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Gerber Knives and Tools at SHOT Show Featured Image

SHOT Show Day 2 Mega Post – Gerber, Vanguard, Trijicon, & EOTech!

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Alessandro

We saw so many brands on Day 2 of SHOT Show that my head is spinning! This is the mega post with Gerber, Vanguard, Trijicon and EOTech, but I also have posts for 5.11 Tactical, Armasight and MFT/Fobus coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Gerber Knives and Tools Cut to the Chase

Right as the doors opened at 8:30AM we were on our way to the Gerber booth. Gerber has been releasing new products at an extremely fast rate lately, ranging from classic knives and multi-tools to higher end survival gear. The first item we took a look at was the new Gerber Bullrush Multi-Tool, with G-10 lined handles. You can quickly access the knife blade, a Phillips screwdriver, strap cutter and full-head screwdriver right from the outside. If you are in the market for a multi-tool, it’s worth checking out – it’s got the standard tools you can expect in a multi-tool but doesn’t have the bulk and weight many others do. It will retail around $50 and be available in early February.

We also took a look at the new Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen. Releasing around the same time (early February) and with a retail price around $55, this Tactical Pen has a nice, smooth feel to it and weighs about an ounce. Tactical Pens have definitely come into vogue in the past year, and it’s easy to understand why. Most people always keep a pen on them or close by, and the hardened tip can be used for both self-defense or breaking glass in emergency situations. The Gerber Impromptu Pen also features a “Rite-in-the-Rain” ballpoint ink cartridge which allows you to… well.. write in the rain!

Gerber reveals new knives at an incredible speed!

We also learned of some new improvements and line extensions for the Gerber Swagger series. In 2013, look for new models sporting an improved locking mechanism, faster “draw” or open, black blade options, and a newly refined, more tactical look.

Worried about scratching your phone’s screen because your pocket knife has sharp edges? Check out the Gerber Tech Skin Pocket Knife. It won’t hurt your phone one bit!

After that, we got a little hands-on time with the Gerber Tech Skin Pocket Knife. This no-frills knife is special in that it is over-molded. When folded up, there are NO sharp edges, nor is there any exposed metal. That means you could throw it in your pocket without any fear of nicking or harming anything – no sheath or clip required. The handle is made of rubber, specifically to prevent it from scratching the screens of electronic devices you may keep in your pocket or bag, like your phone, tablet, or e-Reader. Very nice! The Tech Skin should be available in February or early March.

Vanguard Endeavor HD Spotting Scopes and Spirit Binoculars Look Sweet!

If you thought the Endeavor ED Spotting Scopes were awesome, wait until you take a look at the Endeavor HD!

The big news at the Vanguard booth was the new Endeavor HD Spotting Scopes. Featuring ED glass and available at the end of January, the Vanguard Endeavor HD will come in a 15-45x65mm version (angled or straight) and also a 20-60x82mm version (angled only.) Vanguard’s goal was not only to improve on the optical quality offered, but also to offer a more well-rounded spotting scope. The Endeavor HD Spotting Scope features impressive eye-relief even at the highest magnification power and should be a hit with the not just the target shooting community, but also with the digiscopers of the world.

Last year Vanguard released the Spirit XF Binoculars, a slightly lower-priced version of their Spirit ED binoculars. This year Vanguard is releasing the Endeavor XF Spotting Scope line – coming in a 20-60x80mm model (both straight and angled) and a 15-45x60mm model. Expected to arrive in May at a great price, we’ll learn more about them as we get closer to the release date.

Trijicon Always Impresses – Especially When Have a NEW ACOG!

For the fastest target acquisition at close and medium range, mount a Trijicon RMR on a Trijicon ACOG!

We also briefly stopped by the Trijicon booth. This year we learned that they will be releasing new models of both the ACOG (one of the most popular gun sights in the past few years) and the RMR (micro red-dot) featuring Nickel Boron plating. Not every model ACOG or RMR will receive models with the new Nickel Boron plating, but those that do will have feature a nice, polished finish and a more resistant surface to abrasions and harsh conditions.

In addition, Trijicon is releasing a new 3x30mm ACOG model with the 300 AAC Blackout Reticle. Designed for a 16″ barrel and bullet drop compensator for both supersonic and subsonic ammunition. If you know ACOGs, you know this product, and for those out there looking for the newest model this is the one to get in 2013. No mention if this model will also have a Nickel Boron version, but if we find out we’ll be sure to let you know!

Are you afraid of Zombies? EOTech’s got your Back!

For the next generation of Zombie Stopping sights, check out the EOTech Z2!

EOTech is one of our favorite brands. We’ve worked with them on some of our best OPMOD Products, and their holographic weapon sights never fail to impress us. Last year they made a huge splash with their new Zombie Stopper Holosight, which they’ve updated this year to the Z2. It’s got a nice bit of zombie blood on there (it might be green paint, but it’s for taking down zombies so it at least LOOKS like paint), and the cool biohazard reticle like the original!

We’re so excited about EOTech that we’re giving away their XPS-3 Transverse Red Dot Holosight! This is one of the world’s most popular and effective red dots, valued at over $600, and we’re giving one away starting NOW! Just head over to our Facebook page and click the SHOT Show 2013 Tab at the top of the page (or click here), and enter your email for your chance to win! Our giveaways for NightForce and Streamlight are still ongoing, so feel free to enter those as well, and check back tomorrow and Saturday for giveaways from Crimson Trace and Nikon! Enter by Febuary 8th, 2013 so you don’t miss out!

Whew! SHOT Show Day 2 was quite a day!

Want to Learn More about the 2012 Brilliance Awards?

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Brian

There are a lot of great things about November. Football games on the weekends, Thanksgiving, Black Friday (I need a new TV!!!), the beautiful leaves falling and the chill that hasn’t turned to cold just yet. It’s a great time. It’s a time for hunters to get up early and enjoy the crisp air.

Those are all awesome things, but one of the coolest things about November is the Brilliance Awards. I spend the whole year taking a look at some of the coolest gear we sell at OpticsPlanet. GearExpert started shortly before SHOT Show, and that convention was really the first big thing I got to cover here. Since then I’ve seen many of the new products first hand, and I’ve done my best to give you all the details so you can get excited about them. In a way, the Brilliance Awards are a way for you to return the favor! The awards are broken into two parts: the first is the “Customer’s Choice” Awards, and those are determined entirely by your votes. The second part are determined by our very own experts. These guys know their stuff and help me out all the time. They also help you out, as they’re here to answer any questions when you need a rifle scope or binocular for an upcoming hunting trip.

The Customer Choice Awards are my favorite part though. We asked you to vote on the best brands for various categories. Let’s take a closer look at the brands you picked.

First up, we have the Best Night Vision Brand of 2012. There were a few strong contenders here, but you picked ATN. Not a bad choice. I wrote about ATN a few times this year. In September I gave you 5 Ways ATN Night Vision Helps You. Before that I wrote about their co-witness night vision devices. I liked those quite a bit. They’re great for those times when you already have your regular scope sighted in and don’t want to have to re-sight in for a night time mission. We also got to see some of ATN’s awesome Thermal Imagers at SHOT Show, and they were definitely a hit amongst everyone who got to see them. It’s no wonder ATN was picked as the Best Night Vision Brand this year.

For Holster Brand of the Year you picked BLACKHAWK! Another smart choice. I wrote about BLACKHAWK! Rebates, my experience with a BLACKHAWK! Sling Backpack on a Camping Trip, BLACKHAWK! Women’s Clothes and, best of all, BLACKHAWK! SERPA Holsters at SHOT Show! BLACKHAWK! is well known for their SERPA holsters, which have state of the art retention and unbelievable durability. Our product specialists like them so much they picked the BlackHawk CQC Carbon Fiber SERPA Holster as the Best Concealed Holster this year!

Next, the top Red Dot Sight Brand is EOTech. This one is no surprise, as EOTech has long been one of our top brands, and the quality of their holographic weapon sights can not be disputed. Our specialists also named their EXPS3 Red Dot Sight the top Tactical Red Dot this year! I wrote about EOTech a few times this year also, and while I loved seeing the Zombie Stopper at SHOT Show, I think Kate’s Hog Hunt with EOTech was the best post on this top red dot sight brand this year.

Rifle Scopes Do Mean Happiness

Probably the biggest winner this year was Leupold, who was picked for not one category, not two categories but THREE different categories! Rifle Scopes Brand of the Year. That one is certainly well-deserved. It’s no coincidence that when I made the rifle scope picture above I used a photo I took of the Leupold Gold Ring Scopes. But Leupold also won for Rangefinder Brand of the Year. They won this award last year as well, so their quality is as much about lasting performance as it’s about cutting edge technology. Finally, Leupold won this year’s Spotting Scope Brand of the Year Award. They showed a new Gold Ring Spotting Scope at SHOT Show that has proven quite popular. Three Customer’s Choice awards in a single year!

Meade took home this year’s award for Telescopes Brand of the Year. I don’t write a ton about telescopes here on GearExpert, but I love to see a fantastic telescope for a bit of astronomical viewing. Meade brings the stars a bit closer with their award winning telescopes!

Oakley doesn’t really need any introduction. They’re one of the most famous sunglasses brands in the world, and you selected them as the Sunglasses Brand of the Year. Their sunglasses are not only some of the best looking in the world, but they’re also designed to be super high performing. Oakley shades are used by athletes all over the world. It’s not really surprising they proved so popular for this year’s Brilliance Awards.

SOG Knives are great for fighting zombies!

SOG gets a lot of attention around the GearExpert and OpticsPlanet offices. I see these knives featured on Dvor all the time, and I’m always getting to take a look at them. SOG puts a lot of thought into their knife options, and the variety of features you can choose from really makes these knives fantastic for many different activities. They’re especially good for hunting zombies.

No doubt the Steiner Predator Xtremes contributed to their Brilliance Awards win!

Steiner won this year’s Binoculars Brand of the Year Award, and I think that has to do with their incredible durability. I got to take a look at a number of different Steiner Binoculars this year, though I’d say the Predator Xtremes were my favorite. We saw them at SHOT Show, but then I got to go hands on a while later, and they’re quite impressive. Bright, clear glass and tough construction. I loved them, and it appears you all did as well!

SureFire AZ2 on Mt. Rainier

Last but not least, the Flashlight Brand of the Year Award went to SureFire. We saw a TON of cool flashlights by SureFire at SHOT Show, and we took a closer look this summer at a few of their tactical flashlights. Our video producer Devin actually took a SureFire AZ2 on a camping trip to Mt. Rainier in Washington, and it helped him check out some maps and find his way on the trails!

From my experience, it looks like you guys made some great choices for Brands of the Year for the Brilliance Awards, but I haven’t mentioned the most important Customer’s Choice Award yet: The Product of the Year. This is the big one, and we couldn’t be happier to report that you chose our own OPMOD PVS-14 Night Vision Scope was chosen this year! This is a Gen 3 Night Vision device that comes with a head mount and can be used for a ton of different purposes. We are really honored to know that so many of you think highly of our night vision device.

There are many more 2012 Brilliance Awards winners that were picked by our Product Specialists, so be sure to check them all out to see the very best of the best!

Pics, Video and News from the 2012 NRA Annual Meeting in St. Louis!!!

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Brian

As those who stop by the OpticsPlanet Facebook page regularly know, last Friday, April 13th, a lucky few of us from GearExpert by OpticsPlanet were able to head down to St. Louis to check out all the awesome new firearms, optics and more on display at the NRA Annual Meeting! It was an sensational show, and the wide variety of items on display was staggering. Watch the video above, which was shot from the floor on Friday, and I’ll give a rundown of some of the highlights for me this year, as well as an NRA Meeting Photo Gallery at the bottom of this page.

Airsoft Shooting Range with Bushnell Banner Scopes!

Taking some shots at the NRA Meeting with Airsoft Rifles and Bushnell Scopes!

The first event we hit upon arriving at the NRA meeting was the shooting range. I was hoping to try out some larger caliber guns, but they only had Airsoft Rifles this year, with targets that looked a lot like the Gamo Air Rifles Rocker Pellet Trap. Five of us from GearExpert took shots, and our resident sniper, Kiril (a legit former sniper), won the friendly competition, though I wouldn’t call the competition entirely fair, as he hit five targets at one point with three shots. Unless there’s some trick I don’t know about, I’d say his targets were falling a bit easier than mine.

A variety of Airsoft rifles were on display. Some had iron sights, while others were equipped with fixed power riflescopes. The rifle I used had a Bushnell Banner Scope, and it was super easy to hit the targets with that bad boy attached. This shooting range wasn’t exactly the ideal situation to test the capabilities of a scope, as it was very bright (I can’t attest to how well the Banner would perform as the sun sets) and the targets were only about 20 yards away. Even with iron sights it was no sweat hitting the targets at that range. Regardless, it was great fun and a perfect appetizer to the main course of the convention floor.

Swarovski Binoculars make a big Impression with Compact Sizes

Swarovski Binoculars Helped us Glass the Floor at the NRA Meeting!

One of the first booths I stopped at was Swarovski‘s, and I spoke with Jason, who is one of their reps (as well as a really nice guy) and he gave me a ton of great info on the three different lines of binoculars that were displayed as well as a bit of info on evaluating binoculars. First up, Jason told me about the Swarovski CL Binocular line. These binos have a superb ergonomic feel, and they’re lightweight so you won’t mind carrying them or glassing for hours on end. The next step up is the Swarovski SLC Binocular, which takes the lightweight and ergonomic design of the CLs and adds a new focusing wheel and provides brighter, clearer images because of a proprietary lens coating that lets in more light than you’ll find with most other binoculars.

Swarovksi CL Binocular Ocular lenses and Focus Wheel

The top of the line model was last, and it really knocked my socks off. The Swarovski EL Binocular is truly special. Clear, bright, ergonomic. You name it. But what I really like about the ELs is the edge to edge sharpness. What that means is that unlike a majority of binoculars, you can see EVERYTHING through the lenses with perfect sharpness. Other binoculars are only sharp in the center of the lens, and the further away from the center you get the blurrier the image becomes. The Swarovski ELs avoid this by employing flatter lenses that are ground and polished to perfection. Imagine the care that goes into crafting the beauty of a Swarovski crystal. All that goes into Swarovski binoculars as well.

Jason also explained the various uses for each binocular, as some are better for lower light conditions than others, and some are more powerful for longer range hunting or birding. I was aware going into the NRA Meeting that the size of the objective lens (the lens away from your face) is important for image brightness. The larger the objective lens, the brighter the image. At least that’s what I always thought. Jason explained that the magnification also makes a big difference in how bright your image is. Higher magnification means less light reaches your eye, which is why high power binoculars or telescopes have such large objective lenses. So a 10×42 binocular will be brighter than a 12×42, so long as everything else is the same. You might want the higher power, but keep in mind you’ll need a much larger binocular for early morning or late afternoon shooting. The extra size and weight can be a hassle to haul during a long day of hunting. If you’re in a tree stand or hunting blind it would be fine to use a powerful binocular on a tripod, but if you’re slogging through the mud to find that elusive deer you’ll want a far more compact and portable option. Fortunately, Swarovski has great options, big and small, for your success.

Zombies Invade the NRA!

There were quite a few different zombie-themed products and booths at the NRA Annual Meeting. Each of them reminded me of Charlton Heston’s famous line from the 2000 NRA Convention, where he said, “From my Cold, Dead Hands.” Clearly, there are those involved in the shooting world who are worried Mr. Heston might still use his gun even after his hands are cold, as some pretty heavy-duty firepower and high tech optics were on display that were specifically geared toward taking down an undead ghoul.

Zombie Stopper Biohazard Reticle

I checked out EOTech‘s booth. Much like at SHOT Show in January, they showed off the new EOTech Zombie Stopper. A modified version of the EOTech XPS-2 Holographic Weapon Sight, the Zombie Stopper has a unique biohazard reticle pattern that will really help you target the weak spot of all zombies: the brain. To go along with your zombie sight, EOTech also displayed their new G33 Magnifier. Again, this debuted at SHOT Show, but the NRA Annual Meeting was my first opportunity to go hands on with the magnifier, and I was really impressed. I briefly mention this in the video above, but what I liked most about the G33 is the sturdiness of the joint. It’s very simple to use, but I had worried the G33 would flop back and forth because of the shock of recoil. I found it needs a very firm push to flip up and down, so there is little chance it’ll fall over when in use. Not having to think about a lever or button while still getting the fantastic performance of the G23 Magnifier is a great upgrade, and one I’m sure many of you will prefer when you get your own.

Brian and Kiril with Zombie Guns by DS Arms - GearExpert

No Zombies will mess with us when the Apocalypse hits!

Another cool set of zombie products I got my hands on were courtesy of DS Arms, who manufacture the parts many of your firearms, from M16s to FALs. In the picture above you can see Kiril and I with a couple of their tricked out rifles. Mine had a gas-powered arrow launcher, Trijicon ACOG Fiber Optic Scope and a collapsible stock, and Kiril’s has an EOTech Holographic Weapon Sight and a custom muzzle with four spikes for when you run out of ammo but still have zombies attempting to eat your brains. I never want the business end of an AR-15 pointed at me, but I especially don’t want to see it in my direction when there are spikes on the end.

Trijicon Sheds a bit of Light on Rifle and Bow Hunting!

Chase with the new Battery-Powered Trijicon ACOG

I love Trijicon. Their ACOG scope is a phenomenal piece of equipment that gives you the kind of super fast target acquisition usually reserved for red dot sights, but with a little bit of magnification for greater accuracy. The Bindon Aiming Concept Trijicon uses is just outstanding. Most Trijicon ACOGs use either fiber optics or Tritium to light up the reticle, which is actually perfect for most situations, but some hunters prefer an actual battery in their scope. It’s understandable. I like batteries too, and having an old fashioned, simple brightness control knob just takes the ACOG to a whole other level. Check out the photo above of our product specialist Chase taking a look through this new scope. It uses a single AA battery (easy to carry some spares!) and looks great on that rifle.

For Greatest Bowhunting Success use a crouched stance and Trijicon AccuPin Sight!

One other Trijicon Sight I really liked wasn’t for a rifle, but rather a bow. The Trijicon Accupin Bow Sight features a green ring with a green triangle dot in the center for easy aiming. Oddly, they didn’t let me fire off any arrows Robin Hood-style in the middle of the convention hall, but I did take a look through the fiber optic-powered sight and was impressed. Bright? Check. The hall was very bright, so there needed to be an extremely bright glow from the fiber optics to draw my eye, and I wasn’t disappointed. I can honestly say I felt capable of splitting an arrow from 50 yards with this sight (probably not possible).

2012 NRA Annual Meeting Photo Gallery

Check out the NRA Meeting Photos below and see some more great shots from the convention floor. From massive Smith and Wesson Revolvers and Zeiss Spotting Scopes to beautiful antique rifles up for auction, you can get a taste a few more flavors from the show.

: NRA Annual Meeting Gun Rack

: Antique Gun Auction 1 – GearExpert

: WWII Guns Auction

: No Zombies will mess with us when the Apocalypse hits!

: Zombie Stopper Biohazard Reticle

: Leupold Scopes NRA Annual Meeting – GearExpert

: Taking some shots at the NRA Meeting with Airsoft Rifles and Bushnell Scopes!

: Zeiss DiaScope – GearExpert

: Chase with the new Battery-Powered Trijicon ACOG

: Get off my Lawn!

: For When One Massive Revolver Isn’t Enough

: The Blade of my Dreams… – GearExpert

: Swarovksi CL Binocular Ocular lenses and Focus Wheel

: Swarovski Binoculars Helped us Glass the Floor at the NRA Meeting!

: You call that a knife? This is a knife. Actually it’s a sword from the NRA Annual Meeting

: For Greatest Bowhunting Success use a crouched stance and Trijicon AccuPin Sight!

Kate’s First Hog Hunt in Texas with EOTech!!

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Brian

Hey guys, I just got this fantastic post from Kate, who works closely with our vendors to make sure you get all the best new gear. She recently went on a hog hunting trip in Texas and was kind enough to share her experience with us. I don’t want to steal her thunder, so I’ll let her take it away! – Brian

Last week I had the opportunity of a lifetime to go hunting with a great group from EOTech. I promised I would blog about my experience, so here it is. I have been working at OpticsPlanet Inc. and in the hunting, shooting and outdoors industry for a bit over 3.5 years but this was my first foray into the hunting world.

As I was getting ready for the trip and figuring out what I needed to bring, I consulted our product expert and avid hunter Steve Ledin who brought me a huge bag full of hunting gear and apparel. I also received a backpack full of outdoor gear from our videographer and outdoorsman, Devin Ruddick. Along with some of these borrowed items, I packed my own Insight Technology flashlight for the trip. I was told we would have everything else we needed on location and that EOTech was bringing all of their coolest thermal, night vision, and gun sights on the hunt.

Tom, our EOTech rep, and I arrived in Dallas, TX early in the afternoon and took a trip to get our hunting licenses where we met up with the rest of the group, Ed, John, Lisa and Amy, who are all with EOTech. After a quick lunch we headed for Winona, a town about two hours east of Dallas and the location of our hunt. North Star Outfitters is situated on a beautiful ranch and we were met by Kyle, the ranch owner and our host. Everyone got right down to business, gearing up the guns and sighting everything in for the coming evening’s activities. I ended up shooting a couple different rifles out at the range and settled on the Bushmaster 450 as my weapon of choice for the hunt.

EOTech Hunt - Holo Sight, G33 Magnifier, Thermal Imager

Kate has an Insight Technology Thermal Imager in front of an EOTech Holo Sight and G33 Magnifier!

The first night we drove out on a couple of golf carts with thermal devices in hand and mounted on our guns. I had no idea what to expect, but I put on several layers, tucked my city-girl jeans into some hunting boots, and covered myself from head to toe in mosquito repellent. I was ready to go! A friend asked me after I got back if I wore makeup on the hunt…but of course!

Riding along on the golf cart, I had my Thermal Eye X50 monocular ready, but as I looked through it I mostly saw a blur of shades of grey since we were moving pretty fast. The group of us drove along the paths and everyone peered out into the fields using their thermal devices to spot the hogs we were hunting.

After about an hour, the first one appeared in a large clearing behind a peach orchard. We stopped the carts and got out as quietly as we could. All of a sudden they told me that I’m to go first and switch from an observing-from-the-side-lines role to being up-to-bat in the blink of an eye. We left part of the group behind and made our way closer to the edge of the clearing. Now there were three of us and I had my bipod in hand as well as my rifle with the thermal scope. I had looked through this thing only once before we headed out for the night, but I’m sure glad I remembered where the on button was.

I was set up 46 feet away from the animal and settled the quad rail into the bipod. I can definitely say that my yoga classes paid off at this moment because I focused on regulating my breathing as the adrenaline was completely overwhelming. The sight was on, the round was in the chamber and the small click of the safety just echoed out. At least the gun was ready! I watched the hog through my scope, centered the cross-hairs and waited for him to turn sideways to take my shot. As Ed taught me, I squeezed the trigger while making sure that my reticle stayed on target and it sure did! I took the shot, the gun stayed in place, and with mixed feelings I can say it was a great shot! The huge hog fell to the ground and I had my first kill for the trip. He weighed in at 215 lbs and as I am told, was a fairly big boy.

Kate's First Hog!

A year ago I declined a similar trip because I wasn’t sure how I would feel about hunting. In this time I’ve heard horror stories about the devastation these animals are causing to the southern parts of our country. Since wild hogs are not native to these areas and have no natural predators, they are able to reproduce at incredible rates and overrun the land. As a result other animals get hurt and killed and farmland is rendered useless. This made me feel better about taking a few of them out.

Quite a haul at the EOTech Hog Hunt! Quite a successful trip!

During the remainder of the trip we went out hunting every night and even tried out the tree stands. I got another smaller hog and the group totaled in at nine kills by the end of the trip. I am very happy I had the opportunity to experience a hunt, especially considering the kind of equipment EOTech had there for us to use. Thermal devices are a rather expensive technology initially developed for the military and it was a real treat to be able to use the sights and monoculars on this trip. They allowed us not only to spot the game very quickly, but also to spend less time on retrieval and more time hunting. The people and the toys definitely made this trip!

Steve Ledin beat me to the punch the week I got back and blogged about my experience as well on www.riflescopeblog.com!

EOTech SHOT Show Video – G33 Magnifier, Zombie Stopper & Forend Light!

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Brian

We have our second video of the day from SHOT Show! The video above is of our interview with EOTech representative John Bailey. Our Director of Product Intelligence, Steve Ledin, talks with John about the Zombie Stopper, which I’ve talked about a bit too much already (because it’s AWESOME), the G33 Magnifier and the Fore End Light.

Since I’ve gone a bit crazy talking about the Zombie Stopper, I’ll focus a bit more on the two other great new products from EOTech today. First, the Fore End Light. You can see it in the video attached to a Mossberg Shotgun, and it is a very intuitive weapon light. The on/off switch for the EOTech Fore End Light is right where your fingers land on the shotgun, which is good for operating the various functions of the light. There are three different modes: momentary on, constant on and strobe. It’s very simple and very quick to turn on for the mode you desire, and as you can see in the video it’s really bright.

I’ve talked a bit about the EOTech G33 Magnifier before, but I just learned for the video that the G33 will have a greater field of view than the G23 Magnifier that’s already so popular. In addition, the eyepiece has a diopter, which allows each user to focus on what they need, and the new Shift-to-Side Mount makes it quicker and easier than ever before to get the magnifier behind your red dot sight for longer-distance shooting.

All three of these awesome new products from EOTech will be available in April, 2012! Very cool stuff in this video, and it’s great to hear from Steve and John. These guys love hunting, and they love guns. Watch the video and learn more about EOTech’s SHOT Show display!

SHOT Show Media Day Full Video with KRISS Vector SMG, EOTech, Trijicon & More!

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Brian

As promised, we’re rolling out new videos with a lot more footage from SHOT Show 2012. Last week we had some quick recap videos, but now we get to take the hours and hours of footage we shot for full length videos!

First up, we have our full video for SHOT Show Media Day. We were introduced to a TON of products on Media Day, and we got to try a whole bunch of them out! I won’t steal Steve’s thunder, so I’m just going to give you a quick rundown of what you’ll see in today’s video!

EOTech G33 Magnifier and Zombie Stopper

Steve shows off the EOTech XPS2- Z Zombie Stopper Holographic Weapon Sight first. I’ve talked about it a couple times now, mainly in our SHOT Show Day 3 Roundup, but I didn’t get to see it in action before. The bio hazard reticle looks really cool, and while it’s a pretty busy sight picture, I think you’ll still be on target when a biter comes your way. You get to see it in action on a SCAR Heavy, which has more than enough stopping power to put down a zombie horde. As Steve mentions, the Zombie Stopper is based on the EOTech EXPS-2, but as he equips the SCAR Heavy with both the Zombie Stopper and the new G33 Magnifier, I can’t help but be reminded of our OPMOD EOTech MPO-II, which combines a night vision compatible holographic weapon sight with the G23 Magnifier. It looks very similar to some rifles I’ve seen with the OPMOD sight attached, though these may be slightly more adept at taking down zombies.

The G33 Magnifier is excellent. A upgraded version of the G23 magnifier, the G33 has a Shift-to-Side mount, which is a little quicker and easier than the G23′s Flip-to-Side mount. It also has a diopter eyepiece, which is great for those of us with eyeglasses, or anyone who wants a little more focusing flexibility with their magnifier. You can see just how easy it is to push the magnifier in place or shift it to the side.

Steve also briefly mentions a new green laser sight from EOTech, the M6XG, and he talks about the difference between a green laser and a red laser. It’s cool to see Steve give this kind of insight right at the range.

Rapid Fire with Kriss Vector SMG and a Colt 1877 Gatling Gun!

Steve will show you a bit about the new KRISS Vector SMG, which is a really innovative new firearm that is incredibly controllable, and will be an effective tool for law SWAT and military use. The new features in the KRISS greatly minimize recoil, and when paired with a red dot sight (like the Zombie Stopper!) it will be an absolute force to be reckoned with.

We also got some footage of an 1877 Gatling Gun by Colt. I think I might have mentioned the Gatling Gun as a Civil War era firearm on a prior post, and while they had them at that time, this is a later model, but still an old time gun that is a lot of fun to shoot.

Trijicon TARS Riflescope Rings Plates at 900 Yards

Trijicon‘s coolest new Scope this year has to be the TARS. The Trijicon TARS (Trijicon Advanced RifleScope) is a 4-15X scope with a 34mm tube, so it’s pretty versatile and a great choice for hunters. Steve was hitting a lot of shots at 900 yards, and I bet you’ll be on target at greater distances than ever before too!

We round out the video today with some of the new ammunition shown this year. The Winchester Razorback XT 150 Grain, a proprietary ArmaLite magazine, and what really impressed Steve, the Lightweight Polymer Case Ammunition by PCP. As he says, they wouldn’t even let him take one of the bullets home because they’re so new and unique. I guess they don’t want to reveal all their secrets until these bullets are on the shelves!

This is just the first of our full videos. Expect to see a LOT more in the coming days and weeks. GearExpert by OpticsPlanet’s coverage of the main 4 days of SHOT Show will be broken down into more specific videos because we have SO much to show you! Expect to see videos on Bushnell, Crimson Trace, EOTech and more!

EOTech MPO with G33 Magnifier SHOT Show - GearExpert.com

SHOT Show Day 3 Video Roundup and Products from Pelican, EOTech, Nikon & More!

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Brian

Day 3 of SHOT Show was fantastic. A TON of great new products were shown, and they cover a wide variety of uses, from keeping your gear safe to taking accurate shots both near and far! We’re going to have exclusive video interviews that showcase the products below, but I want to give you some details now so you can get excited.

Crimson Trace Adds a Bit of Star Power To SHOT Show

Crimson Trace hosted a reunion for winners of fan favorite Top Shot, which, for those of you who don’t know, is a hit show on the History Channel for shooting enthusiasts. To lend some gravitas to their already sweet lineup of new products Crimson Trace had first season winner Iain Harrison showing off some of their new products. He’s a pretty cool guy, and our Director of Product Intelligence Steve Ledin was able to get a photo with him. Steve actually met Iain before, on a hog hunt last March. It’s great to see Steve interact with such an accomplished marksman.

On the new product side, Crimson Trace brought the Rail Master to SHOT Show. No doubt you’re already well aware of how awesome the laser sights by Crimson Trace are, but the Rail Master is a universal laser sight that will fit any Picatinny or Weaver-style rail-equipped pistol or rifle. It’s small and lightweight, but you still get a quality laser, so if you have a large gun collection (and why wouldn’t you?) and don’t want to have to buy a separate laser sight for every gun, the Crimson Trace Rail Master is the tool for you!

Pelican Innovates for Our Technologically Advanced World!

My favorite booth this year had to be Pelican‘s. Their cases are simply amazing. Not only are they incredibly tough (soldiers throw them out of helicopters), but they’re also cleverly designed, with a bunch of really cool features and innovations to make your life easier.

First up we saw the Pelican Hardback Case. There are a few different models, with some designed for laptops, while others are better for tablets, and since I love my tablet, I really liked these cases. So what makes them great? Well, toughness is obviously key. The main point of having a case is protecting your stuff, whether you have a tablet, computer, camera or rifle that needs to be safeguarded, so the trusted quality of Pelican is welcome. Your tablet will be protected from shocks and impact without scratching the screen, and the case is waterproof so you don’t need to worry about rain or dropping it in a puddle or lake. The guys from Pelican even showed off how they can submerge the case and your electronics are still protected. Pretty cool stuff.

But the Hardback Case for tablets is more than just a quality tool for protecting your tablet. It also features a foam insert to hold your tablet upright, and there’s space for a bluetooth keyboard. When you open the case you can just start typing away and using your tablet like it’s a laptop. And the case is lightweight and comes with a carrying strap, so you don’t have to worry about lugging it around.

The other really cool new item from Pelican at SHOT Show is the Hybrid Traveler. It’s a really cool backpack/luggage series of cases that combine the flexibility of many tactical bags with a quality hard case to protect electronics. I haven’t seen it in action, but the pictures look really cool. The basic idea is that the Hybrid Traveler is two cases in one. There’s a hard case that’s waterproof and perfect for your laptop or tablet. Another outer case is soft, but still has plenty of foam padding and ventilation. It’s a great place to put your SLR camera or any other gear you want to take along. There are plenty of extra compartments for you to haul anything you may need, and everything will be afforded a great deal of protection. Our video guy uses Pelican hard cases to keep his cameras safe and secure, but he thought the Hybrid Traveler would be better for next year’s SHOT Show because of how lightweight it is and how easy it will be to transport.

All in all, Pelican had a really great showing this year.

Nikon Brings High Value to Quality, Simple Optics

We’re big fans of Nikon because they know balance quality and price as well as anyone. Their latest riflescope is the P223 3X32 BDC Compact Scope, which was a big deal around SHOT Show. Everyone was talking about it, and it’s not hard to figure out why. This scope is simple but effective. Rather than attaching a bunch of bells and whistles that only a small portion of shooters use, Nikon has taken quality glass and calibrated it perfectly. The Nikon P223 was made for AR-style rifles, and it is the perfect scope for shooters at every level. If you’re just starting out you won’t have to deal with a complicated reticle or excessive adjustments, and if you’ve been shooting your whole life it’ll give you the reliable performance you need for your regular hunting trips.

Adding to the simplicity of the scope, the P223 uses a 2 piece mounting system, and you shouldn’t have any trouble sighting in. That’s a welcome relief for any shooter. You want to get out there and make some shots, not endlessly fiddle with mounts!

Another really cool optic at SHOT Show from Nikon is the Monarch 5 Binoculars. They only released the Monarch 3 a little while ago, and we are big fans of those here at GearExpert by OpticsPlanet. The Monarch 5s are the next step up, with lightweight construction coupled with durability. The glass is high quality but also eco-friendly, as it was manufactured using no lead or arsenic, and the prism coatings are incredibly advanced so that you’ll get a bright image. I think a lot of people will be enjoying the Monarch 5s this year. They’re already available at OpticsPlanet, so there’s no need to wait for them to be released!

Streamlight’s TLR-4 Lights Up SHOT Show!

Streamlight had a couple cool new products this year, but the one every wants to know more about is the TLR-4. We’ve already had people contact us to make orders! I don’t have the exact release date yet, but I did get to learn a bit more about this fantastic weapon-mountable flashlight! First up, it’s very compact. The TLR-3 is a great little light, and the TLR-4 looked even smaller at SHOT Show. It uses LED lights, which, when combined with the quality construction, makes this a very tough weapon light. It generates about 110 lumens of light, which should be more than bright enough for most situations.

But the Streamlight TLR-4 isn’t just a flashlight. It also has a laser sight, so you can enjoy fast target acquisition while you light up your target! The On/Off switch is ambidextrous and easy to use for momentary illumination. We’ll be seeing a lot more of the TLR-4 in an upcoming video, but it really impressed.

EOTech stops Zombies Dead in Their Tracks. Well.. MORE Dead

EOTech had some fun this year, but they also made some great improvements to existing product lines for greater functionality. First up, we have to talk zombies. I briefly mentioned that we saw the EOTech XPS2-Z Zombie Stopper Holographic Weapon Sight on Tuesday, but we got to play with it a bit today. EOTech actually put together a whole zombie shotgun, with their new fore-end light and the XPS2-Z. You can see Steve holding it in the picture. It looks pretty cool. The XPS-Z replaces the red dot with a red biohazard symbol, and it has the biohazard logo on the sides and top. But just because it’s geared specifically for zombies doesn’t mean it lacks quality. It’s very similar to the EOTech EXPS-2, with the same great battery life, fast target acquisition and super tough construction. Very tough. Very neat.

The IFL-Integrated Fore-End Light is a great fit whether you’re hunting the undead or in a tactical situation and need a reliable light on your 12 gauge shotgun. There are ambidextrous pressure pads, so lefties aren’t left out, and the LED light is both bright and durable. This EOTech Fore-End Light has three modes: constant-on, momentary and strobe. I’m pretty sure zombies rely more on their sense of smell than their sight, so you may not blind them with the strobe, but a regular human’s eyes will need a minute to adjust.

If, sorry, WHEN I’m on the run from zombies I’ll be glad to have these two great new weapon accessories. I’ll turn the tide of the zombie plague single-handed. I’ll be a hero.

One other great new product EOTech displayed at SHOT Show is the G33 Magnifier. We have the EOTech G23 Magnifier available now, and it’s a fantastic accessory for a red dot sight, but EOTech thought they could make a few little improvements. There are three main differences between the G33 and the G23. The G33 is smaller, which makes it easier to find room on your rail (always welcome), it has a diopter adjuster, which allows you to make subtle changes to the image for a better view, and instead of being flip-to-side mounted, it’s shift-to-side. We actually thought it was a push-to-side, but the EOTech representative was very clear that it’s shift-to-side. Either way you say it, this magnifier is a little quicker and easier to get in line with your red dot sight now.

Overall, we had a great time at SHOT Show yesterday. What’s really amazing is that all the news we’ve shown so far just scratches the surface of the coverage we’ll have for you in the coming weeks. We have exclusive video interviews coming, and you’ll get to see these great products in action, with more details straight from the brand representatives and our product specialists! Keep coming back to GearExpert by OpticsPlanet. We have so much more for you from SHOT Show 2012!

SHOT Show Day 3 Photos!

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Brian

We have a lot of great SHOT Show Day 3 Pics to share today! I think day 3 was the best day so far. We got to talk to some of our favorite brands, like EOTech, Nikon, Streamlight and Pelican! Their products absolutely astounded. I thought EOTech’s Zombie Stopper Holographic Weapon Sight would be my favorite product from SHOT Show, but then Pelican had to throw a curve ball with their new tablet cases! Such a great day. I can’t wait to see all the video as it rolls out starting Monday! Make sure to come back and see them for yourself!

KRISS Vector SMG .45 ACP - GearExpert.com

SHOT Show Media Day Products from KRISS, Trijicon and EOTech!

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Brian

The news just keeps pouring in, with more details on a few of the guns and scopes our GearExpert team got their hands on at the range on Media Day. Some of the gear below was mentioned in Alessandro’s Twitter posts, and there have already been more today for Bushnell and Leupold, so keep checking on his Live Updates from SHOT Show, and I’ll give you a few extra details on the cool guns and optics he sees.

KRISS Super V Vector SMG at SHOT Show

First up, we have the KRISS Super V Vector SMG .45 ACP. You can see Steve taking a few shots with this bad boy in the Media Day Recap Video, so you know it looks cool, but what makes this KRISS SMG such an amazing gun? Well, it’s extremely light and easy to control. Anyone who has ever fired an SMG can tell you that the recoil makes it difficult to maintain accuracy while firing off a high number of shots. KRISS innovated a few cool new features to minimize the amount of recoil that hits your shoulder. The KRISS Super V System (KSVS) redistributes the force from recoil downward, so you will feel as much as 60% LESS recoil than with a similar gun at the same caliber. This makes the SMG easier to operate, and your barrel won’t elevate as much, keeping you on target and minimizing the need to constantly reacquire your target. As SMGs are designed for speed and efficiency, this improvement is huge for performance in the field.

Take a look at the photo at the top of the page. Steve is shooting the KRISS SMG with an EOTech Holographic Weapon Sight mounted on it. These red dot sights have incredibly fast target acquisition, which makes them a perfect match for a SMG that keeps you on target. If you want to get on target faster I suggest checking out our exclusive OPMOD EOTech MPO-II Holographic Weapon Sight. It comes with a G23 Flip to Side Magnifier for long range shots, and it’s night vision compatible. If you combine it with the KRISS SMG you’re going to have one amazing setup.

Zombie Hunting & More with EOTech & Leupold

Speaking of EOTech, a new Holographic Weapon Sight that was designed for a very specific purpose was revealed: the EOTech XPS2-Z Zombie Stopper Holographic Weapon Sight. I think we can all agree that having at least one gun sight in your collection to fight zombies is an absolute must, and the Zombie Stopper is pretty cool. I should have a more complete review of this red dot sight after SHOT Show is over, but for now note that it is very similar to the EOTech EXPS-2, but with a special reticle that looks like a biohazard warning symbol. No doubt you’ll survive the zombie apocalypse if you have one of these cool red dot sights.

There is another possible option for taking down a zombie horde, which Alessandro just took a picture of today. It’s the Leupold VX-R Zombie Rifle Scope. I’ll have a bit more info on it tomorrow, but keep in mind that two of the biggest names in riflescopes have developed glass SPECIFICALLY for zombie hunting. If that isn’t a confirmation that zombies are coming, then I don’t know what is.

EOTech also showed off the new EOTech G33 Magnifier. I know I just mentioned the G23 Magnifier that comes with the OPMOD MPO-II, and this is a very similar red dot accessory, but instead of a flip to side mount it features a push to side mount, which may make it more responsive. We haven’t gotten to play with the G33 yet, so we can’t verify it’s performance, but we love working with EOTech because of the care they put into every new product, so no doubt it has very high quality.

Long Range Accuracy from Trijicon TARS

One final new product I have a bit more info on from SHOT Show Media Day is the Trijicon TARS. TARS stands for Tactical Advanced RifleScope, and it is a fantastic scope for long distance precision shooting. Steve spent some brass with it, and he said the quality of the glass is outstanding. It has 3-15x magnification, an illuminated reticle and the glass is fully multi-coated for maximum light transmission. Trijicon produces tough, high quality optics that have been tested on battlefields around the world and are loved by many shooters, so this new scope will no doubt be hard to keep in stock when it ships later this year.

Media Day at SHOT Show had some really interesting new gear, but this is just a taste of what we’ll have in the coming days. Stay tuned as we bring you more products, news and editorials on the great gear from SHOT Show!

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