First off I’m not posting this as an authority suggesting that I’m qualified to pen a definitive guide to scope maintenance. What I aim to do here is share information found in older threads, share some things that I have done, to obtain more accurate and detailed information to compile within this thread.
I sometimes read threads where someone will recommend a scope and a big scope discussion ensues fill of claims and speculation. Occasionally a rush to buy a particular scope that was discussed occurs. Other times a newer member will join and ask the same question asked dozens of times by members new to the sport like “what’s the best scope for….?” I also notice a lot of scopes for sale in the classifieds. I’ve also occasionally read of folks complaining that they bought scopes from online retailers and received a used scope that were advertised as new. All of this got me thinking, how can you ensure that you’re getting a well cared for scope when buying used? I also wondered, is it wise to invest in mid-upper tier glass when you don’t know much about caring for scopes and coated lenses? Or should you learn to care for a decent economy scope before investing in more expensive glass?
As a hunter, my scopes a get dirty out in the field especially the scope on my light woods-walking gun. On a hunt I’m often out trekking through brush in the woods or sitting in an open pasture area exposed to wind (dust), fog, changing weather where my gun and scope are exposed during and after dew point where condensation is an issue, or a combination of several factors. I’m beginning to notice a gritty sound coming from my magnification ring on my main hunting scope. Ordinarily my scope body and rings get wiped down when I wipe my guns down and oil them. This is does not occur after every use.
As for when the glass gets dirty I use a camera lens cleaning kit (see pic below). The blower (it has a bulb that I squeeze channeling through air through a narrow opening) is used first to blow away as much loose dust as possible. What I’ve noticed is that the dust is sometimes sticking to the lens. When I see this I use a lens brush in attempt to whisk away more dust. From there I will use a microfiber cloth that came with the scope to gently wipe away some of the rest. Then I finish it off with a pre-moistened lens wipe using circular motions from the inside (middle) of the lens outwards.
I’d like to read some sound input on some of your regimens and how to properly care for scopes to ensure a long life on a quality scope. Here are some older AGN threads I’ve found discussing some of this https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/repeated-cleaning-of-scope-lens-with-lens-wipes/
https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/what-can-i-used-to-clean-the-objective-lens-on-my-bushnell-legend/
There were a couple others, but I’m not so sure about what some folks were suggesting and I didn’t want to repost them.
I sometimes read threads where someone will recommend a scope and a big scope discussion ensues fill of claims and speculation. Occasionally a rush to buy a particular scope that was discussed occurs. Other times a newer member will join and ask the same question asked dozens of times by members new to the sport like “what’s the best scope for….?” I also notice a lot of scopes for sale in the classifieds. I’ve also occasionally read of folks complaining that they bought scopes from online retailers and received a used scope that were advertised as new. All of this got me thinking, how can you ensure that you’re getting a well cared for scope when buying used? I also wondered, is it wise to invest in mid-upper tier glass when you don’t know much about caring for scopes and coated lenses? Or should you learn to care for a decent economy scope before investing in more expensive glass?
As a hunter, my scopes a get dirty out in the field especially the scope on my light woods-walking gun. On a hunt I’m often out trekking through brush in the woods or sitting in an open pasture area exposed to wind (dust), fog, changing weather where my gun and scope are exposed during and after dew point where condensation is an issue, or a combination of several factors. I’m beginning to notice a gritty sound coming from my magnification ring on my main hunting scope. Ordinarily my scope body and rings get wiped down when I wipe my guns down and oil them. This is does not occur after every use.
As for when the glass gets dirty I use a camera lens cleaning kit (see pic below). The blower (it has a bulb that I squeeze channeling through air through a narrow opening) is used first to blow away as much loose dust as possible. What I’ve noticed is that the dust is sometimes sticking to the lens. When I see this I use a lens brush in attempt to whisk away more dust. From there I will use a microfiber cloth that came with the scope to gently wipe away some of the rest. Then I finish it off with a pre-moistened lens wipe using circular motions from the inside (middle) of the lens outwards.
I’d like to read some sound input on some of your regimens and how to properly care for scopes to ensure a long life on a quality scope. Here are some older AGN threads I’ve found discussing some of this https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/repeated-cleaning-of-scope-lens-with-lens-wipes/
https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/what-can-i-used-to-clean-the-objective-lens-on-my-bushnell-legend/
There were a couple others, but I’m not so sure about what some folks were suggesting and I didn’t want to repost them.
