To Scope Cover Or Not

[flagger]

Most of my rifles have scopes on them. They are all kept on a horizontal tabletop rifle rack.
When not in use, they are covered with a soft sheet to keep the dust off them.
I do not keep my scope covers on when they are on the rack or transporting them to the range in a dimpled foam hard case.
I am very careful with them when I move them around.
What is your preference, scope covers on, or scope covers off?

 

[Airgun-hobbyist]

There's a lot of dirt fields, sand, and wind around here so I use Scope Guard Alaska neoprene scope covers on everything when not in use. Inside, outside, or in transit. It keeps any dust off, which is an abrasive. I also buy flip-up lense covers which get used when not in actual use to keep the glass covered. I consider it cheap insurance, even with my less expensive scopes that may be more prone to coating scratches.

Amazon or eBay carries them. Smaller sizes available on eBay.

 

[Star7]

I like the scope covers when in storage, it eliminates a lot of lens cleaning.

 

[Bramezy]

hate em really. i usually remove them and deal with any dirt/dust IF it comes up. Even in the field, i dont use them, or in the snow! I hate em.

 

[maxtrouble]

Scope covers are a tool made by the deep state to persecute and track airgunners.

Scope bikinis works better and weigh less.

 

[jarmstrong]

I prefer a good bikini cover over flip ups
have one neoprene that came with nexus, it is a tight stretch, I don't like it

 

[DeanB]

I use them if I remember which usually I do not. If lens gets dirty just use a Nikon lens pen and its dust free and clean in less then a minute.

 

[MongooseV8]

Mine deal with a lot of sand and dust and wind, it gets everywhere. I use caps on everything.

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

Scopecoat, snap-on lens caps or low profile lay flat flip caps.

 

[JEFFPPC]

My scopes are never uncovered unless I am shooting .

 

[Smok3y]

Scopecoats? No
Flip caps? Yes, on all. I keep a few sets of Vortex Defenders around in case a scope doesn’t come with them.

 

[Jaxjax]

Its a freaking dust storm to be seen to believe in summer as I'm on a gravel road with new horrific traffic..from alot of new people that arrived. I definitely have to use scope covers when bench shooting. If I hear em coming I cap up....Same with my camera gear..everything has a lens cap...

 

[Bedrock Bob]

I use a ladies makeup brush to dust off the lenses when I'm hunting. I try to always use lens covers or a neoprene scope cover whenever I transport or store a rifle.

In the desert you are always dealing with the dust on everything. I don't clean the lenses often. But I keep them dusted with a brush and lens covers on and in a zipped canvas gun case. Otherwise the coating on the lenses will come off cleaning them so much.

Sun shades help to keep the objective clean. Walking in the brush they just fill with crap. But they work great for a range gun to help keep the dust off the lens.

 

[jccams]

My scopes are never uncovered unless I am shooting .

Same

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

I always blow off any dust with compressed air before using a lens brush etc.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I always blow off any dust with compressed air before using a lens brush etc.

Good but I try to keep it off. Not of it helps the lens coatings. I like good glass, it's costly so I treat it as such.

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

Agreed, but dirt etc does get on there regardless, it just would be much worse not using protection. I live in the mountains / desert so lots of dirt and wind.

 

[Gerry52]

Never use 'em anymore. Keep a lens brush in my equipment bag & brush off dust when needed. Works for me.

 

[Sleestak]

Half of my scopes are uncovered.

I've actually been meaning to order covers, but seeing how I'm not the only one slacking here I may not do that.

The real issue (for me) is removing them and leaving them behind. Flip-ups would probably solve this.

 

[PowderBurnt]

Fishnets and K&N filter oil.