Optics in arctic weather conditions?

[Failure2Stop]

Everyone has a lens pen for their ACOG right?

Not going to do much with frozen condensation, which is the biggest issue.
For everything else, wiping the snow out with a gloved thumb isn't going to ruin the glass anyway.

[The_Swede]

Store the weapon in the same climate you intend to use it in. Dont bring the gun into a warm room if you can avoid it e.g. This happens from time to time with massive condensation on the lenses or worse: frozen bcg/bolts

[WS6]

I prefer Bobro in general, however, all of the levers will be difficult with low temp gloves.
I use my sling to pop the levers when in cold gear.

Messaged you elsewhere to save the thread from a De-rail.

That said, the reason I mention LaRue is that the Bobro does not allow you to unclamp the "locking block". It just allows you to move the lever and ALLOW it to un-clamp. The springs are strong, for sure, but there is also in my mind a chance that water could get inside the movement space of them, or freeze the block to the rail. I don't know if this is valid or not, but the LaRue has a smaller contact spot, as well as the physics of the mount allowing the user to unlatch it by applying pressure directly to the moving parts with not "deadsplace" to ice up and prevent movement. It is an active unlocking system vs. passive, regarding user pressure input, if that makes sense?

Again, this is all theory in my book, as I've never been in "arctic" conditions, so please don't hesitate to tell me I'm full of crap if I'm wrong.

[Failure2Stop]

I see where you're coming from, and can only say that I've not had an issue with Bobro even in frozen conditions. I have not, however, done a full condition test, so I will have to leave that to those that deal with the conditions continuously.

[nimdabew]

Not going to do much with frozen condensation, which is the biggest issue.
For everything else, wiping the snow out with a gloved thumb isn't going to ruin the glass anyway.

Ture, but a lens brush wouldn't require you to blow in the first place. But then again, I don't spend a lot of time in arctic conditions. It is just water everywhere in the PNW so dealing with rain is my speciality.

[Jippo]

Ture, but a lens brush wouldn't require you to blow in the first place. But then again, I don't spend a lot of time in arctic conditions. It is just water everywhere in the PNW so dealing with rain is my speciality.

I don't think anyone would blow into their scope intentionally, but it does happen accidentally. Here's a pic of rifle that I shot couple of groups in -25C. The ice on it is just from my breathing whilst aiming. You can see I shoot with my nose "to the charging handle."



I don't carry a lens pen with me. If I get obstructed optics in the winter, I usually wipe it with my shirt sleave(clean and warm compared to the jacket or glove), in the summer blowing water on the lens usually does the trick. I carry a Camelbak, so it is an easy, quick fix.