Vortex Defender Flip Scope Caps

Though I’m not knocking Butler Creek flip-up lens covers, which have become a near shooterstandard over many years, there’s a new game in town! Vortex are now offering a series of flip-ups of their own design, and though the principle remains the same, their Defender caps are probably the best and most durable scope covers I have ever used!

Takes a licking and…

These things really can take a beating! The Vortex Defender scope covers are made from a tough polymer with a flexible rubber sleeve that goes over the eye piece and objective bells. Vortex claim that these will be the last scope covers that you will ever need! They are dead easy to fit and versatile too, as the flexible rubber bodies can fit a range of diameters in a given width range and simply push on front and back.

They are a flip-up design with a stainless steel spring that makes them reliable in operation! When opened, they can be placed in three different positions: flat, so down and out of the way, half way at an angle of 45° and vertical at 90°. This last position is ideal if you want to put your rifle/cartridge ballistic data on the inside for quick reference in the field, as we shall see Vortex offers their ‘dope disc’ for the purpose. They close positively with a nice ‘click’ and look to be water-tight too. Opening them is easy, as there are two protruding ‘lugs’ on the lower sides of the flip-up section, which you push with your thumb, which is easy and can done when wearing gloves.

 

Objective

There are three basic models designed to fit a range of diameters; Objective 44 has an outside diameter (O/D) of 48-53 mm (1.89-2.08”), Objective 50 will fit anything from 55-59 mm (2.16 - 2.32”). For the monster scopes out there you will need Objective 56 which covers 62-66 mm (2.44 - 2.59”). For the eyepiece bell you will need the E-10 Defender Eyepiece that will fit most O/Ds from 40-46 mm (1.57-1.81”).

The Dope Discs are available from Vortex directly and are totally customisable. Just go onto their website and enter your ballistic data or import theirs and they will laser-engrave it onto a durable plastic disc that clips securely into the rear cap! You can even customise the layout of how the data is notated! It’s not a new idea but a lot more practical and long lasting than writing it on a piece of paper and sticking it on, as most do with the other types of cap. In the field it’s also much better than looking through a note book or an ‘app’ on your smart phone in the wind and rain!

As so many of us spend more money on glass than the actual rifle, the Defender scope flip caps are an ideal accessory to help protect your investment. Vortex has a UK dealer network, I got my examples from Black Rifle.