Mike C., Gear Expert from United States, IL Public Profile

One of the best things about this laser/light combo is the easy on/off attachment to the rail. You simply push the lever on the right side down, slide the unit onto your rail, and slide it back until you hear a click. To remove, just push the same lever down and slide it off. The adjustable bezel is also great, allowing the user to use the light as a flood or a spot. The red laser is very easy to see in lower light conditions, and typically needs very little adjustment from the factory. The paddle switch is a great design that allows the user to turn the unit on or off with their trigger finger. The unit is extremely light and water resistant, so it doesn't add noticeable weight to the firearm. Battery compartment is easily accessible from the top of the unit. This is an excellent light/laser for most compact and sub-compact pistols! The battery life could be a bit better, but since the bulb is xenon, it does tend to drain quicker than LEDs in the same price range.

I believe the best design for a bino is the open hinge, and Leupold delivers with the BX-3. I'm able to get each hand around both barrels for the best stabilization possible. The center focus wheel is silky smooth, and the close focus might even be a little less than 7.5 ft! These have an aluminum body with a waterproof armor, and it makes them lighter than most binos in this price range. This is just about the starting price point for an exceptionally clear pair of binoculars, and the Leupold fully multi-coating ensures that you'll get your money's worth. The view is VERY crisp, and the coatings will cut down on glare, allowing the user to clearly view their area, even if they are looking towards the sun. Lastly, the Real Oak treestand finish covers the ENTIRETY of the product, even the eyecups! I have no problem recommending these for hunters or wildlife viewers in an more open setting, whereas the 8x magnified option would be better for users in a brushier setting. Leupold does not disappoint with the BX-3 Mojaves!

I had the pleasure of using three different models of the VX-3i, and was impressed with the performance of all three. The 4.5-14x40 we mounted on a standard flat-top AR platform with the Leupold Mark 2 mount. We were able to sight this in with only a few shots since the adjustment turrets on these scopes are very accurate. The sight picture is very clear, and the Duplex reticle works great by keeping the users focus towards the center of the crosshair. We started at 100 yards shooting paper targets, since we had already set up to sight in the scope. We had no problems shooting the box with a simple bag set up for support, and after we zeroed the scope, we were able to hit a steel gong dead center at 200 yards, even set at the lowest magnification! These scopes are extremely accurate for the price, and the clarity is unmatched. The turret adjustment knobs are silky smooth, as is the magnification ring. The CDS option is well worth the money if you are looking to permanently attach this scope to one specific rifle. Leupold will send back a custom elevation turret designed specifically for your caliber!

I had the pleasure of using three different models of the VX-3i, and was impressed with the performance of all three. The 3.5-10x40mm model we had mounted on a Savage .17WSM. This scope was perfect for this caliber. Sighting was easy, as the Leupold dials are very accurate. We were able to get the scope ready in around 4-5 shots. We had no problem shooting the box. Shooting out to 100 yards was dead on. We moved out to 150 yards, and with a couple of clicks, we were hitting dead center on the target. For fun, we stapled some cherries by their stems to a cardboard backing, and proceeded to shoot them from 75 yards. Needless to say, every cherry was annihilated! We were hitting these so dead on, that the pits of the cherries were being pushed through the cardboard, leaving much larger holes than the .17WSM would make on its own. The scope was very easy to set up, and the adjustments were dead on. I expected this from a Leupold product, and was still surprised at how quickly we were able to zero and then get some shots off. Extremely clear sight picture, and the Duplex reticle draws your eye to the center for easy aiming. I highly recommend purchasing a CDS model if you plan on using this optic on a specific rifle. Having a custom elevation adjustment dial tailored to your caliber is well worth the money!

I had the pleasure of using three different models of the VX-3i, and was impressed with the performance of all three. The 4.5-14x50mm we mounted to a Ruger Precision in 6.5mm Creedmoor. We sighted it in at 100 yards. Once zeroed, we shot the box, and had no issues with the turret adjustments. After shooting dead center for around 50 rounds, we moved out to the gong at 150 yards, and I’m pretty sure we left a dent in it right in the middle! It was virtually impossible to miss with the Duplex crosshair, which draws your eye right to the center of the reticle. This scope is surprisingly bright, though the 50mm objective likely helps out a bit. The turrets are crisp to the touch, and the magnification ring is silky smooth. Get the CDS version if you want a customized elevation turret for your rifle. It’s worth the extra money!

This is the way every cooler should work. Period. I have to admit that I find these to be a little pricey, but it all makes sense once you see them in action. I own the 30 quart model, which is the smallest. I bought this cooler since I play tournaments on the weekends. My car is black, and the cooler is in there all day long. The second round is usually done by around 4-5pm, so that means my cooler has sat in my trunk, in the sun, for about 10 hours. Needless to say, anything I’ve ever had in my cheaper cooler is extremely warm by that time. This will never be the case with a Pelican Elite cooler. To test this cooler out, I put in a half bag of ice and a bottle of water. The cooler was in my trunk all day. When I opened the cooler about 8 hours later, the ice was only about ¼ melted, and the bottle of water was so cold, I got a brain freeze chugging it! I figured I’d keep it going, so I took the cooler out when I got home and left it on my back porch. 24 hours later, after being in the sun the whole next day, some of the ice was still visible in the water from the melted ice, and I still got a brain freeze from the bottle of water! There’s really nothing else to say about these coolers. If you need something to stay cold for more than a few days, in the direct sunlight, then a Pelican IM Elite cooler is exactly what you need. Great for fishermen and hunters alike. This will not disappoint! The rubber feet will not allow this thing to slide around, and there

I’ve had my hands on many models of 10x42mm binoculars, and the Styrka S5 line is one that impressed me. Right off the bat, the binoculars are stored in a case that includes a harness for easy access. The first thing I did was put on the harness and walk out the door the test them out. The harness puts the binos in an easily accessible place (the sternum), and I was able to get to them very quickly. The armoring on these is both tacky and dense, which typically do not go hand in hand. This was very impressive to me. The tethered objective covers are also a softer rubber, so they stretch around the objective barrels and stay in place very securely. The eyecups have different height settings, not just in or out, and the settings are noticeable to the user for easy adjustments. All of the knurled areas of the armoring are exactly where they are supposed to be, making these easy to hold. My only complaint would be that the harness strap only works with the case, and not the binoculars themselves. It would have been nice if they were interchangeable. Other than that, I’d have no problem recommending these to any hunter or outdoorsman in need of a great binocular. The edge blackening used is very noticeable in bright daylight, and I was able to look out over a local pond with not having to squint. The sight picture was extremely crisp and clear. Great optic to own in this price range.

I was looking for a rechargeable weapon light, and came across the new LaserMax Manta Ray snap-on. Right out of the box, it was really easy to figure out. Click the power button and hold for momentary on, or double click for steady on. In the steady on function, just hold the power button down to adjust the brightness. It was that easy! I attached this to my quad rail, and it uses a “snap-on” mount, that does not require any tools for installation. Basically, the side of the light that clamp on to the rail are flexible. At first I thought this might be an issue, but the light was very easy to connect and disconnect from the rail, and it still held position on the rail without any movement. It includes an AC charger, but the connection is a micro USB, so any Android cell phone charger will work. The light is “mint green” in color, and is very bright on the highest setting, and can be dimmed to as low as you want it to go. The green tone makes things bright, but in low light settings, it doesn’t seem as bright as a white LED. This is definitely a plus! They also offer it in an IR version, and I can see that as being a go-to light for any Night hunter using Night Vision.

I got this bag to help accentuate the 400RT Waist Pack that I purchased. Since both bags have the cummerbund style waist straps, they didn’t work that well together. However, this bag on its own is well worth the purchase. The material is the same waterproof, quiet material that all of the Pioneer bags are made of. The zippers are smooth and very quiet as well. The butterfly attachment held my bow very securely, which was a surprise for such a small bag. The waist and shoulder straps keep everything in place, and have plenty of adjustment range. I really like the pockets and their accessibility. The pocket on the waist strap is perfect for quick accessibility to a cell phone. The rainfly is also very easy to get to and covers the entire bag while in use. I tried out the hydration pocket and my off-brand bladder fit perfectly.

I love my Summerweight shorts, so I ordered a shirt. The material is exactly the same as the shorts and pants. This is a poly/nylon blend which wicks moisture extremely well, and is actually a bit stretchy as well. The flexibility of the fabric really allows me to move around without feeling restricted, which can happen with cotton blends. These shirts have a huge flap/vent in the back over the shoulder blades. Catch a decent breeze and it’s like an air conditioner through the shirt! They also include a very large pocket just next to the left side chest pocket, which can carry a pistol, or even act like another vent. I’m extremely pleased with this purchase since I “run hot,” and am often that guy walking around with a drenched shirt. Don’t get me wrong, this shirt isn’t magic: it will retain some moisture. However, I can get this shirt wet, sit down for a 45 minute lunch break, and it will be dry once I’ve finished! The stitching is very sturdy, and this shirt should last me a very long time. If you’re a hot person needing apparel for a hot climate, definitely check out the PROPPER Summerweight products!