People have robbed banks by giving the cashier a piece of paper with a note on it. I think binoculars are reasonable in a game where its acceptable to roleplay out of holding a weapon and pretending it is something else. To be honest, its a shame if it's not reverted back, robbing petrol stations with roleplay and not guns provides a great deal of entertainment for all who find themselves involved if done properly.
One thing you are forgetting is that if anyone threatens a cashier in at a petrol station do you really think the employee getting paid minimum wage is going to try and stop him? Fuck that racket. The employee is going to step aside whether its binoculars or his hand pointed like a gun in his pocket.
BRING BACK BINOCULARS ROBBING!