Scope Caps

I'm looking for well-fitting scope caps for a Vortex HST 4-16x44 to replace the stock covers. I've read missed reviews about Butler Creek and Vortex Defender caps either not fitting well or poor long-term quality. I would prefer to have caps than a cover and nothing stupid expensive as the stock cover works, I just forget it often after hunting or shooting. Any recommendations?

Aadland are nice as are tenebrex.

Tenebrex on my NF ATACR have been great. Now I need to get a set of them for every other scope I have.

I like rubber bikini scope cover but I know I'm in the minority.

I use bikini covers under a scope coat but nothing in the field. Don’t want another point of failure in the stand.

I really only use mine if its raining and I'm walking around. I pull them off and put them in my pocket if I'm hunting in a stand or there is no rain.

Is that the type of caps that come on the atacr from the factory? Whatever came on mine from the factory are great.

Yes it is. Nighforce logo on the outside, Tenebrex logo on the inside. I really appreciate how more robust they are than Butler Creek (I'll never spend another dime on with the current construction) and how they fold almost 270° almost all the way back to the scope.

They got it right.

I guess I never paid that much attention to them lol. But I agree with you, they are nice and much better than a butler creek set I had on an old vortex. Those butler creek caps were just flimsy and cheap.

What about the Vortex Defender covers? I have those on one of mine and I like them better the Butler Creek. They are more expensive. However not as expensive as Aadland or Tenebraex.

I've really liked the Vortex Defender. Would be interested to know what size would work on my SWFA HD 5-20. I currently have Butler Creek and they're fine, but not nearly as nice as the Vortex caps, which I had on my Cronus.

Do you own a measuring caliper?

Yeah. It just didn't occur to me to switch caps until this thread. I'll go measure at some point.

I have used pieces of inner tubes since the 1960's. A North Dakota Farmer gave me one in 1964, been using them ever since.

This describes them. https://www.beartoothbullets.com/tips/archive_tips.htm/4

Morning Patriot. The defender covers you would want to use on your 5-20 are;
Vortex Defender Eye Piece / Vortex Defender Objective Cover

For mountain hunting I have been watching what guys who deal with it all the time are doing and started using two neoprene covers over my scope to protect it from the inevitable knocks and bumps that occur.
For normal Texas hunting just about anything that keeps the rain off the lenses will do.

I agree with that. Another way I look at it is, you are going to take it out, its not a safe queen. I tend to look at stuff like this as consumables. They are cheap insurance.

Only issue is they stay where you drop them. Just got back from a pronghorn hunt and had to go back and pick them up a few times. Normally not an issue except in that “run and gun” style of hunting. Still not a big deal.

A bigger issue is finding an “anti-fog” cleaner that really works. Have tried anti-fog cloths, various lens treatments like Scope Dope, Cat Crap, etc. but none of them are foolproof. They help, but seem to wear off after a while. Was really an issue on this hunt with rain, humidity, and wild temperature swings.

But that’s a subject for another thread I guess....

Truth right there...I donated a cover to the Wyoming pronghorn this year. Like you, I had to pick the objective cover up several times during stalks. Then it was gone, and I had no idea where to even start looking.