What's the point of scope covers when the rifle is in use, really?

[superlative]

The flip up scope covers tend to either come off by themselves or open by themselves when carried. The slip on covers on the other hand are not even usable in the field unless they are see through.

The chances of damaging the glass is neglible in the field, and in fact 99.9% of all the pics I've seen of soldiers with scopes on their rilfes shows no scope covers at all. Many red dot sights can't even mount a proper scope cover (eg. reflex sights, mepro). The Steyr Aug and other types of military rifles with built-in scopes don't have scope covers either.

Even in rain conditions - you still need to remove the cover or flip it open to use them, and then the scopes are exposed to rain any way.

So what really is the point of scope covers in the field? They are obviously useful for storage and transportation, but are they really of any use in the field, or are we just catering to our OCD by having them?

 

[cyclops666]

Try driving in a rainstorm with your wipers off. It's the same thing with scope covers, we need to keep them as clear as possible.

 

[Wrong Way]

I'm guessing you're not a hunter...I'd rather deal with a couple drops on my scope after flipping the covers than dealing with a huge amount of water or snow all over the lenses.

 

[sheephunter]

I use a neoprene cover to keep the lenses clean and rain and snow free until I need the scope. Hard to see through an inch of snow built up in your objective lens.

 

[superlative]

So it's only to keep out the rain and snow? Are there other reasons, like avoiding scratches from the brush?

 

[Wrong Way]

So it's only to keep out the rain and snow? Are there other reasons, like avoiding scratches from the brush?

not on my rifles.... Snow, rain, dust (if quadding) are my reasons. Not many branches will scratch glass anyway

 

[kombayotch]

You may not see them on infantry weapons, but they are very common on sniper and DMR weapons. Dirt and scratches become much more apparent at higher magnification, and a higher level of precision is needed in these applications.

 

[chadeech]

You only need them if you need them and if you don't
then other than looking cool ,,there is no point

 

[TDC]

Pointless accessories. A sunshade serves the same purpose and wiping some rain or snow off your optic takes the same time and effort as flipping a cap. If you feel the need for caps then get the see through model, thus eliminating the need to open them.

Tdc

 

[sheephunter]

Pointless accessories. A sunshade serves the same purpose and wiping some rain or snow off your optic takes the same time and effort as flipping a cap. If you feel the need for caps then get the see through model, thus eliminating the need to open them.

Tdc

Thus eliminating the point of quality glass too.

 

[kennymo]

I'm guessing you're not a hunter...I'd rather deal with a couple drops on my scope after flipping the covers than dealing with a huge amount of water or snow all over the lenses.

This. I use a set of see thrus, with the elastic on the sides. It keeps the snow from piling up in the recessed objective lens. Easy to take a close shot quickly with them on, slides off easily and quietly for longer shots or low light situations.
I find rain not so bad on a lens with a decent quality coating on it, but snow on a warmish day seems to turn to ice and gets wedged in against the lens. No easy flick out there.

 

[Grove]

So what really is the point of scope covers in the field? They are obviously useful for storage and transportation, but are they really of any use in the field, or are we just catering to our OCD by having them?

Investment protection is what I call them.

Also, when your optics are covered and you are moving around in sunlight or other particular environments, the light is not reflecting off of your glass going HERE I AM!!!!

Another item useful for that purpose just mention are scope "kill flash" covers.

 

[Hitzy]

If the military was buying my gear I wouldn't use them either....

 

[kamlooky]

It would sure be nice if some company re-invented those that are held on with
rubber bands.
I forget the name of them, but they are round rubber caps that fit the bells
and held in place with a rubber band.
One flip of your thumb and off the side they go.
Ingenious covers no longer made.
Butler Creek I believe have tried to duplicate them, but these new
ones are abortions.

I own maybe a half dozen sets as like this on my M65.

[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Tikka%20M65%206point5x55/bd39b992-6099-4403-a2ec-fcfe6776c301_zps0c7ad57b.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Tikka%20M65%206point5x55/10c1c27d-5f53-4bf4-affd-72552470299f_zps8ff827e6.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[Petamocto]

The Army's primary service rifle (C7 family) does not use a scope caps. There is a lightweight slip cover for it, and a heavy-duty padded cover for it to be used for Airborne jumps, but both of these are full covers that are either on or off, not the kinds of things that flip up.

99.9% of the time, the Elcan is completely open and unprotected, exposed to the elements, and it rarely has a problem. Remember that you're not talking about a $100 scope that was on sale for $50 at Canadian Tire, it's something that costs thousands, and is one of the few times that the procurement system actually delivered a very useful and effective piece of kit. They get banged up and rained on, but generally work just fine (rarely scratch or fog up). It is certainly rare that one would be rendered unusable, unless you had thick mud smeared on it or something.

Keep in mind that an Infantry soldier has a different function than someone who may have more time to set up for a shot (hunter/sniper). Often there is a possibility that a soldier will come under contact on short notice, and will have to react to that incoming fire by returning fire ASAP as soon as the threat is located, and the few seconds it could take to fumble with caps or a cover can not be spared.

I'm not trying to over-dramatize the matter, though, the main reason that soldiers don't use a cover on the service Elcan is that it usually works great even without one.

 

[CZ85Combat]

Investment protection is what I call them.

Also, when your optics are covered and you are moving around in sunlight or other particular environments, the light is not reflecting off of your glass going HERE I AM!!!!

Another item useful for that purpose just mention are scope "kill flash" covers.

Extremelly valid point.
I am a big fan of killflash
Had one on my aimpoint M2, have one on my ACOG and currently looking at options for my nightforce.

 

[nomad 68]

It would sure be nice if some company re-invented those that are held on with
rubber bands.
I forget the name of them, but they are round rubber caps that fit the bells
and held in place with a rubber band.
One flip of your thumb and off the side they go.
Ingenious covers no longer made.
Butler Creek I believe have tried to duplicate them, but these new
ones are abortions.

I own maybe a half dozen sets as like this on my M65.

[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Tikka%20M65%206point5x55/bd39b992-6099-4403-a2ec-fcfe6776c301_zps0c7ad57b.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://s614.photobucket.com/user/kamlooky/media/Tikka%20M65%206point5x55/10c1c27d-5f53-4bf4-affd-72552470299f_zps8ff827e6.jpg.html][/URL]

Think they are called bikini's but not sure.They came on my US made burris 3-9 but i don't think they include them anymore.

 

[Quiet]

In bad weather I'm partial to the old "clear plastic sheet & rubber band" DIY rainguard on rolled on each end of my optics.
- Scope is always ready for immediate use, no fumbling with caps
- None of the sudden fogging problems that can happen when you remove the caps
- doesn't act like a sunshade when you don't need one
- doesn't torque the scope when you bump it
- works on any scope (including the Elcan)
- cheap & disposable

 

[stubblejumper]

Pointless accessories. A sunshade serves the same purpose and wiping some rain or snow off your optic takes the same time and effort as flipping a cap. If you feel the need for caps then get the see through model, thus eliminating the need to open them.

Tdc

Since I open the flip up covers as I shoulder the rifle, it takes me zero extra time to open them. However if you aren't co-ordinated enough to open the flip ups as you shoulder the rifle, they may not be as much of an advantage to you. As for a sunshade, it just holds more snow, and makes it more difficult to clear the objective lens of snow, after carrying the rifle slung over your shoulder.

 

[TDC]

Since I open the flip up covers as I shoulder the rifle, it takes me zero extra time to open them. However if you aren't co-ordinated enough to open the flip ups as you shoulder the rifle, they may not be as much of an advantage to you. As for a sunshade, it just holds more snow, and makes it more difficult to clear the objective lens of snow, after carrying the rifle slung over your shoulder.

For hunting in adverse weather they can definitely be a plus. For competitive work or anytime you require immediate access to your optic/rifle they're all but useless.

TDC