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Scope Shield of Alaska |
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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Posted: September/21/2009 at 18:49 |
I have been field-testing a great new product for a while now, most severely during a 2-week bear hunt in Alaska (both black and grizzly) in late August.
Like most hunters, I've used a bunch of different scope covers over the decades, ranging from pieces of truck inner tube to flip-up styles to, well, anything. My favorite before this was the Uncle Mike's type, a pair of tight-fitting covers connected by a big rubber band, the big rubber band connected to the forearm with a smaller band. These could be flipped off instantly. The only problem is that a different cover was needed for just about every scope.
The Scope Shield solves that problem. It's basically just a neoprene cover, but comes in different lengths for general scope sizes (most hunting scopes will fit inside the 10-1/2" to 13" size) with a rear-end pull tab and a small front-end belt of synthetic fabric to keep it connected to the rifle's forend. To get it off the scope you just pull the rear-end tab back, like a slingshot, then allow the Scoppe Shield to snap off. It's really quick and easy.
It's also silent. After an almost mile-long stalk in light after the grizzly, the Scope Shield came off quickly and without the slightest but of sound, important when you're maybe 60 yards from a big bar.
Another great thing for traveling hunters is that the Scope Shield also protects the scope inside a rifle case, even a soft case while stuck inside the baggage compartment of a light plane with a bunch of other stuff. I took along a spare scope on the trip, inside another Scope Shield. They're cheap enough to buy more than one.
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9044 |
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Does the front grabber loop get in the way of the sight picture? It seems similar to the other neoprene covers like Scopecoat, other than that part.
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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Nope, it's loose enough that the cover flops out of the way. It's a retainer rather than a grabber.
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9044 |
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I was concerned that it would get in the way, somehow. I would hate to have one get hung up in front of the objective end because of the strap, too.
Thanks for the good information and report. |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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I have a Scopecoat for my Zeiss Victory, but really like the retainer on the Scope Shield. I will probably get one...
Thank you for the info, John.
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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Any pictures ?
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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danjojoUSMC
Optics Journeyman Joined: August/20/2009 Location: NE Ohio Status: Offline Points: 329 |
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Seems perfect for the Burris Fullfield 2 owners who complain about using flip-open caps on them.
Do you think that the quick, wild flinging movement of the Scope Shield could spook any game? http://scopeshieldcover.com/scope_protection/default.asp
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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Actually, so far I've slowly and gently removed it, as all the game taken when using the SS was stalked and never knew I was there before the shot.
But if it has to be removed quickly (as when game is already spooked and starting to move out) it's easy to do.
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brodeur272
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/23/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 609 |
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MIght have to look into one of them...
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Terry Lamb
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/19/2009 Location: Sagle, Idaho Status: Offline Points: 150 |
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These have spread among outfitters and hunters all over the U.S. and Canada. Do ask SWFA to carry them (the SWFA buyers have all the dealer info) or google scopeshield neoprenes to get a detailed look.
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Terry Lamb
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gferrett
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/31/2009 Location: N. Idaho Status: Offline Points: 39 |
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Hi John;
How does it work when you pull the tab with a glove hand and does shield collect water when you pull it off to shoot or other stuff?
Boy I sure miss the Ka-Ram-Ba and the Michaels QD scope cover.
ferrett
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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It works fine with a gloved hand. When it's off the scope it tends to be flat. Essentially it basically just a flap of neoprene doubled over with the ends sewn, so it doesn't tend to collect anything when not on the scope. There were a few periods of really nice weather, when I took the Scope Shield off and stuck it in my pack, but when the weather got wettish (which was a lot of the time) the SS went back on the rifle pronto.
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Terry Lamb
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/19/2009 Location: Sagle, Idaho Status: Offline Points: 150 |
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Hello John,
Just a little user tip on the ScopeShield Alaska neoprenes....on those bluebird days when I don't want the cover on the scope, but also don't want to detach it from the rifle, I just roll it up and tuck it inside its own keeper loop on the forearm. It's completely out of the way, and, if you turn it sideways, does not even interfere with a shoulder sling carry, nor is it in the line of sight through the scope at all. Good Hunting!
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Terry Lamb
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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This sounds like a pretty neat scope cover.
I'll have to get one. I tend to loose scope covers that are not attached to the scope or rifle, so this might work well. ILya
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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I like it better than the plain Leupold one that I've used and was always afraid of losing or not being able to remove quickly enough. I think it comes with little retaining rubber bands for the front loop nowadays, which really help keep it on the barrel. Another place a good scope cover is nice to have is when you, your gear and three fat guys are bouncing around in an overloaded truck. I had another scope get scuffed up a bit from somebody throwing a backpack on it while we were driving from one end of ranch to the other.
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Reaction time is a factor...
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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That's one reason I'm really liking the Scope Shield: It doesn't just protect the lenses, it protects the whole scope.
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ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
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pretty cool, couldn't find prices on his website
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Tip69
Optics Master Extraordinaire Tip Stick Joined: September/27/2005 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 4155 |
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well, what the hell ya hauling 3 FAT guys around for.... make em walk! That'll learn em to not throw their crap on your expensive scope! |
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take em!
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SamC
Optics Professional Joined: October/01/2007 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 902 |
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Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill |
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Terry Lamb
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/19/2009 Location: Sagle, Idaho Status: Offline Points: 150 |
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Terry Lamb
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