my backpack.

After a few years now, i feel a little more comfortable with them that i dont have to wrap a fleece jacket around them to protect them.

They also have lens system for those with glasses.

Wow 7G thats a good commitment for that.