Lens Care and Cleaning
Precautions:
Always read the manufacturer instructions for lens cleaning solutions and other materials to ensure they are used properly. Try to avoid using cleaning cloths to clean the lenses with as they can collect dirt and other contaminates over time, negating their purpose. It is unnecessary to clean the lenses after every outing as frequent lens cleaning can degrade the lens coating over time. Only clean lenses when necessary.
Lens Care
Keep the lens covers closed until it is necessary to open them. This will prevent dust, dirt, and other foreign matter from getting to the lenses and potentially damaging them.
Avoid getting any kind of cleaning solvent, oil, fingerprints, or grease onto the lenses. Chemicals and oils can attack and damage lens coatings, adversely affecting the performance of the lens.
In extreme cold climates do not breath on the lenses to clean them as this can damage the glass components of the objective and ocular. If the temperature isn’t too extreme placing the scope in a warmer environment can help remove the condensation, however avoid heating the scope too rapidly as expansion can also damage the lens components.
Do not use window cleaners to clean optical lenses; the ingredients in those cleaners are not for use with precision optical components.
In desert and arid climates keep the lens covers closed to protect the lenses from blowing dirt, dust, and direct sunlight. If operating your scope in hot temperatures please refrain from using any “canned air” products on your scope. This could cause damage to the glass components and will void any warranty coverage if damage occurs.
In humid and salt water environments avoid exposing the lenses to direct sunlight as well by keeping the lens covers closed as much as possible. Also inspect the scope often for signs of corrosion and clean accordingly.
Lens Cleaning
1. Open the objective and ocular covers and inspect for dirt, dust, smears, or other residue that should be cleaned off of the lenses. Fingerprints, oil, and water spots should be cleaned off immediately.
2. Use a soft bristle brush to remove dust and other particles from the lens surface that could scratch the coatings.
3. Use a lens pen or optical quality lens cleaning solution with lens paper or q-tips to clean the lens. Begin in the center of the lens and move in a spiraling motion outwards to the edge of the glass. Use each piece of paper or q-tip just once and discard. Acetone or Isopropyl Alcohol can also be used as a cleaning solution.
4. Inspect the lens for any left over residue or streaks.
5. Repeat step 3 to remove any left over residue or streaks.
6. Re-close the ocular and objective covers.
