Rank: Guru
Rating: 93%, 31 votes
Yes they can be but need to be completely taken apart and cleaned. The salt will corrode any metal parts such as screws etc. The water may have left a coating on the internal glass services. Any impurities in the water may cause fungus to grow. Professionally done this will cost a tidy sum so a quote would be best. The warranty wouldn't cover water immersion if they are not meant to be waterproof. You could ask but Minolta no longer make binoculars and have forwarded on their servicing here is the web address
http://ca.konicaminolta.com/support/contact/binoculars/
You may find that for the cost of repair you can purchase a replacement set. Minolta binoculars are heavily discounted now. For sentimental reasons I have paid more than a binocular is worth to have it repaired.
If you are going to buy a new set and still want to try at home....BE ADVISED this may RUIN the alignment and you should ONLY DO IT if you are going to replace them and DO NOT CARE if they end up in the rubbish bin. THIS IS A LAST RESORT THROW AWAY FIX.
Try and unscrew the objective barrels, the ones with the large lens. If they come off you should have access to the inside. If they don't unscrew easily stop. You will damage them. Flush them out with clean water and let them dry naturally. Avoid letting them dry where dust can enter the inside. This may clear the salt from inside them, Depends on how long since they were dropped into the water. The salt may have caused damage to the glass coatings. When dry, screw the barrels back on. You may end up with a double image. This may be able to be corrected by loosening or tightening the barrels. THIS IS A HACK FIX AND YOU SHOULD ONLY DO IT IF THE COST TO REPAIR IS TOO EXPENSIVE AND YOU ARE GOING TO REPLACE THEM.