GearExpert

Make the Canon D20 or S100 Your Dedicated Camera of Choice!

Dec 19 • News • 7020

These days, it seems like everyone has a camera in their pocket. So many cell phones come equipped with a digital camera, including my dear, sweet mother’s. She doesn’t know how to use her’s, but when she recently upgraded her phone it was included. Like so many of you, she now has a camera close at hand all the time. Because of this, many people forget why it’s still a good idea to have a device that’s dedicated to taking quality photos.

Canon is one of the world’s most famous and popular camera brands. I imagine every one of you has heard of them. I’m sure you’ve all seen a photo taken with one of their cameras. So why would you want one of their cameras if there’s one on your phone?

First, a device that’s dedicated to a single pursuit is almost always better at its particular function than devices that do a number of things. I own an electric grill with interchangeable plates. Some plates are for grilling hot dogs, others are for making a perfect panini and yet another set is for making waffles. Half the reason I bought it is because I’m a waffle fiend and wanted to save space. I can say that it makes some of the worst waffles I’ve ever had. They don’t cook evenly, and I’m constantly frustrated by the so-called versatility of this machine.

The same thing happens when I take a photo with my phone. Some pics don’t turn out half bad, but the others are blurry or heavily shadowed. On top of that, while I think my phone is pretty tough, it’s not built to take a real beating. It’s good for everyday uses, but not climbing mountains or swimming.

The Canon D20 has a nice big screen and easy to push buttons: perfect for when you’re wearing gloves!

Canon has some fantastic cameras that have the kind of portability that’s essential to an active user, but also far higher image quality that you can get from a smart phone. The Canon D20 Digital Camera is a great example. It was built for adventurers. It’s small enough to fit in a pocket, pouch or backpack, but it’s also has buttons that are big enough for you to use when wearing gloves or if you’re running around and don’t have time to stop, find the button, and press it. It might seem like this only takes a second, but if you’re taking action shots you might not know when that perfect moment will present itself, so having a camera that you can fish out of your pocket quickly and easily is a must. Add in the fact that the Canon D20 is waterproof up to 33 feet and you have a camera that’s way tougher than your cell phone.

But having a camera like the Canon D20 is about more than just toughness. Picture quality is also a big factor. The D20 is a 12.1 Megapixel Camera. That means you’ll enjoy a far sharper image than with your phone. When you’re taking a truly spectacular shot, say from the top of a mountain peak or off the side of a boat in the Caribbean as dolphins swim by you’ll really appreciate that image quality. You can even shoot full HD video when capturing a memorable moment!

The Canon S100 PowerShot provides greater image control than the D20 at the cost of less durability.

If you’re less concerned with durability and more interested in image quality and camera features, you should take a look at the Canon S100 instead. It also takes 12.1 Megapixel photos, but you have more control over focus and how you approach lighting conditions. It’s great for an amateur looking to take some beautiful shots, but if you’re a pro the many features and great quality really skyrocket this camera in terms of functionality.

There are a number of different digital cameras from Canon, each offering a different twist with their own unique functionality. Canon is well-known for this quality, and no doubt they’ll continue to impress and amaze people in the future as their cameras continue to outshine what the phone in your pocket can achieve.

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Make the Canon D20 or S100 Your Dedicated Camera of Choice!
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Picking Night Vision with Armasight!

Dec 13 • News • 6049

It’s not really feasible to use a single night vision device for every person and situation. Armasight understands this. They have a wide variety of night vision options for you to choose from. From more affordable night vision to high end third generation night vision, Armasight aims to provide an option for everyone. But it’s not just about price or even performance. Two equally powerful and high tech night vision devices could be better for different uses.

Armasight Discover Biocular and CO-Mini Night Vision

For instance, take a look at the Armasight CO-Mini Gen 2+ Day/Night Vision Clip System and the Discovery 5x Gen 2+ Night Vision Bioculars. These two units are nearly the same price and both are Gen 2+ units. While there are a few feature differences, such as the Bioculars having an included IR Illuminator, the two units are going to give you similar results in many respects. That said, the Bioculars are primarily a handheld model, and the CO-Mini is meant to enhance your daytime rifle scope to work at night. The CO-Mini actually lines up in front of your already sighted in rifle scope so you can take shots in the dark. I included the video above with our product specialist Trevor explaining this a bit more in detail. Clearly, these two devices are very different and give you very different types of performance even though they may appear to be very similar.

Armasight OPMOD GEN1RS and GEN1M

But there are other options too. Consider the two OPMOD Armasight night vision units. The Armasight OPMOD GEN1RS is a night vision rifle scope. Unlike the CO-Mini, which is all about co-witnessing, the GEN1RS is an actual night vision rifle scope. It doesn’t have quite the same versatility as the CO-Mini, but the price is a lot more affordable, and for those on a budget or just getting into night time hunting it’s a great choice. The other OPMOD Armasight is the GEN1M, which is a headgear mountable monocular. You can use it as a handheld model or on headgear, which is a nice addition and makes this another really versatile unit. It’s lightweight and tough and could be used for home security and hunting situations. It’s a bit more versatile than the GEN1RS, but you’ll have a better chance at hitting a target at night with the GEN1RS.

There are a lot of factors that go into picking night vision, from your situation and how you prefer to operate to your budget. Armasight is a younger brand, but they’ve clearly put a lot of effort into designing and manufacturing enough of a variety to satisfy a number of different people. We’ve been really excited about Armasight for a while now, which is why we’ve worked with them on OPMOD products. We’re sure you’ll love their great gear too!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Picking Night Vision with Armasight!
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Steiner Takes Over at the Thunder Beast Team Challenge!

Dec 11 • News • 4582

It looks like Steiner has a bit of boasting to do, and for good reason: The Steiner Shooting Team recently won the Thunder Beast Team Challenge at the Blue Steel Ranch in New Mexico. They beat 26 other teams in a pretty intense competition. But it’s not just that they won; they won big. The Steiner Shooting Team’s score was 1397.36. The second place team was 70.28 points behind. That’s not winning by a nose but rather by a couple lengths. They probably could have turned around at the finish line to see if anyone was on their tails.

I’m not too surprised by the win. I don’t know teammates R.J. Dussart or Sky Leighton, but it sounds like they represent their brand pretty well. In order to win the Thunder Beast Team Challenge contestants have to go through a grueling competition that tests their accuracy even when exhausted. Dussart and Leighton proved to be tough and accurate, just like Steiner Optics. In the competition, the two men in the teams took on very different roles. One acted as a long range sniper while the other was a close quarters carbine rifleman. They had to work as a team to find and eliminate targets. The grounds were set up in such a way that each player would have to determine the ideal locations to take a shot on the fly, so improvised shooting positions were the norm. It takes a lot of skill to hit a target when you have the perfect place to stand or lay prone, so running all over the place, taking shots from odd angles and from difficult stances is a real test of expertise. The Steiner Team didn’t seem to have much trouble.

Steiner makes a number of great binoculars, and for many of you that’s what they’re primarily known for. The quality of their glass, the number of features and their durability are pretty legendary, so for their team to perform any less than the best would be a letdown. We are well aware of their quality, as Steiner won three different Brilliance Awards this year, including best Binoculars brand (as chosen by popular vote) and best marine binoculars and best hunting binoculars.

Two Brilliance Award Winning Steiner Binoculars!

But they’re not just about locating targets with binos. At SHOT Show last January Steiner announced the return of their rifle scopes. These rugged, powerful scopes have been a hit this year. They have the amazing quality of Steiner’s Binoculars, and the variable power magnification makes them ideal for a number of situations. Just like in the Thunder Beast Competition it’s important to have versatility. Sometimes a shot needs to be taken at long range. Sometimes right up close. Sometimes you need to be on the move, and sometimes you can be stationary and take your time lining up your shot. Steiner understands this pretty well. If I could have been lucky enough to compete in the competition I’d have loved to have some Steiner glass in hand. I might not be as good a shot as R.J. Dussart or Sky Leighton, but I’m sure I’d have a better chance at hitting my targets quickly and consistently if I had a Steiner Scope on my rifle.

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Steiner Takes Over at the Thunder Beast Team Challenge!
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Top Three Reasons the Vortex StrikeFire Red/Green Dot Scope Is an Incredibly Versatile Sight!

Nov 29 • News • 32550

I’ve never made it a secret that I’m a big fan of versatility. Whether you’re using a binocular or rifle scope, having multiple ways to use the same optic or multiple scenarios where it’s useful has always been high on my list of priorities. With that in mind, I have to tell you about the Vortex StrikeFire Red/Green Dot Scope. There are so many things you can do with this scope, but rather than list off situations, I want to tell you the three main things that add to this Vortex StrikeFire’s versatility.

1. The Vortex StrikeFire has a Variable Reticle

More than one rifle scope and red dot sight available right now can offer you adaptability with the reticle. Many illuminated reticles can be adjusted for brightness, and some have multiple reticle styles. Few offer you the option to switch from a red to a green illuminated dot though, and that’s exactly what the Vortex StrikeFire Red/Green Scope does. With the push of a button you can swap out the red dot for green. Why? Partially it’s user preference, as many shooters have grown accustomed to red dots. People are figuring out the benefits of green though, and I have no doubt you’ll see more and more green dots in the future. Just like with a laser sight, green is more visible than red in bright conditions, so if you’re outside on a sunny day the green dot will be more readily apparent than a red. Since the StrikeFire was designed to give you incredibly fast target acquisition, having a more immediately clear reticle will help you get on target fast. There’s nothing wrong with red, but you may have an easier time with the green once you’ve gotten used to it.

Red or Green? That’s up to you!

But that’s not the only way the reticle gives you options. It also has multiple brightness settings, which allow you to set the brightness to the exact level you need dependent on conditions, AND it’s compatible with night vision optics. That’s huge, as most red dots, even at an incredibly low brightness setting, will be useless with a night vision monocular or binocular. You’ll get a bloom effect, which comes from the light from the red dot providing too much light in a specific area to see around it. The dot needs to be invisible to the naked eye to work with night vision. The StrikeFire gives you a setting for this. That’s a lot of different ways you can use this single optic, and just from the reticle.

2. Extend the Range on your Scope with StrikeFire!

The second reason the StrikeFire is incredibly versatile is the included 2X doubler. The StrikeFire is like most red dot sights in that the regular magnification is 1x. This is why it’s so capable of improving your target acquisition. You can shoot with both eyes open, which gives you greater peripheral vision and allows you to find and get on target in no time. The problem with this is that you might have a hard time hitting a target that’s further away. The 2x doubler is a simple to use magnifier that attaches to the ocular lens (the side of the scope facing you) and will help you be more precise, especially at longer ranges.

3. Pick the Vortex StrikeFire Ring Height For You

Vortex knew their StrikeFire would be popular, so they made sure it’d work for a couple different styles of guns. There are two models available: one with high rings and another with standard rings (they call it their StrikeFire Hunting Model). The high rings model gives you a true co-witness with AR15s, and the standard rings will place the scope a bit closer to the gun (such as a shotgun or even handgun) so you can shoot the way you want.

Vortex clearly understands the benefits of having a versatile scope, as the StrikeFire is an incredibly versatile sight that also has a great price! There are a ton of features I haven’t mentioned yet, like the hundreds of hours of battery life, flip up covers and more, but above are my Top Three Reasons the Vortex StrikeFire is an Incredibly Versatile Sight!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Top Three Reasons the Vortex StrikeFire Red/Green Dot Scope Is an Incredibly Versatile Sight!
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Not Sure Which Night Vision Unit is Right for You? ATN is Here to Help!

Nov 21 • News • 6572

Night Vision is one of the coolest and most useful tools you can have at your disposal. It’s great for a wide variety of functions, from hunting and tactical situations to home security or camping. Dependent on your needs you might need a really high end pair of Night Vision Goggles or a compact NV monocular. We have a lot of resources to help you find what you’re looking for, from our How-To Guides and blogs like GearExpert to our product specialists, who are always happen to give you a recommendation. But it never hurts to have more information and another way of looking at a product type. That’s where ATN has really stepped up their game.

ATN just unveiled their new Interactive Night Vision Catalog, or INVC, and it’s impressive. You can check it out now by clicking that link, but the basic idea is that you have a really clear, easy to understand tool that shows you various types of Night Vision devices, their features, their prices, their uses and the technology behind them. The first screen you see looks like the image at the top of this page.

As you can see, there are four possible choices to start with. If you already know what type of night vision you want (goggles, monocular, rifle scope, etc.) you can select the first option and see a wide variety of choices and narrow them down by type. If, on the other hand, you know what activity you’re using your night vision for, but aren’t necessarily sure which type of unit is best for that, you can pick the second option and see options for “Security”, “Hunting”, “Camping” and “Boating”. Some of these categories will show you a handful of questions you should consider the answers to before making a selection, such as, for “Boating:” Will you be wearing the night vision unit while driving the boat? You’d want something hands free for that option. A monocular with head gear or goggles would be best.

ATN Night Vision by Price

The third option puts your budget first. There are a ton of great ATN night vision units out there, and fortunately they’re at different prices, so if your budget is limited you don’t have to go without a night vision unit. This section is helpful in that it also shows you how the different prices affect what Generation of Night Vision you can afford. You won’t find any Thermal Imagers or 4th Generation Night Vision for a few hundred dollars, but you will find some capable 1st Gen units that are great for many situations!

Check out the Technology Section of the INVC to learn more about the science behind ATN’s Night Vision!

The 4th section is my favorite, as it showcases the fantastic technology behind ATN Night Vision. The really cool thing is it explains each different type of night vision, the science behind it, the performance you can expect and why you might choose one over the others. This section also shows off just how varied the tech is. From the most advanced Gen 4 units and ATN’s own White Phosphor Technology (which produces a black and white image rather than a black and green image for an easier view) down to the more affordable Gen 1 units that are perfect for more casual users. This section is also fantastic for getting a better idea of the difference between image intensification night vision (which is the “normal” style with a black and green screen) and thermal imaging, which provides an image of the heat signature of a target. Both styles will help you see in low light conditions, but they’re very distinct from one another and you shouldn’t think of them as interchangeable. If you’re not sure which is for you, the technology section of the INVC will be a huge help. You may not understand all the science behind night vision, but after looking through this section you’ll have a much better idea.

It can be tough to pick the perfect Night Vision unit, but when you have a great resource like the ATN INVC the task is a whole lot simpler. ATN won a user-voted Brilliance Award for Night Vision Brand of the Year just a few weeks ago, and this new Interactive Night Vision Catalog Tool is a perfect representation of why: ATN gives you what you want and need.

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Not Sure Which Night Vision Unit is Right for You? ATN is Here to Help!
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