Ice water: the ultimate acid test.
Everyone knows a tank of ice water is no place for a riflescope. Unless, of course, it’s equipped with patented Rainguard technology. With the help of a panel of optical engineers, we designed the ultimate demonstration of a rifescope’s reliability in adverse hunting conditions.
By dunking room-temperature optics in near-freezing water, we created an accelerated conglomeration of the outside factors that cause a riflescope to fog and impede your view. These factors include, but are not limited to: drastic temperature change, rain, snow, sleet, hail, complete submersion and breathing on your lens.
Rainguard Challenge testing was conducted by an independent research firm, Trophy Research. All competitive riflescopes were purchased through a major catalog retailer and are standard production models. The Bushnell riflescope was not altered or modified in anyway, and is a Elite 4200 2.5-10x 40mm with Rainguard (MSRP at $579.95).
The test tank was filled with ice water to a temperature of 34-38° fahrenheit. Using a controlled dunking mechanism, the scopes were subjected to the test tank for 90 seconds. Immediately upon removal from the tank, each scope was aligned with a 3-D deer target at 45 yards and examined for clarity. A photo was then captured looking through the scope and verified for accuracy.
The results shown on this site are an accurate representation of the view offered by each riflescope.