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Bushnell Speedster III Radar Gun and Speed Screen

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Adam C

I moved to Chicago a few years ago and quickly learned a couple of things. For one: never put ketchup on a hot dog. Two: Cubs fans are extremely loyal. It was impossible not to get caught up in the fandom. There’s something intoxicating about the stadium in the Spring, with Cubs fans roaring all around. This also affords an excellent excuse to play some catch – and while I’m at it, why not clock the speed of my pitches? There’s a tool for that, after all – the Bushnell Speedster III Speed Radar Gun. It’s a serious baseball radar gun, but amateurs like me can still get a kick out of it. Plus, if you’re a little league coach or have a son or daughter who plays baseball or softball, it’s a great way to get them even more interested in practicing and playing!

The Bushnell Speedster III is perfect for baseball, tennis, and more!

The Bushnell Speedster III can actually be used to scout talent – that’s why its range goes to 110mph up to 90 feet. For professionals, this is a necessity. For complete beginners like me – well, let’s just say I’m glad it’s got a low end of 10mph. It utilizes Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology for an accurate and instantaneous readout, which is good because I hate waiting.

The Bushnell Speedster 3 Radar Gun isn’t just for baseball though. The advanced technology allows for use with softball, tennis, and seemingly every other sport I love playing but am absolutely terrible at. It may be a great way to introduce your kids to these sports! For you gearheads, the Speedster III also has a 10-200mph readout up to 1500 feet for auto racing. And it’s extremely accurate, too! With a +/- 1mph accuracy, it’s a tough deal to beat. It also features RF technology, allowing it to wirelessly hook up with the Bushnell Speed Screen.

Bushnell Speed Screen Radar Display 101922

The SpeedScreen makes it easy to see your speed from afar

I love the Bushnell Speed Screen and Tripod, which are designed specifically for the Speedster 3. The aforementioned RF technology on the Speedster III Radar Gun allows you to have a giant readout of your speed without all the hassle of wires – we all know how quickly those things tangle up. The Speed Screen even tracks “Last Speed” and the “Fastest Speed,” so why not get a little competition going before heading out to the park to watch the Cubs – sorry, whichever team you root for, of course! The Tripod comes with the Speedscreen, allowing you hands-free use for all of your sporting endeavors. I’ve heard from little league coaches that their kids love this setup – traditional practices quickly turn into fun and competitive games. The immediate feedback of a large screen displaying results is great for all ages!

The Tripod allows hands-free radar-ing!

With baseball season decidedly underway, it’s time to get out and enjoy the warm weather. Throw a few pitches, maybe hit the tennis court – you can even work on your child’s serve! Whatever you do, with the Speedster 3, the Speedscreen, and the Tripod, you’ll definitely be ready for a great day on the field. Batter up!

Putting the MOD in Modular!

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Brian

I’m adding my latest in what’s proving to be a long line of “New OPMOD Product” articles here on GearExpert. We just debuted some new OPMOD Modular Bags that will satisfy a number of different types of users. And that’s pretty cool. I’ve had a chance to check out these bags a few times now, and they’ve impressed me thus far. The #1 thing we focused on when developing these bags was quality. Sure, they have a lot of bells and whistles, but it was quality first and foremost.

OPMOD Modular Brief Case

Probably the toughest of the bunch is the MCS 1.0 Modular Brief Case. As it’s designed to carry your most important documents and electronics, it’s not a surprise we added a water repellent Micro-Ballistic Nylon outer shell. It’ll keep the bag’s contents nice and dry, even if you get caught in a bit of rain. The other bags are no slouches though, with tough zippers and straps that can take a beating.

But the toughness and quality of the craftsmanship is what makes these bags a good buy. What makes them a COOL buy is their modular nature. I know, it’s in the name of the bags, but it’s still a big deal. It’s not as simple as finding different uses for the bags, or them having versatile performance. These bags are the like the Transformers of bags. They have plenty of pouches, but also zippers and straps that allow you to use just a part of the bag when you need it. The Modular Brief Case is like having three bags in one! There’s a laptop pouch, fanny pack and padded iPad case that can all be detached for more uses. This actually makes it perfect for people who are on the run, need a lot of different things throughout the day, but don’t necessarily want to carry everything all the time.

Imagine you’re heading to the office, and you need your laptop, a tablet, some documents and other office essentials (pens, paper, etc.). You get to the office and you have to go to a meeting with a client and you’re presenting something on your laptop. You don’t need your tablet or any papers, just the laptop, but you don’t want to run around town with it in the open. You might drop it, get it wet, or just provoke an unsavory fellow to steal it. Well, it takes just a couple seconds to unzip and detach the laptop pouch, which is well padded and will keep your computer safe. One zipper pull and you’re on your way! The rest of your stuff can sit comfortably in your office until you return for it later in the day! The Modular Brief Case also has a padded iPad or tablet case, and a fanny pack. There’s a ton of various pouches to let you carry your gear the way you want to.

Closed, open and detached tablet pouch

And check out the tablet case. The three photos show it attached to the main brief case, where it gives a nice amount of protection because of the padding and firm hold from the straps, and it opens fully so you can quickly get to and put away your tablet. A second zipper allows you to take the tablet pouch completely off, and the straps give you a nice and comfortable carrying option.

modular brief case fanny pack

The fanny pack is another nice option to have handy. Much like the tablet pouch and laptop pouch it detaches quickly and easily. And like the other cases it has its own strap and great durability.

But there are two other modular bags that I’ve hardly touched on thus far. They both offer similar flexibility as the brief case.

OPMOD Tri-Modular Sling Bag

First, the Tri-Modular Sling Bag gives you quite a bit of space for hauling your gear in a quick, on-the-go style. I can definitely see a lot of folks riding their bike or going for a hike with the Tri-Mod bag. It has an iPad case, fanny pack and cell phone case, so there’s three options here as well, but when you put them all together you’ll be able to carry a whole lot. I really like that even with the amount of gear you can carry this bag it’s still extraordinarily portable. Properly adjusted it fits snugly yet comfortably.

Three Pouches for three uses!

The picture above shows the three different detachable pouches. The main two on the bag come off fairly easily, and the cell phone pouch on the strap comes off in next to no time. I love having the cell phone case on my chest where I can get to it at a moment’s notice. After all, if someone calls you don’t want to be fiddling with the bag and miss the call, do you?

OPMOD Bi-Modular Sling Bag

The third of our new bags is the Bi-Modular Sling Bag. This is the most portable option. It gives you room for a little more than the essentials, but it’ll keep you nice and light when you’re running around. This is a single strap backpack with both a detachable cell phone case and a fanny pack. This bag is all about helping you when you’re active, so it’s lightweight, has a padded strap and bottom side for keeping you comfortable, and has a breathable mesh backing to keep you cool. I see this as an ideal bag for a day at the beach, or you could use it to store some emergency equipment in your car.

The Bi-Modular Bag’s Cell Phone Pouch is exceptionally convenient and easy to use!

The cell phone pouch is like the one on the Tri-Modular bag, and the fanny pack is a breeze to take off as well. I really like the strap too, which can be adjusted to slip over either shoulder. Check it out in the video!

You’ll find a ton of great options for these bags. In fact, I’m certain you can come up with more than even I’m able to. Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear what ideas you have for your next modular OPMOD bag! And you can always get the bag that suits your style, with a couple colors for each bag that each look great, from a classic black to a coyote tan or a grey (grey is only for the brief case at present).

4 Quick Tips for Buying a Handgun

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Brian

We may not sell handguns at OpticsPlanet.com, but we certainly know a thing or two about them. We have thousands upon thousands of accessories for all sorts of firearms, and you can be sure we think long and hard about the various ways you can equip your handgun, but we also know how important it is to find and buy a quality gun. After all, if your gun doesn’t shoot straight it won’t matter how cool the laser sight is or how perfect the holster fits, right?

So I thought I’d toss out 4 Quick Tips for Buying a Handgun. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, since that would take several thousand words, or even a whole book, to fully complete. There are so many models, with so many different factors that you need to consider, so instead here’s an abbreviated list of important things to look for when buying a new or used handgun. I’m assuming you have the general type of gun and caliber already selected, so this list should suffice for most purchases.

Think accuracy first – Use a shooting rest and really take your time when trying the gun out. Don’t rush your shots. What’s your grouping? I’d suggest testing the gun at about 20-25 yards. It’s a bit far, but if your grouping is good at that range you should have a quality handgun. If you’re not a great shot bring a friend along to shoot for you. A buddy of mine did that when he bought his first handgun, as his aim was less than reliable, but by the time he bought his second gun he was more than capable of testing the gun’s accuracy.
Reliability is crucial when buying a gun you expect to last – And who doesn’t expect their firearm to last? Your handgun should last several years with few problems. Part of determining reliability has to do with the handgun itself. If you’ve done your homework you should know a fair bit about the model and manufacturer. Proven reliability based on decades of performance in the toughest conditions in the world is a good place to start. 1911′s, the Beretta M9 and a number of other service weapons are usually good choices. Check each part. If the springs aren’t perfect that’s okay, as you can replace them. In fact, you might look for a handgun that’s a fixer-upper, in which case you need to check the frame and slide. If they fit well, you’re on the right track. Check for cracks in the slide and frame rail, and for peening. Any moving parts should move freely and easily. Check the safeties but don’t worry if everything isn’t perfect. Fixer-uppers are all about the journey of taking your handgun to the next level. The main thing is to look for an unusual level of wear and tear. Used guns are bound to have a few rough edges, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worthy taking a closer look at.
Accessories – I’m not being (too) self-serving here. Yes, I want to help you buy handgun accessories like laser sights, holsters, night sights and more, but I also want to make sure you make the most of what you have. So ask yourself what you already have in your arsenal. Do you have a Crimson Trace Rail Master? That’s a universal laser sight, so you can attach it to a number of different firearms. You’ll need to sight it in each time, but it’ll save you some money in the long run. Most of the time your holster is going to fit one firearm, but if you have other carry options, such as a concealed carry bag (like the new OPMOD PAC Bag) you can use that for various handguns dependent on how you feel on a particular day.
Buy the handgun you’re comfortable with – In many cases one of the best ways to determine if a handgun is the one for you is to hold it in your hands, take a couple shots, and see how it feels. You can read all the articles in the world about the frame material, caliber, safeties and more, and ultimately if you don’t like the grip or the way it handles you won’t like the gun. This is a personal process, so even if you have a friend help you test the accuracy or even take the gun apart to ensure all the parts are in proper working order, be sure to get a feel for the firearm. You might be a Glock fan, or you might prefer the Springfield XD (we have a video on that very argument here), but make sure you try a few different options out and see how they feel. You’d be surprised how different handguns that appear similar can feel.

Yes, I know this isn’t a super long list, and there are certainly more things to look for. Part of knowing which handgun is for you is experience. The more firearms you own in your life, you’ll learn what things to look for and why. Two smart shooters with years of experience will approach the same firearm, try it out the exact same way, and come away with different opinions. Always give the gun a test drive and be as critical as possible. You’re going to invest some serious money in that gun, so you want the right one that’ll last for years to come.

Do you have any tips for buying a handgun? Let us know in the comments!

Gun Safes Big & Small – What do I need?

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Brian

A lot of questions cross the desks of us here at GearExpert. One product type we’re always having people inquire about is the gun safe. There are a ton of things to consider, but let’s focus on one of the aspects you should decide on first: size. ”How big a gun safe do I need?”

It’s a good question, and you’ll need to take a number of things into consideration. I suggest watching the video above. So much of what I know comes from Steve Ledin, our Director of Product Intelligence, and he takes you through a lot of the different aspects of figuring out the dimensions of the safe that’s best for you.

I think his best piece of advice is to always go bigger than you think you need. This makes a whole lot of sense. First, firearms will generally last quite a long time, and you may buy more. If you do, that safe you bought that was a perfect fit today will be woefully inadequate tomorrow. But buying a size up is about more than just thinking of tomorrow. Think of all the stuff you have right now. All the gun accessories, as well as your ammo. You probably won’t store a hard gun case in the safe, but you may have ammo, gun cleaning kits, straps and more. And those may not be in nicely packaged boxes. You’ll likely want to store your AR15 or shotgun with the optics still mounted on it (after all, you don’t want to have to keep sighting them in, do you?). Yeah, it’s best to check that they’re on target later, but taking them on and off every time you take the gun out of the safe is going to use up a lot of time.

But you’ll also likely have gun safe accessories. If you have a dehumidifying rod it’s going to take up space, as are gun racks, pouches and more. Check out the photo below. There’s a ton of gear in that gun safe. I see a rifle, handgun, holster, bipod, ammo, magazines, a couple travel cases, a knife and that’s not even close to full up. Think about what you have and might want either protected by a case or at least kept with your guns. Your bipod will most likely not be nearly as expensive as your rifle, and it’s certainly not as necessary to safeguard it from falling into the wrong hands, but you might still want it next to your rifle so you don’t forget it on your next hunt.

Inside of a Gun Safe – Think of all your guns and accessories

There’s far more to consider when it comes to buying a gun safe, from whether internal or external hinges are for you, the type of lock, fire protection and more, so I’d suggest checking out our new Gun Safes Buyer’s Guide. Steve wrote it based on many years of experience selling safes, and he didn’t write it to sell one particular safe in mind. The only bias he has is in helping your get the best safe for you. Get the safe that’ll last for a couple generations and you’ll be a very happy safe owner.

New Steiner Tactical and Hunting Scopes

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Adam C

How much do I love Steiner? And how much do they love the GearExpert and OpticsPlanet team? A whole bunch, apparently, and for good reason – there’s a lot to love from the new scopes we’ve got from Steiner. This includes their Military Tactical Rifle Scopes and a line of NightHunter Xtreme scopes, which OpticsPlanet has gotten an exclusive first look at. I want to give you the rundown on these new scopes because, as we’ve established, I love Steiner.

The Steiner Military 3-15×50 Tactical Scopes are packed with new features while still maintaining the quality that you’ve come to expect from Steiner – you know, rugged, durable, waterproof, just generally cool-looking. In general, everything the military demands in a package fit for the civilian market. What sets these Tactical Riflescopes apart are the superior optics. Everything from the lenses to the reticles have been honed to a T through sophisticated and complex engineering. And speaking of the reticles – they feature 11 different illumination settings, allowing you to fine-tune your shooting experience. Plus, these Steiner riflescopes are built for use in tactical situations, so the turrets are tactile and easy to adjust without fear of jogging your scope out of zero. Get your hands on one of these Steiner Tactical Riflescopes and you’re going to see exactly what I mean.

The Steiner 3-15x50mm Tactical Riflescope is packed with features

And so we move from tactical applications to hunting, and I’ve got some great news – OpticsPlanet has gotten an exclusive look at Steiner’s newest offering. Their NightHunter Xtreme Rifle Scope line will blow you away. Available in four zoom and objective choices, the NightHunter Xtreme series has plenty to love. From quality optics, Steiner NoNoise and ComfortUse operation, to Diamond-Night-Coating, you truly get amazing image quality with illuminated reticles that allow for low-light hunting (hence the NightHunter).

What sets the Steiner NightHunter Xtreme Riflescope line apart from the pack is an auto intelligent illumination system that can automatically adjust your reticle’s brightness. This means you’ll spend less time fiddling with your scope and more time eyeing that prize buck that just crossed the field. All four scopes have this feature and are packed with many more, so if you’re thinking of hunting in the evening or even at night, you’ll want to check out them out when they hit the shelves.

I’m excited for both of these scope lines. Whether you’re looking for tactical or hunting applications, Steiner’s got a scope for you. “But what’s your favorite?” I hear you asking. How am I supposed to choose between such awesome scopes? I will say that I like to be able to take longer shots, but it’s all personal preference. But why don’t you let me know which scopes are the most appealing in the comments? I myself am having a hard time choosing between all these Steiner scopes, and I have been trying to plan a hunt for a while now…

How do you Pick a Gun? Springfield Vs. Glock Debate!

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Brian

How do you pick a gun? That’s a good question. I can’t really take on the entire issue here without going for thousands and thousands of words. I’m honestly getting a headache just thinking about it. I’m not even going to go into the various reason to go into a gun, from the basic style (shotgun, rifle, handgun) and what those are good for. There’s just too much info.

No. Today, I’m just going to think about two of the most popular and amazing guns in the world: The Springfield XD and Glock. I know there are different models and calibers, but the design of these handguns, and their quality, is what’s up for debate right now.

So which is better? Well, I suggest watching the Springfield Vs. Glock video above. Mark and Trevor are two of our product specialists, and while they love both guns, I’ve heard them argue the merits of each over and over recently. I can’t really give you a better look at these two great guns than it provides. Learn about the history of both guns, and the features they share, and differ on, so you can make your choice.

The Glock is older and a classic choice, but the Springfield XD is certainly a well made gun with a lot of good features.

I’m trying to decide which I’d like for my next gun. Maybe one of each? (I just need that big raise first!)

OpticsPlanet and Vortex Offer A Dream Hunt for Two!

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Adam C

Hey OpticsPlanet fans! Have I told you lately how much the team appreciates you? No? Then how about this: I’m excited to announce that we’re partnering with Vortex to bring you an awesome Vortex Dream Hunt Trip for Two in the beautiful Sandhills of Nebraska! It’s your chance to experience the great outdoors like never before, make new memories, and score awesome prizes. Win this Vortex and OpticsPlanet Dream Hunt in Nebraska prize package and you’ll get an all-expenses paid trip to the Sandhills, where you’ll spend 4 days and 3 nights hunting whitetail deer. But that’s not all!

In addition to two round-trip flights, meals, and lodging for you and a lucky friend, you’ll receive a prize package worth almost $2,500. That’s right, we’re offering up some of Vortex’s best gear to help you scope out, track, and take down that prize whitetail. All you’ll need is a desire for the hunting experience of a lifetime. I know I’ve got that much, and I’m sure you do too! Curious as to what we’re offering? Prepare to fall in love with one of each of the following prizes:

Vortex Viper HS 4-16x50 30mm Waterproof Riflescope

The Vortex Viper 4-16×50 Riflescope will make any hunter proud.

Viper HS 4-16×50 Waterproof Riflescope with V-Plex Reticle – Sneak up on your target without ever having to get too close with this awesome Vortex Viper Scope. With a large magnification and massive objective, you’ll be able to zero in without any trouble.

Use the Vortex Viper 30mm Riflescope Rings to mount your new scope.

30mm Viper Rings – Hey, a perfect fit for that new scope! You’ll need a solid fit to keep that scope in place, and these Vortex Viper Rings will certainly do the job.

The Vortex Viper 10×42 HD Binocular – see clear and far!

10×42 Viper HD Binocular – The classic bino. Rough, tough, and compact enough to take anywhere, you’ll want this binocular at your side to scope your hunting ground and ensure you don’t miss a thing. Premium optics and waterproof coating will keep this binocular in shape for a lifetime.

Tired of being tired while carrying those binos? Here’s the solution.

Vortex Binocular Harness – There’s a lot of ground to cover out there in the Sandhills. You don’t want to stow that Viper Binocular at every turn, do you? Keep it close at hand, and distribute the weight evenly across your torso and shoulders.

I can’t even imagine a hunt without a good spotting scope.

Viper HD 15-45×65 Straight Spotting Scope – You’re an accurate shot, no doubt. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need a spotter. You know the area, you’ve covered the tracks, but the prize is still a ways off. If you want to sight in properly, you’ll need this premium waterproof, high-fidelity spotting scope at your side.

For us, safety is non-negotiable, and the Sawfly Deluxe Kit does the trick.

Revision Sawfly Eye Shield Deluxe Shooter’s Kit – At OpticsPlanet, we believe in safety first. Protect your eyes with the Sawfly Shooting Glasses with an option of lenses.

You never know, it could get a little foggy. The Anti-Fog kit keeps your vision clear.

Revision Anti-Fog Cloth – Keep your new Revision Sawfly Eye Shields clean and fog-free with this 3-pack cloth kit!

Ok, seriously, I’m pretty jealous. They won’t let me enter my name (believe me, I tried). I’d love to get away to Nebraska for an awesome hunting trip! There’s nothing better than getting a new scope, fitting it on your rifle and getting out in the field. Now you’ve got the opportunity in this incredible hunting sweepstakes from OpticsPlanet and Vortex!

I know you want to enter – I mean, who wouldn’t? Just head on over to our “Win a Dream Hunt of Trophy Whitetails for Two” sweepstakes page and enter your email address to sign up. If you’re the lucky winner, you’re going to have a blast in the Sandhills. Don’t forget to “like” and “follow” us and let us know you want more sweepstakes like this. Good luck and happy hunting!

Nebraska Sandhills are great for hunting!

Are the Sandhills of Nebraska Hunting Heaven?

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Brian

Finding the perfect place to hunt is an art form. I know how many of you think, as you’ll hit the same beautiful hunting grounds you used growing up. I’m much the same way. I go on vacation to new places on occasion, but every year I go camping in Northern Minnesota where I went for years and years with my dad. It’s a tradition. The familiar trees are more than foliage; they’re family. They’re an integral part of the trip. You go to say hello to old friends, and make more memories in a familiar place. Paying attention to our history is part of what makes hunters, campers and outdoorsmen special. Some folks like to see a place and move on. They’re always moving on though, and they never really figure out how to plant roots that last generations.

Still, on occasion I like to see something new. I like to hike a trail I’ve never seen before. I like to find a new tree to carve my initials on. I like to explore.

With this in mind, I sat down today to consider looking for a new place to hunt. This isn’t an easy task, but at the same time it’s exciting. There are so many places to choose from. I was inspired to look the Midwest. I’m a Midwestern guy, but I tend to go North (and a bit West) for my travels. Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota are familiar to me. I decided to try a bit South.

Nebraska.

I found the Nebraska Sandhills. This is real hunting land. Beautiful, and a little different than the areas to which I’m accustomed. As the name implies, there are hills that roll off to the horizon. You can see for miles in every direction and all you’ll see is beauty. Well, beauty and game. There’s a fair bit of hunting land in the sandhills, and because of a fair bit of natural agriculture land you see game. Whether you’re hunting deer or birds, you’ll find a nice variety to choose from here.

I considered a few different things when look at the sandhills. I consider the journey half the fun, so I always look for areas that I’d hike without a rifle along for hunting. It’s hard to beat Nebraska for natural beauty. It’s heartland of America-type beauty too, but with enough variety to fill a photo album. The hills are the main characteristic, but you’ll also seen pristine creeks and rivers, canyons and gullies. The blue skies stretch for miles and miles. You could spend a lifetime under these skies and never get tired of them.

But it’s not all about the journey, and you’ll find the hunting is fun and plentiful. There are more whitetail deer than people in the region. If you head to towns like Arnold, which has around 500 residents, you’ll find a lot of people friendly and accommodating to hunters. No doubt a lot of people here love to hunt as well, but they don’t overdo it. It’s great to see so many deer in an area. And the rollings hills are great for a long range shot. In the woods you’ll often only spot a deer within an easy to hit distance. This can be great, but when you want to take down a buck from further off you’ll find more chances in the sandhills. Make sure you have a good pair of binoculars and a great rifle scope!

The untouched nature in the sandhills gives a nice alternative to many hunting spots, which often have more trails than you can count. Hunt the way your grandparents and great-grandparents did. Watch your dog sprint along unplowed land and find pheasants, chickens, deer, prairie coyotes and more. There are few places that have so much game. The numbers are definitely in your favor. If you head to a hunting preserve you’ll find very capable guides who can help you zero in on the most populated zones for some of the easiest and most successful hunting of your life!

Take a moment away from the big cities and the noise that goes along with them. Breathe deeply and let the silence of the Nebraska sandhills carry you to hunting heaven.

The Nebraska Sandhills offer a unique opportunity at experiencing a classic setting!

Maximum Warrior Week 7 – Night Vision Armasight Challenge!

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Brian

Week 7 of the Maximum Warrior Challenge was crazy. Most of the challenges push the physical limitations of the warriors, but this week was more about speed and sniper skill. The participants were given a FNH SCAR-Heavy with an Armasight CO-LR Night Vision Unit. They’re placed at the top of a lookout tower and there are targets all around them. They had to complete 360 of finding and hitting targets. Pretty cool stuff.

To make the contest even cooler the winner got to take home a CO-LR by Armasight. This is a very cool scope and gives a ton of awesome performance. First, it’s a co-witness NV unit, so you actually clip it on in front of your regular daytime rifle scope to give a lot of versatility. This is especially important for soldiers like the guys competing, as they’re often engaged in missions that take place over several hours, from daylight to nighttime. While they can certainly bring along two separate scopes, they can’t really sight in a different scope when swapping. A co-witness scope doesn’t require sighting in, as your rifle scope should already be right on target. Simply clip the Armasight CO-LR on and you’re good to go!

It seems the toughest part of the challenge was finding the targets. I’ve been watching the entire challenge and the Navy Seal has been kicking a lot of butt throughout, but though he’s a talented sniper, he struggled to find the targets in order to take a shot. The winner was an Army Scout Sniper, and he seemed to have a really good handle on how to find the targets quickly and easily. Very cool to see.

Check out the pictures below and head over to Maximum Warrior to see the latest contest! Whether you’re equipped with BLACKHAWK! or Armasight, you’re sure to be a little closer to Maximum Warrior performance!

: Finding the targets was the first challenge, but using the CO-LR made it easier.

: Taking shots from on high with an Armasight and SCAR-Heavy!

: The Armasight CO-LR is a phenomenal co-witness night vision unit for military purposes!

: Now that is a beautiful firearm with a really beautiful Night Vision Unit by Armasight!

: Explosions made Week 7 even more challenging!

ATN Odin: Compact & Versatile Thermal Imagers

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Brian

Goodbye clunky thermal imagers. The ATN Odin is the smallest thermal imaging monocular system on the market. Although small enough to fit in my hand, the Odin still delivers as a premium optic. Expect sharp images: the Odin has the latest technologies in high-grade polymers that are used to create a Mil. Spec. grade thermal imaging scope that, from the outside, is identical to ATN’s PVS-14.

The ATN Odin Thermal Imager can fit in the palm of your hand, but gives BIG performance!

Lightweight (weighs less than a pound) and compact, the ATN Odin is perfect as a handheld monocular for spotting or scouting. And it is easily mounted on existing head gear, helmet mounts, weapon mounts, camera adapters and other items for the PVS-14.

The ATN Odin can connect to helmets, firearms or be used handheld!

It also features a patent-pending technology called the VPT (variable pivot technology) that allows you to rotate the screen to match the angle of the imager. This piece of technology works great when mounted on a helmet or weapon, so the screen is always straight. No hands needed.

The ATN Odin is also available as a multi-purpose system that comes with a full suite of mounting options and other accessories.

This is a great product. I’m sure the hog hunters down in Texas and those of you who love your nighttime hunts are drooling over this gadget. I’m just pretty impressed by this innovative piece of technology.

I would also like to point out that the manufacturer of the Odin, American Technologies Network Corp (ATN), is known for its cutting edge night vision optics and thermal imagers. ATN’s products are often used by the military and law enforcement. And surprisingly ATN’s products are built and developed right here in the USA.

Check out our interview with Steve, an ATN representative, at SHOT Show 2013 (see video above) for more information on the Odin.

Weaver Dream Hunt Giveaway Hunting Video!

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Brian

Sometimes I’m surprised. I knew, when we ran our Weaver Dream Hunt for Two Giveaway last year, that the prize was pretty darn awesome. The prize itself was a combination of a hunting trip and over $1500 in Weaver hunting gear, like their Grand Slam Binoculars, a Buck Commander Rangefinder and more. I knew that prize was going to get people excited, and the thousands of entries we got proved that point, but I’m surprised by just how amazing the trip was.

Our winner, Kenneth, took his two grown sons on the trip, and to hear them talk about it (MUST-WATCH video above) I can honestly say they really won something special. Hunting is great. Getting outdoors at a beautiful ranch like the Record Buck in Utopia Texas would be fun for anyone, but to see the great memories a father and his sons got to make really drove home the point that this trip was something special. I can personally attest to how dear memories with my dad are, and this hunting trip helped these three make some great memories. The fact that one of the sons lives a bit further away and doesn’t get to see his brother or father very often just makes it that much more special.

We’re always pushing to run more sweepstakes to giveaway the world’s best gear, but every once in a while I’m pleasantly surprised to see the impact one of our goes beyond giving great gear or a fun time. We gave away a chance at amazing, lifelong memories. That’s worth a lot more than any price we could apply to the prize. Congratulations to Kenneth and his sons Brandon and Nicholas. I’m so happy we could give you an amazing Dream Hunt Prize in conjunction with Weaver!

Archery Safety Tips and Tools

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Brian

Archery has been used for thousands of years by countless cultures as an important tool for hunting and fighting. This tradition continues today, with hunters and sport archers reconnecting with their ancestors. With archery becoming more widespread in pop culture with movies like The Hunger Games, Brave, and of course Robin Hood, I felt like it would be a good time to give everyone some basic safety tips and products on how to successfully shoot arrows without poking an eye out.

Real Avid Bowsmith Multi – Tool

The Real Avid Bowsmith Multi-Tool is a perfect tool for helping you adjust and maintain your bow!

The Real Avid multi-tool has everything an archer needs to tune up a bow, fix busted arrows, and even mounting steps to a tree stand. The tools include: needle-nose pliers, a broad head sharpener and fletching stripper, and a multi-use knife. This is a cool little tool that’ll come handy in for almost situation that may arise on a bow hunting expedition. This is the Swiss Army Knife of bow repair.

Real Avid Bow Box Archery Tool Kit

For more complete bow care, check out the Real Avid Bow Box Archery Tool Kit.

This kit is more comprehensive than the multi-tool above. The Real Avid Bow Box Archery Took Kit is a complete set of tools for archers to keep a bow in its prime no matter what. It includes: sturdy bow hanger, wind checker bottle, and versa wrench. The included sturdy carrying case will withstand a ton of punishment and keep your new tools in working order.

Eberlestock ButtBucket Bow and Gun Carrier

The Eberlestock ButtBucket Bow and Gun Carrier is very versatile and will help you haul your bow over miles of hunting ground!

I chose this particular Eberlestock hunting accessory because of versatility. The bow and gun carrier allows you to quickly mount a long or compound bow to just about any backpack. The ripcord release allows you to quickly remove your bow or rifle when spotting a target, and just as easily attach and tighten to begin hiking. I felt this would be a great addition to any hunting trip to keep your bow or rile secure at all times.

Texas Hunt Co L.P.V. Low Profile Hunting Vest

This vest by Texas Hunt Co has a huge capacity to help you carry everything you need.

I know this may seem very basic, but I cannot express the importance of orange clothing during hunting season whether it is for bowhunters or shooters. Bright neon orange is not found in nature, so it’s ideal when going on a hunting trip to help you be clearly seen by other hunters in the area. The really neat thing about the Texas Hunt Co L.P.V. Low Profile Hunting Vest is that is has extra storage for a long or short day hunt. Also, this is good for all climates and shooting conditions and the material keeps all contents dry and clean.

Here are a couple of other things that may be useful to all archers, whether at a range or in the field on a hunt:

Use protective gear such as arm guards, finger tabs, and thumb rings. An arm guard is worn to protect the inside of the forearm when the arrow is being shot, and to keep clothing from getting in the way of the arrow. An arm guard will prevent the arrow from missing the target. Finger tabs simply protect the first and second finger from the pressure of pulling the string back. Finally, when hunting and shooting from an elevated stand be sure to use a climbing harness to attach yourself to the tree.

Finally think smart. Make sure all equipment is functional prior to use. Only point your equipment in a safe direction, and in an area specified for shooting. Dress for the weather and be prepared with basic survival gear, even on short trips.

Stay safe on your next bow hunting trip. Take some great shots and keep your bow in pristine condition!

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