In this article, we will explore the best flip up scope covers available on the market today and help you make an informed decision on which one is right for you.
Even though scopes are robust and are usually entirely waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof, they are still vulnerable to damage when moved about often, Flip-up scope covers are important accessories for protecting your rifle scope from damage and debris while also providing quick and easy access to your optics when needed.
Having a flip-up scope cover thus helps to keep your scope in the best condition. They are more than adequate in protecting your lenses. Better yet, they are so easy to pop open and close
Whether you’re hunting in harsh weather conditions or participating in a shooting competition, a high-quality flip-up scope cover can make all the difference. The best flip-up scope covers are made from durable materials that provide long-lasting protection and are easy to install and use
If you are in a hurry,
Here is a summary of the best flip up scope covers
| 1) Vortex Defender Riflescope Flip Caps
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Sizes: 24/32/40/44/50/56mm
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| 2) Monstrum Rubberized Flip-Up Scope Lens Cover
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Sizes:26-31,31-37,37-43,43-49,49-55,55-62,62-66mm
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| 3) Leupold Alumina Flip Back Lens Cover
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Sizes: 36 mm
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| 4) Butler Creek Flip-Open Covers
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Sizes: 27.8/34/48.7/50.7/51.9/53.3/56.4/62.5mm
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5) Monstrum Rubberized Flip-Up Scope Cover (Dark Earth) |
Sizes:26-31,31-37,37-43,43-49,49-55,55-62,62-66mm
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Considerations for the Best Flip Up Scope Covers
When looking for the best flip-up scope covers, there are several important considerations to keep in mind.
Durability
This is a paramount factor to put in mind before buying a scope cover. The workmanship put into the cover is essential. Ensure your chosen model is well-made with high-quality materials. A low-quality cover will fall apart when exposed to challenging conditions. So, a tough, robust, and long-lasting cover is a must-have.
Look for covers made from high-quality, durable materials such as aluminum or polymer. These materials are lightweight yet sturdy, providing excellent protection for your scope.
Weather resistance and Waterproofing
Scope covers are made differently. Some have more advanced features than others. There are some that have full waterproofing features, while others only have water resistance. The difference matters since waterproofing and water-resistant are different. So, a flip-up scope cover is what you should get if you do not want the scope to be exposed to water.
Some flip-up scope covers come with weather-resistant seals that protect your scope from moisture and debris. Others may have scratch-resistant coatings to prevent damage to the lens.
Material
Scope covers are usually mainly built of heavy-duty plastic, aluminum, and rubber. Generally, rubber scope covers are robust and lightweight. Aluminum also balances weight and durability. It all comes down to the preferred material that suits you and your needs. For example, a scope cover may have a rubber construction that lacks other useful features that you may need.
Protection
A scope cover is only useful only if it protects the scope. Using a scope outdoors means it is susceptible to weather conditions and different elements. Therefore, your scope cover should be built in such a way that it offers complete and adequate protection to the scope. A premium quality cover is essential to have as a shooter as it is reliable and will ensure any beating or rugged condition without allowing any damage to reach the scope.
Adjustments and Ease of use
Scope covers usually come in different sizes, yet some don’t fit the scope lenses. To combat this attachment problem, some covers have adjustable sizes so that you can fix the cover properly with your scope. A stretchy attachment allows you to use the scope cover comfortably without any hassle.
The best flip-up scope covers should be easy to install and remove, allowing for quick and convenient access to your optics. Look for covers with simple and secure locking mechanisms.
Size and compatibility
While the cover’s specifications and style are pertinent, also remember to check if it is the appropriate size for your scope. Ensure the flip-up cover you select comes in a size that fits your scope. Most scope covers include a size chart and a list of scopes that fit. This lets you choose the one that is appropriate for your scope.
Secure locking mechanisms
The locking mechanism on your flip-up scope cover should be secure enough to keep it in place during use. Some covers may have a spring-loaded latch or other locking mechanism that ensures a tight fit.
Operation
Any small mistake when hunting can spook the target, making you lose a chance of killing it. The success of your hunting depends on how your scope cover operates. One thing to look out for is the noise level. A flip-up cover that is noisy can easily spook the target. Moreover, a cover should not take forever to open. It should be easy and quick to use.
Some flip-up scope covers open manually, while others open automatically with the touch of a button. Consider which option works best for you.
In addition to that, it needs to be ambidextrous to allow use by both right and left-handed users. A quick click with a thumb should also be there if it needs to pop open and close.
Additional Features
Some flip-up scope covers come with interchangeable lens caps for different lighting conditions, while others may have adjustable tension to ensure a secure fit on your scope. Consider which additional features are most important to you when choosing a cover.
Best Flip Up Scope Covers
1) Vortex Defender Riflescope Flip Caps
Vortex has a longstanding reputation for manufacturing the best products in the optics industry, and scope covers are among these products. Vortex Optics Defender Riflescope Flip Caps are the best flip up scope covers on the market, They feature heavy-duty construction that makes them long-lasting.
These caps are perfect for you if you are looking for robust and sturdy scope covers. It has a springless spring that flips the cap in three positions 180, 45, and 90 degrees.
The upright position is vital as it helps you scope mount your dope disk to provide ready access when you need to take a shot.
Vortex Optics Defender does an excellent job protecting your scope lens from moisture, dust, dirt, water, and debris. It has a straightforward design that makes it easy to use.
Overall, Vortex Optics Defender is robust and protective of the scope’s components. Its usability makes it a favorite for many.
Pros
- Effortless to use
- Highly durable construction
- Excellent protection
- Stainless steel spring
- Fast opening cap with many stops
- Flexible
- Provides a quiet operation so as not to spook your target
Cons
- None
2) Monstrum Rubberized Flip-Up Rifle Scope Lens Cover
Nothing beats the Monstrum Flip-Up Lens Cover, especially because it is constructed of hardener rubber. The cover has two rubber sleeves meant for two purposes. The first being they help protect the scope’s components and the scope itself. The second reason is they are held in place by their rubber fittings.
This allows you to continue your operation worry-free about unintentionally falling off the cover. Another thing that you will love about this cover is it comes at a price that is easy on your wallet. It comes in many different sizes, making it ideal for diverse riflescopes.
The cover has a steek pin that keeps it firm so that once it is flipped open, it doesn’t fall back down and seal it. Thanks to its flip-up mechanism, it seamlessly pops open when required and holds the scope securely during transportation or storage.
It will do a fantastic job protecting your scope from abrasion, dust, dirt, moisture, fog, rain, snow, and debris.
The cover is also customizable to fit your scope. Also, it is easy to open. What makes the scope easy to use is the fact that it is spring-loaded, which allows you to finger-operate it.
With a wide range of sizes, the Monstrum Rubberized Flip-up Rifle Scope Lens Cover accommodates various riflescopes. All you have to do is measure the outside diameter of the objective lens and eyepiece of your scope to pick the appropriate size.
Pros
- Easy to customize
- Easy to open
- It comes in many sizes
- Solid rubber sleeves
- Provides excellent protection
- Hardened rubber construction
- It comes in an affordable size
- Spring-loaded for easy operation
- Tight hinges
Cons
- None
3) Leupold Alumina Flip Back Lens Cover
Leupold Alumina Flip Back Lens Cover is a high-quality model designed for heavy-duty use and seamless usability with life-long durability. It comes with unique features to satisfy you as a scope owner.
It is created from robust 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum making it one of the most durable scope covers. Made with O-ring seals, the cover withstands elements and harsh environmental conditions. Rain, fog, dust, dirt, and debris have no chance of penetrating the scope.
Available in varying sizes, the cover is suitable for a range of Leupold scopes.
In addition, it has rotatable round objective and ocular models, which allows you to open them in any direction. Nevertheless, the Leupold Alumina Flip-Up cover has powerful neodymium magnets that hold the scope snugly.
Rubber eye protection is another great feature of this cover. It primarily offers comfort and grip to the user. The shutter can be locked after flipping it up with a simple push. Overall, the scope is much loved by many thanks to its smooth usability, excellent protection, and impressive features it comes with. Best of all, it has a lightweight construction.
Pros
- Available in different sizes
- Lightweight design
- Made of durable aluminum
- Easy to use
- Rubber eye protection for comfort and grip
- Lockable shutter with a simple push
- Elegant design-ring seals for ultimate protection
- Neodymium magnet
- Adjustable cover
Cons
- Fits VX-5HD, VX-6, VX-6HD and Mark 5HD riflescopes only
4) Butler Creek Flip-Open Covers
Butler Creek Flip-Open Cover has impeccable features that make it an excellent contender in the best flip-up scope covers. Made with serious shooters and hunters in mind, this cover suits you.
The cover is sealed to shield your weapon from extreme weather conditions. This tight sealing also protects the scope from elements, including dust, scratches, dirt, and debris. This is essential for your cover to serve you for many years.
Additionally, Butler Creek Flip-Open Cover has a durable build that makes it ideal for the outdoors. Since using a cover outdoors means exposure to all sorts of conditions, a cover needs to be made with sturdy and reliable construction.
As with other Butler covers, this one is also lightweight, which is instrumental so that it doesn’t weigh you down and cause so much fatigue. Better yet, it comes at a price that is easy on your wallet.
Moreover, the cover is easy to open with a touch of your thumb. It is the scope cover for you if you want a quick operation. It also has a spring-loaded operation that allows both left and right-handed shooters to flip the cover silently. This is vital so as not to spook the target.
Pros
- Smooth usability
- Tight seals for reliable protection
- Durable for long-lasting performance
- Lightweight
- Pocket-friendly
- Ambidextrous spring-loaded operation
Cons
- None
5) Monstrum Rubberized Flip-Up Rifle Scope Lens Covers (Dark Earth)
Clean and functional optics are instrumental when lining up a shot. That is why you need the Monstrum Rubberized Flip-Up Lens Cover to keep your lens clean and well-protected for a successful shot.
Thanks to its spring-loaded flip-up mechanism, the cover is easy to open and close. This also means that you can operate it efficiently using your finger.
Additionally, the lens cover has a sturdy rubber and polymer construction. Thanks to this, it protects your investment by keeping away harsh elements such as moisture, dirt, and dust. It has rubber sleeves that keep the scope firm and prevents rotation of the cover. The cover comes in various sizes, meaning there is something for everyone.
Best of all, you don’t have to break the bank to own this cover. This is because it comes at a relatively affordable price.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Robust construction
- Excellent protection against elements and weather conditions
- Rubber sleeves keep the scope securely in place and prevent rotation
- Affordable price
- Different sizes to fit various riflescopes
- Spring-loaded flip-up action
Cons
- None
Related: 5 Best Leupold Scope Covers & Lens Covers
Best Flip Up Scope Covers FAQs
How often should I change my scope cover?
There is no specified time as to when you should replace your scope cover. How often you change it has everything to do with your model’s durability, which is determined by the material used to make it.
Why do I need a flip-up scope cover?
Even with technological innovations that have made it possible for manufacturers to come up with durable, sturdy, and long-lasting riflescopes, optics are still susceptible to abrasion, scratches, and elements that can cause damage and severely affect vision. You might go hunting or shooting in the rain, fog, or dusk and dawn. Also, being outdoors means exposure to beating, drops, and accidents. A flip-up scope cover thus helps protects the lenses from all these effects.
What is an ambidextrous flip-up scope cover?
An ambidextrous scope cover is one that is ideal for both right-handed and left-handed users. Lately, manufacturers know too well that not all shooters are right-handed or left-handed, and that’s why they have incorporated this feature into the covers.
How do I cover and store my scope?
If the scope is attached to your gun and you want to store it, try to hang it horizontally. This leads to the least amount of dust accumulation on the top of a flip-up cap. Regarding full covers, you can rest the gun horizontally or vertically as it is completely covered.
Conclusion
Flip-up scope covers are essential, as they fully protect your scope from elements such as water, fog, dirt, and dust from getting into the scope. They also do a great job of preventing scratches and abrasion.
Besides, they are effortless to use as you simply flip them up to avoid missing a target. The models elucidated above are excellent choices for you. They have robust construction, waterproofing capability, ease of operation, and can endure the most challenging conditions. All you need to do is get any of them.