How useful is a pre-filter?

[Nebraska_e28]

Last night my 2nd job (slanging auto parts), a guy came in looking for a pre-filter to use on his modified cummings turbo diesel. This got me to thinking.... The last time I changed my k&n, there was some large debris in there including some new for insect that fell fate to a boosted e28. Anyone here using one? Would this be a good idea to aid with maintenance? Any cons to using one?

[turbodan]

Not a bad idea. Large particles can get trapped in the pleats of the filter media and can cut/tear through over time. A filter skin would take car of that while leaving the finer particulate to be caught in the filter.

[thrty8street]

Does this also protect against water?

[Brad D.]

Does this also protect against water?

It's not going to stock a hydrolock, but it might repel some droplets that would have normally soaked the pleats. Pantyhose are not hip waders.

[winfred]

for the most part it shrugs off water splashes in trucks, could keep some of the sand sized stuff out of the filter

[Murfinator]

for the most part it shrugs off water splashes in trucks, could keep some of the sand sized stuff out of the filter

That's what I've used them for in the past: keeping large debris and water droplets from soaking and clogging the element. I'll be using one again since my filter won't be locked in a clam shell nor trapped in the hot engine bay. Reduces the frequency of requisite cleanings.

[Shadow]

Any type of restriction with these things?
I have chunks of leaves and crap in between the pleats.