Rifle Scopes Optics cleaning?
- Thread starter Jig Stick
- Start date
Re: Optics cleaning?
I've never really cleaned them in the field, while I do hunt in very rough terrain in all kinds of weather, I find that my flip caps keep everything out. I only open them when I know I'm close, or something presents itself. And even then I do occasionally get some dust, or pine needles, or a couple snowflakes/raindrops in there, but it never seemed to be a problem when it came to seeing clearly through the scope.
I just bring em home and clean them after the trip.
I've never really cleaned them in the field, while I do hunt in very rough terrain in all kinds of weather, I find that my flip caps keep everything out. I only open them when I know I'm close, or something presents itself. And even then I do occasionally get some dust, or pine needles, or a couple snowflakes/raindrops in there, but it never seemed to be a problem when it came to seeing clearly through the scope.
I just bring em home and clean them after the trip.
Re: Optics cleaning?
I also don't clean them in the field.If they are dirty or dusty I just blow them but never touch the glass without running filtered water over them when i'm out of the field.Unless you are in mud and don't use any caps you have no real reason to touch them with anything but water from yor pack at the very least but remember tap water can damage coatings.Always use distilled water.
I also don't clean them in the field.If they are dirty or dusty I just blow them but never touch the glass without running filtered water over them when i'm out of the field.Unless you are in mud and don't use any caps you have no real reason to touch them with anything but water from yor pack at the very least but remember tap water can damage coatings.Always use distilled water.
Re: Optics cleaning?
I forgot to mention also, half the reason I use a sunshade is to keep everything away from my lense, like fingers, grass, and such. I have several scopes who's lenses have never been touched by anything but water or a lense cloth.
I forgot to mention also, half the reason I use a sunshade is to keep everything away from my lense, like fingers, grass, and such. I have several scopes who's lenses have never been touched by anything but water or a lense cloth.
Re: Optics cleaning?
ok. I understand the importance of keeping them clean. And my Mark 4 M5 has BC caps on it. But im talking about normal maintenance or on the occasion that they DO need cleaned, what is a good option? The same shit I use to clean my Bolle sunglasses? Microfiber cloth and alcohol? Or stick with the lens pens?
ok. I understand the importance of keeping them clean. And my Mark 4 M5 has BC caps on it. But im talking about normal maintenance or on the occasion that they DO need cleaned, what is a good option? The same shit I use to clean my Bolle sunglasses? Microfiber cloth and alcohol? Or stick with the lens pens?
Re: Optics cleaning?
Leupold makes a great Lens pen (I think we can all agree on that). I use mine all the time and it even does a good job of removing residue after several strings of suppressed fire.
Leupold makes a great Lens pen (I think we can all agree on that). I use mine all the time and it even does a good job of removing residue after several strings of suppressed fire.
Re: Optics cleaning?
A kleenex and q tips? seem like pretty rough things to be rubbing on your scope lenses that cost thousands.
I won't even use a kleenex on my 70 dollar oakleys, only the soft cloth provided.
A kleenex and q tips? seem like pretty rough things to be rubbing on your scope lenses that cost thousands.
I won't even use a kleenex on my 70 dollar oakleys, only the soft cloth provided.
Re: Optics cleaning?
Lens coatings are a lot more scratch resistant than you would think- check out the Zeiss video. The coatings are powder and then applied with electricity and heat ( I think, certain comapnies do it certain ways- very proprietary). However they are not scratch proof and care needs to be taken.
You are asking about in the field- I recommend to our customers only cleaning in the field if the dirt is actually affecting your scopes performance. It takes a lot of stuff on the lenses to cause a problem- but if you need to I would use my breath to blow off anything large and then use the lens pens brush to lightly remove what is left. Then I would do nothing until I got back home and I would clean the lens correctly using acetone or some type of optical solution and plenty of air.
I would avoid using a lens pen in the field unless I was absolutley sure there was no large particles on the lenses that the lens pen could actually grind in and cause scratches.
I prefer optical cloths over kleenex but Q tips are fine to use.
Keep in mind that it doesn't take much in either size or hardness to really screw a lens up if you grind the dirt into it with either a cloth or a lens pen. Clean only enough in the field until you can get home and do it correctly.
Regards,
Paul
Lens coatings are a lot more scratch resistant than you would think- check out the Zeiss video. The coatings are powder and then applied with electricity and heat ( I think, certain comapnies do it certain ways- very proprietary). However they are not scratch proof and care needs to be taken.
You are asking about in the field- I recommend to our customers only cleaning in the field if the dirt is actually affecting your scopes performance. It takes a lot of stuff on the lenses to cause a problem- but if you need to I would use my breath to blow off anything large and then use the lens pens brush to lightly remove what is left. Then I would do nothing until I got back home and I would clean the lens correctly using acetone or some type of optical solution and plenty of air.
I would avoid using a lens pen in the field unless I was absolutley sure there was no large particles on the lenses that the lens pen could actually grind in and cause scratches.
I prefer optical cloths over kleenex but Q tips are fine to use.
Keep in mind that it doesn't take much in either size or hardness to really screw a lens up if you grind the dirt into it with either a cloth or a lens pen. Clean only enough in the field until you can get home and do it correctly.
Regards,
Paul
