Rifle Scopes Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

bm11

Gunny Sergeant
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Minuteman
Jun 18, 2010
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I just wanted to get the current consensus on these, as to if the use of them was practical, or if they are too "mall ninja?" I like the look of them and was considering getting one for my S&B... what do you guys think?

-BM
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

I find that a 2" sunshade works well during the day.

Try using your scope on a sunny day with one, then without one.

Make up your own mind.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

If you aren't shooting in direct sunlight then whats the point? I saw a 10/22 at the local range with a 4" sunshade and an ACI mounted on the scope...yet it was being shot at 100yd under an overhang providing shade...bells and whistles in that context. As mentioned above one of the nice things about sunshades/ard's is they reduce the likelihood of touching the objective lens or getting dirt/dust on the lens.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

I don't really have a problem with glare at all, because my range has a covered/shaded shooting platform that I do my prone shooting from. However, if I were to ever have this rifle in the "field" doing some "practical long range shooting," then I might have some use for it.

Then again, I just like how it looks, so it is pretty mall ninja for me to get, lol!

Do the honeycomed killflashes distort the image at all?
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

I have a USO ARD for my S&B only as a gift for letting them use it to make the first ones. I did pick up a 2" sunshade for my MST as I figured it is a very small scope anyway and wouldn't look very "big" don't think I'd need 4".
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bm11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Do the honeycomed killflashes distort the image at all?</div></div>

Is someone shooting at you? Why do you need this?

Sunshades are useful for the purpose they are made. I use them on my S&B scopes when shooting in bright sunlight that might be hitting the scope objective. No use for a kill flash though as I only shoot on one way ranges.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

Lol, good point, the "Mall Ninja" effect strikes again!

So maybe a sunshade it is. I'm planning on doing some long range, non canopied shooting in the near future, so perhaps I have a valid excuse to have one!
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

I have used both shades and the honeycomb types, I prefer the shades for a couple reasons, I didn't like that the honeycomb style one darkened the image of my scope. and also because(as mentioned above) it keeps rain, sticks, fingers, grass ect. away from my lense.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sunshades can solve a problem. They can also be a problem.</div></div>
What kind of problem can sunshades be? Would you care to elaborate?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you need it, then get one. If you don't then don't.</div></div>
That seems rather obvious.
smile.gif
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

Eh, I like how they look, maybe I'll give one a try. If they don't take anything away from the image, and can help in sunny situations, I really don't see the drawback, other than I have to cut the foam in my case.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

I've noticed no difference between my ARD and not in respect to the brightness. Yours might be different, USO might be different, again I'm just saying
Chad
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

It is pretty much self explanitory once you have a really bright light like THE SUN burn up your cornia one time.

I put a sun shade on everything, think of looking at 10,000 welders through yout scope.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the honeycomb/ARD's also act as a polarizer. not just a killflash. which means that they actually are enhancing your image quality. </div></div>

:::FACE PALM:::

No it doesn't. This is middle school physics stuff.

First the lines from an ARD would have to be much (MUCH) closer together and second they would have to be parallel and vertical. Finally polarized lens DO NOT help you see better, that's not the purpose of polarizing a lens... Unless you're going fishing or something like that with your scope.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oldudsrule</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My killflash is made of Bertrillium-Zantitiuum, better than a polarizer! </div></div>

Dang you must'a gotten the last Bertrillium-Zantitiuum killflash. I tried to get one from the government but they said it was just limited to a few government overruns and only available to covert CIA, NSA, FBI, KFC, McD operators who used their high-tech navy seal scopes.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shot In The Dark</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the honeycomb/ARD's also act as a polarizer. not just a killflash. which means that they actually are enhancing your image quality. </div></div>

:::FACE PALM:::

No it doesn't. This is middle school physics stuff.

First the lines from an ARD would have to be much (MUCH) closer together and second they would have to be parallel and vertical. Finally polarized lens DO NOT help you see better, that's not the purpose of polarizing a lens... Unless you're going fishing or something like that with your scope.


</div></div>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarizer
Absorptive Polarizers
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

Sunshades will hold heat and therefore cause mirage. Plus you are adding unsupported length. Could damage a lesser scope if it takes a good hit. I dont run them. If the sun is too bad a piece of 100mph tape over the top of the bell will do in a pinch, same with the lense if you need to get serious and the targets got guns. I have messed with them hunting groundhogs and at the range. I will stick with 100mph tape If you like them run them YMMV.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shot In The Dark</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the honeycomb/ARD's also act as a polarizer. not just a killflash. which means that they actually are enhancing your image quality. </div></div>

:::FACE PALM:::

No it doesn't. This is middle school physics stuff.

First the lines from an ARD would have to be much (MUCH) closer together and second they would have to be parallel and vertical. Finally polarized lens DO NOT help you see better, that's not the purpose of polarizing a lens... Unless you're going fishing or something like that with your scope.


</div></div>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarizer
Absorptive Polarizers </div></div>

Good job finding that link, now read it...

An ARD is not capable of producing the polarizing effect you're thinking it does... The link you posted will show you.

p.s. cool username
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Is someone shooting at you? Why do you need this?

Sunshades are useful for the purpose they are made. I use them on my S&B scopes when shooting in bright sunlight that might be hitting the scope objective. No use for a kill flash though as I only shoot on one way ranges.
</div></div>

Hey Rob,

The ARDs are also nice for us predator hunters - once in a while a flash of sunlight off the objective is all it takes to spook a coyote that's running in. I'd agree that they don't make all that much sense at a shooting range...

Cheers,

Russ
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shot In The Dark</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shot In The Dark</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the honeycomb/ARD's also act as a polarizer. not just a killflash. which means that they actually are enhancing your image quality. </div></div>

:::FACE PALM:::

No it doesn't. This is middle school physics stuff.

First the lines from an ARD would have to be much (MUCH) closer together and second they would have to be parallel and vertical. Finally polarized lens DO NOT help you see better, that's not the purpose of polarizing a lens... Unless you're going fishing or something like that with your scope.


</div></div>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarizer
Absorptive Polarizers </div></div>

Good job finding that link, now read it...

An ARD is not capable of producing the polarizing effect you're thinking it does... The link you posted will show you.

p.s. cool username </div></div>
i have read it...look at the picture to the right... i stand by my statement.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
i have read it...look at the picture to the right... i stand by my statement. </div></div>

The picture of the rear-view mirror?
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

USO ARD's for the S&B are different from others (ie - Tenebraex).
They don't darken the image to the degree Tenebraex does due to larger combs. USO units also have orings to help prevent them from loosening and falling off.

Is it better to have something and not need it or is it better to need something and not have it? I'd rather have it!

Search is your friend. I use it constantly!

BTW, if anyone doesn't want theirs(56mm), I want it!
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HuntinAZ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">From USO's website

Honeycomb:
Simple polarizer, low light detail enhancer, and anti-reflective device.

http://www.usoptics.com/acc.php?typeID=Honeycomb </div></div>
see what i mean? </div></div>

Physics don't lie...

If you would actually read and understand the link that you posted you would see. I realize you don't understand the physics and calculus but an ARD wont polarize light the way you think it does. Sure light will be polarized when it hits multiple lines just like light being divided by any group of lines but it doesn't amount to the effect you think it is. USO says "Simple polarizer" yeah, that's pretty simple you would get the same effect by placing 15 strings in front of your scope. I.e. hardly anything and any claim therein is akin to Bertrillium-Zantitiuum.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shot In The Dark</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HuntinAZ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">From USO's website

Honeycomb:
Simple polarizer, low light detail enhancer, and anti-reflective device.

http://www.usoptics.com/acc.php?typeID=Honeycomb </div></div>
see what i mean? </div></div>

Physics don't lie...

If you would actually read and understand the link that you posted you would see. I realize you don't understand the physics and calculus but an ARD wont polarize light the way you think it does. Sure light will be polarized when it hits multiple lines just like light being divided by any group of lines but it doesn't amount to the effect you think it is. USO says "Simple polarizer" yeah, that's pretty simple you would get the same effect by placing 15 strings in front of your scope. I.e. hardly anything and any claim therein is akin to Bertrillium-Zantitiuum. </div></div>
here is what i understand...you are outside. you have an ARD/HONEYCOMB/POLARIZER on the end of your scope. light waves are all around you. they are coming at the end of your scope from all directions. the only light waves that will make it to your scopes' lens/your eye are the ones that come from straight ahead of the HONEYCOMB. the other light waves are ABSORBED by the HONEYCOMB/ARD/POLARIZER....hence the term POLARIZER...it may be overly simple....but it does act as a POLARIZER
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shot In The Dark</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HuntinAZ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">From USO's website

Honeycomb:
Simple polarizer, low light detail enhancer, and anti-reflective device.

http://www.usoptics.com/acc.php?typeID=Honeycomb </div></div>
see what i mean? </div></div>

Physics don't lie...

If you would actually read and understand the link that you posted you would see. I realize you don't understand the physics and calculus but an ARD wont polarize light the way you think it does. Sure light will be polarized when it hits multiple lines just like light being divided by any group of lines but it doesn't amount to the effect you think it is. USO says "Simple polarizer" yeah, that's pretty simple you would get the same effect by placing 15 strings in front of your scope. I.e. hardly anything and any claim therein is akin to Bertrillium-Zantitiuum. </div></div>
here is what i understand...you are outside. you have an ARD/HONEYCOMB/POLARIZER on the end of your scope. light waves are all around you. they are coming at the end of your scope from all directions. the only light waves that will make it to your scopes' lens/your eye are the ones that come from straight ahead of the HONEYCOMB. the other light waves are ABSORBED by the HONEYCOMB/ARD/POLARIZER....hence the term POLARIZER...it may be overly simple....but it does act as a POLARIZER </div></div>

OK, I see your logic but it works slightly different from that but you're on the right track. Light hitting the ARD from an angle would simply be deflected at whatever included angle. Polarizing is actually a little different. Polarized lens work because of the way light is divided when it hits a series of parallel lines. See sunglasses that are polarized have tons of little crystalline lines running parallel to each other and these little lines make light divide kinda like prism does. No without spending all day on the physics, lets just say that any group of lines running parallel is going to polarize light to some degree. But the spacing of ARD lines is simply too far to make any real difference. So yeah they say it's a "simple polarizer" but so is anything else meeting the aforementioned criteria. So does it polarize light, sure just the way that two telephone poles next to each other do, i.e. simply and without real effect.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shot In The Dark</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

OK, I see your logic but it works slightly different from that but you're on the right track. Light hitting the ARD from an angle would simply be deflected at whatever included angle. Polarizing is actually a little different. Polarized lens work because of the way light is divided when it hits a series of parallel lines. See sunglasses that are polarized have tons of little crystalline lines running parallel to each other and these little lines make light divide kinda like prism does. No without spending all day on the physics, lets just say that any group of lines running parallel is going to polarize light to some degree. But the spacing of ARD lines is simply too far to make any real difference. So yeah they say it's a "simple polarizer" but so is anything else meeting the aforementioned criteria. So does it polarize light, sure just the way that two telephone poles next to each other do, i.e. simply and without real effect. </div></div>
in my first post i said that they ACT AS A POLARIZER...i did not say they were exactly like a polarized lens.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shot In The Dark</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

OK, I see your logic but it works slightly different from that but you're on the right track. Light hitting the ARD from an angle would simply be deflected at whatever included angle. Polarizing is actually a little different. Polarized lens work because of the way light is divided when it hits a series of parallel lines. See sunglasses that are polarized have tons of little crystalline lines running parallel to each other and these little lines make light divide kinda like prism does. No without spending all day on the physics, lets just say that any group of lines running parallel is going to polarize light to some degree. But the spacing of ARD lines is simply too far to make any real difference. So yeah they say it's a "simple polarizer" but so is anything else meeting the aforementioned criteria. So does it polarize light, sure just the way that two telephone poles next to each other do, i.e. simply and without real effect. </div></div>
in my first post i said that they ACT AS A POLARIZER...i did not say they were exactly like a polarized lens. </div></div>

Acting as a polarizer is akin saying that they are a polarizer.

Lets shut this down before we all get banned. LOL.
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

762,

Shot in the Dark is correct on this one. If they are claiming it is a "simple polarizer", it is of the VERY simplest sort. All the honeycomb is really doing is not allowing light other than that which hits it directly from being reflected to a target. That would give away your position. However, because the object generally doesn't have the sun directly behind them, any light entering from an angle simply won't reflect at an angle that your target would see.

Read the polarizer article a little better and you will see the difference. Polarized sunglasses let you see into the water or through a window that is otherwise obscured due to light reflection based on the fact that it is a surface made up of many microscopic facets which polarize light differently. The polarizer filters out all the rays except those that enter at the same polarization as the filter.

I believe you are thinking more of "lens flare" which happens in camera lenses as well as scopes. You get these noticeable coronas in your field of view if the sun is at the correct angle. The sunshade and kill flash help to eliminate it as do lens hoods on camera lenses.

OP-I use a 2" sunshade with killflash from USO. Even if you are shooting under cover, the sun may present itself at an angle which causes issues and the small sunshade can help to solve these issues.

Josh
 
Re: Sun shade, too "mall ninja?"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MinorDamage</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> If they are claiming it is a "simple polarizer", it is of the VERY simplest sort. </div></div>
simple or not....POLARIZER </div></div>

That was my nice way of saying...you don't understand physics, you're wrong about your assumption, and your stunning attempt to validate your (incorrect) theory by posting a wiki page which clearly invalidates your claim is a failure at best. I'd love to see the tests where it works as a polarizer. You would need some serious equipment to tell any (more likely none) difference between it and a control. As for naked eye tests, you would see NO difference.

What a sunshade does well:
Does it reduce lens flare and glare?: yes
Does it inhibit the vast majority of flash?: yes
Does it polarize light?: No

But, good luck defending your thesis with evidence to the contrary...It was quite spectacular. Out.

Josh