Best flip-up scope cover
Having the best flip-up scope cover on your rifle scope is important because it helps to keep your scope in good shape free from any damage, that may occur on the lens.
A good lens is one of the characteristics that define a good scope; the quality of the glass as well as the coatings applied to the surface of the glass determine the quality of the lens. If any of these are damaged, the resulting image will be foggy, which can have an impact on how well the scope performs.
This article examines the best flip-up scope covers for preserving your scope and ensuring that it continues to perform well over time
Best Flip Up Scope Covers-Top Picks
- Vortex Optics Defender Riflescope Flip Caps
- NightForce Rifle Scope Flip-Up Lens Cap
- Butler Creek 21920 Multiflex Flip-Open Scope
- Butler Creek Flip-Open Eyepiece Scope Cover
- Shooney’s Defender Flip Caps Rifle Scope Lens Cover
- Leupold Alumina Flip Back Lens Cover Standard.
The detailed reviews….
1. Vortex Optics Defender Riflescope Flip Caps
This flip cap is made by a reputable optics manufacturer, which means they know what they’re doing. It is not only inexpensive, with most options priced under $20, but it is also long-lasting. The outer part is made of hard plastic, while the spring that hinges the cap is made of stainless steel, which is virtually indestructible.
This flip cap will give the best protection to the lens on your scope, against elements such as dust, moisture, and debris. It also uses a fold-flat spring to prevent any obstruction on your line of sight
The cap is designed to stop in two places for your convenience. One stop is at a 45-degree angle, while the other is at a 90-degree angle. Except for the 1-inch tube viper model, it will fit snugly over any vortex scope.
Features
- 12 options available
- Stainless steel lid
- Opens in two positions; 45 degrees and 90 degrees
2. NightForce Rifle Scope Flip-Up Lens Cap
The NightFore flip-cap is carefully designed for the night force rifle scopes. The unique thing that makes these stand out is the fact that they can be adjusted to have different opening angles.
It is built using hard plastic, that’s rugged and lightweight. Moreover, it is easy to attach to the objective lens, all you have to do is screw onto it. On the eyepiece, the flip-up cover will just lock into place
This flip-cap cover guarantees your lens effective protection against abrasion, dust, and moisture. They also have a mechanism that makes them lock into place, once open, to prevent any obstruction when sighting your target.
Features
- Made using Heavy duty plastic
- Can be adjusted to different angles
- Designed to be left on the scope all the time
3. Butler Creek 21920 Multiflex Flip-Open Scope
At an affordable price, this flip cap guarantees effective protection on your favorite rifle scope, in extreme weather conditions. It’s perfect for hunters and shooters who spend a large majority of time in the harsh outdoors, moving from one place to the other
It uses watertight friction mounts to secure the cover to your scope, and an O-ring works perfectly to keep dust, debris, and moisture out.
The scope has a flex collar that allows it to fit over a wide range of scopes, and it’s simple to install and use because the lids flip open with a touch of the thumb.
Furthermore, even when opened, this flip cap incorporates an ergonomic design that does not obstruct your vision.
Features
- O-rings keep moisture and dust out
- Flip to open in just one press
- Can be adjusted to fit over different scopes.
4. Butler Creek Flip-Open Eyepiece Scope Cover
This is the ultimate lens protection for your scope. It is inexpensive and has an ambidextrous design. The model is adaptable to a wide range of scopes, including spotting scopes.
The flip-up cover uses a solid material on the surface to guarantee that ruggedness that will last. The spring on the hinges on the other hand is made using a stainless-steel material.
The cover is lightweight weighing less than an ounce, and the hinges provide a silent and discreet opening that cannot be easily detected by the game if you are a hunter.
It is watertight, and an O-ring is used to keep moisture and dust at bay. Furthermore, the cap has undergone numerous durability tests, and the manufacturers guarantee that it will withstand temperatures of up to 40°F.
Features.
- O-ring protects from dust and moisture
- Silent opening hinges
- Made with an ambidextrous design
5. Shooney’s Defender Flip Caps Rifle Scope Lens Cover
This flip cap comes in varying sizes. It’s waterproof and airtight and works perfectly to keep your lens free from scratches and dust.
The flip cap is made of flexible plastic, and while it feels soft, it will withstand most harsh outdoor conditions without failing. The flip cap is also compatible with nearly all major scope types.
It has an ambidextrous opening with long-lasting steel hinges that open and close quietly with the flick of a thumb. Because of this feature, it is subtle enough to be used for hunting without being noticed by the target. Overall, this is a great option if you don’t care about the brand of your scope, and it’s also affordable.
Features
- More than 10 different sizes available
- Fits on almost all major scopes
- Lightweight flexible plastic
- Opens quietly with just the flick of the thumb
6. Leupold Alumina Flip Back Lens Cover Standard
The Leupold Alumina is slightly more expensive, but you get excellent performance and premium quality for that price. Basically, it has the best of everything, and the build quality gives the user a sense of dependability.
The flip cap is also versatile, as it will fit most scopes built after 2003. It has a unique feature in that it can be rotated to open in any direction. As a result, it’s simple to flip it open when you spot your hunt and then quickly close it after firing at your target to protect the lens from the elements.
It works perfectly to protect your scope from moisture, dust, and abrasion as you scour the woods for your next hunt. This is aided by the flip cap’s magnet, which securely holds the lid in place, and the O-ring seals, which provide impermeable protection against the ingress of any of the elements.
Features
- Ambidextrous open and close design
- Fits in a majority of scopes made after 2003
- neodymium magnets, securely hold the lid in place.
Best Flip-Up Scope Cover-Buying Guide
These are some of the characteristics that will define a good flip-up cover.
Weather protection
Although most scopes have protective features, a flip-up scope supplements that and provide additional protection from elements such as water, snow, dust, heat, and fog. A good cover should be rated to provide adequate resistance to most of these elements, particularly water.
It’s worth mentioning that some scopes are water-resistant while others are waterproof. Unlike a water-resistant flip-up cover, a waterproof one will completely prevent any moisture from getting inside, even if it falls into a body of water.
Durability
The durability is primarily determined by the material used by the manufacturer to construct the casing. Some are made of steel, while the majority are made of hard plastics, but some are of poor quality and will easily break off. Aside from the material, look at how well it has been put together and areas such as the hinges.
Size
Just like a piece of clothing, everyone requires a different size depending on their body’s build. This is also true of scope flip-up covers; one size does not fit all.
Make sure the size of your cover matches the size of your scope before purchasing it. The precise dimensions can be found in the user manual or on the scope’s spec sheet. Some flip-up covers also show a list of scopes that can be attached to them.
Adjustment
As previously stated, a flip-up cover is not one-size-fits-all, but some options are. A few of the scopes on the market will have a flexible size that can be adjusted to fit a variety of scopes of varying sizes. If you fancy a universal scope the adjustable one is a good option because it is also fairly priced.
Price
A good scope cover typically costs less than $30; some may cost slightly more, but you’ll definitely find good value under $30 for a single one. Also, consider whether the flip-up cover comes in a pair because if it doesn’t, you’ll have to purchase the objective lens cover separately from the eyepiece lens cover. Which may turn out to be expensive.
FAQs
Is a spring-loaded flip-up cover any good?
Yes, most of the spring-loaded covers help the shooter to open and close the cap in silence
How often should one change a flip-up scope cover?
The durability of a flip-up scope cover depends on the quality it is built with. A good flip-up scope cover can give you up to 7 years of service depending on how often you use your rifle and the harshness you put it through.
What is the best material for a flip-up scope cover?
Aluminum is the best material for a flip-up cover. This is due to its greater toughness and ability to withstand harsh conditions. It is worth noting, however, that aluminum is slightly heavier than plastic.
How else do you protect your scope?
You can protect your scope by storing it inside a hard case to protect it from any impact. You can also use a scope cover, to prevent dust and other elements
CONCLUSION
After reading this comprehensive review of the best flip-up scope covers, you’ll be able to make the best decision for a flip-up cover.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for in this article, you can use the buying guide to sift through the market for other options.
It is important to understand, however, that a scope cover is important for your scope because it will relieve you of any worry that your scope will be damaged, and as we all know, scopes can be quite expensive.