how do you keep your optics dry when its pouring

[fishnfur]

Looks like those of us that are hunting this weekend are going to be fighting massive amounts of rain.  Anybody have any great tricks for keeping optics dry in extreme downpours?

[Wolfdog2314]

I use a fully enclosed bino harness, the Kuiu one. FHF makes a similar one. My Kuiu one comes with a rain cover too, I'll use that when its down pouring. I also have one of those little soft cloths that are stuffed into a little baggy. I'll use that for when my scope (with the cheapo butler creek covers) or my binos get some drops on them.

This system works for me for the most part. Still seems like in the worst of weather days you can't ever keep up with the drying of water from your optics tho.

[westside103147]

I've been using a neoprene scope cover the last couple years. It does a awesome job keeping my scope dry.

[fish vacuum]

I let my scope get wet. Doesn't hurt it.

[JakeLand]

Rain X your lenses they won't fog and you can see good through

[fishnfur]

I thought I heard somewhere that Rain-X messes up lens coatings (?).  Urban legend?

[Bob33]

I thought I heard somewhere that Rain-X messes up lens coatings (?).  Urban legend?

Rain-x contains a solvent that is harmful to coatings.

[JakeLand]

Been using for years and never a issue other then they don't fog on me

[JimmyHoffa]

Been using for years and never a issue other then they don't fog on me

Is it an older scope?  Maybe before the different layers of coatings.  If the coatings are gone it would probably look the same on a bright day, but cloudy or gray out the color contrasts and edge quality might not be as enhanced.

[splitshot]

  I stay in the house with a fire in the fireplace.  warm AND DRY,  LOL.  I USE AN UMBRELLA IN RED.  also a cowboy like hat helps my glasses stay clear.  rain-x helps some.  several zip-lock bags of Kleenex and dry clothes.    mike w

[Bullkllr]

I was just thinking this applies at some point, and this weekend may be one of those times:

"Optics?...We don't need no stinkin' optics!"

[deerhunter_98520]

I have the cheapo covers thanks came with the binos and I zip tied them to the harness ...quick and easy to put on and take off and it keeps the rain off the lenses

[Magnum_Willys]

The 40mm lenses are tough but 50mm just let em get wet. a wipe of the finger and they are fine to shoot .  You start covering them and they start fogging.  You only have 3 seconds to shoot sometimes so no time to fool with covers.

[Bango skank]

  I stay in the house with a fire in the fireplace. 

Good call! 

[BGLEMIN]

In the past I've soaked a lens cloth with silicone lubricant, went a step further now that I like the RainX idea. Good weekend ahead to try whatever?

[Bean Counter]

Rain X your lenses they won't fog and you can see good through

 

[Turner89]

I let them get wet. Baggy full of napkins.

[pianoman9701]

Op Drops Anti-Fog and the microfiber bag it comes in for cleaning the lenses. I would never use napkins on great glass unless I absolutely couldn't see and I had nothing else to use. I guess Vortex would replace scratched lenses, but I just don't.

[deerhunter_98520]

Op Drops Anti-Fog and the microfiber bag it comes in for cleaning the lenses. I would never use napkins on great glass unless I absolutely couldn't see and I had nothing else to use. I guess Vortex would replace scratched lenses, but I just don't.

If you have to use a napkin just dab the lense but never wipe it swirl in it...it's like sandpaper

[kentrek]

Keep your binos inside your rain jacket & use leupold aluminum scope covers.....

[pianoman9701]

Op Drops Anti-Fog and the microfiber bag it comes in for cleaning the lenses. I would never use napkins on great glass unless I absolutely couldn't see and I had nothing else to use. I guess Vortex would replace scratched lenses, but I just don't.

If you have to use a napkin just dab the lense but never wipe it swirl in it...it's like sandpaper

Good to know.

[Hunterman]

Road hunt. Its safe and dry

Hunterman(Tony)

[davk]

For my scope I use a neoprene cover.  For the binos I have a FTF harness.  If its raining hard it goes under my rain jacket.

[deerhunter_98520]

I use to put it under my jacket but constantly getting them out and getting wet from it then dealing with fogged lenses from your body heat...I'd rather just let them get wet 

[lokidog]

Ground blind.... ;-)

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[JDHasty]

Badlands binocular case.  Kleer Vue on scopes and range finder. 

[scoutdog346]

90% rubbing alcohol

[jackmaster]

I let them get wet. Baggy full of napkins.

thats what I have always done, but I carry my gun with the eye piece up under my arm pit when it rains that hard.. and I hunker down under a dry tree a lot if it's raining, take a nap, read a book, eat, whatever, mostly take a nap though.

[fishnfur]

I had a hell of a time in the rain this morning with fogged optics.  I'd get them clear and 5 minutes later - can't see anything again.

[scoutdog346]

Do not wipe ur glass with just any napkins unless its glass u don't care about much cuz u will see all the little micro scratches u made on those nice sunny days. One shouldn't be looking through their scope often anyway so use good scope covers and keep them closed as much as possible. If its very wet that that use binoculars with Euro glass but if u can't for that use 2, $100 pair of binoculars and swap them out every hour. Give them a thorough cleaning and drying and put them deep in your backpack then swap them out when the one you're using becomes too wet and foggy. I know it sounds weird and stupid but try it it works very well. Glassing clear-cuts is the most important thing when it comes to hunting in my opinion therefore devoting lots of time and energy at making it as proficient as possible is not a waste of time . Dry them off very well and put them in a ziplock bag with a few packets of that stuff that sucks the moisture out with cotton balls and a hand warmer. like I said before it sounds really weird but it works.

[bajeep93]

http://solohntr.com/store/
I use one of these a lot. unless I am hunting in the thick brush


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[Turner89]

I use to put it under my jacket but constantly getting them out and getting wet from it then dealing with fogged lenses from your body heat...I'd rather just let them get wet 
 

[Cuda]

After this weekend I'm now convinced it's impossible....

[JDHasty]

Badlands binocular case.  Kleer Vue on scopes and range finder.

WE hunt a lot from stands and blinds and that Badlands magnetic binocular case is what most of the guys that are serious that hunt that area use.

I keep a microfiber wipe in the case too.  I never use scope covers and am OK with that.   

[Bulldozer77]

Buy a bushnell elite! No better optics for the region. They will not fog up.

[JLS]

I keep my binos in a FHF pouch.  If it's really wet I put a rubber bikini cover on my scope.

If it's really humid and you have rapidly changing temps, it won't matter what the heck you use.