Last summer I tried to clean a pair of Swift Audubon 8.5x44 820 porro binoculars, and made the mistake of believing that the "waterproof" marking meant that they would actually survive being left to soak in water. They went back to Warehouse Express for repair under warranty on the 28th August. After periodic emails to Warehouse Express and reports that they were in a waiting list or undergoing repair at Pyser I ended up with a replacement pair. I took today off from work at short notice just to be able to receive them and eagerly unwrapped them to compare them with the ED version I had got to replace them (and carefully kept well away from water!). Funny, I don't seem to be able to focus them... A few moments later I noticed that the left hand side was giving me a view not only blurred, but slanted 10-20 degrees to the left of vertical. Furthermore, it rattles when shaken gently. There is no sign of exterior damage, so I'm guessing that this isn't a pair that has been dropped in transit.
Somebody's quality control is not all that it should be and I am sick to death of this affair. If anybody is going to Slimbridge tomorrow and can use a pair of joke binoculars, PM me and I'll hand them over. Would suit birdwatcher completely blind in left eye or amateur optical engineer.
Binoculars are usually rated as being waterproof to a certain depth for a certain duration. Leaving them under for a prolonged time is bad news. Did you put detergent in the water? That probably makes matters worse as it lowers the surface tension, and dissolves grease/lubricant.
Out of interest, what are the two versions like? Is there any point to paying extra for the ED version?
Yes, I did put a small amount of detergent in the water, and yes I still feel very stupid about it! I was quite keen to compare the ED and non-ED versions but I still have never had both working non-ED and working ED on hand at the same time. I might compare what I have got them with a lens cap over the left hand side so I don't get a headache trying it, but I suspect my answer wouldn't be very useful to other people as I am unusually short sighted (last prescription was 18.5 and 19.25 dioptres) so the combined optical path to the back of my eye must be very odd (I can get chromatic aberation from my glasses alone!)