For most people, a pair of binoculars are going to be a serious investment. While undoubtedly, that investment will pay its worth repeatedly over the years in the owner's hunting, astrology, or bird watching pursuits, that can only be guaranteed if the owner understands how to best optimize their tools. If you pay $2000 for a pair of swarovski binoculars for $2000, you want to achieve $2000 worth of results. Unfortunately, five common mistakes in binocular use plague consumers and prevent them from achieving their ultimate goals. Happily, however, those mistakes can be easily avoided.

Mistake #1 - Not having the right binoculars for the job. Know what you are primarily going to use your binoculars for, and pick your tools accordingly. The magnification you'll need for hunting will be different from magnification you'll need for your night out to the opera. The exact activity you plan to engage in will also dictate your necessary apparent view of field and the height and weight of your tools. Bird watchers need light binoculars that are easy to carry, for example, while astronomers prefer tools that are heavier and usually need to be set upon a tripod.

Additionally, you'll need to consider where you are going to use the binoculars. Are you going somewhere that will expose your binoculars to water? If so, you'll need a pair that are waterproof.

Mistake #2 - Failing to use the neck strap: Many people fail to use their neck strap. This is absolutely essential! Carrying around your binoculars by hand is almost a guarantee for disaster. No one ever means to drop their binoculars, but it happens frequently anyway, especially in the rougher terrain traversed by hunters or bird watchers. Using a neck strap prevents this. If you are troubled with back problems and find that the weight of the binoculars around your neck is bothersome, opt instead for a binocular harness, which will provide a more even distribution of weight.

Mistake #3 - Not having the right focus: Always make sure that you have the right focus. The most important step in getting the right focus is to always make sure that the binoculars are the right width for your eyes. Once you have that accomplished, pick a specific stationary item to focus on. Close your left eye while you adjust the focus wheel, and your right eye to adjust the diopter adjustment (sharp focus). When you open both eyes, your tool should be in focus. If not, repeat the steps until they are.

Mistake #4 - Lacking an adequate storage: In order for the swarovski binoculars you purchased to have a full life, it only makes sense to store them in a waterproof case in order to protect that investment.

Mistake #5 - Not cleaning the binoculars frequently enough: Your binoculars are a valuable tool in your recreational activities, and should be cleaned after each use. Even people who do clean their binoculars frequently grab any old rag (or worse, part of their shirt!) to clean off the lense. This can cause scratching which will, over time, deteriorate the quality of your tool. Instead, use specially made lens cloth or lens tissue combined with cleaning solution. These items can be found at most camera stores.

Many people balk at shelling out the money necessary for a good pair of binoculars, but for serious hobbyists, the option to pay less for the type of high quality tool they need isn't available. Fortunately, protecting this investment is simple. If the owner follows the tips above, their heavy-duty $1000- $2000 swarovski binoculars should last a long time and provide more than enough enjoyment to justify the investment.