You’ll spend the game shooting wide if you can’t target accurately. You need an optic lens to improve your precision, but if your lens cracks in the middle of the game, you’re done for.
That’s why sight protectors are such an important part of your Airsoft equipment. They keep your optic lens safe from incoming bullets.
Table of Contents
- What Are Sight Protectors?
- Why You Need a Sight Protector
- Why Choose the I Am Black Lion Brand?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s talk about this small but integral part of your gun.
What Are Sight Protectors?
Sight protectors are small accessories that cover your sight or lens (red, green or blue dot) to protect it from damage. They are mounted directly to the rail system on your gun right before the optic lens.
When you get shot at, BBs are going to hit your gun. When this happens, some of the more fragile parts of the gun, including your optic sights, may crack or get scratched. This will hinder your vision in the field of play.
So, sight protectors act as a barrier between the bullet and your lens.
The main features of sight protectors include:
- A see-through shield that protects the lens
- The mount to hold it in place
Some brands such as Aim Sports and ToopMount come with two interchangeable shields: one transparent and the other green or yellow.
The transparent sight shield works best for daylight conditions, while the other colors create enough contrast to improve visibility on a cloudy day or at night.
They are made from different materials, including:
- Polycarbonate
- Perspex
- Plastic
- Plexiglass
- Steel wire mesh
- High-quality glass
Why You Need a Sight Protector
Fast-moving ammo can come in hot and smash your sight to pieces; or at the very least dent and scratch it badly.
If your optic lens cracks right in the middle of the game you’re toast. You can’t see properly or make a precise and accurate shot.
No matter how good your tactics are, you can’t run in blind and expect to win. So, your optic sight piece has to be protected at all costs, and your naked eye can’t pinpoint where your bullet will hit with the same accuracy as a sight would.
Side note: The sight (also called a scope, optic, or lens) is the optical sighting part of your replica. It comes with a referencing pattern or colored dot pointer to create an easier and faster aim reference for your target.
Some sights, such as those used by snipers, are designed to magnify your target. Others only help you to focus.
When you mount the protector on your gun, it is positioned between the lens and attacking bullets, so you don’t have to worry about your optics getting smashed in.
In addition, with a sight protector, you won’t have to replace your optics as often. Good lenses cost quite a bit. You will usually pay a few hundred dollars for one. Getting a good sight guard works out to be significantly cheaper.
You will use less than $50 to get your hands on some of the best protectors. A considerably low price, given the long-term value you receive.
Good-quality sight protectors won’t break easily. They can take many hits even at close range before they give in.
What’s more, installing a sight protector allows you to fully enjoy the game. Nothing will ruin a game of Airsoft more than a lack of precision. So, you need an optic with a sight protector to keep your aim on point throughout the game.
Once you have peace of mind knowing that your gun’s optics are safe, you can fully immerse yourself in the game. The worst that can happen is that your sight protector cracks or breaks, in which case you can simply replace it with a new one and keep playing.
It’s important to note that if you get a poor quality sight protector, it won’t serve you well because:
- It will wobble, affecting your precision
- It can easily break
- It might be hazy, interfering with your vision
So to help you choose the best one, here are the top picks for sight protectors.
Black Lion Stealth Sight Guard
The Black Lion Stealth Sight Guard is suitable for beginners and advanced players alike. It has a sleek design and is made from polycarbonate material which, when tested under normal airsoft conditions proved to be unbreakable.
It comes with a fiber cloth and velvet sachet to help you with the care and maintenance of your sight protector. In addition, it’s easy to mount onto your gun since it comes with the Allen key already included with your purchase.
Note: You can purchase the complete set or stand-alone shields.
Black Lion Stealth specifications
| Feature | Description |
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| Shield dimensions (height x width) |
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“I’ve used this guard for a good while now, and honestly, there aren’t any bad things I can come up with for this guard. It has survived many shots while playing, and it still looks brand new. A must-get for every Airsofter that doesn’t feel like risking their scopes!”
S. Engels, 2020 ,The Netherlands
Black Lion Diamond Sight Guard
The Black Lion Diamond Sight Guard is a high-end, clean-cut diamond-shaped shield compatible with a wide range of optics. The whole set comes with a velvet sachet and fiber cloth to protect it from scratches.
It’s also strong and durable with 250 times the strength of a glass shield. You can opt to buy each shield separately instead of the whole set.
Black Lion Diamond Sight Guard specifications
| Feature | Specification |
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| Resistance |
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| Full set contains |
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“I’m the kind of guy that runs at you when you try to shoot me. I get hit from close range often; my gun gets hit from close range often, my first protector broke after about two hits…. The Black Lion protector is still fine after many close-range encounters. Long story short, it’s a great protector.”
Jordy Bolderdijk
Why Choose the I Am Black Lion Brand?
I Am Black Lion is a leading Airsoft brand renowned for leveraging technology to create next-generation, bold equipment inspired by real-life military weapons.
The sight protectors designed by I Am Black Lion meet the following criteria:
- Have a one of a kind, sleek-looking, unique shape
- Are easy to mount and remove
- Are thoroughly tested and have proven to be unbreakable (in normal Airsoft situations)
- Fits on any protector mount
- Can be customized to fit your specific needs
In addition, I Am Black Lion has a reliable delivery system wherever you are across the globe.
“It is our goal to create sight guards that become a part of your own personal look. Stay safe, have fun!”
Marcel Stoffels, I Am Black Lion Founder
Check out the I Am Black Lion catalog, place your order, and gear up for some Airsoft fun. Also, learn more about choosing the right gear, how to take care of your equipment, and everything else you need to know about the game on Airsoft Forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do sight protectors block your view?
No, sight protectors are made of transparent materials, so they don’t interfere with your vision in any way. The colored options help you see better because the higher contrast can help you isolate your target from the surroundings, improving your aim.
Which sight protector is better, glass or polycarbonate?
Both glass and polycarbonate sight shields are see-through and provide excellent protection for your gun’s optics. However, polycarbonate tends to show a higher level of impact resistance.
The table below shows a comparison between glass and polycarbonate shield sight protectors.
| Parameter | Glass | Polycarbonate |
| Clarity |
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| Strength |
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| Scratch Resistance |
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Do I need a sight protector for the back of my optic lens?
No, a front sight protector offers adequate protection. The BBs that can damage your optic in close-quarter combat, and in outdoor games the lens will only be hit from the front since your body shields the back part of the optic.
How often should I replace my sight protector?
There’s no hard and fast rule for when to replace your protectors. However, you should ensure your protector is always unobscured, so change it at the earliest sign of scratches or cracks.
