What solution do you use for cleaning your expensive optics?

[MadHatter]

I took 4 of the Swarovski North America reps hunting a few years back. They said the worst thing is a lens pen as it keeps grinding in the dust you wipe off. They advised soapy water and dry lightly with a very soft clean lens cloth. Only clean when absolutely needed. I only clean about 2 or 3 times a year even though I spend several months in the field.

That's interesting... I think the problem is that people don't use them right... If used they way they are designed to work they are awesome... I know that there are high end scope/optic makes that recommend them like Trijicon and Leupold. But, again, used wrong they can damage your optics, but that's just like anything... If you use a lens cloth wrong you can grind dust into your lenses.  The key to use whatever you choose the right way to protect your optics...

Sent from my sniper hide...

[ICEMAN]

I use lens-pen.  Has a built in brush for big debris and the cleaning tip works really well.  They are like $10 just about anywhere cameras are sold...

Sent from my sniper hide...

 

[Bob33]

Soap and very warm water. Only clean when necessary.

[sjhgraysage]

I own Swarovski 10x42, this is what I do:
Get a can of compressed air and blow of any dust accumulated on the lenses.
Then I moisten a piece of tissue with rubbing alcohol and gently wipe in a circular motion, it evaporates quickly.
then blow any lint left from the tissue with the can of air, done.
My binocular is 11 years old used every year and like new.
A "lense pen" will never touch my lenses as long as I'm alive.
I used the same procedure on my scopes.
An old camera repair guy told me about using kleenex tissue many years ago, not the ones with the lotion on them.
Clean TP fresh off the roll is soft and work fine.

[Bigshooter]

I've talked to leupold and swarovski about how to clean optics and they both told me the same thing.  Breath on them and wipe them with a microfiber cloth.  Both told me not to use anything else or you can damage any coating on them.  Alcohol is one of the worst things you can use according to both of them, followed by a lens pen.

[bobcat]

I would never use toilet paper on my optics. However I do keep a couple old pairs of cotton underwear to use for cleaning lenses.

[pianoman9701]

I use Insta Clear wipes and solution from Visionworks (used to be Pearl and another one) on my eyeglasses and binos. The wipes are microfiber. I also blow off the big chunks with a camelhair brush/plunger you can get at a camera shop for about $4. I would never use plain cotton, kleenex, or the tail of my t-shirt. Also, the Badlands bino pack has a microfiber cleaning cloth built in.

[dvolmer]

Just use your sweaty old pair of undies when you get to the top of the hill just before glassing!!!

JK

I use Bausch & Lomb Sight Savers.  they are pre-moistened lens cleaning tissues that are individually packed and disposable.  work great on glasses and optics.  they are anti-fog and anti-static

[268bull]

Go to the hardware store and look up the paint dept.. They should ( most do ) carry a cotton painter's hood. Same consistency as a good cotton t - shirt. They're cheap, so buy a couple, and switch them out every other day. ( I hunt the west side here in Oregon, generally wet here in mid Oct. rifle season ) :tup:Bull ( I like to wash them in hot water, no softener, and hot dry them, no dryer sheets. They get good and soft and will clean really well. I like their cleaning ability better than a micro fiber cloth. )