Sunshade on Scopes for hunting

[lurcher]

I have never used a sunshade on a scope but I am looking to put one on a 4.5-14x40 vx3 on a hunting rifle

I have a few questions...

Length, there are 2.5 and 4 inch models, I know that the minimum length needs to be greater than the lens width 2.5 will achieve this but am I better to get the longer one?

I have read that FOV at low power can be affected, would this be noticeable at 4.5X and would the shorter one be better to avoid this issue?

I read that a sunshade will actually improve performance in low light, is this true?

Finally the tubb shooting hat with the flaps on the side, looks like a great idea too for avoiding glare?

 

[Sniper338]

I have sun shades on all my scopes...

 

[FeMan]

I have sunshades on all my hunting scopes as well. The only difference I have noticed is the benefit of the benefit they give in shooting towards a low-angle rising sun. With the shade cover I can see the target and often without it I cannot. I use the best glass I can afford and don't sweat the minor benefits/detriments you mention. If they exist I cannot tell. I use my binos and spotting scope for the fine viewing anyway.

 

[jimbires]

I think the sun shades hurt low light ability . I hunt without the extension shade until it's needed , then I screw it on . this happens with both my NXS scopes . one is a 5.5-22x50 , the other is a 8-32x56 .

one thing you could try before buying is to wrap a thin piece of cardboard around the scope obj bell . make it long enough so you can test both lengths by sliding it over the scope more or less .

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

For hunting, a lens hood or sun shade has two advantages; the first one is what Ironman stated in reply #3, aiming close to the rising or setting sun, and the other is that it protects the objective lens.

The downside is that it makes the scope bulkier and thus more prone to catching on twigs and branches.

A lens hood may provide for a better picture, free of flares and artifacts generated by stray light sources from the side, and it will never make things darker unless it is long and interferes with the field of view at lower magnifications. In the OP's example, I would select the 2.5 inch one for hunting with the scope specified.

 

[Intheshop]

We make ours,threaded aluminum.So it is only an investment in time.My answer is...it depends.On a cpl varmint rigs,modest length shades(2-4") have made a slight,but noticeably difference.It increases the depth of focus...if that makes sense.We also do repairs on scope internals."Cheaper" scopes,seem to show more gains with shades,internal tweaks,and parallax adj....sort of a doh.The better quality scopes don't need the help.

VXI's...yes.VXII's...kinda yeah.VXIII's....not so much.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

A lens hood (real name) or sun shade needs to have its interior flat black; natural aluminum will not be much help when sighting near the Sun or having a light source on the side of the scope. Artifacts created by such a light source will appear in the lenses of the best scopes out there, coatings not withstanding.

I'm an avid photographer and have been for decades, which is why I have such an interest in riflescopes. My lenses all wear a good UV filter and the lens hood is on all the time when I'm taking pictures outside. A proper lens hood is a cheap investment for quality pictures and viewing.

 

[jimbires]

Lurcher , what are you calling low light ? if you're talking a overcast day at noon , give a sun shade a try . if you're talking the first few minutes of the day , or the last few minutes before completely dark sun shades hurt . at least they hurt my low light ability . in Pa our hunting hours are , half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset . I definately don't have my sun shade on for these times .