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Optics and Sighting Systems

Bushnell ImageView Binocular with HD Recorder

As a kid, I always wished I could take pictures through my binoculars.  It wasn’t that I was unhappy with the binoculars I had – quite the opposite.  The Bushnell binoculars that dad bought me weren’t fancy, but they were mine.

Bushnell ImageView binoculars

The family was on a tight budget and our Christmas gifts were frugal.  But when I got the binoculars, I was exceptionally happy.  For a kid who spent his days climbing trees and building forts in the woods with his friends, that set of binoculars was just about the perfect gift dad could have bought me.

Even so, in my mind’s eye I could see me capturing the images I saw through them to share with my family later.  But, that was a long time ago and digital cameras were a thing of Star Trek.  Today, however, things are different.

Earlier this year, Bushnell introduced the new ImageView 8×30 binocular that has the ability to capture not just photos, but HD video as well.  The camera is a 12 megapixel camera, which means it captures roughly three times the pixels (data) than the high-end Canon 1d camera I used to photograph major league baseball games as a stringer for Sports Illustrated some 10 years ago.

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Optics and Sighting Systems

New Magpul All-Steel MBUS

Magpul Industries Corporation has been in the news lately with its bold stand for gun owners and gun rights.  When the Colorado elected officials voted to limit law-abiding citizens’ use of high capacity magazines, Magpul immediately put out a press release stating that they would be moving their business out of state.

Magpul MBUS Pro sights

Now in the midst of their big move, Magpul has announced the release of new furniture for AR-15 style rifles and the venerable 1911 pistols.

MBUS Gen II

Magpul has already produced a very popular AR-15 flip-down sights in the original and Gen II MBUS (Magpul Back-Up Sight).  Made with the same high-quality polymer construction as their extremely popular PMags, Magpul’s original MBUS sights have found great popularity and high reviews for durability and function.  The original MBUS was lightweight, yet sturdy, and used a nice spring-activated mechanism to flip the sight into shooting position.  The user could then simultaneously press two levers on opposite sides of the sight to fold the MBUS back into a low profile position.

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Optics and Sighting Systems

Leupold Mark AR 1.5-4×20 Scope Review

Looking for a variable-power, high-quality scope for your AR-15?  Consider the Mark AR series of rifle scopes from Leupold.  These scopes offer extremely clear optics, excellent magnification and the durability you need when taking a rifle into the field.

I had a chance to test a Leupold Mark AR 1.5-4×20 with the company’s integrated mounting system recently, and I have been pleased with its performance.

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Optics and Sighting Systems

EOTech 300 BLACKOUT Whisper Review

Ed. Note: In 2013, EOTech introduced a number of new products including the new EOtech 300 Blackout optic. Aaron had a chance to shoot with one and spend time with the company engineers out in Las Vegas. This is his preliminary review of the 300 BLK optic.

Being a user of this company’s products, I was interested to see the new EOTech Model 300 Blackout Whisper at the 2013 SHOT Show.

EOTech XPS2-300 Optic Review
Categories
Optics and Sighting Systems

LaserLyte Kryptonyte Center Mass Shotgun Laser

LaserLyte Kryptonyte shotgun laser

The new LaserLyte Kryptonyte Center Mass shotgun laser is definitely a step away from traditional laser sighting systems.  The Center Mass system projects nine laser dots: eight in a circular pattern with the final dot in the center of the ring.  The idea is to provide the shooter a visual representation of where the shot will strike.

The farther away the target, the larger the circle.  The approximate spread is 1″ per yard of distance.  While not exact, this is a relatively decent approximation that has been taught to defensive shotgun shooters using traditional 00-buck loads in an 18″ barrel pump gun.