• SHOT Show Day 1 Coverage – Streamlight, Nikon, Crimson Trace & NightForce

    Jan 16 • News • 4720

    Take a look at our video roundup of all our Day 1 Coverage of SHOT Show 2013!  We saw a TON of great gear from NightForce, Crimson Trace, Nikon and Streamlight!  Both Crimson Trace and Streamlight were big on the Green Lasers this year, and NightForce and Nikon pushed their tech ever further with their quality scopes.  We have more coming as we speak, so stay tuned, and in case you haven’t seen it yet, head over to the OpticsPlanet Facebook page to enter our giveaway!  We’re giving away new gear every day of SHOT Show (through Saturday actually), and our NightForce Giveaway is already running.  This scope is worth $2400, so it’s a heck of a prize.

    Watch the video above, and be ready for more great stuff from SHOT Show 2013!

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  • Crimson Trace Laser Grip from SHOT Show

    Want to know more about Crimson Trace Green Lasers?

    Jan 16 • News • 5523

    Crimson Trace is a pretty common brand here on GearExpert.  I loved seeing their Rail Master Last year, and they’re pushing forward even more for 2013.  Crimson Trace is releasing a new line of Green Laser Grips (a first for CTC, which has been offering a wide variety of red lasers both as grips and rail-mounted.) The first models will support the incredibly popular 1911 platform, and also a version for the Smith & Wesson J-Frame. I also believe there will be a green laser grip for Glocks, and a green laser version of the best-selling Rail Master, launched just last year to rave customer reviews.

    The activation on Crimson Trace’s Laser Grips is very smooth and natural, so while I haven’t had enough opportunity to test it, I’m sure I’ll be happy when I get more chances with them later this year.

    In addition, Crimson Trace recently released new models in the Defender series, including the Accu-Guard for Glock, Ruger LCP, Springfield XD/XD-M and the S&W J-Frame and Taurus 85.  Check out all the photos below!

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  • Nikon Prostaff SHOT Show 2013

    Nikon ProStaff, Aculon & More from SHOT Show 2013!

    Jan 16 • News • 6782

    Last year, we got to take a look at the Nikon P223 and more, and our post on that great scope proved to be one of the most popular of the year!  With this in mind, you can imagine how excited we were to visit Nikon for SHOT Show 2013! They didn’t disappoint.  Nikon is making some major extensions to the popular ProStaff line.

    The ProStaff line of rifle scopes have been an extremely popular choice with hunters for year now and 2013 will see the brand new ProStaff 5 line of rifle scopes. The line is expected to be available starting in March of 2013 with the following models:

    3.5-14×50
    4.5-18×40
    3.5-14×40

    I can’t wait to get more time with a ProStaff 5 rifle scope.  There are a ton of great features.  One thing that I’m really happy to see is that it’ll have the full support of Nikon’s Spot On Technology.  We actually took a trip out to Utah back in July for the Nikon Spot On Championship, and shortly thereafter I was able to do fuller write-up on the Spot On Tech.  It’s really cool stuff.  You can enter your ballistic info, scope and more into their website (or mobile app), print out a ballistic chart, and it’ll give you holdovers!  I explained it in more depth in that post, so check it out!

    The other features in the ProStaff 5 line are pretty impressive as well, especially when you consider the quality Nikon brings to all of their optics.  You’ll have:

    • Spring-Loaded Zero-Reset Turrets – Very helpful for any shooter.
    • A Quick Focus Eyepiece
    • Fully Multi-Coated Optics – And Nikon knows their lens coatings
    • A choice of reticle – Nikoplex and an Illuminated BDC.  We’re not sure if every model will have every reticle style available from the start, but they should all be available soon!
    • Choice of Silver or Black Matte Finish

    There’s no way the ProStaff 5 disappoints when it’s released this March.

    The Nikon Aculon gives budget-minded hunters a great Binocular!

    The Nikon Aculon gives budget-minded hunters a great Binocular!

    We also got a chance to check out the Aculon 10×42 Binoculars, a new budget binocular from Nikon. With an MSRP of $99, it’s obvious Nikon looking to finally expand into the low priced binocular line that it has not really given much attention to in the past. A variety of magnification and lens sizes will be available (including the other most popular setup – an 8×42 variety.)

    The Nikon Aculon 10×42 Binoculars feature a Bak4 Porro Prism, and are lightweight and ergonomical designed. The picture quality is impressive for the price, and while we unfortunately couldn’t test the brightness outdoors, it was quite good indoors. We’ll have to see how it holds up in future tests once we receive them in the office.

    Nikon Prostaff 3 Spotting Scope

    You can tell people were interested in the Nikon Prostaff 3 Spotting Scope. It already has a lot of fingerprints on it!

    Nikon also introduced the ProStaff 3 16-48x60mm Spotting Scope (or FieldScope, as Nikon refers to them.) We’ll have a short video with more info early next week, but Nikon is aiming these primarily at hunters (not target shooters or outdoorsmen) and offering the product complete with a case and tripod with an MSRP of $329.

    New Nikon Rangefinders at SHOT Show

    With their fantastic SPOT On Technology, it’s no surprise Nikon wants to help you find your range.

    In the rangefinder category, Nikon is introducing the ProStaff 7 6×21 Rangefinder and the new Archer’s Choice 6×21 Rangefinder. The Archer’s Choice line has been one of the top picks for bow-hunters due to the low 5 yard minimum distance and measurements in tenths of a yard. Both are aimed at the hunting community and will be great additions to the already popular lines.

    Nikon P223 Rifle Scope

    Nikon is expanding their mega-popular P223 Line of Rifle Scopes!

    Finally, we did talk to Nikon about their popular P-223 line of rifle scopes. They are planning to make some updates to the line this year, and they are working extremely hard to try and keep up with the incredible demand they saw in 2012. We’ve heard from plenty of people how frustrating the wait has been, and Nikon fully understands. We all hope we can start seeing more of those scopes get out into customer’s hands as soon as possible.

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

    Jan 16 • News, Videos • 7474

    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.

    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

    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

    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!!!

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  • Looking for a Streamlight TLR-2 Green Laser?

    Jan 15 • News • 8342

    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.

    Streamlight Strion at SHOT Show

    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 New TLR-2 HL From SHOT Show

    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!

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