I was sighting my AR down in my woods several days ago (using a Bushnell TSR-25), and when I got back I realized I forgot to put the caps back on the adjustment knobs. Luckily, I found one in my truck bed when I got back to the house, but the other one must have fallen out and I know looking for it in the woods is nothing but a waste of time. I contacted Bushnell and they directed me to the Parts Order Form page of their website. I was shocked to find it would cost me $8.50 (including shipping) to get a replacement windage cap.

On a side note, getting an elevation cap would cost a buck less; what's up with that? Aren't they the exact same part?

Anyway, I'm not sure if there's anything else that can be done in this situation, or if I need to just suck it up and buy a replacement. I know it's my own stupid fault, but I just can't seem to justify spending eight bucks for a little piece of plastic. This may be a stupid question, but is the cap really necessary? I would think without the cap, dirt could get in or it could be bumped and mess up the zero, which I suppose answers my own question.

Its expensive for a part, but very cheap for a lesson.

If nothing else, you could put a bolt cap on there or something, they only cost a few cents.  Better than nothing.







 

I realize you already have the optic and it is a dandy little basic red dot for its purposes.

But, one of the reasons I paid a bit more for my Lucid M7 microdot and HD7 full size red dot is that they, like many others, now have all their caps, both turrets and battery compartment tethered with plastic covered wire.  Can't lose those.

While that is no need to ditch the TRS-25, perhaps next time you shop for a red dot, give thought to the seemingly insignificant value of tethered caps.

Sorry.  But, the photo above of a plastic bolt cap or maybe a vacuum line cap would serve rather than having to pony up $7-8 plus shipping.  That is outrageous.

Bushnell outlet and shipping and corporate center is near my office. Lemme see what I can do. Pm me.

The caps are identical as best as I can tell.  I inspected and swapped mine just now to check.  You know what I would do in your shoes?  Cover it with a piece of plastic or rubber, maybe a piece of those nitrile work gloves, and hold it in place with a rubber band.  You could probably even use the o-ring that should still be in place.

Whenever I am sighting optics in, unless they are tethered, I always take the caps and lens covers off and put them in my shooting bag.

Says your inbox is full. But if you wouldn't mind seeing what you can find out from Bushnell that would be awesome, assuming it's not too far out of your way. Thank you!

Shipping is probably 3-5 buck, most places charge $13-14 so that actually is pretty cheap.

Yep, I came to the same conclusion, plus factor in your time. Seems cheap to me. For the lesson and the part.

$8 is not that bad......

I had an eyepiece on a midrange pair of their binoculars come off in the field.  A trip to Bushnell HQ resulted in a complete replacement of the unit no questions asked.  Maybe that will work out for you.

Haha! This was my FIRST though as to what I would do!
ETA: you could trim it down to fit pretty flush. Wouldn't be as easy to get off, but how often are you zeroing it? If you needed to, just slice it off and put another one on when you're done.

Its 8.50 shipped and youre conplaining?

What am I missing?

The caps don't seem to be any different on my TRS-25.