Rifle Scopes NightForce lens protection

[OldmaninNeb]

I can't find it on their site, who makes lens protection for the 12x42x56 NF scope? My Swaro came with flipup dustcaps, and glass covers with elastic...surely there's similiar protection for NF! let me know.
BTW, another +1 for Ken Farrell's Base and Rings and general helping a fella out.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: NightForce lens protection

try Butler Creek flip caps, or NF should have had a rubber bikini cover included with the scope if I am understanding your question right.

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: NightForce lens protection

i run a scope coat on mine

http://www.sportoptics.com/scopecoat-XP-6-14x52.aspx

 

[vman]

Re: NightForce lens protection

I have the scope coat... works well well im storing it away in the safe or next to hard objects that might ding the scope...

Besides that I have found the bikini that came with the scope to be of the most use.

The BC flip up caps are ok, but the cap that attaches to the magnification side of the scope rotates with the scope and has to be placed in a specific manner to allow for the most ease of use, but even then i dont think it offers freedom of movement... hopefully someone else can chime in on this aspect

 

[Ratbert]

Re: NightForce lens protection

BC covers look great sitting in a safe or parked on a range bench but mine inevitably break if I'm actually carting it around and shooting it somewhere. Take a piece of zip tie and use it to attach the included bikini cover to the tube and it's really much more practical than any flip-cap.

 

[Dagsta]

Re: NightForce lens protection

Damn I agree w Rat again! lol I use para-cord in place of zip tie!! melt the ends so they don't fray

 

[Ratbert]

Re: NightForce lens protection

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dagsta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Damn I agree w Rat again! lol I use para-cord in place of zip tie!! melt the ends so they don't fray</div></div>

I've got to stay just 1 step ahead of ya...

I used paracord at first, but got lazy when I needed to retie it for some reason.

 

[Ratbert]

Re: NightForce lens protection

On the subject of lens protection, I run a tenebrax honeycomb sunshade/ARD on mine, partially to help with glare (without needing the 4" sunshade NF provides) but mostly because it gives me a little more protection for the front lens. For the most part I don't need to worry about crap bouncing off the end of the scope and thru the front lens so long as it is on there (cause that flexible rubber sure as shit ain't gonna slow much down) and it also helps keep light rain off the front glass. I personally can't tell much difference in the image unless nighttime and in those rare cases it's no big deal to spin it off and the bikini cover still just slips into place onto the scope as well as before.

ETA: To be clear, I'm talking about the quality 1-2" long screw-in tenebrex ARD's, not the POS slip-on filter thingies.

 

[PSYOPS]

Re: NightForce lens protection

As others have said, 550 cord and let it dangle. This was yesterday here in Albuquerque, seconds before a hail/rain storm hit.

I continued to shoot. Good training.

 

[vman]

Re: NightForce lens protection

Might need to invest in a honeycomb shade from the sounds of things

 

[OldmaninNeb]

Re: NightForce lens protection

I called Nightforce and they said the only thing they had were the screw-in caps, no mention of bikini, recommended scope coat. Guess if I can catch up with Jay I'll be getting one. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Rob01]

Re: NightForce lens protection

Your NF didn't come with the rubber bikini covers? I thought they all did. All the ones I had did. I might even have some laying around the house as I replaced them with Butler Creeks.

 

[Nessal]

Re: NightForce lens protection

Not a real fan of the butler creeks on the nightforce. I had NO issues at all with my other scopes, but since it moves with the whole ocular piece on the nightforce, I found it to be a pain in the butt. I would use the original bikini cover but the scope sits too low that I can't get it to slide in. I'll be getting a scopecoat for it this time around. I got other scopecoat products and they are always #1.

 

[Rob01]

Re: NightForce lens protection

Scope coats are fine for in the safe but it's just another thing you can lose and have to keep track of when using the rifle. The bikini covers tie wrapped to the scope tube is another option.

 

[CSTactical]

Re: NightForce lens protection

The Butler Creek Cap size you would need:
Eye #18
OBJ #53

 

[SCOTTx88]

Re: NightForce lens protection

I've got a Scopecoat on my 2 Nightforces. Heres my 338Edge.

 

[deersniper]

Re: NightForce lens protection

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ratbert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BC covers look great sitting in a safe or parked on a range bench but mine inevitably break if I'm actually carting it around and shooting it somewhere. Take a piece of zip tie and use it to attach the included bikini cover to the tube and it's really much more practical than any flip-cap. </div></div>

What has broken on yours? My rifles get banged on a fair amount and I haven't had a broken BC cap yet. Some are a little sticky but no problems other than that.

 

[VKC]

Re: NightForce lens protection

My BC covers broke fairly quickly and never stayed closed well. Went back to the rubber bikini covers that came with scope, and I couldn't be happier. I just pull the rubber cord between the scope and barrel, with the rings that I have, the gap is just right to keep the covers from slipping out.