When you’re looking through binoculars and see two of everything, it can be really frustrating. You may think that your worthy binoculars are broken and need to be replaced. But before you go out and spend the money, there are a few things you can do to try to fix them yourself.
To fix double vision on binoculars, adjust the focus and interpupillary distance, check for eye dominance and alignment, and consider seeking professional help if the issue persists.
In this article, we will walk you through 8 steps on how to fix binoculars with double vision.
- Equipment For Fixing Double Vision
- Find a Target
- Test the Collimation
- Removing Plastic Casing
- Find Adjustment Screws
- Adjust the Screws
- Tightening the Screws
- Refocus Lens and binoculars with double vision are fixed
It is not a simple task to fix collimation in binoculars. Because the lens of binoculars can get easily destroyed if mishandled. So, you must consult a comprehensive guide and understand the nitty-gritty of the problem before you start adjusting your hunting binoculars on your own.
How to Fix Binoculars with Double Vision? 8 Easy Steps
If you have bought binoculars from a manufacturer that offers a warranty for collimation adjustments, fixing collimation yourself will void that warranty. Before attempting to repair your binoculars on your own, check the documentation that came with them when you purchased them.
As mentioned earlier, binocular double vision is caused when the path of the light entering and exiting the binoculars gets disturbed. By following the steps identified below, you will be able to fix the double vision problem in your rangefinder binoculars, and the quality of the image will improve to a great extent.
The process is likely to take between an hour to two hours, so make sure you have time before you begin. Here is an infographic that shows the quickest way to fix double vision in your binoculars.
Step 1: Necessary Equipment For Fixing Double Vision
It will save you a lot of hassle and time if you keep the following equipment handy before you start:
- Screwdriver
- Tripod and adaptor
- A scalpel or razor
You need a screwdriver to help you open tiny screws and a tripod and adaptor to help you position binoculars as you work on them.
Step 2: Find a Target
Position the binoculars on the tripod steadily, just as you would position them to view elements in the sky. Binoculars need to remain steady as you adjust them for collimation. Attaching binoculars to a binocular tripod will make sure they stay steady.
Now focus the lens on an object to see a clear picture. The picture can be of a fence, a tree, or any other still object at least 1 kilometer away. Focus the binoculars on the selected object and keep the binoculars steady in that position.
Step 3: Test the Collimation
A double picture indicates that the collimation is not right. You may also perform another test to ensure collimation. Close your eyes for a few seconds and then refocus on the thing when you open them. Collimation is not a problem if it looks to be a single picture. If you still see a duplicate picture, make the necessary modifications.
Step 4: Removing Plastic Casing
If your binoculars have a plastic casing, use a scalpel or razor to remove it. Begin removing the casing above the eyepiece and work your way out to the binoculars’ outer corners. Ensure to keep the blade away from the binocular lens so that they do not get damaged.
Before proceeding, you also need to remove the plastic coating on the adjustment screws. Also, remove the lens, clean it and place the clean lens back.
Step 5: Find Adjustment Screws – Fix Binoculars with Double Vision
Using diagrams in the user manual of your binoculars, you will be able to locate the adjustment screws on your binoculars. They are typically covered with plastic or glue, making it difficult to find them.
If you cannot find the location of the screws using the user manual, you can find relevant details about your binoculars using a google search. The manufacturer may have uploaded the diagram of your binocular model, and you can use it to find the screws.
You will find the horizontal adjustment screws before the eyepiece at the back rim of the binoculars. The vertical screws are placed at the center of the binoculars, and you can find them after you peel off the casing on each side of the knob.
Step 6: Adjust the Screws
After this, you can start adjusting the horizontal and vertical screws. Keep track of the number of turns you complete on each adjustment screw, so you can repeat the process in case you make a mistake.
We advise you to begin with horizontal screws. Turn each of the two horizontal screws by one-eighth of a turn, alternating between them. Carefully adjust each screw at the same time and at an equal angle. Otherwise, you will not notice any improvement.
Make sure you follow a similar procedure for each side of the binoculars. Once you finish rotating the horizontal screws, you need to adjust the vertical screws similarly.
Alternatively, turn each screw by one-eighth of a turn, taking breaks as you do this. Again, be careful to adjust each screw simultaneously and at an equal angle. Make sure you follow a similar procedure for each side of the binoculars.
Step 7: Tightening the Screws
Once you have adjusted the horizontal and vertical screws, proceed with the following instructions. The following paragraphs will guide you on how to tighten the screws.
Begin with the horizontal screws on each side because it is harder to align horizontal screws in comparison to vertical screws. Tighten the horizontal screws until the images are halfway closer. Make sure to turn them slowly and adjust each side halfway and equally to preserve the picture quality.
Once one horizontal screw on each side has been adjusted, move to the other horizontal screw to bring the images closer. Turn it slowly until images continue getting closer and stop when images stop getting closer.
When you observe the images start getting further, you should know that your horizontal adjustment is complete. The images will not be centered yet as you still need to fix the vertical screws. When you have tightened horizontal screws, switch to vertical screws.
Turn one of the vertical screws and see if it brings the images closer. As you observe the images getting closer, continue turning them until they are halfway closer. Then adjust the other vertical screw until you see the images get centered. Follow a similar procedure for each side of the binoculars.
Step 8: Refocus Lens and See the Results
When you are satisfied that the images are on top of each other, turn the right-hand knob to its original position and see if the resulting image has improved. To be sure, perform the test for collimation again. Focus the lens on an object to see a clear picture. If you solved the double vision problem, your adjustment procedure was successful.
If you still observe a double image, the collimation is not right.
How To Fix Foggy Binoculars
Have you ever been out in the field, hunting or bird watching, and had your binoculars fog up on you? It’s one of the most frustrating things that can happen, especially when you’ve finally spotted your prey.
Even binoculars manufactured by the best companies can suffer from foggy lenses. This can be a major problem, as it can impair your vision and make it difficult to spot the game. So what can you do to fix foggy binoculars?
You don’t have to worry, there are a few easy ways to fix foggy binoculars. The best way to prevent your binoculars from fogging up in the first place is to make sure they’re clean and dry before you use them. This means wiping down the lenses with a soft, clean cloth.
You should also store your binoculars in a dry, cool place when you’re not using them. If your binoculars do start to fog up, there are a few quick fixes. One is to simply breathe on the lenses and then wipe them off with your cloth.
Another option is to use a lens cleaner specifically designed for binoculars. You can also try placing your binoculars in a bag of rice overnight. This will help to absorb any moisture that may be causing the fogging.
With a little effort, you should be able to fix your foggy binoculars and get back to enjoying your favorite hunting spots.
How To Fix Collimation In Binoculars?
In most cases, collimation is lost because the user tried to disassemble and re-assemble the binoculars without any expert advice to guide them. While it is important to deeply clean binoculars or adjust their step, the binoculars have delicate parts, i.e., lens and prisms that can easily get misaligned.
Once the lens has been misaligned, it is hard to align them at their original place. Another major reason behind the loss of collimation is mishandling due to the fall of binoculars. The prisms get shifted from their original position when dropped, and collimation is lost.
Why Do Binoculars Have Double Vision?
The double vision problem indicates that binoculars are out of collimation. Now you might be wondering, what is collimation? The process whereby all components in binocular lenses are aligned to bright light to their best focus is called collimation. When the process of aligning all components in binocular lenses is not accurate, the binoculars show different images on each side.
In simple words, collimation indicates the entry and exit of light through the lens of the binoculars. In a specific situation, the path light takes gets distorted, and because of the distorted path of light, the user sees two different images from both sides.
Read More: Best High Power Binocualrs For Long Distance Viewing
Conclusion – How to Fix Binoculars with Double Vision
You should know that binoculars require maintenance to be of use continuously. In case a fault such as double vision occurs, do not fret. Instead of immediately replacing it, try fixing it yourself or using an expert’s help.
I recommend you opt for an expert repair if your binoculars are new and under warranty. However, if it’s old and the option of warranty is not available, the process of how to fix binoculars with double vision in this article will help you.
Additional Common Questions
How do you fix double vision in binoculars?
The solution to fixing double vision in binoculars lies within specific microscopic lenses that are designed to set the misaligned images on track. These corrective lenses function simply by redirecting the course of the light beam as it enters the eye. With the stream of the light being expertly manipulated and the images being nudged back into alignment, your brain can then easily compose a single, three-dimensional picture, thus relieving the strain on your eyes and problems associated with your eye muscles along with other symptoms related to Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD).
How do you align binoculars at home?
To rectify binoculars misalignment, binocular-specific microprism lenses play a crucial role. These innovative lenses have the capability to correctly reposition the unaligned images, and they do so by deftly bending the light beam that is headed towards your eyes. The reoriented light and realigned images make it a piece of cake for your brain to form a clear, lone, three-dimensional scene. The efficiently resolved misalignment eases the stress faced by your eyes and any problems related to your eye muscles in addition to eliminating other signs of Binocular Vision Disorder (BVD).
How do you fix binocular misalignment?
Correcting binocular misalignment is achieved through the use of microprism lenses designed purposely for binoculars. Their main function is to adjust the off-track images by skilfully refracting the light beam as it enters your eyes. Post the re-alignment of the images and light, the brain can conveniently create a single, three-dimensional visual. This process alleviates not only the strain felt by your eyes but also clears other discomforts or issues related to your eye muscles as well as any other indications of Binocular Vision Disorder (BVD).
What can cause binocular double vision?
Binocular double vision, or binocular diplopia as it is scientifically known, manifests when both your eyes are open and tends to subside when one eye is closed. This phenomenon is attributed to a misalignment of the eyes, a condition clinically termed strabismus. Certain conditions impacting the cranial nerves which are in charge of supplying the muscles controlling the eyes movement also lead to binocular double vision.