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Lipoly · Veteran Member

The front cap on my Leapers scope http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Leapers_5th_Gen_4_16x50AO_Rifle_Scope_Illuminated_Red_Green_Mil_Dot_Reticle_Zero_Lock_Reset/1808 is really annoying when I change zooms and need to adjust focus...sometimes the cap won't open fully and obstructs my view.

Question 1: Do most people use scope caps? When I'm not shooting my gun it is in the case. When I am using it, the caps are open so I'm wondering if the caps are really helping protect it anyway. If I were doing a bunch of hunting in the woods, I could see closing the caps while stalking.

Question 2: I'm not sure when is meant by parallax adjustment vs. focus. It seems that it really just impacts focus. I'm assuming if focus is off, then I'll have parallax issues?

Question 3: What is the purpose of a sunshade? From the name, I'm assuming it...shades the sun, but I'm wondering if this means it should only be used under very bright conditions? Would you want your sunshade on in lower light conditions?

rsterne · Moderator

I dislike the Leapers flip-up scope caps, especially on a scope with AO (adjustable objective) because they end up at any angle and yes often you can't use them if the scope is set as low as possible (which it always should be)....

The adjustable objective focuses the image at the same plane as the crosshairs.... This give a clear view of the target and SIMULTANEOUSLY eliminates parallax.... which is caused by the image and crosshairs being in different places.... Yes, if the focus is wrong, you will have parallax issues....

The rear eyepiece adjustment is there to allow you to customize the scope for your own eye.... It works by bringing the crosshairs into sharp focus.... since when you set the AO to the proper range, the image is in the same place, then everything will be sharp.... The proper way to adjust it is to set the AO to infinity and the scope at maximum magnification, and look at something a mile or so away.... Then concentrate on the image (not the crosshairs) and adjust the eyepiece focus until the crosshairs are ALSO sharp and clear.... You will find the adjustment is not very critical, so you may have to come at it from "both ends" and then find the middle point that way.... Then set the scope for it's minimum focus distance (10 yards or whatever) and while still on maximum magnification find an object that is clear and sharp.... double check the crosshairs and they should still be sharp.... If they aren't, fine tune them until they are.... Recheck at distance and all should be good....

The sunshade helps keep bright light from causing glare on the front (objective) lense.... It is most useful when shooting towards the sun.... If you have a break-barrel rifle, make SURE it misses the barrel when focused at the MINIMUM distance as the scope actually gets longer when at close focus.... If you don't do this, you can ruin your scope the first time you go to cock the gun.... Shocked

Bob

donec · Senior Member

Do they make an AO scope with a sunshade?

rsterne · Moderator

Yep, a lot of the Leapers scopes have a sunshade (tube) that threads into the rotating ring that carries the objective lense....

Bob