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The NightForce ATACR AMAZES at SHOT Show, Plus a Giveaway!

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Brian

Nightforce‘s booth featured quite a few new rifle scopes. The ATACR (Advancted Tactical Rifle Scope) 5-25×56 really impressed. Nightforce has packed the scope with ED Glass for super visibility and clarity, and the lowest power of 5x is going to give you about an 18ft FOV at 100 yards, meaning this scope is as close to all-purpose as it gets. Nightforce’s goal with this scope was to provide something that meets a hunter’s need while still being a military sniper scope. You’ll be able to use this scope at the range, out varmint hunting, big game – pretty much anywhere you want to be. It should be available by the end of January 2013 and retail around $2000-$2500.

The NightForce ATACR is sure to excite serious shooters

We’ve heard discussion about this product since details came out a few years ago, and it looks like this is the year it finally arrives! The Nightforce B.E.A.S.T. (an anagram for Best Example of Advanced Scope Technology – clever!) is a 5-25×56 FFP (first focal plane) rifle scope with a 34mm tube. The turrets offer impressive elevation controls, and the new XtremeSpeed adjustments are designed to allow you to quickly and precisely calibrate your scope in the field. This scope is projected to be available between May and June 2013 and retail around $3400.

The NightForce Beast is, well, a BEAST!

Finally, we got a chance to check out the Nightforce Competition 15-55×52 Rifle Scope. As you might expect, it’s a competition/benchrest rifle scope. Packing ED glass and extreme high power magnification, this rifle scope looks to be a serious contender in the high-end target shooter market. These scopes will launch with two new reticle options – the CTR-1 which is non-illuminated and has fine .016 MOA crosshairs and .125 MOA center dot. The second option is the DDR, a non-illuminated double dot reticle with a .125 MOA center dot.

Nightforce is also launching new reticles for other scopes in 2013, including the Mil-R (Mil-Radian Reticle) which you’ll find on both the Nightforce ATACR and the B.E.A.S.T rifle scopes. You’ll find whole, half, .2 and .1 Mil-Radian increments on this reticle for extremely accurate hold-offs.

A NightForce Rifle Scope is a thing of Beauty

But you know what? We’re too excited about these new scopes from NightForce to just tell you about them and show you some pictures and video. We thought, “Why not give one away?”

And that’s EXACTLY what we’re doing. The contest is already live, so if you head over to the OpticsPlanet Facebook page click the tab at the top of the page (or click here to go directly to the entry tab) and you can enter for your chance to win the new NightForce ATACR Rifle Scope! That’s a $2400 Scope! AND you can get it before ANYONE else has a chance to even buy it! How sweet is that deal? And that’s just the first of our giveaways. We also have gear from Streamlight, Nikon, EOTech and Crimson Trace, with new giveaways starting each day of SHOT Show through Saturday, so keep coming back to our Facebook Page for more chances to win!!!

Looking for a Streamlight TLR-2 Green Laser?

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Brian

Streamlight had a pretty impressive display at SHOT Show this year, including the Green Laser Version of their Mega-Popular TLR-2! No doubt it’ll be a big hit! Streamlight debuted a variety of new handheld lights, and two features were dominant: high-lumen and green.

For a quality handheld option, the Streamlight Strion series is a great option, and there are new high lumen models coming!

First, we took a look at the Strion series – new high-lumen LED models will be coming out soon.

The TLR-2 HL is a more powerful version of one of Streamlight’s Most Popular weapon lights!

Two of the most popular weapon lights of all time have been the TLR-1 and TLR-2, and after the wild success of the TLR-4 in 2012, Streamlight put some focus into offering new models of these classics boasting great new features. Both the TLR-1 and TLR-2 are set to come in new high lumen versions – the TLR-2 high lumen model will continue to offer a red laser as well.

The New TLR-2 Green Laser Sight From SHOT Show

Who could resist a TLR-2 with a Green Laser? Not Us!

The big news was the introduction of a TLR-2 with a green laser. People have been clamoring for this for years, and it’ll finally arrive this year. We expect this to be extremely popular.

The New TLR-1 Game Spotter Sight at SHOT Show 2013

The TLR-1 Game Spotter helps you find game with a true green LED light!

For hunters, Streamlight is also releasing the TLR-1 Game Spotter this year – with a true green LED perfect for spotting wounded game. This is not a filtered white light – it’s true green and designed specifically for the hunting community.

I’ve written about the Streamlight TLR-4 and TLR-2 quite a few times both here on GearExpert.com and on the OpticsPlanet Facebook page, and they were both big sellers on OpticsPlanet last year, so I’m sure they’re going to be huge hits with you guys throughout 2013! Be sure to check out our Facebook page, because we’re actually giving away one of these awesome new flashlights as well as gear from Nikon, NightForce, Crimson Trace and EOTech. Each day brings a new giveaway!

SHOT Show media Day Featured image for GearExpert

SHOT Show Media Day 2013

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Alessandro

Monday was Media Day at the Range – the first day of SHOT Show 2013 and a great chance to get some hands on time not just with the rifle scopes, red dots, and accessories we offer at OpticsPlanet.com, but also a chance to get our hands on many of the firearms we’re all extremely excited to accessorize in the coming year.

This was a Media Day unlike any other I’ve been to. It was a frigid 31 degrees out at the Boulder City Rifle and Pistol Club, with a 15 mph wind blowing right in your face as you were lining up your sights. While not exactly the comfortable conditions you’d expect in Las Vegas this time of year, it was a great chance to see how the firearms performed in less than ideal conditions.

We (David, Trevor, Yelena and I) arrived early in the afternoon and the range had already started to clear out. I can’t blame other visitors. It was extremely difficult to shoot video with the constant wind, the dust was wreaking havoc on camera lenses, and pens kept freezing. Thank goodness I brought a pencil!

There were a few notable absences this year – Sig Sauer and Taurus were nowhere to be found. But we did stop by Springfield Armory, Colt, FNH, Chiappa, Winchester, and Ruger. If you’re interested in more firearm and ammunition coverage, don’t worry – we’ll make sure to take some time this week to get out to those booths!

New Guns by Springfield Armory at SHOT Show 2013

We shot a number of great handguns by Springfield Armory at SHOT Show 2013.

At Springfield Armory, we got a chance to shoot a few rounds with the XD-S .45ACP – a huge hit for Springfield in 2012 and a firearm many guys want to accessorize with holsters, lasers, and more. We also popped a magazine in the new 2013 XD-S Compact 9mm. This baby is sleek, and feels perfectly balanced in your hand. XD fans have been asking Springfield for a 9mm version of the popular XD-S single stack platform, and Springfield Armory will be delivering in 2013. Trevor, a major XD fan, thinks it’ll be a huge hit with the market when it is released (TBD 2013.) We also ended up shooting the EMP, the XD-M 5.25, and Springfield’s 1911 .45 because, well, why not?

We saw the sweet new Colt 1911: the Colt USMC!!!

After that, we stopped by Colt to check out their wide array of 1911s. It was quite busy and we didn’t want to take up too much time, but we did get a chance to check out a new model – the Colt USMC (the M45 Colt 1911.) It was unclear if this is the same exact model as the M45, but the representative referred to it as the Colt USMC and they look very similar to the naked-eye. Even if it is the M45 Colt 1911, 2013 will mark the first time they are available to the public.

The Colt USMC from Media Day at SHOT Show 2013

The Colt USMC was not only beautiful, but if you look closely you can see some Trijicon Night Sights!

The firearm has a true 1913 mil-spec rail, which is a little longer than a traditional Picatinny rail. Trevor remarked that the firearm had nice heft to it, minimizing recoil. No surprise for a firearm used by the US Marine Corps. With an MSRP of $1999, it’ll set you back a pretty penny but no doubt people will be lining up for it once it’s available (the USMC gets first priority, so it may be awhile.)

Trevor took some shots with the FN-X 45 Tactical.

We popped by the FNH briefly to shoot a few rounds through the FN-X .45 Tactical (complete with a Seymour Laser MRD reflex sight.) Very powerful, very handsome weapon. I can see the appeal.

Check out those three barrels!

After our long stays at the Springfield Armory and Colt booths, we were a little pressed for time as many exhibitors were packing up to get out of the cold (and for many of them, to get ready for a big day tomorrow.) We stopped by Chiappa to grab some pictures of some really incredible stuff – a Lever Action 12 Gauge and a Triple Barrel Shotgun. Sadly, they weren’t available for firing. Bummer.

On the ammunition side, we stopped by CCI and tried out the new CCI Quiet-Fire .22LR rimfire rounds. It blew me away. It’s incredibly quiet, almost difficult to explain. You don’t typically need hearing protection with .22 (though it doesn’t hurt!) but WITH hearing protection, we couldn’t even hear it. Just the “plink” sound of a hit – no pop, nothing. CCI is pushing this for backyard plinking and youth shooting. I have no doubt it will be a huge hit.

We stopped by Ruger, and they were was showing off the MKIII Target .22 pistol. Impressive firearm, it’ll be a nice piece for an afternoon at your local range.

Winchester had a few booths devoted to ammunition. We checked out the Winchester 17 Super-Mag, and wow. It’s got the punch of a .45, and no doubt we’ll see varmint hunters stocking up once they are available. Trevor ripped through a few rounds on the Savage Arms B-Mag platform.

At that point, we had to pack up and get going as the range was starting to shut down. Thanks for checking out our coverage of Media Day 2013, and stay tuned as we took way more photos and some video footage will be edited as soon as possible!

SHOT Show 2013 Sneak Peek!

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Brian

Alright, we’re just about ready to go to Las Vegas for SHOT Show 2013! I look back at 2012 and I can hardly believe we saw SOOOO much outstanding new gear. We got to see the absolute best gear. The EOTech Zombie Stopper and G33 Magnifier were both announced last year, and I wrote about them throughout the year. The G33 proved to be an incredibly popular item, with a TON of pre-orders. We also saw the Crimson Trace Rail Master, which was mega popular both here on GearExpert.com and on our Facebook Page.

We’re not totally sure what we’ll be seeing this year, as optic brands are keeping quite a few secrets so they can make a big splash, but we’re going to be there to let you know as soon as they make their announcements. In addition to all the great news we are giving away some insanely awesome gear from Nikon, NightForce, EOTech, Crimson Trace and Streamlight. I can’t tell you exactly what products are part of the giveaways, but I can say they’re outstanding! This is top quality gear. You can enter to win once for each giveaway over on our Facebook page starting Tuesday, with a new giveaway starting every day through Saturday.

We’ll be on the plane to Las Vegas for SHOT Show bright and early Monday, and we’re going to Media Day to shoot some of the newest guns and try out the best scopes coming out in 2013, so check back right here on GearExpert.com, our Facebook Page and YouTube Channel for all the coverage!

It’s that Time of the Year Again… We’re Going to SHOT Show 2013!!!

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Brian

ALRIGHT!!! SHOT Show is just around the corner, and like last year we are going to be bringing you ALL the news on the latest gear released from the world’s best brands. SHOT Show is the big show. It’s the place where the coolest new equipment is FIRST shown to the public, and the gear we saw last year proved to be both some of the best and most popular on OpticsPlanet.com. We have HUGE things in store for you right here on GearExpert.com, as well as on our YouTube Channel and our Facebook page! DEFINITELY make sure you LIKE our Facebook page. You’re going to want to see all the great stuff, INCLUDING our Daily Giveaways! That’s right, we’re giving away some REALLY exciting gear this year. I can’t give you all the details just yet, but I can say what we’re giving away is going to be some of the coolest stuff you can win ANYWHERE.

I’m so excited I’m literally tapping my feet! SHOT Show 2013 is going to be amazing!

safariland competition holsters SHOT Show by GearExpert

Safariland Competition Holsters & Belts from SHOT Show – Safariland 014, 032 ELS & More!

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Brian

There are a ton of awesome features that Safariland Competition Holsters have that most holsters do not, and you can learn all about them in our new Safariland SHOT Show Video! Alessandro talks with James Dawson from Safariland about the great new holster options that are coming out in 2012!

Safariland Model 014 Competition Shooting Holster

There are a few unique features on the Safariland 014 Holster. First, it is extremely customizable. Every shooter is different, and the 4-access control point allows you to adjust the cant of the holster to the exact angle you prefer. The barrel length is also adjustable, so it will accommodate a number of different guns, though it was primarily designed with 1911-style guns in mind. It’s a really interesting looking holster, and you can see just by looking at it how useful it will be in a competition.

Safariland Model 032 ELS Competition Belt

For yet another incredibly adjustable competition weapon accessory, check out the Safariland 032 ELS Belt. There are a number of ways to customize this belt. First, there are holes all around the belt. This way you can put your holster, mag pouches and more where ever you want. As it’s name implies, the Safariland 032 ELS Belt uses their ELS system, which is awesome as it allows you to use the belt for multiple types of competitions. You can put Safariland ELS plates on the belt really simply, and attach a holster for a handgun, AR-15 mag pouches, or shotgun shell holders on there. This is huge for competition shooters that compete with more than one firearm. One belt will satisfy multiple needs. Very cool, and a big money saver.

The Safariland Holsters SHOT Show Video above is super informative, and showcases some of the best new products from SHOT Show. Check it out and be sure to take a look at all the great Safariland Gear at OpticsPlanet.com!

Bianchi Holsters SHOT Show by GearExpert

Bianchi & Safariland Concealed Carry Holsters from SHOT Show!

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Brian

Bianchi and Safariland are two of the premiere holster manufacturers in the world, but many people don’t know that they actually work together quite often to bring the best new features to the market. While they are technically part of the same company, each brand has their own unique take on what you need from a holster. That said, when one brand comes up with a great new feature, it often finds its way into options from the other brand. Regardless of your preference for Bianchi or Safariland, you’ll want to take a look at our Bianchi SHOT Show Video for great info on the latest concealed carry holsters that will be coming out in 2012.

Bianchi Illusion Combine Materials for a Unique New Holster

The new Bianchi Illusion Holsters have taken the best of two worlds, leather and synthetic holsters, and brought them together for an amazing new line that’s better than either individually. It’s kinda like peanut butter and chocolate. Each is phenomenal on their own, but when brought together the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The Bianchi Illusion is a leather holster, but on the inside there is a synthetic material for added features. The look and feel of models like the Bianchi 125 Consent or the Bianchi 130 Classified is leather, with that classic style and comfortable feel, but they have a retention detente with an audible click to let you know your handgun is fully holstered. The draw and reholstering is also a bit smoother than with many leather holsters. The 130 Classified has all the features of the 125 Consent but with an added thumb break.

One more concealed option from Bianchi is the Bianchi 135 Suppression, which has the awesome features of the 130 and 125, but it’s a tuckable holster for greater concealment. As it’s tuckable, Bianchi wanted to improve the comfort level, so the skin-facing side of the holster is made of a anti-microbial mesh and foam for comfort and hygiene. This is going to make it way more comfortable and fight bacteria, which anyone who has worn a belt for months is going to really appreciate.

The Safariland ALS Holster with a Brand New Finish

The Safariland ALS Holster is already super popular, but there have been a number of shooters who want a new aesthetic on this hard shelled holster. These still have all the awesome features of the regular ALS Holsters, but it has a Cordura finish, which allows Safariland to put multi-cam, ranger green and more patterns to the holster for a wider variety of styles.

All in all, Safariland and Bianchi showed off some awesome new concealed carry holsters at SHOT Show this year, so be sure to check out the video above, and stay tuned because I’m going to post another Safariland SHOT Show Video in a little bit that showcases some of their great new competition holsters and belts. You wont’ want to miss it!

Armasight night vision SHOT show by GearExpert

New Armasight Night Vision Goggles and Scopes from SHOT Show!

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Brian

Check out our Armasight SHOT Show Video! We will soon be carrying this great brand of night vision devices, and they showed off a number of their great new models at this year’s SHOT Show! You should really watch the video above, but let me give you a quick rundown of the night vision units they displayed.

Vega Gen 1 Night Vision Goggle: This highly adaptable Night Vision Goggle can be used with or without headgear, and the lenses can be swapped out to allow for various distances. We are super excited to see this awesome new product!

SPARK Multi-Purpose Night Vision Monocular: The new tech in this NV monocular is pretty cool, as it is able to give Generation 2 image quality while costing the same as a Generation 1 NV monocular. The CORE technology is really cool and should allow for a great deal of versatility for the device without breaking the bank.

SIRIUS Gen. 2+: Night Vision: Another NV Device with a lot of versatility is the SIRIUS. It gives better than Generation 2 NV quality, and it can be mounted on headgear, held in your hand, rail-mounted on a gun and more for a wide variety of applications. With all these great uses it’s also very economical, as it will run for about $1500.

CO-MINI Gen 2+: I like how Armasight’s Gary Tarakonov gives a bit of the history behind these cool co-witness night vision scopes. As many soldiers prefer to keep their daytime rifle scope mounted on their rifle at all times, rather than developing a second scope that would replace the one soldiers are comfortable with the Army instead developed a system to allow the night vision to be mounted in front of the normal scope. The CO-MINI Gen 2+ Night Vision work in this way, with a number of great new options. These are really small and lightweight too, which is going to be awesome for a lot of shooters. You can also see from the video how excited Trevor is to see a wireless on/off remote for a clip on night vision device. Very, very cool.

There’s a lot more cool info in the Armasight Night Vision SHOT Show Video above, so be sure to check it out, and stay tuned to GearExpert and OpticsPlanet for more news on Armasight!

safariland weapon accessories SHOT Show by GearExpert

Safariland SPEEDFEED Shotgun Stocks, AR Scope Mounts & Cleaning Kits from SHOT Show!

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Brian

Safariland is one of the top holster brands at OpticsPlanet because they constantly innovate to bring the best new technology and designs to the market. This innovation means that every year they bring exciting new products to SHOT Show, and this year they did not disappoint. In our first Safariland SHOT Show Video we talk with Matt Foster about some of the great new weapon accessories that Safariland has recently developed.

The Safariland KleenBore CableKleen Kit Eases Gun Cleaning!

There are a number of great gun cleaning kits on the market, and every shooter should have one to make sure their firearm is working at optimal levels, but ease of use is sometimes a problem. Many gun cleaners out there right now, while extremely effective, are somewhat challenging or a hassle to use. The Safariland KleenBore CableKleen Kit is the answer to this problem. First, it’s very simple to use. If the gun has a closed receiver or if it’s a hassle to disassemble, you can feed the KleenBore through the breach and pull it through the other side. There’s no cleaning rod required, and the innovative new design on the cable has the cleaning patch holder already integrated into it. When you want to clean your gun you simply take out the cable, put a patch on the holder and feed it through your rifle. You can also attach a brush to the end so the cleaning power is doubled. This is very welcome news to those shooters who have had to attach multiple patches in the past or disassemble their rifle to clean it.

New Safariland AR-15 Scope Mounts Challenge the Competition

Safariland has a competition shooting team, Team Safariland, that they work with during the design process to get greater insight into the types of gear that’s need by today’s shooters. After speaking with them Safariland has developed some simple but effective new AR-15 Scope Mounts. Rather than adding a ton of bells and whistles to the mount, Safariland chose to refine many of the areas that sometimes give shooters problems. The first thing to note on the scope mount is it’s durable design and materials. The aluminum body is skeletonized for great strength without adding weight, and the outer edges have all been smoothed down so there are no sharp edges or places where the mount might catch on clothing or other gear. Another nice feature is the flat cross bolts, which connect better than cross bolts that are rounded. These little details really make the new Safariland AR-15 Scope Mounts a great addition to their already stellar lineup of weapon accessories!

Safariland SPEEDFEED Shotgun Stocks Complement your Style!

Safariland SPEEDFEED Shotgun Stocks have been popular for a while, but as Matt points out, so far they’ve only been available in black. A lot of shooters have hoped for a wider variety of color styles to choose from, so Safariland brought out a few new models in flat dark earth and a desert camouflage. Those two, as well as the already available black, look great on a number of shotguns, and their fit and performance is the high quality that many have come to expect from Safariland.

We’ll have some more from Safariland in the coming days, but check out the Safariland SHOT Show Video above and stay tuned to GearExpert for even more news from SHOT Show!

Pelican U100 & U140 Tablet and Laptop Cases Video from SHOT Show!

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Brian

Easily some of the most exciting new products from SHOT Show 2012 were the Pelican HardBack cases for tablets, ereaders and laptops. They showed how Pelican is really thinking hard about emerging technologies when they design their outstanding waterproof cases.

Well, it wasn’t just the HardBack Cases that impressed us in this regard. In our second Pelican SHOT Show Video we take a look at the new Pelican U100 and U140 Laptop and Tablet Backpacks. Much like the HardBack Cases, these packs were designed from the ground up with tech savvy users in mind. The Pelican U140 Tablet Backpack has an o-ring sealed compartment with Pelican’s awesome foam padding to protect your tablet on the go, but it also has additional compartments for you to carry a wide range of other gear, from SLR Cameras and Rangefinders to notebooks and pencils. And all your additional gear will enjoy fantastic support and padding from the cleverly designed bag. The U140 and U100 combine an incredible hard case with a versatile backpack for amazing results!

Like the U140, the Pelican U100 is designed to carry multiple types of equipment, with a fantastic hard case that’s a little bigger (it can accommodate a 17 inch laptop!) and the soft backpack for other gear.

Both cases looked absolutely outstanding, but you should see that for your self in the Pelican SHOT Show Video Interview above! These great new cases will available at OpticsPlanet in July 2012!

Vortex Ranger 1000 Rangefinder Video Interview from Shot Show!

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Brian

Vortex has finally gotten into the laser rangefinder business, and they’ve made a big splash with their first foray: the Vortex Ranger 1000!

The first thing to note about the Ranger 1000 is it’s compact size. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket, but Vortex wanted to make it even easier to carry, which is why they added a utility clip. The Vortex Ranger will easily attach to your belt, making it readily accessible when you need it! A few of our guys at SHOT Show were really happy to see this new little feature. It may seem like a minor detail, but it shows that Vortex is thinking about what YOU need in a rangefinder.

To further make the Ranger 1000 user-friendly, the interface you see through the ocular is very intuitive, with a menu that is very simple to navigate. You’ll be able to access the mode you need quickly and easily in the field. One of these modes is the HCD mode, which stands for Horizontal Component Distance, which allows you to compensate for angle. Very cool stuff.

As the name implies, the Vortex Ranger 1000 can range reflective surfaces up to 1000 yards, so you should be all set for your next hunting trip if you take this rangefinder along. It should ship toward the end of summer or early fall. Watch the new Vortex Ranger 1000 SHOT Show video and stay tuned to GearExpert for even more great news from SHOT Show!

Vortex Razor Red Dot Sights Video from SHOT Show!

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Brian

Part two of our Vortex SHOT Show Video interview with Mark Boardman covers the brand new Vortex Razor Red Dot Sight. This new sight is extremely versatile, so it should prove effective in almost any situation with a wide variety of firearms!

What kinds of firearms will it work for? Pistols, shotguns and AR style platforms can all use the new Vortex Razor Red Dot. So those of you with multiple firearms and don’t want to have to buy a separate red dot sight for each of them will really like this new addition to the Vortex Razor line.

As you can see from the video, the Razor Red Dot is very compact while still maintaining a wide field of view. That will really help speed up target acquisition. No doubt the new Vortex Razor Red Dots shown off at SHOT Show will be a big hit when they release later this. You can expect to see them around the end of summer or early fall.

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