Sun Shades, What's the Point?

P

Postman

New member
My new Leupold scope came with a sun shade. I've seen them before, but never really thought about their purpose.

Do they cut down on the light transmitted to my eye? If so, for what purpose?
 
Also, a sufficiently long sunshade will trap all light reflected from the front lens of the scope unless the sun is actually in the scope's field of view.
 
Don't forget the tactical benefit: sun shades reduce the chance of a position-betraying reflection off of the front lens.
 
My favorite time of year to shoot a rifle is in the winter, since the barrel cools down faster. But the sun goes down faster, too, and when it's on the horizon the glare on the objective elements makes the target hard to see, so the sunshade really helps. It also helps keep snowflakes off the glass.

Dick
Want to send a message to Bush? Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/monk/petition.html and forward the link to every gun owner you know.
 
Most has already been said but... lens shades also reduce the effect of heat waves coming from a hot barrel.

Regards! DaMan
 
I'm glad postman ran this topic. I've wondered the same myself. And you all make great arguments for them. BUT, for hunting, at dawn and dusk, won't they cut the available light and reduce the effectiveness of the large diameter objectives??? Please let me know.

Thanks.

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"Charlton Heston is my President"

Danny45
NRA, NAHC, Buckmasters
 
Danny, no they won't affect the brightness of the image you're seeing. When you see something, you're seeing light reflected off of it. A larger objective lens allows more of that light to be transmitted through the glass. The sun shade would actually help in that respect by eliminating extraenous light bouncing off the front lens element. In doing so it also increases the contrast of the image you're seeing. I also just like the looks of the longer scope on my 700 Police; makes it look more menacing ;) .

Dick
Want to send a message to Bush? Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/monk/petition.html and forward the link to every gun owner you know.
 
Sun shades serve to prevent the sun from reflecting off the lens of the scope. They can be fancy pieces of aluminum like the one which came with the Leupold or simple black painted cardboard which has been rolled up and taped to the scope. My uncle made one for his Leupold 3x9 scope (matte, mil-dot) by recycling a plastic caulking compound tube by cutting it to desired length and painting it black. Save for the labor and the cost of the paint, it was almost for free.
 
Thanks for the tip, 4v50 Gary! I think I'll try that recycled tube idea.

More than once, I've been frustrated by having a scope filled with a bright (and I do mean bright!) setting or rising sun. Have missed chances at some nice deer because of it.
 
Monkeyleg, thanks for the info. Sometimes the logical just don't fit huh? :D Thanks again.


------------------
"Charlton Heston is my President"

Danny45
NRA, NAHC, Buckmasters
 
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