Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Spotting Scope Protection (while afield)

I recently picked up a new spotting scope and am interested in what others are using for a protective case while afield. I'm not happy with the weight, bulk and degree of protection afforded by the case I currently have.

I'm contemplating fabbing my own out of some PVC or carbon fiber tubing, and then lining it with some closed cell foam.

Anyone been down this road? Ideas?

I don't know what brand you have, but for Leicas, there is a special soft sided cover that is very effective, but ridiculously expensive for what it is. I bought it anyway. Works well, but don't drop the spotter down a slope!

If you are afield, I'm not sure how useful a hard cover would be, always taking the scope in and out. The softcover case I have allows me to leave it on, and still use the spotter.

I made a Pvc tube that works good in the truck, but if carrying while hiking I just make sure the lens covers are on and wrap in something soft then put in in the pack pocket....

For clarification, I'm looking to build (or buy) a lightweight, low-volume, nearly indestructible hard case with internal shock padding. If a mule, or other pack animal takes a long slide in a steep spot or decides to go to bucking his manties off, I want a case that will shrug off or absorb any damage that might otherwise be potentially incurred by the Swaro (20X60 80mm HD).

This would be an uber-protective case for in the truck, on a boat, or on the back of a pack animal en-route to a base camp from which to backpack out of.

I may have to go with 5-6" ABS, one end plugged, the other threaded. What do you think about the idea of using Great Stuff for a custom filler?

Allen

I would use the pvc and a closed cell foam, which is what I did for that kind of application....I just don't pack it on my back that way, but it works good in a truck or boat or on a horse....I put slide on caps on both ends instead of threads, to save on space a little....Started a little tight to get the one cover off, but I sanded one end of the pvc lightly and that end comes of pretty easy...

I found a Haliburton aluminum camera case at a yard sale, really cheap, and I'm currently getting foam to cut to shape for the Swaro.....that'll be for traveling......in the bush, I put it the pack where the clothing pads it, as someone else has already mentioned.......the scope's tougher than a boat anchor........built for hard use.

Joe

My Leupold is a timex, it's been rode hard put away wet, and looks it, still functions fine though, it stays on an outside pocket, no padding of any kind. When I want it, I want it NOW!