See-Through Scope Covers (Polar Cap vs. Blizzard)

D

DougB

New member
I need to get some lens covers for a scope. I want them to be of the see-through type (so I could shoot without removing them if I need to). I see both Butler Creek Blizzard and Weaver Polar Cap covers in my Brownells catalog. They look and cost about the same. The Blizzards are clear while the Polar Caps are grey and yellow (sounds like you can change the lenses?) and are supposed to reduce glare (polarizing lenses?). They also come in more sizes. Any recommendations? Thanks.

Doug
 
Maybe not what you want to hear, but I'd avoid the see-through scope covers and get Butler Creek flip up covers. The flip ups can be popped open as you mount the rifle so no time is lost at all. And if you've spent a bunch of money on good, multi-coated lenses, why compromise the quality of the optics by sticking two pieces of plastic between you and your target? Protect your glass, yes; but I can't think of a situation that would require one to shoot through lens covers.
 
Have to agree with Legionnaire about the plastic "lens". I've tried see though covers, turn out I have better sight picture with some water drops and mud specks on my lenses than with plastic over them. Just resist the urge to wipe them clean with your shirt tail.
 
I tried the Polar Caps on an Elk hunt in Colo. some years ago. What a joke. Temperature dropped to zero and rear lens dropped out, too. I called the company and they talked about doing some more cold-weather testing. They refunded my money and sent me a new set. The rear lens fell out of the new set. I now won't use anything other than Butler Creek flip-ups.
 
Ditto 2 shots experiences with the Polar Caps. Mine fell out while hunting during an ice storm in western MD. Recoil would routinely blow them off at the range as well.
 
I use see-through on my Tascos only because they came with them and I'm too lazy to go out and get some Butler Creeks fitted to them (yes, they should be fitted as sometimes the "right" size is too loose). However, I won't shoot with a see-through on as the extra layer of plastic distorts the clarity and brightness of the scope and the image. To me, it's like buying a Leupold Mark IV and then smearing vaseline over the lens.
 
Thanks for the replies, but I guess I need to clarify that I don't intend to leave them in place when shooting unless I don't have time to flip them up (which would, admittedly, be rare). It doesn't seem like an "either/or" issue to me. Both the see-through's I'm considering ARE spring-loaded flip ups. It just seems like, given the choice between opaque flip-ups and a see-through flip-ups, the see-throughs would be the best choice. I'd hate to miss an unanticipated shot because I shouldered the rifle and tried to aim without remembering to flip up the covers. That said, I have noticed that most of the local stores carry only the solid black Butler Creeks - not the see-throughs. Maybe there is some other difference that isn't apparent from the catalog description. It seems like the black ones I looked at had a larger latch/button than the clear ones. Anyway, thanks again and please continue.

Doug
 
Flip up covers

I'll be a little more blunt than the other replys since they don't seem to be making their point. The "see through" caps are crap. The lens gets dirty and scratched and ends up impossible to see through. Recoil pops the lens out. I had two sets and ended up throwing both of them away.

Save your money and buy solid black Butler Creeks. They open almost instantly and will last years. I have 7 sets and never had a problem. Make sure they fit very snug. If they're loose brush and branches will pull them off.
 
I have another sugestion forget the caps. I don't want anything on my scopes. But here is an alternative. Buy a new rubber tire innertube. I don't know what size to get.Measure your scopes first. Cut the tube in cross sections about 1.5 to 2 inches or bigger if needed and use like a giant rubber band to stretch over both the front and rear lense. one tube will cost you about 7 to 10 dollars and will do a lot of scopes. If you loose one hunting you haven't last much and they work great.They are also pretty fast to remove.I dont use them much but if raining they work fine. I won't use anything at all the rest of the time.one exception is real dusty conditions like a lot of dirt roads.
 
As if all of the aforementioned problms were not enough, I can tell you that plastic "shoot through" caps alter the POI relative to the sight picture.
 
shoot through scope covers

If you are looking for high quality shoot through scope covers, check out http://www.shoot-thru.com/

Shoot-Thru is new to the market this year. Scope covers are sold in a set as opposed to individual pieces - protects your rifle scope lenses from moisture, dust and debris. Packaging consists of two clear lenses and one bronze color lens - no moving parts and made in the USA.

You can use your scope when the covers are in place -

Best value on the market - $16.99

Shoot-Thru will be at the Tanner Gun Show in Denver this weekend.

denny@shoot-thru.com
 
Couldn't give me anything to look through. What is the point of buying a $400 scope to get a clear sharp image and then have to look through a cheap piece of plastic.

I've found the Butler Creek Bikini straps work best for me. They are cheap and fit any scope. I can slingshot them off quickly if I need to make a snap shot and if they land 10' away and get lost in the leaves, I've only lost a few dollars. I have several laying around.
 
I've never had good luck with the see-through covers. I hunt in cold and wet weather so I use a flip ups and a scope coat, sort of a belt and suspenders approach.
 
I once read a quote from the service manager at old American Redfield.
He said a lot of the scopes sent in for repair were fixed by simply removing the wavy transparent plastic caps. Many years ago there was a line of good quality glass scope caps but they were expensive and did not last long.
 
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