Optics cleaning - in the field

[scfreeman66]

I haven't been able to come up with a satisfactory way to keep my optics clean on a backcountry hunt. I normally just sparingly use a lens cloth but I'm always afraid to get scratches. I don't get them as clean as I would like with this method.
What do you use? I've thought about taking a pocket full of disposable lens toulets but that introduces unnecessary trash that needs to be taken care of....
What is your procedure?

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[HaydenLane]

I keep disposable wipes in my pack pretty much all the time. The garbage just goes with my food garbage.

A lens pen would probably be the next best option. I have a little microfiber cloth on my bino harness but I’m always hesitant to use it. A lens pen may be more gentle.

 

[Tick]

Lens pen

 

[Aporia]

I keep a lens pen with the retractable brush on one end and lens cleaner tip on the other in my bino harness and I keep a scopeshield cover on the scope. Never really needed anything more.

I've hunted in cold, rainy conditions before and keeping your scope usable in the rain is tough.

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[Ucsdryder]

I went almost 2 years without cleaning the lenses on my sf10x42. Cleaned them finally to sell them. Used the ZEISS alcohol wipes. A good hard puff of air always got them clean enough.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Before I use anything on the lens, I try to blow, or wash away anything that may be on them. I spend a lot of time in dry arid places where dust and sand are common place. try to get all that remove before doing any rubbing or you will scratch glass. I keep eye glass solution in my bag when ever I'm in the field. All good optics come with a cleaning cloth and instruction on proper cleaning and care.

 

[Rich M]

Binoc caps and Scope cover get used in rain and snow for sure but I'd rather not have to fiddle with them if a buck pops up.

I do carry one of those optics clothes they send with them and a couple of the moist towelettes for cleaning optics. Use them sparingly. Just as likely to use a tag end of a flannel shirt if that's what's easiest.

 

[cornfedkiller]

I keep a little retractable lens brush in my bino harness (looks like a tube of lipstick), and then a lens cloth.

I also keep 1 or 2 of the alcohol wipes in there as well just in case, but very rarely use them.

 

[Wrench]

I use the same process as I do on my expensive camera lenses. I cover as much as possible. I use a puff brush if there is any dust followed by a lens pen (brush only on dry lenses). If lenses are damp to wet, I rinse with water.

Abrasive dust is your enemy. Water is your friend. Waterspots are easy to remove, scratches....not so much.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Lens brush and Zeiss wipes. But I do try to keep my optics covered (binoculars, rifle scope, spotter, etc) while moving.

 

[Hoodie]

Nikon lens pen.

 

[Dos Perros]

Wash/flush with running water if possible. You don’t want to put a wipe or cloth on top of dust and clean that way—it’ll “polish” / scratch your lenses.

 

[Thinkingman]

Lenspen.
Brush and blow.
The cleaner on the other end should be used sparingly and only when you're sure there is no grit on the lens and keep the cap on that protected end to keep it clean.

 

[nphunter]

Puffer brush works well. I normally don’t need to clean them much when backpacking. I have a compressor on the truck that i use to clean all my optics when they get dusty.