Do you guys run sacrificial lenses/filters on your thermal/night vision?

[Bastain]

Quick question for the glass guys here—do you bother running a sacrificial lens or protective filter on your thermals and night vision, or do you just risk running it bare?
I’m always a bit paranoid about scratching an objective lens when scrambling through brush at night, but I hate the idea of adding extra glass in front of a good sensor if it degrades the image. Curious what most of you do out in the field.

 

[bohunr]

my thermal and night vision both came with flip open lens covers. i leave it closed until i am set up.

 

[shoots100]

Scope should have lens covers.
Monocular stored in a pouch.
If it's going to call for rain, is foggy and I'm using my NV goggles, I'll run with rainX treated lens covers.
I also use a neoprene scope cover for extra protection when traveling in the UTV or E bike.
SJC

 

[jmeddy]

Thermals won't "read" through glass so I doubt they will through any protective cover.
Like bohunter said--KEEP THE LID CLOSED until you are set up

 

[popper43]

Germanium lens only passes IR -use the flip cover!

 

[limbhanger10]

I've had my Trijicon Hunter MKIII for over 6 years and have never had to even clean the lens...cover stays closed until ready to shoot.

 

[Bowhntr6pt]

I've had my Trijicon Hunter MKIII for over 6 years and have never had to even clean the lens...cover stays closed until ready to shoot.

Same here... my PVS-14's both have sacrificial lens on the eye piece and flip up covers on the objective.