How do I take care of my Night Vision devices?

When handled with care, Sightmark night vision devices will provide many years of quality night-vision viewing, however, it is important to note that night vision devices house delicate intensifier tubes.

These tubes are sensitive, especially concerning bright light, high impact and extreme heat. Like any precision instrument, the device will be adversely affected by extreme impact and should be handled with care. The single most damaging factor in using night vision devices is bright light. Never use your unit in a brightly lit room or in daylight. Also, keep in mind that strong direct light, such as projectors, car headlamps, strong flashlights, may be harmful to your night vision unit if you direct your device at the source of these intense lights.

To safe guard against such instances all Sightmark night vision devices have electronic protection features. Most of these are automatic turn-off overload circuits. Some Sightmark devices also offer separate light sensing mechanisms, which help to prevent intensifier tube damage. Despite these precautions, Sightmark recommends avoiding bright light when using night vision. Prolonged exposure to rain, fog, or even extremely high humidity may result in damage.

All Sightmark night vision devices are water resistant and can tolerate moderate exposure to dampness or high humidity conditions. Many units offer a waterproof option that can withstand complete submersion, up to 3 feet, for 24 hours. If you anticipate considerable exposure to water and humidity when using your night vision device, the waterproof option is highly recommended.

Clean night vision lenses the same way you would your camera. Simply blow away dust and debris or use a soft lens brush. Remove heavier dirt or fingerprints by rubbing a soft, cotton cloth in a circular motion on the lens. Coarse cloth or unnecessary rubbing may scratch the lens surface causing permanent damage. For a more thorough cleaning, you may use photographic quality lens tissue and cleaner. Always apply the fluid to the paper or the cloth, and never directly on the lens. The new micro fiber cleaning cloths and "lens pens" are also highly recommended. The lenses are optically coated and may be scratched if abrasive material is used or if dirt is rubbed into the glass.

Finally, when storing your unit for long periods of time, select a cool, dry place. Temperatures in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit will destroy most night vision devices. Do not store your night vision device in any vehicles due to fluctuating temperatures and constant vibration, which could result in internal damage. We also strongly urge night vision owners to store their devices with batteries removed to prevent battery leakage, which can damage the internal mechanisms. Removing the batteries also prevents leaving the device on accidentally, which would result in power drain, decreased tube life and could “burn” an image into the device’s visual field. The coating of image intensifier tubes are based on science similar to that of photograph paper. Extremely prolonged exposure to a single image could potentially burn that image into the tube coating permanently.