will leaving optic in car hurt it?

[565fitter]

I am in the market for a nice spotting scope and was wondering if leaving it in my truck all day while i'm at work harm it? my property is out by where I work, so I was just going to leave it in my truck so I could do some drive-bys and look in my fields that are along the road.

I keep a cheap pair of binoculars in there now and never had a problem. I just didn't want to buy a $500 spotting scope and ruin it.

 

[Hairball]

Kind of depends where you live and where you park the truck. I live in a high desert region so I do not leave anything like a spotting scope in the truck as the temps can reach 115 or so outside so the inside temp of the truck would be too hot. I use a razor hd 20-60x85 and while the owners manual does not discuss operating temps, I would not leave it in there just to see what happens. It may also depend on the type of case you keep it in. I have opened up some pelican cases that have been in the truck and the contents are much cooler than I thought they would be.


Just to give you an idea, a meopta spotting scope has a max operating temp of 131 (car will get much hotter than that) so beyond that it may spring a leak and essentially de-gas itself. Maybe someone will chine in with a story on what happened to theirs.

 

[Ramius]

My greatest fear is the item being stolen.

For the last 20 years I have left my Leica APO 77 Spotting Scope in my drag bag and that sits in my car or truck sometimes. I started putting my ammo in an empty cooler

 

[Strykervet]

Gee, I guess it depends on what the particular manual says. Or call 'em.

 

[Altnews]

It can get over 175 degrees in some cars on a hot day. I'd be concerned that the glue used to stick lens elements together might break down either all at once or by degrees.

I'd think a "car scope" ought to be a relatively cheap one so that if it gets damaged or stolen...or scratched, you won't cry about it.

 

[msrtex]

Location, location, location. In Texas I have had name brand camera lenses come apart where the elements are glued.

 

[RobertB]

I know that sudden temp changes can do stuff. I pulled a scope out of a cold truck in the middle of La summer and it fogged up on the spot. I try to keep things nice and slow when I can.

As far as doing damage, never had it happen but I take the best possible care of my stuff as I can/

Good luck with your question. I am interested as well. I see the one guy who had damage. That doesn;t suprise me. I hope more chime in.

 

[pawprint2]

Leave it in a car in downtown Memphis, TN for a 30 minutes-you'll have to start the test over, as the optic(s) will no longer be available for evaluation! I understand the same holds true for a couple of other cities in the US as well.

 

[Ramius]

A quick search on Operating & Storage temperatures for scopes show:

-50°C - +70°C Storage Temperature => -58F to 158F
-20°C - + 50°C Operating Temperature => -4F to 122F

Some scopes can go higher, some lower.

 

[565fitter]

thanks guys. i may just stick with the binoculars in the car and keep the scope in my drag bag

 

[D_Lamz]

I do it all time in Texas heat.