GearExpert

SHOT Show Media Day 2013

Jan 15 • News • 5752

Monday was Media Day at the Range – the first day of SHOT Show 2013 and a great chance to get some hands on time not just with the rifle scopes, red dots, and accessories we offer at OpticsPlanet.com, but also a chance to get our hands on many of the firearms we’re all extremely excited to accessorize in the coming year.

This was a Media Day unlike any other I’ve been to. It was a frigid 31 degrees out at the Boulder City Rifle and Pistol Club, with a 15 mph wind blowing right in your face as you were lining up your sights. While not exactly the comfortable conditions you’d expect in Las Vegas this time of year, it was a great chance to see how the firearms performed in less than ideal conditions.

We (David, Trevor, Yelena and I) arrived early in the afternoon and the range had already started to clear out. I can’t blame other visitors. It was extremely difficult to shoot video with the constant wind, the dust was wreaking havoc on camera lenses, and pens kept freezing. Thank goodness I brought a pencil!

There were a few notable absences this year – Sig Sauer and Taurus were nowhere to be found. But we did stop by Springfield Armory, Colt, FNH, Chiappa, Winchester, and Ruger. If you’re interested in more firearm and ammunition coverage, don’t worry – we’ll make sure to take some time this week to get out to those booths!

We shot a number of great handguns by Springfield Armory at SHOT Show 2013.

At Springfield Armory, we got a chance to shoot a few rounds with the XD-S .45ACP – a huge hit for Springfield in 2012 and a firearm many guys want to accessorize with holsters, lasers, and more. We also popped a magazine in the new 2013 XD-S Compact 9mm. This baby is sleek, and feels perfectly balanced in your hand. XD fans have been asking Springfield for a 9mm version of the popular XD-S single stack platform, and Springfield Armory will be delivering in 2013. Trevor, a major XD fan, thinks it’ll be a huge hit with the market when it is released (TBD 2013.) We also ended up shooting the EMP, the XD-M 5.25, and Springfield’s 1911 .45 because, well, why not?

We saw the sweet new Colt 1911: the Colt USMC!!!

After that, we stopped by Colt to check out their wide array of 1911s. It was quite busy and we didn’t want to take up too much time, but we did get a chance to check out a new model – the Colt USMC (the M45 Colt 1911.) It was unclear if this is the same exact model as the M45, but the representative referred to it as the Colt USMC and they look very similar to the naked-eye. Even if it is the M45 Colt 1911, 2013 will mark the first time they are available to the public.

The Colt USMC was not only beautiful, but if you look closely you can see some Trijicon Night Sights!

The firearm has a true 1913 mil-spec rail, which is a little longer than a traditional Picatinny rail. Trevor remarked that the firearm had nice heft to it, minimizing recoil. No surprise for a firearm used by the US Marine Corps. With an MSRP of $1999, it’ll set you back a pretty penny but no doubt people will be lining up for it once it’s available (the USMC gets first priority, so it may be awhile.)

Trevor took some shots with the FN-X 45 Tactical.

We popped by the FNH briefly to shoot a few rounds through the FN-X .45 Tactical (complete with a Seymour Laser MRD reflex sight.) Very powerful, very handsome weapon. I can see the appeal.

Check out those three barrels!

After our long stays at the Springfield Armory and Colt booths, we were a little pressed for time as many exhibitors were packing up to get out of the cold (and for many of them, to get ready for a big day tomorrow.) We stopped by Chiappa to grab some pictures of some really incredible stuff – a Lever Action 12 Gauge and a Triple Barrel Shotgun. Sadly, they weren’t available for firing. Bummer.

On the ammunition side, we stopped by CCI and tried out the new CCI Quiet-Fire .22LR rimfire rounds. It blew me away. It’s incredibly quiet, almost difficult to explain. You don’t typically need hearing protection with .22 (though it doesn’t hurt!) but WITH hearing protection, we couldn’t even hear it. Just the “plink” sound of a hit – no pop, nothing. CCI is pushing this for backyard plinking and youth shooting. I have no doubt it will be a huge hit.

We stopped by Ruger, and they were was showing off the MKIII Target .22 pistol. Impressive firearm, it’ll be a nice piece for an afternoon at your local range.

Winchester had a few booths devoted to ammunition. We checked out the Winchester 17 Super-Mag, and wow. It’s got the punch of a .45, and no doubt we’ll see varmint hunters stocking up once they are available. Trevor ripped through a few rounds on the Savage Arms B-Mag platform.

At that point, we had to pack up and get going as the range was starting to shut down. Thanks for checking out our coverage of Media Day 2013, and stay tuned as we took way more photos and some video footage will be edited as soon as possible!

Alessandro • 4 Comments on SHOT Show Media Day 2013
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SHOT Show 2013 Sneak Peek!

Jan 11 • News, Videos • 5057

Alright, we’re just about ready to go to Las Vegas for SHOT Show 2013! I look back at 2012 and I can hardly believe we saw SOOOO much outstanding new gear. We got to see the absolute best gear. The EOTech Zombie Stopper and G33 Magnifier were both announced last year, and I wrote about them throughout the year. The G33 proved to be an incredibly popular item, with a TON of pre-orders. We also saw the Crimson Trace Rail Master, which was mega popular both here on GearExpert.com and on our Facebook Page.

We’re not totally sure what we’ll be seeing this year, as optic brands are keeping quite a few secrets so they can make a big splash, but we’re going to be there to let you know as soon as they make their announcements. In addition to all the great news we are giving away some insanely awesome gear from Nikon, NightForce, EOTech, Crimson Trace and Streamlight. I can’t tell you exactly what products are part of the giveaways, but I can say they’re outstanding! This is top quality gear. You can enter to win once for each giveaway over on our Facebook page starting Tuesday, with a new giveaway starting every day through Saturday.

We’ll be on the plane to Las Vegas for SHOT Show bright and early Monday, and we’re going to Media Day to shoot some of the newest guns and try out the best scopes coming out in 2013, so check back right here on GearExpert.com, our Facebook Page and YouTube Channel for all the coverage!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on SHOT Show 2013 Sneak Peek!
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Best Rated AND On Sale? Whoa. Now THAT’S A Quality Spotting Scope!

Jan 10 • News • 4540

I was just looking through our spotting scopes for a good all-around option. I wanted a combination of features that would be well balanced for various purposes, but also tough, reliable and affordable. A lot of optic manufacturers say they have great scopes but I wanted to be sure the spotting scope I pick is truly up snuff. Because of this I also checked out the reviews. I’ve always liked Alpen, so I decided to take a look at their Best Rated Spotting Scopes. I came across the 20-60x80mm Angled Waterproof Spotting Scope. There are actually two different versions of this scope, the 788, which has an angled eyepiece, and the 786, which has a straight eyepiece. Since I like to do both a little stargazing on occasion and I wanted a spotter for the range, I went with the angled scope.

Alpen 20-60×80 Spotting Scope

Why angled? It helps with stargazing for sure. When your scope is pointed upward, you can look through the eyepiece a lot more comfortably if it’s angled. With the Alpen’s nice tabletop tripod, which is easily adjusted to turn the eyepiece in your direction when sitting, you can actually take your shot and simply turn your head to take a look down range. No need to get up. That’s a huge feature and really helps add versatility to the scope.

The magnification range is fairly common and gives you the right low and high power for most spotting scope needs. If you’re doing some really serious astronomy you’ll want more power, but for my needs and the needs of many amateur astronomers, 20-60x magnification is just about right. When you combine that magnification range, Alpen’s fully multi-coated lenses and the sunshade, which minimizes glare you’re sure to get a great view.

The sunshade on this Alpen 20-60×80 Spotting Scope helps a LOT in bright sunlight.

But those are just the features you can read on the product page. What I really wanted to learn more about is what regular people think about this Alpen spotting scope. I’ve spent a fair amount of time with spotters in the last couple years, but I’m a regular guy. I like quality. I don’t want to spend a couple hundred dollars on something that’s going to break down after the first time I bump it into something. I can read about all sorts of features, but does anyone actually use them? Do they work as intended?

Well, the Alpen 20-60x80mm Spotting Scope has received a number of very high reviews so far. It’s currently sitting pretty at 4.6 out of 5 stars. The size and weight seem like they’re fairly standard, and while one reviewer said he felt his was a little on the big side, he even admits that this is the way it goes. The size of the objective lens directly affects the amount of light that enters the scope, and therefore affects the brightness of the image. An 80mm objective lens is going to collect a lot of light, but it still has an 80mm diameter!

One thing I was glad to read is that the tripod is well made. I’ve seen small tripods come with spotting scopes before, and it’s a mixed bag. Sometimes it’s clearly just tacked on for sales purposes, but the reviewers have said the tabletop tripod with this scope is pretty high quality. One reviewer mentioned using a larger tripod for birding, and of course that’s going to be some people’s preference. I want to have my spotter set up most of the time on a table next to a window for stargazing, and at the range I’d rather have it on a table anyways.

The sharpness of the image and the value are also praised, and I imagine we’ll be seeing some more reviews focusing on the value soon, as this scope isn’t just Top Rated; it’s also On Sale! This sale won’t last forever, but as of right now you can get the Angled Spotter for $439.99! That’s within my budget for a spotting scope, and looking around at similarly priced scopes I can say the sale and great reviews have really made me a fan.

We all look for different things when buying optics. You might be more concerned with quality than budget, and I might be looking for add-ons included like tripods or a nylon case (yep, the Alpen 20-60x80mm Spotter comes with a nylon bag too!). Fortunately, you get quality, a great price and plenty of add-ons with this spotting scope, and the great reviews and fantastic price make this an absolutely irresistible spotting scope for everyone!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Best Rated AND On Sale? Whoa. Now THAT’S A Quality Spotting Scope!
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It’s that Time of the Year Again… We’re Going to SHOT Show 2013!!!

Jan 9 • News, Videos • 3321

ALRIGHT!!! SHOT Show is just around the corner, and like last year we are going to be bringing you ALL the news on the latest gear released from the world’s best brands. SHOT Show is the big show. It’s the place where the coolest new equipment is FIRST shown to the public, and the gear we saw last year proved to be both some of the best and most popular on OpticsPlanet.com. We have HUGE things in store for you right here on GearExpert.com, as well as on our YouTube Channel and our Facebook page! DEFINITELY make sure you LIKE our Facebook page. You’re going to want to see all the great stuff, INCLUDING our Daily Giveaways! That’s right, we’re giving away some REALLY exciting gear this year. I can’t give you all the details just yet, but I can say what we’re giving away is going to be some of the coolest stuff you can win ANYWHERE.

I’m so excited I’m literally tapping my feet! SHOT Show 2013 is going to be amazing!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on It’s that Time of the Year Again… We’re Going to SHOT Show 2013!!!
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Who Else Wants to Take Their Vortex Optic to the Next Level?

Jan 8 • News • 4409

Vortex makes a number of really great optics, from amazing rifle scopes like the Viper PST 2.5-10×44 Scope to spotting scopes like the Nomad 20-60x60mm Angled Spotter. They make optics with the features and quality hunters need without breaking the bank. Money doesn’t grow on trees, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have quality glass, and Vortex aims to give you what you need.

But there’s something many hunters and shooters forget about when they buy a new scope, and that’s the accessories they need to take their scope to the next level. Fortunately, Vortex makes a number of accessories for their rifle scopes, spotting scopes and binoculars that’ll help you get the most out of your new glass. These accessories come in a number of forms.

Keep your batteries close at hand with a Vortex Battery Holder!

First, since most of you focus first and foremost on your rifle scope, let’s take a look at a few Vortex Rifle Scope Accessories. If you have a rifle scope with an illuminated reticle, there’s a good chance that at some point you’ll need a change of batteries. There are a number of ways you can carry these batteries, from a pocket to a pouch or bag, but you’ll want your batteries close at hand, so putting them in the Vortex Rifle Scope Battery Holder is perfect. It attaches to any Picatinny rail and has a tethered cap to make it especially easy to use. This is a great way to both have extra batteries close at hand! I know I’m always forgetting or losing batteries, so like the old saying goes, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” This is the place to put your batteries.

Reduce Glare and Reflections with a Vortex killFLASH ARD Razor HD Threaded Cover.

Another way to enhance the performance of your Vortex Rifle Scope is with an Anti-Reflection Scope Cover. If you have a Vortex Razor HD Rifle Scope you can use a Vortex killFLASH ARD Razor HD Threaded Cover. This simple accessory reduces glare and reflections when you’re shooting in broad daylight. An Anti-Reflection Cover is a simple but effective way to get more out of your rifle scope.

Don’t Scratch your lens when you clean it! Use a Vortex Lens Cleaning Pen!

But Vortex makes accessories for other optics too! They have a number of quality binocular accessories, such as their Lens Cleaning Pen. Glass seems to be a magnet for dust, sand, dirt and water, and even a little bit can seriously obscure your view. Since it’s a bad idea to wipe your lenses with a regular piece of cloth or part of a shirtsleeve, you’ll want to have a dedicated Lens Cleaner like this pen. You won’t scratch the lens or remove any of the lens coatings, so the performance of your optic will stay super high consistently and over longer periods of time.

Keep your Binoculars both close at hand and out of the way with a Vortex Binocular Harness Strap!

As you’ll be walking around with your binoculars for fairly long periods of time and over fairly long distances it’s smart to have an easy way to carry your binoculars, so Vortex made a simple and comfortable Binocular Harness Strap. This strap will actually help stabilize your view when taking a look through the binos, and when you’re just walking around they’ll be easy to reach yet still out of the way. You can even take a shot while they rest on your chest.

Take incredibly photos with your spotting scope and digital camera when you use a Vortex Point n’ Shoot Digital Camera Adapter!

The last Vortex accessory I want to talk about (there are plenty more) is for Spotting Scopes. Whether you’re doing a little stargazing, hunting or birding, sometimes you’re going to want to capture a moment on film, rather than simply in your memory. Digiscoping, which involves lining up a digital camera with a powerful optic like a spotting scope or telescope, is a great option, but it can be tough to consistently line up a camera lens with the scope. Trust me, I know. I did a little digiscoping over the summer, and while I eventually got some good shots of the moon, I must have taken 5 photos for every 1 that was good. And that’s just for good. I only took about 2 photos total that I would call great. My mistake was not having a proper mount for my camera. Yet again, Vortex paid attention to what their customers need and tasked their engineers with solving this digiscoping problem. Their solution is the Point N’ Shoot Digital Camera Adapter Attachment for Razor HD+ Viper Spotting Scopes. It’s a simple system that involves attaching the camera mount to a tripod securely and quickly. Many digital cameras don’t have the right threads to attach to a spotting scope tripod, but the Point N’ Shoot solves this problem with its adaptability. Now, when you see that elusive fowl or find a long-sought galaxy cluster you’ll be able to take a high quality photo.

Vortex makes great optics, but they understand that individual users have individual needs, so they provide great accessories that are tailor made to help you do just what you want in just the way you prefer. These are great ways to take your Vortex Optic to the Next Level.

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Who Else Wants to Take Their Vortex Optic to the Next Level?
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