GearExpert

Steiner Binoculars for All Walks of Life!

Sep 27 • News • 5525

Steiner knows a heck of a lot about glass. But the quality in their binoculars comes from more than that. Steiner knows everything you need from a good pair of binoculars. While they offer other types of optics, like rifle scopes and rangefinders, their bread and butter is still binos, and it shows. Steiner Binoculars are made for almost any purpose. If you’re a hunter, law enforcement or military professional, or boating enthusiast there’s a Steiner Bino for you. While there are some great all-around binoculars, for the performance you really need at any particular activity you should look for specific features. I’m going to run through a few options today for various uses, but Steiner has a ton more options to check out, so be sure to check out all Steiner Optics when you need quality glass.

Hunting and Birding with the Steiner Predator Xtremes

The Steiner Predator Xtreme Binoculars are fantastic for hunting and birding!

I actually got to take a look and write about the Steiner Predator Xtreme 10×42 Binoculars back in July, and I was mighty impressed. They’re a solid, dependable binocular with great lenses and lens coatings to help you track game. The case and neck strap give you enough protection/versatility for transporting them, and the rubber-armored body was both strong and tactile for comfortable use over long periods of time. When you need a reliable binocular for hunting, the 10×42 Predator Xtremes are tough to beat.

The more compact Steiner Predator Xtreme 8×22 Binoculars will give you a good view without taking up a lot of extra room.

But there is a possibile contender to outperform the 10x42s, as Steiner also has the 8×22 Predator Xtremes. The video at the top of the page is for these more compact binoculars. While you don’t have the same magnification and won’t collect nearly as much light through the 22mm objective lenses, these binoculars are extremely compact and are much easily to run around with when they’re hanging from the neck strap. These are great for moving fast and taking a shot at a moment’s notice. The 8×22 Predator Xtremes are especially good for birding, as you want to be mobile and enjoying nature without hauling much extra weight. The center focus is easy to use and comfortable to reach, and the close focus is close enough for most birdwatching. Both Predator Xtreme Binoculars are good for the outdoorsman who wants quality for a reasonable price.

Military and Law Enforcement Steiner Binoculars

For tactical situations where you need extreme performance and insane durability, the Steiner Military R Binoculars will more than satisfy!

If you’re looking for a bit more from your binoculars you can step up to a Steiner Military or Law Enforcement model. For instance, the Steiner 7×50 Military R Binocular is one serious piece of hardware. You get a great field of view (385ft. at 1000 yards), super bright images (those 50mm objective lenses are going to collect a LOT of light, and the lens coatings make sure as much of that light as possible gets through), but the biggest thing you get from these military binoculars is durability. You want tough? You’ve got it. These are combat proven binoculars and while it’s certainly possible to break them, you’ll have to work at it. They’ll stand up to abuse better than most binoculars.

Going Boating? Steiner Marine Binoculars will help you Find Land!

The included compass in the Steiner Navigator Marine Binoculars makes them perfect for finding you way on land or sea!

I actually had trouble figuring out which Steiner Marine Binocular would be best to focus on. There are quite a few good options. I finally settled on the Steiner 7×50 Navigator Marine Binoculars w/ Compass. There are actually two versions of this binocular, one with and one without the compass, but I like having the compass included. If you’re in charge of navigating, a compass and map are one of the older and more trusted ways to find your way. As you look through these waterproof binoculars to find landmarks, you can check out what direction you’re facing without having to find another piece of equipment. The lens coatings and lenses were specifically designed for marine use, so when you have lots of glare, fog and haze to deal with the Navigator Marine Binoculars will do an exceptional job giving you a great image. Just like you make sure to have polarized lenses in your sunglasses when you’re on a boat, you need the right binocular when you’re out to sea!

There are so many more options to pick from, but you can be sure the great glass Steiner incorporates in all their optics is going to give you a great view. With the features specific for various activities, when you have the right type of binocular for your purpose you’ll be sure to succeed!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Steiner Binoculars for All Walks of Life!
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Win a Dream Hunt For Two & Hunting Gear Package! Sponsored by Weaver

Sep 27 • News • 11063

At OpticsPlanet, we love to give stuff away to our fans. Any opportunity to give away some amazing new gear and experiences is a good one. Check out the new “Win a Dream Hunt For Two” sweepstakes sponsored by Weaver. Going on right now (from September 18 – October 22, 2012), this sweepstakes is your chance to win something priceless. A chance to live the dream and create memories for a lifetime.

We’ve partnered with Weaver to give away a 3 day/2 night hunting trip for two at the Record Buck Ranch in Utopia, Texas PLUS a Weaver hunting gear package. Experience 20,000 acres of amazing natural scenery while being lavished in the luxurious amenities of the ranch. The winner and a friend will join a professionally guided hunting expedition, stalking and tracking white tail deer for that perfect shot. Whether you get that trophy or not, you can be guaranteed to return home triumphantly with your Weaver hunting gear package in stow, and the memories of a hunting trip most can only dream of.

The Weaver Hunting Gear Prize Package includes:

The Weaver Grand Slam Binocular is tough and versatile for optimal viewing when hunting.
- 1 x Weaver Grand Slam 10×50 Binocular– These binos are tough and versatile for many different types of hunting. The rubberized body is super durable and the nitrogen purging provides waterproofing/fog proofing. You’ll also have plenty of magnification to spot game without needing a tripod. Hunters tend to bang around their binoculars, and the Weaver Grand Slams can stand up to the punishment.
  Properly compensate for bullet drop by knowing your distance with a Weaver Buck Commander Rangefinder
- 1 x Weaver 8x Buck Commander Rangefinder– Much like the Grand Slam Binoculars, the Buck Commander Rangefinder was specifically engineered for use by hunters. It can rangefind moving targets and will give you ranges in either feet, yards or meters. Once you spot a whitetail deer with your binos you’ll know the range for holdover.
  Make sure your aim is on target with a little practice.
- 1 x Champion Targets 12 Pack– Whether you want some practice or to double check that your scope is properly sighted in, it’s always a good idea to have some targets. Maybe you’ll just challenge your buddy to a friendly competition.
  Protect your rifle with a BlackHawk Padded Rifle Case!
- 2 x Blackhawk Rifle Cases– Any time you’re transporting your rifle you need a tough case. BlackHawk is all about tough. These cases will keep your firearm pristine.
  The BlackHawk Mountain Sling makes it easy and comfortable to carry your rifle over miles of terrain.
- 2 x Blackhawk Slings– With 20,000 acres of land to traverse you’re going to want a comfortable and reliable sling to make it all the more enjoyable. This BlackHawk is just what you need.
  Transport your gear in style with a Buck Commander Deluxe Range Bag
- 2 x Buck Commander Deluxe Range Bags– Much like your rifle case, you’ll want a good range bag for hauling all the essentials to the range, from ammo and slings to binoculars and rangefinders.
  Stay safe with a Champion Eyes and Ears Combo
- 2 x Champion Eyes & Ears Combos – You never want to go hunting without the proper protective equipment. I just recently wrote about gun safety, and one of the things I mentioned was having proper eye and ear protection. The Champion Eyes & Ears Combo will keep you seeing and hearing well even after hours of intense shooting.
  The Shooters Ridge Shooting Stick is both a quality bipod and hiking staff.
- 2 x Shooters Ridge Magnum Shooting Sticks – When you spot a deer way off in the distance you may want a little more stability for the perfect shot. A Shooting Stick gives you just that, and the Shooters Ride Magnum Shooting Stick doubles as a hiking staff, so when you’re trudging across 20,000 acres on your hunting trip it’ll be a little easier and more enjoyable.
  Keep your rifle clean and top performing with a GunSlick Match Grade Gun Maintenance Center
- GunSlick Match-Grade Gun Maintenance Center – This gun vice has a number of compartments to store your gun tools and cleaning equipment so that maintaining your rifle is a breeze.
That’s a lot of great gear, and when you combine it with a chance to actually use it at one of the country’s premiere hunting destinations you have a truly priceless opportunity!

Head over to the main “Win A Dream Hunt For Two” sweepstakes page to “Like” us and enter for your chance to win. If you’re the lucky winner you’ll have a chance to take down some game and create memories that’ll last a lifetime. Enter today!

OpticsPlanet • 7 Comments on Win a Dream Hunt For Two & Hunting Gear Package! Sponsored by Weaver
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Nikon’s Most Popular Binoculars Add INSTANT Savings Just in Time for Hunting Season!

Sep 26 • News • 5573

Nikon is one of the more popular brands of sports optics in the world. Of course, many of us know them for their cameras as well as Nikon Binoculars, Nikon Rifle Scopes and Nikon Spotting Scopes, but the one thing they all have in common is an incredible value. You’re going to get a lot of quality for a fair price with Nikon. Their most popular hunting binoculars are in the Monarch series, with the Monarch 3 and Monarch 5 in the hands of hunters all over the world. Well, with hunting seasons starting all over the country Nikon decided to sweeten the pot a little with Instant Savings!

If you buy any Nikon Monarch 3 or Monarch 5 Binocular between September 20 and November 20, 2012, you’ll receive $50 OFF! And that’s instantaneous, so no need to worry about a mail-in rebate! Considering the value already present in these binoculars, that’s a big chunk of change to save right now!

I included our video interview from SHOT Show last January where Nikon’s Jon LaCorte chatted with our Steve Ledin about these two lines of binoculars. From the flip-down covers to the rugged bodies of these binoculars, there’s a lot of functional performance here, but it’s really the great lens and prism coatings that have helped make these binos so popular. The Nikon Monarch 3 Binoculars have a silver alloy prism coatings, which you almost never see in a binocular at this price. This coating will give you a very bright image, helping you hunt during the darker hours of dusk and dawn. The Monarch 5s also have a great lens coating, with their dielectric coatings. Again, you’re going to get a lot of light transmission through these binoculars that you won’t get elsewhere.

Save $50 on the Nikon Monarch Binoculars RIGHT NOW!

There are a few different models of Monarch Binoculars to choose from, though they all have 42mm objective lenses, which is large enough to gather plenty of light but not so large as to become bulky. For the Monarch 3 Binos, you can choose from 8×42 or 10×42, and for the Monarch 5s you can choose from 8×42, 10×42 or 12×42 Binoculars. That’s a fair bit of versatility, and they’ll all the size and power that’s necessary for hunting or birding. Anything over 12x magnification and you’ll probably need a tripod to get a clear, stable view of your target. When you’re on the move stalking deer or seeking out a fox, you need mobility, and Nikon Monarch Binoculars will keep you on the move and ready to switch to your rifle at a moment’s notice.

Nikon Monarch 3 and Monarch 5 Binoculars are one of the highest value binoculars in our store, and that value goes through the roof with the $50 savings you get through November 20, 2012. Get the glass you need for hunting season now and SAVE!!!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Nikon’s Most Popular Binoculars Add INSTANT Savings Just in Time for Hunting Season!
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Find Your Distance this Hunting Season with a Leupold Rangefinder!

Sep 25 • News • 5998

There’s a lot of excitement here at GearExpert by OpticsPlanet about the upcoming hunting seasons. From waterfowl to deer hunting seasons, fall is a wonderful time of the year to be a hunter. I’ve already written about choke tubes and red dot sights, but there’s so much cool gear to make sure you have before your first hunt.

Today, I want to focus on rangefinders. Specifically, three new rangefinders from Leupold. When you’re glassing the field and see the buck of your dreams in the distance, you want to take the shot right away. But how far away is it? If your prey is 100 yards away you shouldn’t have much trouble hitting it, but I believe (and I know many of you do as well) that hunting the humane way is best. You don’t want to simply hit the deer, you want to take it down as fast as possible. I’m a nature lover. I’m capable of empathy and I would never want to wound an animal. If I’m taking a shot from a good ways off I need to know exactly how far I am from my target for proper holdover. There are a number of ways to do this, but a quick, reliable way is with a laser rangefinder. Leupold just came out with a few new options to help you take that buck down without it suffering.

The Leupold RX600i Laser Rangefinder

The Leupold RX-600i has the DNA engine powering it. This rangefinder will give you instant distance measurements with 1/10th of a yard resolution at 125 yards. You can range a deer hide out to 500 yards, and the minimum of buttons makes it incredibly easy to use. It’s good to have a tool that you can take out and use without needing to hit 20 buttons, scroll through a menu and finally get your results. The Rx-600i won’t take long to use and you’ll figure it out in next to no time.

The Leupold RX800i Laser Rangefinder

The next step up in new Leupold Rangefinders is the RX-800i. You can get accurate measurements at greater distances, it’s pretty much just as easy to use, but there’s also a bow mode for bowhunters! You’ll be able to get TBR (True Ballistic Range) for both rifles and bows! While there is that extra mode, it is still super easy to switch from one to another, so you can still find your range as soon as game presents itself!

The Leupold RX-FullDraw Laser Rangefinder

The most advanced new Leupold Rangefinder is the RX-FullDraw Black/OD. This model has a bowhunting mode as well, but you’ll be able to range out further for your bow, so if you’re out early in this year’s hunting season with your bow, you’ll be able to range your target from an extra 50 yards away! You get a bit higher quality lenses and lens coatings with the RX-FullDraw (the RX-600i and RX-800i both have quality glass, but you’ll still notice the step up) so you can get a better view of your target. Just like your rifle scope, spotting scope or binoculars, having high light transmission helps you see your target during those twilight hours of dusk and dawn. If you spot a deer with your binoculars and can’t find it with your rangefinder you won’t be able to get a range. The fantastic glass and outstanding lens coatings are similar to what Leupold Rifle Scope employ, so you’ll see plenty on the field!

Don’t risk your hunting success on a guess. Get the exact range to your target so you make the perfect shot every time with a new Leupold Rangefinder. Find them right now on OpticsPlanet.com!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Find Your Distance this Hunting Season with a Leupold Rangefinder!
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For School or Travel, Protect Your Computer with Pelican!

Sep 24 • News • 6788

It’s a very exciting day here at GearExpert. We’ve been looking forward to the release of Pelican’s Hybrid Luggage since we first took a look at SHOT Show in January. The basic premise is a great one: combine the insane durability of a Pelican Waterproof Case with a softer, more comfortable backpack or suitcase. The school year has started, and there are always business trips and other excursions where you need to have your laptop, tablet or ereader along. The other great new Pelican Electronics Cases that debuted at SHOT Show were the Hardback Cases, which I wrote about in June and felt are fantastic for carrying your laptop or tablet, but those are really closer to being briefcases. They’ll keep your electronics safe, but they’re not built for the same level of portability. That’s where Hybrid Luggage comes into play.

Pelican ProGear U145

If you’re looking for a bag that’s both economical and protective, take a look at the ProGear U105 and U145. These two cases feature extra padding and an impact protected sleeve for tablets or laptops. The U105 has a strong laptop frame inside that defends against bending and other day-to-day bumps that your laptop no doubt suffers. These two bags have tons of extra space for other gear for school, so your pens, pencils and notebooks will all be easily transported. There are plenty of straps and handles to make it a breeze to haul your gear. These are perfect for travel too, as the size is right for getting what you need for a short vacation while stowing your laptop or tablet as well. When you’re heading to the Caribbean for some much needed R&R, you’ll probably want your ereader along to read on the beach. The U145 gives you just what you need.

Pelican U105 MOLLE Straps

I really like the added MOLLE straps on the side also. I’m always needing to grab a pen, so having a couple on the outside of the bag is a great idea, and you can always attach other pouches that are compatible with MOLLE to the outside, so you get a great deal of versatility with the Pelican ProGear U105 and U145.

Pelican ProGear Elite U140

For a higher level of protection, you should check out the Pelican ProGear Elite line. The Pelican ProGear Elite U100 was designed for city life. You run around with a lot of people and hazards in big cities, often with your valuable laptop. This backpack incorporates a crush-proof and waterproof laptop case capable of carrying most 15″ laptops and even 17″ Apple Laptops! With this you won’t need to fret about your laptop getting wet and ruined in the rain, and if someone bangs into you the laptop won’t suffer for it. That provides some peace of mind. If you have homework or important business documents (or just an incredible high score on minesweeper) saved they’ll be okay. But that’s just one facet of the bag. It’s also a fully functional backpack. Even in our modern world there’s still a need for notebooks and pens. There’s more than enough room for all your school supplies here! Plus, if you want to carry a water bottle or sweater there’s extra storage options for that!

Note how wide the Pelican ProGear Elite U100 Hard Case opens to allow you to stow your laptop.

Since you’ll have a bit of extra weight on your back, the ProGear U100 was built for comfort as well as durability. The ergonomic back and padded straps will make it super comfortable to haul your gear all day. This is a fantastic bag for school, work or hiking! When you need a comfortable way to carry your laptop, the ProGear U100 is a fantastic option.

The Hard Case inside the Pelican Elite U140 protects tablets, ereaders or netbooks!

Pelican also developed the ProGear Elite U140 for iPads, tablets and netbooks. It’s almost identical to the ProGear Elite U100, but with a tighter fit to ensure your tablet doesn’t get jostled. The U140 still provides the crush-proof, waterproof electronics case, comfortable straps and extra storage for more supplies. The landscape for what type of tools you need in the educational and corporate worlds can be quite complex, so Pelican made sure there were Hybrid Luggage models for the various electronics you can use!

Whether you’re traveling through the airport, hiking through miles of woodlands or navigating the modern jungles of major cities, having a quality bag is essential. Pelican is world renowned for their cases, so having a backpack with a tough Pelican Hard Case built-in for style, comfort and strength is a phenomenal way to carry your electronics and other gear. Pelican is thinking forward and expanding their focus to provide cases for everyone. Keep your laptop or tablet safe from damage with one of these new Pelican Hybrid Luggage Cases!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on For School or Travel, Protect Your Computer with Pelican!
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