When Primos debuted its SurroundView series of blinds a few years ago, it created a huge buzz in the hunting community. Although it looked like a standard blind from the outside, it provided a near-panoramic view of surroundings from the inside, with see-through mesh that you can only view from the inside. You had to see it to believe it. Since then, several competitors have produced similar styles, and this type of see-through blind has become increasingly popular. But is it the best choice for a blind? In our opinion, if you're going to hunt from a ground blind, this design is one of the best possible options.
How Do See-Through Blinds Work?
Primos
While typical ground blinds can leave you with blind spots, the see-through style of material that allows for impressive views of the woods and fields around you. You can open the windows on regular ground blinds, but the result is big black holes that can put wildlife on high alert. Plus, they can be a pain to mess with in the field, and they still only provide a sliver of sight.
See-through blinds, however, deliver visibility and stealth at the same time. Rather than slim mesh windows, large walls with see-through fabric give you more of the picture without spooking deer, turkeys, and other game. You can shoot through compact shooting ports without sacrificing the full scope of the situation.
SurroundView blinds are constructed with wall fabric featuring thousands of tiny holes. According to Primos, "On the outside, the camo print and natural light force human and animal eyes to focus on the camo, making the holes 'invisible.' On the inside the black print and darkened interior allow your eyes to focus through the holes for a clear view of the outside."
Can You Shoot Through See-Through Blinds?
The see-through fabric on these blinds is not meant for you to shoot through, which is a different (and slightly older) technology consisting of . But most models offer different options for shooting window adjustments, depending on your weapon and setup. Even regular ground blinds with "shoot-through mesh" should be used with caution, especially when bowhunting. Any fabric has the potential to affect flight and deployment. Even the shoot-through mesh windows on some ground blinds don't offer enough overall size to get off a good shot, and there's much debate on whether you should actually shoot through them at all.
Are you convinced a see-through hunting blind could work for you? If you're sold on see-through blinds and ready to buy one, check out these top models.
The Original See-Through Blind
Primos Double Bull SurroundView Max Ground Blind
The original "blind without a blind spot," this series sets up in seconds, sports Primos' Power Hub Framework for taut fabric, and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The SurroundView Max features 180 degrees of see-through mesh, measuring 67 inches high and 70 inches hub to hub with a floor space of 56 inches by 56 inches. This style has a triangle door with zipper and bungee closures. Both this and the larger Double Wide model come with a 180-degree full front window with silent slide closures as well as a sun visor for maximum visibility in low-sun conditions. They're great for open properties that require a lot of visibility if you want to instantly lay eyes on game animals once they're in range.
The Floor-to-Ceiling See-Through Blind
Rhino 180 See Through Blind
Built to accommodate up to three hunters, this blind provides 180 degrees of visibility and 270 degrees of adjustable window openings for unobstructed shots. It features an oversized zipperless door and silent slide window adjustment technology. Brush-in straps allow for improved concealment in the field, and reinforced stress points provide long-lasting durability. The Rhino 180 is treated with durable water repellent and an antimicrobial to prevent moisture, mold, and smells. Weighing 16 pounds, the blind measures 66 inches tall and 75 inches from hub to hub with 58 inches by 58 inches of floor space. This would be the best option for hunts in hilly places with elevation changes, since you can see higher up without straining your neck when compared to other see-through blinds.
The Small-Sized See-Through Blind
Muddy Prevue 2 See-Through Blind
Designed to hold a pair of hunters, this Muddy blind features three full-width panoramic windows and a rear viewing window with silent slider adjustment. The blacked-out interior and Epic Camo finish provide excellent concealment, and a zippered door entrance allows for easy entry. The heavy-duty blind is easy to set up and is constructed with water-resistant fabric to protect hunters from the elements. The Muddy Prevue comes with eight steel stakes and a carry bag with backstraps for easy transportation. At 12.3 pounds, it stands 66 inches tall and 67 inches from hub to hub with a footprint of 53 inches by 53 inches.
