Have you ever been in a situation when the deer seemed to spot you before you even blinked? Wonder why? You might have been exposed by your own scope, precisely that tiny glint of light reflecting off your objective lens - it can instantly reveal your position. That might be less of a problem on cloudy days, but hunting only when it’s gloomy doesn’t sound too appealing, right? For that purpose, we present to you - killflash.
A killflash, also known as a scope anti-reflective device (ARD), is a lightweight honeycomb-patterned filter that mounts in front of your scope’s objective lens. Its main purpose is to reduce reflective glare (basically, kill flash) and prevent your scope from alerting your prey or opponents with its telltale flash.
The killflash ARD is more than just an anti-detection device. It also acts as a protective shield, keeping your scope's glass safe from dirt, scratches, or debris.
Pros:
Cons:
A killflash can reduce your scope's light intake, resulting in a slightly dimmed image. For shooters engaged in low-light operations, this is something to keep in mind.
However, the dimming is minimal if you have high-quality components. For instance, anti-reflective devices from Tenebraex, Leupold, Vortex, and other industry experts are masterfully engineered to limit visual distortion while ensuring glare reduction.
Tip: Keep your scope killflash ARD clean. Dust or dirt lodged in the honeycomb filter can further reduce image clarity or light transmission.
The size of the killflash should perfectly match the size of the scope lens, it won't hold otherwise. Gritr Outdoors has a variety of sizes to match the majority of the lenses: 20mm, 24mm, 32mm, 36 mm, 40 mm, 43mm, and 56mm killflashes.
Killflash ARDs from Vortex (Razor, Strike Eagle), Trijicon (ACOG, MRO, or RMR), Leupold, Tenebraex (renowned for their unique XLUME honeycomb coating), Nikon, Burris, Aimpoint, Eotech, and other trusted industry experts are usually made for a specific lens size and scope model (or a red dot model) for a seamless match.
Yes, the honeycomb structure can have a minor impact, especially at longer ranges, but high-quality killflashes, like those from Leupold, Tenebraex, or Burris, minimize this issue effectively.
Killflashes are primarily designed for magnified optics (scopes, LPVOs). Some red dots, like the Trijicon RMR, Holosun 403 or Aimpoint T2, also have compatible killflash options.
While painted optics and makeshift covers (e.g., pantyhose) can help, they lack the durability and professional finish of dedicated anti-reflective devices.
Killflashes are mainly intended for daylight use. They can slightly reduce brightness in low light, but most users find the trade-off for concealment worthwhile.
Absolutely. Killflashes are compatible with specific red dot sights, such as the Holosun 503, Trijicon RMR, or Aimpoint T2.