Scopes in snow and fog

[CampCoffee]

Well I've been putoff for almost 2 months now, and it's time to vent.

Was up on Bethel opening day in the middle of all the fog and blowing snow. Actually great weather to move elk around. Long about 0830, a spike bull walks below me about 30 yds crossing right to left, didn't see me or smell me. I bring up my rifle to take it, and I couldn't see thru the scope -- it was full of snow at both ends. My bad, I didn't think about covering them until it was too late. After I clean it out, I still couldn't see the spike in the scope, it was so foggy out. Not foggy inside the scope, just the air outside so that looking thru the scope there was no way to see him.  He passed thru the opening, I stood up to try again and no such luck.

Anyone else have problems with scopes like that in snow and fog? Makes we want to go to a peep sight. BTW the scope I have is an old Weaver KV5, so maybe a fancier one would do better. Or maybe I just need to shake it off and put a year behind me.

[high country]

I run a 4200 in those conditions. it will not do anythingfor keeping snow off, but....wipe it off and you can see well enough to shoot....it is hard to believe till you see it. btw, you can get a 3-9x40 for 250ish bux online. I prefer them to the vx2's and monarchs.

[bobcat]

You need some Butler Creek flip up scope covers to keep the snow out. A newer scope wouldn't hurt either, but you really need the scope covers as well for when you're hunting in rain or snow. Bushnell makes a scope with a lens coating they call "rainguard" that is supposed to work really well for preventing fogged up lenses.

[high country]

the flip ups will work for keeping the lens' free of snow and rain, but condensation caused by temp differences are where the elites shine.....looks right through it with only a slightly darker image.

[BlackRidge]

You need some Butler Creek flip up scope covers to keep the snow out. A newer scope wouldn't hurt either, but you really need the scope covers as well for when you're hunting in rain or snow. Bushnell makes a scope with a lens coating they call "rainguard" that is supposed to work really well for preventing fogged up lenses.

+1, the butler creek flip-up covers work extremely well, and are fairly inexpensive (around $15, I believe), ordered a set for all my scopes

[bobcat]

the flip ups will work for keeping the lens' free of snow and rain, but condensation caused by temp differences are where the elites shine.....looks right through it with only a slightly darker image.

Yeah, I've been thinking about switching from my Leupold Vari-X III to the Elite 4200 for that reason. Even with the scope covers, when it's raining, if I flip them open once and get water inside, the lenses will be fogged up all day.

[Hunterman]

Don't carry your rifle by the sling..Muzzle down, scope under your arm..I have been doing that for years with out problems..

Hunterman(Tony)

[lokidog]

Butlers work great, never had the fog issue, unless my scope was tucked up under my warm, moist armpit.....  I have exhaled a little heavily and had it fog though.

[400out]

You need some Butler Creek flip up scope covers to keep the snow out. A newer scope wouldn't hurt either, but you really need the scope covers as well for when you're hunting in rain or snow. Bushnell makes a scope with a lens coating they call "rainguard" that is supposed to work really well for preventing fogged up lenses.

+1, the butler creek flip-up covers work extremely well, and are fairly inexpensive (around $15, I believe), ordered a set for all my scopes

YEP it's manditory when getting a scope! If the snipers use them then....Well that says it all

[Antlershed]

I think you guys are mis-reading his post....

Not foggy inside the scope, just the air outside so that looking thru the scope there was no way to see him.

There is no scope that will fix this. The problem is that the magnification of the scope will also magnify the fog and make it look worse through the scope than it does your naked eye.

I second what everyone else said about the Butler Creek covers to keep the snow out though.

[bobcat]

I read that part too but to me if you can see an animal with the naked eye, you should be able to see it through a scope too, especially if it's not that far off. I think a better quality scope would be the answer for that particular problem.

[Bob33]

Butler flip up caps.

Keep the scope the same temperature as the outside air at all times: don't bring it in a warm tent/camper/truck at night, and then expect it to not condense in the morning when you take it outside.

There are some anti-fog sprays that work well enough: well enough to shoot an animal through if there is some condensation.

Also, tape up the end of your barrel with some form of tape like electrical.  Plugged barrels can cause problems.

[Alan K]

My VX-7 scope came with some AWESOME scope covers.  Not sure if they sell 'em for their other scopes or not, or if they even have the grooves to screw them into. 

The problem of closing your scope covers and getting fogged inside has a lot to do with the temperature changes.  Sometimes if you close your scope covers inside the warm truck then get out into bitter cold weather it'll fog.  Has to do with the condensation.  Also, if you get all the moisture out after the inside gets wet, then you shouldn't have any problems when you cover and open it again.  Make sure you get the scope cover itself as well as the rim, not just the lens.

[Antlershed]

My VX-7 scope came with some AWESOME scope covers.  Not sure if they sell 'em for their other scopes or not, or if they even have the grooves to screw them into. 

Most new leupold scopes have the grooves and I heard that if you have an older scope you can send it to leupold and they will put the grooves in it. I wanna say I was told it costs $50 and that includes the covers, but I could be a little high on the price.

[ridge line]

 That's funny the same thing happened to me on the opener of elk with my nightforce cost me a bull as well. my problem was that the rubber scope covers are so dam tight that when removed  it instantly fog ed up do to the change in air temp. Ive got the screw in caps on my Lupe and Ive never had a problem because they are not air tight. butler creek makes a nice flip open scope cover but i don't care for the slight  marks due to dirt/dust.  But next year i will have butler creeks on my scope regardless of the dirt&bust

[JimmyHoffa]

You can also look at blizzard caps/covers.  They function like regualr caps, but are see through---so you can shoot with them on.  When I'm hunting in the rain, I'll just carry paper towels in a ziploc and periocally clean off the lens. 

[NumaJohn]

When hunting in wet weather (snow or rain) I have lately started using a neoprene cover over my scope.  The brand I have happens to be Scope Shield, but I know you can buy these kinds of covers from a variety of companies.  The things I like: the neoprene is much quieter than the flip-ups; the neoprene doesn't seem to cause as much condensation; and it covers the entire scope and action, so my rifle stays more dry and gets scratched less.  However, Butler makes good products, too (they are just too noisy for me).

John

[high country]

next time you are at the store, ask to see a 4200 and breathe on the lens' to fog them up.....then look through it. pretty much sells itself.

[CampCoffee]

The lenses didn't have fog on them, inside or outside. The fog was in the air. It was thick but not that bad. So when I looked thru the scope it was magnifying the fog and I could see no elk, period, even though I could see fine without the scope. Sounds stupid, but that's what happened.

[JimmyHoffa]

Hmmmm....if that is the case, sounds as if you need a thermal imaging scope.  There are civilian models that can get out to about 900+ meters and work in smoke/snow/fog/rain.  They work better when it is colder outside.  Might find one starting around 11K.  Could try tacticalnightvision.com.  Not sure if there are any non IR versions, so they wouldn't be permitted by the regs for elk, but you can use them on coyotes!!!!

[high country]

The lenses didn't have fog on them, inside or outside. The fog was in the air. It was thick but not that bad. So when I looked thru the scope it was magnifying the fog and I could see no elk, period, even though I could see fine without the scope. Sounds stupid, but that's what happened.

most likely there was fog on the lens' I have been there a time or two. if you can see it with your eye, you have no reason to not be able to see it in the scope......now looking through alpha binos.......

[Buckrub]

@30 yards I'm sighting down the barrel 

[sockeye66]

i take an old inner tube and cut off about an inch and a half piece. stretch it over the scope and it works great!!! usually i carry 2 or three of these.

[Buckmark]

Turn that sucker down off max power, 3x or 4x is more than enough.
Trying to look through fog at 12x wont work....

[Eli346]

Safari Sling!  Keeps your rifle horizontal and it's a hell of a lot faster to get a shot off in the timber. My last 3 elk have been at close quarters (25-75 yds) and a snap shot.

[jeepasaurusrex]

Turn that sucker down off max power, 3x or 4x is more than enough.
Trying to look through fog at 12x wont work....

Yea, that was my first thought. What was the power setting on? I ALWAYS make sure mine is on the lowest setting unless I'm drawing a bead on an animal. Then I up the power. I use either butler creek caps with my dope written on the inside of the back lid, or none at all. I never carry my rifle on the sling unless I'm dragging an animal. Too many years in the military I guess.....

[Huntbear]

Safari Sling!  Keeps your rifle horizontal and it's a hell of a lot faster to get a shot off in the timber. My last 3 elk have been at close quarters (25-75 yds) and a snap shot.

X2  love my safari sling.  Very fast sight acquisition.