GearExpert

For Virtual Reality and Real Life Combat the Leupold HAMR is your Best Bet!

Apr 9 • News • 8436

I was recently playing one of the most popular video games in the world, Call of Duty, when I came across a phenomenal weapon sight for my submachine gun, or SMG. For the game, as in actual combat, versatility is key to success, and an SMG often has the perfect balance between power and speed to help you handle most situations. But Call of Duty allows for a great deal of customization, which allows you to play the way you want. A number of customization options were presented to me. Since I wanted to be ready for anything, I needed a sight that could match my SMG’s versatility. I found the HAMR sight.

Call of Duty aims for an accurate yet entertaining reproduction of tactical situations, so they base the guns as well as the attachments on real gear used by the military today. There are long distance sniper rifles, ACOGs and red dot sights galore, but the HAMR quickly became my go to choice because it combines two different sights into a single unit. It’s based on the Leupold Mark 4 HAMR Riflescope.

Need a versatile sight? Try the Leupold HAMR - Great for close and mid range Shooting!

The Leupold HAMR is quickly becoming a favorite sight for military and law enforcement professionals around the world because it combines a fixed power scope with a red dot sight. The red dot sight is saddled on top of the 4x magnified scope for a cool setup that you don’t see very often. Sure, some shooters mount gear on top of their riflescope, but to have both pieces of equipment in a single unit is both really unique and provides you with some great possibilities.

The biggest advantage of having these two sights combined into one is the incredible target acquisition speed at multiple ranges. You may already know how fast you can get on target with a red dot sight. You shoot with both eyes open and only have to get the reticle lined up to make a shot, and this is a huge help in close quarters, which is a situation our brave military men and women find themselves in all too often.

The drawback of using a red dot sight is lack of magnification. They’re really a close range sight, so if your target is a ways off your accuracy will plummet. While a high power scope is a great way to hit a target at long distance, finding the target can take an extra few seconds. In the field every second counts, so this is a huge deal. A fixed low-power scope is often ideal for mid-range shooting. You can usually shoot with both eyes open, so you find the target with one eye, then when it’s in view your eyes refocus on the magnified image and you take the shot.

Red Dot Sight and Fixed Power Scope in one with the Leupold HAMR!

Different situations require one sight over the other. In the tightest quarters you’ll want the red dot, but if you’re outside the fixed power scope will be better. Like many Call of Duty enthusiasts I’ve used the HAMR to great success. While some of the great features like generous eye relief and a 60 MOA adjustment range don’t come into play in the game, they’re still absolutely necessary for shooters in the real world who need a comfortable and high performing optic. I’m not sure how extensively the game developers study light transmission through Leupold scope lenses, but the bright image you get from the HAMR Scope in Call of Duty mirrors the outstanding visual clarity you get from the real Leupold HAMR.

For close to mid range tactical situations, either real or simulated, the Leupold HAMR Rifle Scope is the perfect choice.

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on For Virtual Reality and Real Life Combat the Leupold HAMR is your Best Bet!
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Tips for Spring Birding with OPMOD Binoculars!!!

Apr 2 • News • 4718

Spring is my favorite time of the year. The summer is fun, but it’s the season when the fun is now. Spring is all about promise. The coming of summer and a beautiful fall. As a nature lover, I especially love Spring’s promise of new life. While I could do without some wildlife (skunks are the bane of my late night walks), for the most part the increase in local wildlife is a joy to see. Perhaps the most drastic instance of more animals here in Illinois is the increase in the bird population. A combination of new baby birds being born and the migration of birds back to the area is quite dramatic. Local ponds suddenly spring to life this time of year with ducks and geese.

When you add the beautiful weather to the increase in birds, Spring becomes the perfect season for birding. It isn’t hard to see a wide variety of birds in Spring if you know where to look. We should all be getting outside a bit more, and I’m going to run through a brief list of tips for birdwatching, as well as a rundown of some of the gear you’ll want to have along for the most birding success!

First, you have to find the birds. Fortunately, there are a number of places you can find them. Since it’s Spring, you’re going to want to check Migration Flyway Routes. In North America there are four of these routes. The names are pretty indicative of where they’re located, with the Atlantic Flyway running along the Eastern seaboard, the Mississippi Flyway running along the Mississippi River right through the heart of America, the Central Flyway running down through the Gulf of Mexico and taking up a big portion of the middle of the country, and the Pacific Flyway running along the Western seaboard. Each of these flyways has some distinct bird species, but you’re mainly going to be looking for migrating birds. Along the Central Flyway you’ll often see songbirds and hummingbirds, especially in the Southern portions of the flyway. Along the Pacific Flyway you can see elf owls and a few types of warblers. In parts of the Atlantic Flyway you can find short-tailed hawks and American Flamingos, which are a lot of fun. Along the Mississippi Flyway that we here in Illinois are a part of you can see majestic bald eagles, pelicans and upland sandpipers. Flyways are a great place to look for birds in the Spring.

If you want to keep to a simpler and closer birding area, hiking in local parks is a great choice! Make sure the park or garden you choose has early blooming trees and flowers, as they’re more likely to attract birds earlier in the season, as many birds stick around once they’ve found a good spot. Some birds are attracted to the nectar from the flowers. Others like the seeds. These parks often have a fair bit of grass, which attracts varieties of ground feeding birds. Parks can be a real treasure trove of birds in the Spring.

Waterways are another smart place to look for birds. It’s no coincidence that one of the flyways in North America runs along the Mississippi River. Birds need to drink, and many find their food in rivers and lakes. If you’re near a river, there’s a good chance some birds will stop by on their way North.

A really fun way to not only find a lot of birds but also mingle with other birders is at a bird festival. Most of these festivals are scheduled at the perfect time and place to see a particular species, which makes it really easy to see some great wildlife. If you’re new to birding, don’t be intimidated. Most birders are not only willing to share their passion, but truly excited about the chance to help someone else discover the fun of birding.

If you can’t get away long enough to go visit the best birding spots, you can always try to make the birds come to you! There are quite a few things you can do to make your backyard more appealing to birds. Consider their needs. Food, water, shelter and material for nests are all necessary to attracting birds. Cleaning up your yard is usually a good start, and adding things like bird baths, houses and feeders as well as planting a few different types of flora can all add to your chances of bringing a bit of birding fun to your yard. A few years ago I planted a hummingbird bush for my mom on Mother’s Day. Also known as Flame Acanthus or Wright Anisacanth, these bushes not only attract hummingbirds, but also butterflies, bees and other birds. We didn’t get a lot of hummingbirds the first year, but one must have been living nearby last year because he was feeding at the bush a few times a week.

If you’re a dog lover, your best friend can play havoc with your yard’s ability to attract birds. Outside of the occasional hummingbird, my yard is mostly bird-free since I have two dedicated hunters patrolling the area on a daily basis.

The OPMOD 20-60x60 Spotting Scope

If you have a few appealing features to your yard for birds, you can get a really good view with a spotting scope. I generally think binoculars are a better choice for birding because they’re easy to carry on long hikes, but it’s hard to beat the amazing view you can achieve with a quality spotting scope. The OPMOD 20-60x60mm Spotting Scope is a fantastic option, as the included tripod will give you a stable view for an incredibly clear and bright image. You can aim the spotting scope at a hummingbird bush or bird feeder so that as soon as a hummingbird stops by all you need to do is make a quick adjustment and you’re up close and personal with one of these beautiful birds. Spotting scopes are also great for digiscoping purposes, so if you equip your OPMOD Spotting Scope with a universal camera adapter like the Yukon Universal Digital Camera Adapter you can capture the memory of the first hummingbird to frequent your Flame Acanthus.

Need Fantastic Binoculars? Check out the OPMOD 8x42 Binocular!

For most birding situations you’re probably going to want more portability than a spotting scope can deliver. That’s where a fantastic pair of binoculars become your best friend. Birding binoculars usually do not have the same magnification power as a spotting scope, but you can run up past a row of trees and get an immediate view of an elusive fowl.

OPMOD Binos give you everything you need right out of the Box!

I like our OPMOD Binoculars for birding. They’re super tough, with waterproof, fogproof and shock resistant construction, so if you’re slogging through miles of marshland or wading into a river to see a rare swan, they’re going to hold up really well. There are two models available: the OPMOD 8x42mm Binoculars and the OPMOD 10x42mm Binoculars.

OPMOD Binoculars Ocular Lenses and Center Focus Wheel

I just recently got to take a look at the OPMOD 8x42mm Binoculars, and they are fantastic. I already mentioned the toughness, and while I didn’t really put that to the test, I did a little glassing and they felt really sturdy. They’re really easy to use, with the twist-up eyecup system allowing for quick adjustments based on your eyes, and the center focus wheel within reach of my fingers with a normal grip. As you can see from the photos, our OPMOD binoculars come with a padded carrying case, a super comfortable neck strap, ocular lens cap and flip down objective lens caps. You can flip them down with your pinkies while raising the binoculars for a quick view. I really enjoyed using them for a while, and I have no doubt they’d be perfect for long use as you track birds through the wilderness.

The OPMOD Binocular comesin 8x42 and 10x42 Models!

Make sure you’re well prepared for your next birding expedition by arming yourself with both the best gear like our OPMOD Binoculars as well as knowledge of the birds you’re looking for. Spring brings with it a lot of different species; some may be perched high in the trees singing a mating songs while others are picking through dense thicket to find material when building a nest. Know what type of bird you’re after and have your binoculars close at hand so you get a great view. Good luck. Now get out there and get birding!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Tips for Spring Birding with OPMOD Binoculars!!!
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Steiner Police Binoculars will give you a Better View!!!

Mar 30 • News • 5537

I just read a news report that really highlights the difference between various binoculars. In the article, a man and woman were siphoning gas out of commercial trucks at night. I suppose the exorbitant cost of gas these days drove them to the act, but they thought that the cover of darkness would protect them. Quite a bit of gas was stolen by the pair over the course of a few days, and though security cameras could see the couple, the image was not clear enough to catch them.

The man crept into the parking lot between the trucks, which provided just enough darkness to fool the cameras. The woman kept a lookout at their car.

What they didn’t expect was a police officer to be monitoring the area with a high quality pair of police binoculars. The article didn’t say what type of binoculars they were, but I’d bet they were similar to the Steiner 10x50mm Police Binoculars. In addition to their incredible toughness and waterproofing (which is an absolute must-have for any tactical purpose) these fantastic binoculars have large 50mm objective lenses, which make them very bright. The larger the objective lens, the more light is gathered, and this translates to more detail in low light situations. With smaller objective lenses I doubt the police officer would have been able to see well enough to identify the thief.

The Steiner 10X50 Police Binocular

What’s really funny about this is that the woman waiting in the car had a pair of binoculars as well, but she was not able to see the police officer. Again, I don’t know what kind of binoculars she was using, but I bet she didn’t invest in quality optics like Steiner Police Binoculars.

We carry a wide variety of Steiner binoculars at OpticsPlanet that are specially designed for various purposes, from hunting and birding to police and military use. As this particular news article shows, it’s always important to get the right optic for your needs. A large objective lens and powerful magnification will really help you find what you’re seeking, whether it’s a rare bird, elusive game or a pair of thieves hoping to save money on their gasoline. Find the perfect binocular for you by checking out our Steiner selection.

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Steiner Police Binoculars will give you a Better View!!!
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The Crimson Trace Rail Master – From SHOT Show to Your Door!

Mar 28 • News • 4676

Easily one of our favorite displays at this year’s SHOT Show was from Crimson Trace. There are a few reasons for this. First, they had shooting superstar Iain Harrison showing off their sweet weapon lights and laser sights. You could see in the video (check out both the video and our post in our Crimson Trace SHOT Show Post) that Steve really had a great time reminiscing with Iain about a hunt and some time they’d spent shooting together. But the excitement wasn’t just for Mr. Harrison, because Crimson Trace didn’t hold back when it came to amazing new products. Of the gear that was truly new (rather than updated models of existing products) the best had to be the Rail Master.

Crimson Trace Rail Master Front View

The Crimson Trace Rail Master is a phenomenal piece of technology. And this is no secret because as soon as we got them in stock they started selling really well. I think Crimson Trace is going to have to make a few extra batches because these sweet sights are really popular! Why is that? The Rail Master is a universal laser sight, so it’ll fit on a ton of different firearms, from some smaller compact handguns to full size rifles while still maintaining a high level of performance. It only needs 1 1/8 inches of Picatinny or Weaver style rail space. That’s an extremely small amount of room for such a tough and powerful laser. As you can see from the pictures, this Crimson Trace Laser Sight is truly compact, so you also shouldn’t have as much trouble finding a holster that’ll accommodate the new shape.

The Crimson Trace is small enough for most handguns

Another thing I’m really impressed by is the ease of use on the Rail Master. Depending on the firearm you’re using you may want to activate the Rail Master Laser a little differently. It comes with four inserts that will allow it to be closer or further from your finger on a handgun. If you have big hands it will be easier and more natural to activate a little further down the rail. If you’re using the laser sight for self defense or on duty you’ll really appreciate this. Just like you practice with your holster until you have perfect muscle memory you should practice activating your Rail Master until it’s second nature. Adjust the fit until it feels perfect, then practice, practice, practice.

The Rail Master won't weigh down your Rifle!

With all that practice and the extensive use you’re sure to get from your new Rail Master you’ll be happy to know the battery life is about 4 hours, and it can use either a single 1/3N 3V Lithium or two 357 Silver Oxide Batteries, which are pretty easy to find.

If you need a great compact red laser that’ll fit on almost any gun with a Picatinny or Weaver rail, the Crimson Trace Rail Master is the perfect choice. And with the amazing price on this new sight you’re sure to get tons of value. Get yours today and be one of the first with this new laser sight!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on The Crimson Trace Rail Master – From SHOT Show to Your Door!
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What Eyewear should you Use after LASIK? Try Wiley X!!

Mar 26 • News • 21495

Today I’d like to tell you a story of my recent LASIK procedure and how Wiley X made it a much smoother and more enjoyable experience.

To begin, I should let you know a bit of my vision history. I come from a very near-sighted family. I’ve worn glasses since second grade, and I wore sports goggles through Little League Baseball and Junior High Basketball, after which I started wearing contacts. I loved my contacts and wore them everyday, without fail, until last September. I’d been working here at OpticsPlanet for a few months and my eyes were getting tired almost everyday to the point that I was using eye drops frequently.

I started wearing glasses regularly again for the first time in 15 years. It definitely helped with eye fatigue, but glasses have their drawbacks. I like to run, and jogging with glasses is a pain. They bounce up and down, sweat coats the lenses, and they make running a far less enjoyable experience overall. Coming home from work and putting in contacts for a short period of time seemed like a waste of lens solution, so there were days that I simply didn’t run.

Plus, while my glasses were fairly stylish and gave me a smarter, more scholarly appearance, they didn’t exactly help me when talking to girls. Something had to be done. The time had come. I needed to get LASIK.

I’d wanted laser vision correction for years, but money has always been a problem. Fortunately, with my awesome job here at OpticsPlanet I was able to start saving, and after a few months I had squirreled away enough money to pay for the procedure. I checked out a few different LASIK centers in the area and settled on one that is known to be exceptional.

My first appointment was quick and painless. I was deemed a good candidate, though my prescription was rather high and I would need more extensive correction than most people. One thing the doctor mentioned is that I need to keep my eyes well protected for a few weeks after the surgery. Anytime I go outside I should wear some sort of eye protection to keep wind, dust and other contaminants out of my eyes. While a tiny grain of sand most likely wouldn’t seriously affect my eyes, my risk for complications would be far greater if I don’t take recovery seriously and I was not willing to let laziness screw up my eyesight.

But what type of eyewear should I use after Lasik? We carry a number of different types of motorcycle sunglasses and shooting goggles, but I wasn’t sure which would be right for my specific needs. Some would be overkill, as I don’t need to wear full snowboarding goggles, but others might not give me the kind of protection necessary. Like many of you who find yourself lost in the myriad of choices, I decided to ask an expert. I walked over to our eyewear department and spoke with Larum, who is one of our top specialists.

I always knew our product specialists were smart, but Larum still impressed me with his exceptional knowledge of eyewear. I told him what I was looking for, and he looked at me for a moment, considering the shape of my head, which is a bit narrow (still handsome, but narrow), and he asked me a few more questions. Once Larum could see that I was interested in top quality and that I was willing to invest in the right sunglasses or goggles, he said I needed Wiley X.

He quickly and easily helped get me a few pairs of Wiley X Motorcycle Glasses and Shooting Glasses to try on. All the options would provide ample protection, but the look, feel and fit would vary from one to another. I was happy to have so many choices to try out.

Wiley X Brick Sunglasses

First up I tried on the Wiley X Brick Sunglasses/Goggles. These were a really fantastic pair of motorcycle goggles because they are super tough. They meet ANSI Z81.7-2003 standards, so they’d be great as shooting glasses as well, but the comfort and style were what really impressed me. An included T-Peg docking system lets you quickly and easily attach an elastic strap to keep them in place when running or jumping. The facial cavity seal is removable, so I could use the Brick Sunglasses for normal use after my need for eye protection ended. Unfortunately, the fit wasn’t perfect. Like I said, I have a fairly narrow head, and even with the facial cavity seal the Bricks were a bit wide. If you have a bit rounder head than I these would be phenomenal.

Wiley X SG-1 Sunglasses

Next I tried on the Wiley-X SG-1 Tactical Goggles. Again, I really liked these, but the fit was just barely too big for my head. I could really see the durability of these goggles, and they transitioned nicely between goggles and sunglasses. As proof of their strength and protective abilities, check out the product page. We’ve received emails from from soldiers on the front lines who were really glad to be wearing the SG-1s when under attack. Be warned that some of the images are graphic. Still, it’s stunning to see how tough these goggles are.

Wiley X Saber Eyeshields

I moved on to the Wiley X Saber Advanced Eyeshields. I’ll admit that I wasn’t as impressed by the Sabers as I was by the SG-1s and the Bricks, but I could still see they were capable of protecting from larger projectiles. The problem I had with the Sabers is they didn’t have the facial cavity seal, which I felt would be THE thing to protect my eyes from wind or dust. I just couldn’t bring myself go with a pair of sunglasses that didn’t have that removable gasket.

My first time wearing the Wiley X Air Rage Sunglasses Outside!

The final pair of sunglasses I tried on were the Wiley X Air Rage Goggles/Sunglasses. Wow. Like the Bricks and the SG-1s, the Air Rages have a facial cavity seal and an elastic strap for keeping the glasses firmly in place. But the fit was perfect. Perfect comfort. Perfect seal all around my eye for total protection. Perfect. I imagine it was similar to Goldilocks trying different beds and bowls of porridge. I finally found a pair that was just right. The picture at the top of the page shows all the cool stuff you get with your Wiley X Air Rages. The case, cleaning cloth (it’s still rolled up), elastic temple strap, leash strap (for hanging them around your neck when not using), the facial cavity seals and the sunglasses are all in the box. I really like that you get everything you need when you buy the Air Rage Sunglasses.

T-Peg Docking System for Elastic Strap

One thing I still needed to decide was which particular model of Air Rages I wanted. I knew I’d prefer the gloss black finish for the frames, but there are a few different types of lenses to choose from. Normally I’d go with a polarized lens, as I am fortunate enough to go boating most summers, and polarized lenses really help with glare, but I often walk my dogs and jog at night. I can’t wear a dark lens and navigate the night. At the same time I planned to use these sunglasses during the day, so I wouldn’t mind some degree of shading. Plus I prefer the look of darker lenses. The obvious choice was photochromic lenses. These light adjusting lenses will darken when in direct sunlight and lighten at night to a nearly clear view. I probably look a bit silly wearing goggles at night while walking my dogs, but at least I’m well protected.

Facial Cavity Seal Partially Removed - Super Easy to Do

Once I’d selected my safety glasses, it was time to get on with the surgery. I won’t run through every step of LASIK, but I had the procedure last Friday, March 23, at about 9:00am. They gave me a light sedative which didn’t knock me out completely but did relax me so that I was pretty chill on the operating table. The whole procedure took only 10 minutes. I barely knew what was happening before it was over.

As I’ve mentioned, I had pretty bad eyesight, so my results would be more immediately dramatic than for most people. My vision was still a bit blurry when I sat up, but the technician asked me to tell me the time on the wall. Before the surgery, there’s little chance I would have seen the clock, let alone be able to make out the hands and numbers. I almost laughed at the technician when he asked me the time, but then I looked. It was 9:20! I could actually see the time! I had hardly started healing and I could already see better than I have for most of my life.

I went home after the surgery and slept for a few hours. This was by design, as the first few hours after surgery are the most uncomfortable. I woke up at about 3:00 and looked around. My vision wasn’t quite at 20/20 yet, but it was getting better by the minute. I took some eye drops and lounged around for the rest of the day while listening to audiobooks. It was actually a pretty relaxing day overall, and I went to bed early.

Saturday was a whole new world. My vision was clear. I could see! I still had to take drops to deal with dryness and minimize the chances of infection, but I could see!!!!!

I knew it wouldn’t do to be overconfident. I still had to take care of my eyes. I had a one day checkup to make sure there were no issues, and anytime I’m outside I need to wear eye protection. Fortunately, I had my Wiley X Air Rage Sunglasses. This was the first time I was able to wear them and actually see through the lenses. Awesome! Totally clear, with just a bit of tint outside (it was overcast).

I showed the Air Rages to my doctor, and he really liked them and told me I’d be fine to walk my dogs that day, and I could start running the next day as long as I was wearing them. I couldn’t be happier!

I actually took my dogs Samson and Mickey on two walks that day, one in the afternoon and one at night. The Air Rages performed brilliantly on both walks. I was worried I might have trouble seeing at night, but the lenses didn’t obscure my new 20/20 vision!

On Sunday I decided to go for a jog. I was a bit concerned about how the Air Rages would perform, especially because I’ve had experience running with glasses before and never enjoyed it. I attached the elastic strap to the easy-to-use T-Peg Docking System and adjusted for my head. The fit was snug yet comfortable.

I strapped my phone to my arm, played some music (Buddy Guy – Some people don’t think the Blues are appropriate for exercise, but Buddy has so much passion that you can’t help but feel energized every time he plays a solo) and off I went! I haven’t been running as consistently as I’d like, so the run was a struggle at first, but not because of my Wiley X Sunglasses. They stayed perfectly in place without sliding up and down the least as I went mile after mile.

The one issue I experienced was with the lenses. Yesterday was a beautiful day. Bright, sunny and nary a cloud in the sky. I was running at about 2:00pm, so the sun was almost directly overhead, and I didn’t feel the lenses were darkening very much. There was no problem with my vision, as the lenses darkened enough to shade my eyes from light, but I didn’t feel they were dark enough to hide my eyes, which I prefer when wearing sunglasses. I was jogging on my own, so I didn’t have anyone to ask about how I looked. Or, at least, I didn’t at first.

About two miles into my run I needed to slow to a walk and catch my breath. I had a cramp in my side and was taking a lot of deep breaths. I’m on the same bike path jogging or walking my dogs all the time, and in the warmer months I almost always see a particular girl jogging. She has curly brown and blonde hair, and she never seems to slow down. I’ve smiled and waved a few times, but I’ve never had the chance, or the nerve, to say hello. I’ve always hoped she would stop to pet my dogs, but she seems pretty serious about her exercise.

About thirty seconds after I slowed to a walk she ran by. I don’t know if my sudden boost in confidence was due to my new vision or the sweet Wiley X Shades I was wearing, but I ran up next to her and asked her opinion about the sunglasses. She said she could still see my eyes through the lenses, but she didn’t mind.

We ran alongside one another for at least two miles, talking the whole way. The knot in my side which would normally take a few minutes to subside was completely gone within moments. I was fortunate enough to get her phone number.

Was it the Wiley X Air Rages? I can’t say. But I can tell you my eyes felt great when I got home, and the Air Rage Sunglasses gave me more than enough protection on a 5 mile run. My eyesight has never been better, and I don’t think my eye protection could get any better, as the the combination of safety, value and style are so high in the Air Rages that I wouldn’t trade them for any other pair of sunglasses. In my opinion they’re the perfect eyewear for after LASIK.

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on What Eyewear should you Use after LASIK? Try Wiley X!!
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