Nikon's New PRO STAFF 5

Introducing the Next Generation of Rangefinders
 

Among the many variables accounted for when taking a shot, none are so vitally important as distance.  Eliminate the guesswork and base your next shot off knowledge by using the next generation Nikon PROSTAFF® 5 Laser Rangefinder.  It delivers fast and accurate readings with the consistency only found in a Nikon.

With its aggressive styling and palm sized ergonomics, the PROSTAFF 5 is the ideal balance of size and power.  Boasting a 10% reduction in size from its predecessors, the PROSTAFF 5 is the easy to carry compact tool needed for dependable readings.

Nikon Announces PROSTAFF® 3 Laser Rangefinder

Nikon Announces PROSTAFF^® 3 Laser Rangefinder

Nikon has expanded its line of legendary sport optics with the addition of the new PROSTAFF 3 Laser Rangefinder, a pocket-sized tool built for precision, ranging speed and consistency out to 550 yards.

The PROSTAFF 3 is the perfect size and profile for any hunt.  It is easy to use in the field with a high profile display, single button control and ergonomic frame.  The PROSTAFF 3 measures ranges in either yards or meters and features an automatic power shutoff after the reading has been displayed for eight seconds.
 

Co-Witness sights explained

Nick has a really nice read up over at TTAG explaining the entire concept.

For the record, I prefer a tru co-witness as opposed to the 1/3 co-witness simply for the fact that you can check your optic's zero just by looking at your iron sights. Both setups are fine when it comes to running the gun, but I am a paranoid freak when it comes to optic zero. YMMV

New optics rail for the AK

The Firearm Blog is reporting on an interesting new optic rail for the AK. It looks great, but I would prefer one that was half the length.

Nikon P-223 Expands AR Rifle Offerings

This looks like a winner... and at a pretty nice price point. Here is the official press release:

Nikon P-223 Expands AR Rifle Offerings
 

The new P-223 series of riflescopes broadens Nikon’s line of precision optics for AR rifles.  Designed for extreme sighting speed and superior long-range accuracy for AR platform rifles and .223 cartridges, the P-223 is offered in 3-9x40 long range and 3x32 Carbine models. The P-223’s entire optical system is fully multicoated for extreme brightness and light transmission.

The P-223 3-9x40 features the patented Nikon BDC 600 reticle and tactical-style turrets with Zero-Reset feature to simplify field adjustments. Developed specifically for the trajectory of the .223 Rem /5.56 NATO round with 55-grain polymer tip bullet, at 3240 FPS the BDC 600 reticle offers shooters unique open circle aiming points and hash marks from 100 to 600 yards.  MSRP for the P-223 3-9x40 is $199.95.

The P-223 3x32 Carbine is an incredibly compact optic designed specifically for fast-handling, shorter barrel ARs.  The all-new, fast-sighting BDC Carbine reticle was developed specifically for the 3x32 and .223 Remington cartridge to make engaging targets out to 600 yards a snap.  MSRP for the P-223 3x32 Carbine is $149.95.

Bushnell TRS-25 Showed Up Yesterday...

... Yeah, a new micro red-dot sight showed up yesterday at the Gunmart Blog Test-Kitchen. The Bushnell TRS-25 is a budget micro red-dot patterned after the Aimpoint Micro.... but at a price point of under $100.

I'll be shooting a good bit with this optic in the weeks to come and will be doing a full review and write up soon there after... Stay tuned.

Talking Tactical Scopes

Over at Suburban's Domain they take a look at low power variable scopes vs red dots.

... a low-power variable scope will never be quite as fast as a red dot at less than 25 yards.  I don’t think it’s a function of the quality of the lenses.  The DMS-1 seems to be really clear to me.  It’s just the nature of telescopic devices.

Sightmark Introduces New Rifle Reticles

Here is the press release:

Sightmark Introduces New Reticle Riflescopes

Mansfield, TX-Dec. 28, 2011-Sightmark’s new line of Triple Duty Riflescopes provides a reticle
for every style of shooter, whether the application is tactical, hunting or competition shooting.
Featuring five different reticles, the Sightmark line of triple duty riflescopes maintains the same
standard of quality across each model, while improving upon the current riflescopes on the
market.

Aimpoint Micro Review

Here is the review I wrote that was published over at AmmoLand not too long ago. Enjoy!

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I recently had a box show up at my front door from the good people over at Aimpoint. Inside said box was a sample of one of their tactical red dot sights... the Aimpoint Micro.

Now, I will start off by saying that over the years I have logged a good bit of trigger time with what seems like the entire spectrum of red dots. From the el cheapos to the higher dollar combat ready models to just about everything in between. However, this would turn out to be the first time that I would actually get to have any range time with any of the products offered by Aimpoint.

My first impression upon opening the box was that it seemed like a pretty solid little unit. Fit and finish is nice, and it just seems really well made when you hold it in your hand and give it the once over. When I held it up to my eye I was literally blown away at the quality of the glass. Its amazingly clear.

FireField MG Kemper XL Reflex Sight

The Kemper XL features the largest objective lens window on the market with unlimited eye relief and a large field of view. Featuring a bullet drop compensator circle-dot reticle, the Kemper XL has dual color options in red and green and five adjustable reticle brightness settings, so every marksman can customize his or her sight.

 

Designed for use on machine guns, the Firefield Kemper XL withstands even the toughest recoil for maximum intensity and a rubber shield protects against scratching and damage, prolonging the life of the unit. Perfect for any shooter wanting the maximum in quick acquisition and a field of view so large, it can be used for skeet shooting and fast moving varmint hunting.
The Kemper XL sight features a two piece weaver mount that is also compatible with bolt action rifles because it features a longer mount. Operable with just one CR2032 battery, the Firefield Kemper XL is great for quick target acquisition and will get the shooter on paper every time.

Vortex Sparc

Guns.com has a look at an optic that I have always heard good things about..... Cough... Send me one for T&E please!

Counterfeit Optics

Shooting Illustrated has a nice read on this subject............ here

Optics are perhaps the most counterfeited shooting product, with the vast majority of forgeries coming from Asia.
Interestingly, the bulk of these fake scopes are tactical models. “The main counterfeit products are Aimpoints, EOTechs and Leupold Mark 4 scopes,” said Optics Planet’s Steve Ledin. “The phony copies we have seen have been returned by customers looking to scam us. My team of product specialists are trained to spot these copies, and we know when these come in because it is a daily task to review all returns. You can tell by the smell (very often, offshore products have a smoky scent), the way the magnification ring works, the quality of the rubber, the inside of the battery compartments and other indicators.”

Aimpoint Micro

The crazy crew over at My Gun Culture has a review of the Aimpoint Micro.

Bushnell Scout 1000 ARC Ballistics Calculating Range Finder

This is pretty cool. Like almost every other range finder on the market it calculates angle and gives you actual shoot distance... BUT... this one will calculate your rifle's load and give you proper hold over in inches to compensate for bullet drop. Nice.

Video: Leupold DeltaPoint Reflex Sight

Trijicon SRS

SRS (Sealed Reflex Sight)

• 1.75 MOA red dot
• 38mm objective lens- The SRS has a huge viewing window, nearly eliminating the tube effect
• Runs for 3 years on an average setting and uses the solar panel to power the optic in place of the AA battery when in sunlight
• Automatic plus 10 individual brightness settings for the red dot, 1-3 are night vision compatible
• Sealed, ruggedized case
• No tools needed- sighting adjustments can be made with a shell case and the Bobro self-adjusting mount snaps into place with a locking lever
• 3.75 inches long

Weaver optics revamps their website

www.weaveroptics.com Go check it out and see everything they added.

NIKON DEBUTS ALL-NEW MONARCH 3 BINOCULAR

NIKON DEBUTS ALL-NEW MONARCH 3 BINOCULAR 

Nikon has announced an early launch of a new 2012 model into its venerable Monarch ATB family. The all-new MONARCH 3 All Terrain Binocular, available in 10x42 and 8x42 versions, will be on the shelves of select retailers mid-September, 2011. 

Developed as “The Benchmark of Performance,” the MONARCH 3 was engineered to maximize time in the field with bright, high-contrast, high-resolution optics that are built into an ultra-rugged, waterproof and fogproof body. Featuring fully multicoated Nikon Eco-Glass lenses and phase-corrected, high-reflective silver alloy multilayer prism coatings, MONARCH 3 provides superb light transmission and resolution for dawn to dusk glassing. Long eye relief--24.1mm in the 8x42 and 17.4mm in the 10x42—combined with multi-click turn-and-slide rubber eyecups, makes the MONARCH 3 extremely user-friendly and suited for virtually any hunting situation.
 

Leupold Vendetta Bow-Mounted Laser Rangerfinder

Now this looks really, really cool. Leupold has come out with a laser Rangefinder that attaches to your bow.

I deer hunt, but I am not a bow hunter so I cant really say if this is just the newest wiz-bang that has been dreamed up by the marketing team or if this really is a game changer. Basically, you just point your bow at the deer and this thing automatically calculates both the shot angle and the distance. Thats one less step in ranging and shooting that buck, so it sounds like it might be a big improvement.

$240 out-the-door at the link above. Full specs after the jump.

ATN Night Arrow6-2 Night Vision Scope

Wish I had a use for night vision scopes because these are just really, really awesome. Its just amazing how far things have come since the old starlight scopes.

American Technologies Network now offers their ATN Night Vision Riflescope in Generation 2 providing excellent observation, target acquisition and aiming capabilities for sport shooters or varmint hunters. The 6 times magnification scope with ATN's proprietary Total Darkness IR System offers the best optics, tubes and performance in a commercial riflescope on the market today.

The Gen 2 Night Arrow riflescope is built with ATN's standard 2nd generation tubes with exceptional brightness and resolution. Each tube has a micro channel plate, multi-alkaline photocathode with a built-in power supply. The micro channel plate consists of millions of short, parallel glass tubes. When electrons pass through these short tubes, thousands more electrons are released. This additional process over a Gen 1 Tube offering, allows the Gen 2 units to amplify the light many more times than any Gen 1.