How do you stop a scope from foging?

Suavegato

Suavegato

New member
Hello,
anyone know any good tricks for stopping condensation from forming on the outside of the lenses? (it's not the inside foging). I have heard that if you put your gun outside or in the truck the night before you hunt, it will help eliminate the warm gun into the cold, wet outdooors foging? But what if you can't do that? Also, even if you do that, when the rain hits it and if it's held against your warm body it will fog. Also, if you look through it, sizing something up, it fogs right up from your warm head and or breath...

anyone know how / what to do? does anyone make an "electric scope blanket" to keep the scope warm or hot enough to "defrost" it?

anyone ever try "rainex" or something like that on a scope?

thanks,
 
Last winter I bought "flip-up" scope covers.They have yellow lenses and can be used in the "down" position as well.They worked great for keeping snow off,but I can't really comment on fog as I as I haven't used them yet in damp,warmer weather?Wish I'd had them with me today,as I spent alot of time wiping lenses. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gifThey are at my Dad's house.I think? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gifI hope! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
We've received 6-7" of rain since Friday nite,today the weather finally broke abit,though it was foggy/misty and windy.Just the kinda weather I bought the damn things for,and here I am runnin round the woods wiping lenses again!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gifI'll definately be stopping by Dad's tommorrow,er..I guess it's today now,and grabbing them.I'll let you know the brand name if you're interested,can't think of it rite now?
 
Hello and thanks,
I have tried the flip up scope covers... in fact I have two brands. Weaver Polar Caps and Butler Creek Blizzard caps. Neither of them work very well for the anti - fogging thing in the rain... I bought them primarily for keeping the dust off when I ride my quad and the rain drops when hunting in the rain... they both work "O.K." for that but NOT for fogging... In fact, they almost make it worse, trapping moisture in between the cap and the lens that tends to warm and fog. I haven't tried any anti fog sprays? Do they work well? I may have to check some out. I still am wondering if something like the RainEx or maybe the "daily shower cleaner" stuff might work? I use the shower stuff on my bathroom mirror to keep it from fogging and it works great! I may just have to experiment in the shower with some mirrors and different chemicals...?
thanks,
 
I have some stuff at home, I'll check for it tonight, that works real well. I believe it's called "Scope Dope" or something like that. Basically it's a small container of a wax that you smear on and wipe off. It's for this very topic. It works.

Tony
 
Most of your anti-fog sprays are some kind of a soap and water like product. The way they work is by putting a film on the lens that the fog will sheet down and not just condensate in place as you normally would get. But they are fairly cheap and come in handy little spray bottles.

Scuba diving, spit is common although not very long lasting. Johnsons baby shampoo works wonders and is very cheap, but both require you to smear it around the lense and then rinse off.
 
My only concern with any and all remedies is the lens coatings on our scopes - I would worry about something not made for a scope damaging or removing coatings and turning one problem into many.

With that being said - you all would be amazed at how well shaving cream works for anti-fog. Just to try it - go into your bathroom, spray some shaving cream on your mirror and rub it around in an area, wipe if off and then try to fog that area up. I saw it on a TV program once and it works really well - but i am not one to put it on my scope lens.
 
Catcrap works well and lasts for a long time.
One thing to remember before putting anything on your lens is to clean them thoroughly beforehand.
 
Scope Dope. Been using it for years. Used to be able to get it at Sports Authority, but I have not had to purchase it for some time now.
 
Exactly as Weasel says, make sure you get that glass spotless before smearing anything on it. If you don't, you're essentially scraping dirt and debris on the glass and will end up with scratches in the optics coating and possibly the glass. Catcrap works good though.
 
I just did a quick search looking for Scopedope or Catcrap. It turns out that they are exactly the same thing just targeting a different market.The difference is the name on the container. The first hint was when they had the same ad copy. Now I gotta go find some!
Dogleg
 
What do you mean "Now I gotta go find some"? Don't you or your neighbors have a cat? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

Oh wait! Sorry, senior moment. I musta got corn fused? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
That doesn't surprise me that it's the same company. You'll be happy with the stuff. Just remember to use a soft lens cleaner to wipe the stuff off afterwards.
 
Found the flip-ups today.Can't beleive they were actually where I remembered leaving them,that's a first!(Likely because unlike at home,my wife doesn't mess with my stuff at Dad's /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif....ooops...shhhhh,here she comes /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif)
Anyhow,they are "bushwacker" brand.By the looks of this topic,I guess I won't rely on them for anti-fog?They did work good for what i originally intended,that is,keeping snow off.

I knew that annoying kitten of my daughter's would come in handy for something! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Well thanks... looks like I need good steamy pile of Cat Crap... Great! did anyone happen to notice while doing the online searching etc... if hte catcrap or the scopedope was cheaper?
thanks for all the good info.
 
I know catcrap works for chapped lips. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Just a little smeared on your lips is all it takes. It won't heal them, but it sure discourages you from licking them. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I use a Bushnell Elite 3200 5-15x40mm with the rainguard coating for past 4+ years and you can fog BOTH lenses and still be able to make out your target with little to no difficulty. I dont really take great care of the lense coating but still it hasnt worn/rubbed off, very effective scopes. Sure leupolds, nightforces are great scopes but they still fog pretty bad, a trait that can ruin a hunt in cold weather.
 


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