• The Streamlight Strion – The World’s First Rechargeable Weapon-Mountable Flashlight!

    Nov 29 • News • 3530

    There are a number of things to look for in a weapon-mountable flashlight. Brightness, weight and battery life are all going to make a difference on the battlefield or when you’re out hunting, but those factors are important for any flashlight. More important for when you’re mounting your flashlight on a firearm is toughness.

    The Streamlight Strion Tactical Flashlight System has all the toughness you need, as well as an innovative design to ease mounting. The grooved barrel will keep the light in place no matter how many rounds you fire off, and the anodized aluminum material is tough enough to stand up to intense shock without issue. The high temperature glass on the flashlight ensures that there won’t be any problems because of the heat of the gun.

    But this is a Streamlight Flashlight, so you know it’s more than just tough. There are a host of unique features that set the Strion apart. The most prominent of these is that the flashlight is rechargeable. The Strion Flashlight is the first weapon mounted flashlight with a lithium ion battery that can be recharged while the battery is still in the flashlight. This means you don’t need to take it apart to get the battery out! This is much simpler than many other rechargeable flashlights. The battery will also fully recharge at least 300 times, so you will get years of great use out of it.

    And the quality doesn’t end there. I’m really impressed by the battery life (up to 70 minutes of continuous usage between charges) and the power of the light. The Streamlight Strion Weapon Light can produce up to 12,000 candlepower or 80 lumens, and the focus of the beam is adjustable, so you can find the right amount of light for your job.

    Since it’s a mountable flashlight, size and weight are also important, as too much weight will throw the balance off on your fantastic rifle. Well, it’s going to be hard to beat the Streamlight Strion. It’s only 5.3″ long, and weighs 4.6 oz., which is less than a third of a pound!

    With this much power coming from a small package, you’d probably guess that the Strion Flashlight is expensive, but Streamlight also made it a great value! You’re going to be happy you went with the Streamlight Strion Weapon-Mountable Flashlight the next time you’re in the field and need a little more light.

    • No Comments on The Streamlight Strion – The World’s First Rechargeable Weapon-Mountable Flashlight!

    Read More

  • Nikon EDG Binoculars – Nikon’s Best Glass for their Sharpest Image!

    Nov 22 • News • 3635

    Sometimes you just need the best. Nikon understands this, which is why they’ve leveraged their incredible expertise manufacturing sports optics to develop some absolutely outstanding binoculars.

    The Nikon EDG Binoculars are truly cutting edge. There are a number of reasons for this, but it all starts with the quality of the glass. All the bells and whistles in the world won’t make up for substandard glass, so Nikon made sure to include their legendary ED Glass in the EDG Binoculars.

    So what’s ED Glass? Well, the ED stands for Extra-low dispersion. The low dispersion means you won’t experience the same chromatic aberrations as in lower quality binoculars. The colors you see through the EDGs are just like you’d see with a naked eye.

    This is huge for birders and nature lovers who want to see everything perfectly. Imagine you’ve spent years waiting to see that rare fowl, and just when it presents itself, your binoculars show you colors unlike what you’ve always dreamt of. This isn’t a problem when you have a Nikon EDG Binocular.

    The Extra-low dispersion also means you’ll have a brighter, sharper image, so even greater detail is possible, and you’ll be able to use your binoculars in more varied conditions.

    The lenses are designed using Nikon Field Flatter Lens System. This means you’ll have a clear image from one edge to another, instead of just through a small portion of the middle of the lens. Amazing quality glass manufactured for optimal performance.

    But while the quality of these Nikon binoculars starts with the glass, it doesn’t end there. The roof prism is phase-correction-coated for a higher resolution image, and the binoculars are O-Ring Sealed and nitrogen-filled for waterproofing. They can stand up to harsh conditions and still provide fantastic performance.

    And if you’re glassing for hours on end during your big hunting expedition you’ll really appreciate the ergonomic design. The extended eye relief allows eyeglass-wearers to comfortably use them as well, so no one is left out!

    That is a lot of sweet benefits in a single package.

    There are currently five different models of the Nikon EDG available from OpticsPlanet: 7X42mm, 8X42mm, 10X42mm, 8X32mm and 10X32mm. With so many options all featuring the same outstanding quality materials and design, you know you’ll always the glass you need with a pair of Nikon EDG Binoculars!

    • No Comments on Nikon EDG Binoculars – Nikon’s Best Glass for their Sharpest Image!

    Read More

  • Vanguard Endeavor ED Binoculars – Comfortable Optics with Great Lenses!

    Nov 18 • News • 5087

    November is a fantastic time to invest in a new pair of binoculars, especially those from a top brand like Vanguard. You’ll beat the Christmas rush and be sure to receive your binoculars in time for the holidays, but you can also use them for long walks in the fall when the leaves are changing colors and the snow has yet to arrive.

    Of course, there are a number of great opportunities to go hunting, but fall is also a good time to enjoy a little birding. Dependant on where you live, birds may be migrating, giving you a spectacular show as species that you have never seen before fly by.

    There are also a handful of cool birding festivals, such as the Avistar Peru festival, which runs in Lima, Peru every year at about this time. The latest festival just took place from November 2-6. There are a number of rare birds that you won’t see in the Midwest down in Peru, and the temperatures won’t have risen too high yet, as it is springtime there.

    Birders have special reason to be happy this fall, as the film Big Year came out, which starred Jack Black, Steve Martin and Owen Wilson as dedicated birders who sought to win a big birding competition by traveling the world to find the most fowls.

    With all this awesome birding news there is no doubt a lot of extra enthusiasm going into the holiday months, and that means you’ll want to stock up on some great new glass.

    Vanguard has almost 25 years of experience, which gives them enough experience to make quality optics, while maintaining a younger attitude geared toward innovation and growth. With this in mind, they’ve just recently released the Vanguard Endeavor ED 10.5X45mm Binoculars. These binoculars pack a lot of features into a reasonably priced optic.

    First, they feature ED Glass, which provides exceptional light transmission and low color dispersion. The low color dispersion means you’re going to see true colors and a sharp, clear image, which is exceptionally important for birders who want to take in all the details for the best memories of magical moments!

    The ED Glass in the Vanguard Endeavors is complimented by BAK 4 prisms and special lens coatings, which further ensure clarity and brightness. Nitrogen charging and O-ring seals in these hunting and birding binoculars provide fog proofing and waterproofing so that you can be ready at a moments notice when that special bird appears.

    Finally, the Endeavor ED Binoculars have an ergonomic and open-bridge design so they’re comfortable for hours of use. When you’re out birding you’ll need every feature to ensure you don’t miss out on a great opportunity.

    These Vanguard Binoculars come with a carrying bag and strap, so you’ll have all you need for a great expedition. But if you want more, be sure to get a pair before December 31, 2011, as we are currently offering a free product to go along with your Endeavors, the Vanguard Quest T62 Shooting Stick.

    The Quest T62 is a phenomenal, versatile tool for shooting, birding, astronomy and more! It’s made of a heavy gauge aluminum alloy, so it is strong but lightweight, and it can be adapted for a number of different uses. It can be used as a tripod, bipod or gunpod, so you won’t need to bring along extra equipment when you’re in the field.

    When you include this Tripod with the Vanguard Endeavor ED Binoculars, you have the perfect binocular gift package for your favorite hunter, birder or nature lover this Christmas!

    • No Comments on Vanguard Endeavor ED Binoculars – Comfortable Optics with Great Lenses!

    Read More

  • Insight Technology Thermal Imaging – Find the Heat!

    Nov 16 • News • 3805

    Thermal Imaging has come a long ways. Top manufacturers, such as Insight Technology, have constantly improved the technology and purposes for thermal imagers.

    Thermography detects radiation in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum to create images. Dependant on the type of thermal imager you have, hotter objects will be either brighter or a different color. As everything emits some amount of infrared radiation, it is possible to see your surroundings without an external light source.

    One of the biggest benefits to using a thermal imager instead of a regular night vision device is that thermal imagers will work even if there is debris, smoke or fog in the air. Images from a normal light amplifying night vision can be clouded or completely obscured by dust in the air. In addition, thermal imagers allow you to find hidden objects.

    There are a couple thermal imaging-related news items that I thought were pretty cool. First, Oregon firefighters have started using thermal imagers to help them navigate smoke-filled buildings and locate people. Smoky buildings are extremely hazardous, with structural damage making every step a risk, but the smoke can also hide the presence of fire. Sure, the firefighters are aware that where there’s smoke, there’s generally fire, but sometimes there’s a blaze on the other side of a door or wall, and the firefighter can’t see the light from beneath the door. All their protective equipment can also make it difficult to feel the heat.

    Thermal imaging gives firemen more information on where they’re at, and where they’re going. If you’ve seen the movie Backdraft you’ll know how dangerous opening a door in a fire can be, but when you’ve gone into a building to save lives, this can be nearly impossible to avoid. When you open the door to a previously oxygen-deprived environment, the sudden influx of oxygen can cause an explosion and massive spread of an otherwise contained fire. Knowing that there’s a huge amount of heat behind that door before turning the handle gives firefighters a better chance to prepare.

    But seeing a person who has perhaps passed out due to smoke inhalation can also be challenging. A fireman may walk right past a victim because of thick smoke, but a thermal imager would give them the ability to not only see that person, but also to see where people have been recently. I’ve personally seen this principle in action (not in a burning building) and it’s pretty neat. If you ever have the opportunity to use a thermal imager, put your hand on a table or wall for a few seconds and pull it away. The residual heat will show your hand print for a little while before dissipating. Firefighters can use this to see where someone has recently been, aiding them in their search.

    The technology in thermal imagers has come a long way to allow a firefighter to use them in the midst of a blaze. Not only are they more precise, but they’re sturdier too. For example, take a look at the Insight Technology WTM Weapon-Mounted Visual Laser Mini-Thermal Monocular. In the past, thermal imagers couldn’t hold up to the shock and stresses put on them by the recoil of a gun, but the WTM Weapon Mounted Thermal Monocular was designed to take recoil and keep working perfectly. It’s also waterproof, so though there are a number of delicate electronic components in the WTM, it’s been put together with a tough case and great design to make it rugged and reliable. Not that long ago a little water or some shaking would have destroyed a thermal imager. Not with today’s units from Insight Technology.

    The other item in the news I noticed made me smile. In Hastings Michigan, the local police department has a few thermal imagers, and recently used one to catch an alleged meth cooker. The suspect was fleeing from police at night and was dressed in black, making him difficult to see. The police grabbed their thermal imager and caught the man as he was hiding inside of a pile of leaves.

    I’m pretty sure Bugs Bunny tried that once also.

    The police officers said they might not have found him if not for the thermal imager. I suppose criminals will also have to retire the classic ‘hide behind a bush’ technique. These Insight Technology Thermal Imagers are just too good to fool.

    • No Comments on Insight Technology Thermal Imaging – Find the Heat!

    Read More

  • Vote & Win! 2011 Brilliance Awards and Sweepstakes

    Oct 20 • News • 4648

    Voting has started for the 2011 Brilliance Awards! Vote now for your favorite brands and enter our sweepstakes for your chance at hundreds of dollars in prizes!

    This is your chance to tell millions of OpticsPlanet.com customers what product deserves the title of “Product of the Year” and which brands will be presented with “Brand of the Year” awards for exceptional value and performance in each category.

    There are 11 product categories this year and a lot of strong competition. You might recognize some of this year’s nominees like Leupold and Streamlight, who were also nominated last year. There are also some new additions such as Maui Jim and Tasco. So give the brands you love some credit and cast your votes in the following categories:

    1. Product of the year
    2. Brand of the Year for:
    • Riflescopes
    • Flashlights
    • Red dot sights
    • Binoculars
    • Holsters
    • Night vision
    • Telescopes
    • Range finders
    • Spotting scopes
    • Sunglasses

    Voting is quick and easy, just go to the 2011 Brilliance Awards and Sweepstakes page and click the “Like” button on your favorite products. Afterwards, enter our sweepstakes by submitting your email address at the bottom of the page for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate or one of five $50 gift certificates. Hurry, voting ends on 10/27/11 and winners will be announced in November.

    Visit the 2011 Brilliance Awards and Sweepstakes page for further details on voting and sweepstakes rules & guidelines.

    • No Comments on Vote & Win! 2011 Brilliance Awards and Sweepstakes

    Read More