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Archive for the ‘Optics’ Category

SIG Optics Unveils Ballistic Data Xchange

Friday, May 4th, 2018

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Ballistic Data Xchange is a new, Bluetooth enabled optics system from SIG Optics. It consists of Telescopic Sight, Laser Range Finder, and Ballistic Data App. BDX facilitates the transfer of ranging data from the Range Finder to their ballistic software package and into the weapon scope which displays your hold. SIG Optics partnered with Applied Ballistics to create a new Bluetooth enabled app called Applied Ballistics Ultralight. The app should be available via Google next week, and Apple Store a few weeks later.

“Connect The Dot”
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It’s simple to use. Range the target. The data is sent to the scope via Bluetooth. A blinking LED indicates the hold has been transferred to the scope.vElevation and wind age holds are indicated via the Automated illuminated Holdover Dot on the Reticle.

Interestingly, although this “Digital Focal Plane” is on the second focal plane and dots scale with magnification like a FFP scope.

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These illuminated dots on the reticle are situated at 18 Windage points (9 per side) and 72 holdover points equaling 30 MOA on 10x.

BDX is intended for use out to 800 yds with 1 MOA accuracy. Although, you can trick a bit with a 200 yds zero, for longer range shots.

BDX also features LevelPlex, a digital anti-cant system.

KinETHIC
Once again, BDX is a hunting platform and SIG introduced KinETHIC to assist with determining whether a shot will be an ethical kill. When enabled, the KinETHIC feature will indicate if the projectile will fall below a preset threshold of energy (Ft/lbs).

BDX Offerings
If the promise of new tech wasn’t enough, BDX enabled gear is the same price as traditional rangefinders and scopes. Rangefinders start at $299, while scopes start at $599.

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Products include KILO1400BDX, KILO1800BDX, KILO2200BDX, KILO2400BDX, and the new KILO3000BDX rangefinder binocular. The last twill pair with a Kestrel.

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SIERRA3BDX riflescope offerings include 3.5-10x42mm, 4.5-14x44mm, 4.5-14x50mm, and 6.5-20x52mm.

Although BDX was created for the hunter, there’s some technology here worth further exploration.

Press Release

Below is SIG’s press release for additional details:

SIG SAUER® Electro-Optics Transforms Hunting with the launch of BDX™

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NEWINGTON, N.H., (May 4, 2018) – The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics division today unveiled their all new Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX) rangefinders and riflescopes with integrated Applied Ballistics® and wireless Bluetooth® technology. This groundbreaking BDX technology enables interoperability and key ballistic holdover information to be exchanged wirelessly between SIG SAUER BDX Electro-Optics products. The foundation of the BDX system was designed for simplicity and ease of use. SIG SAUER BDX requires no new learning, and uses the same tools hunters and shooters have been using for years.

How does BDX work? The BDX rangefinder and riflescope system is simple, fast, and intuitive. Simply download the “SIG BDX” app available for Android or iOS smartphones, pair the KILO BDX rangefinder and SIERRA3BDX riflescope, set up a basic ballistic profile, and then you’re ready to shoot or hunt.

Once you are in the field, range your target as you normally would, and the KILO BDX rangefinder will utilize onboard Applied Ballistics Ultralight™ to instantly send your dope to the scope via Bluetooth.
Using your basic ballistic profile the ballistic solution is calculated for your target and will instantly illuminate on the BDX-R1 Digital Ballistic Reticle with windage and elevation holds in the SIERRA3BDX riflescope. A blue LED on the riflescope power selector indicates that the BDX system is paired, and when the reticle has received new ballistic holdover and windage data from the rangefinder.

“Rangefinding riflescopes of the past have had two major shortcomings: they are either big, boxy and heavy, or extremely expensive,” said Andy York, president, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics. “The revolutionary and affordable BDX system packs advanced ballistics technology into a simple platform that looks just like the rangefinder and riflescope that every hunter is using today. It is extremely simple to use; range a target, put the digital ballistic holdover dot on target, pull the trigger, impact. Incredibly accurate and extremely simple, just connect the dot.”

The BDX family of rangefinders includes: KILO1400BDX, KILO1800BDX, KILO2200BDX,
KILO2400BDX, and KILO3000BDX rangefinder binocular. These rangefinders include many of the legacy features that the KILO name was built on: Lightwave DSP™ digital rangefinder engine, Hyperscan™ with 4 times per second scan rate, RangeLock™, and the Lumatic™ auto-adjusting display.

Available in 3.5-10x42mm, 4.5-14x44mm, 4.5-14x50mm, and 6.5-20x52mm, the SIERRA3BDX riflescopes have the look, feel, weight, and size of traditional riflescopes.

They feature HD glass for superior resolution and optical clarity, 30mm main tubes, side-focus parallax adjustments, and the LevelPlex™ digital anti-cant system. The BDX-R1 Digital Ballistic Reticle is the evolution of holdover, providing a ballistic solution out to 800 yards with 1 MOA of accuracy.

Rounding out these superior features is SIG SAUER’s kinetic energy transfer indicator: KinETHIC™.

KinETHIC provides assistance in assuring an ethical hunt by indicating when energy on target drops below a threshold that can be set by the hunter using the BDX App.

“Ethics in hunting are a contract we make with ourselves based on the standards we as sportsmen adhere to as a group, what we feel good about personally, and respect for the game and our hunting traditions,” said Andy York president, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics. “KinETHIC is a feature that asks the hunter to make an educated and ethical decision beforehand by taking into consideration what the velocity and energy capabilities of your bullet and load are to deliver a killing shot. It then lets you know if the shot you are about to take will fulfill this contract. If not, it provides a visual affirmation to stalk-in closer. Knowing your maximum effective hunting range is more than just knowing what you can hit.”

KILO BDX Rangefinders starting at $299.99 MSRP

SIERRA3BDX Riflescopes starting at $599.99 MSRP

Available at dealers July, 2018.

Darley Defense Days 18 – Trijicon RM06-HRS

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018

Trijicon is displaying their new RM06-HRS (Handgun Reflex Sight). Based on the Type 2, it is their submission for USSOCOM’s Miniature Aiming Solution – Daylight solicitation.

It features a 3.25 MOA Red Dot and has survived 40,000 slide cycles on a Glock 19 in testing.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc. Sponsors Commissioning of USS Portland

Thursday, April 26th, 2018

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc., sponsored the commissioning of the USS Portland – the first United States naval ship to be named for Portland, Oregon – on Saturday, April 21.

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The San Antonio class amphibious transport is 684 feet long and is crewed by 371 sailors. It is the third USS Portland to have been commissioned by the U.S. armed forces, but the first to exclusively be named for Oregon’s largest city – previous incarnations have paid homage to Portland, Maine, or both cities simultaneously. A staple in the region for more than a century, the Leupold brand was originally founded in Portland before moving its headquarters to nearby Beaverton in 1968.

“Everyone on the Leupold team takes pride in how active the company is within our local community, and we’ve long supported the men and women of the U.S. armed forces,” said Bruce Pettet, president and chief executive officer of Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “The commissioning of the USS Portland was something we were ecstatic to take part in. We want to extend congratulations and our thanks to the ship and her crew.”

Now that the USS Portland has, as naval tradition dictates, been “brought to life” by official ship sponsor Bonnie Amos, it will call San Diego its home port. The ship is expected to be in service for the next 40 years.

“The two previous ships to bear the name Portland distinguished themselves in service to our nation,” Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said in a release prior to the commissioning. “I fully expect the future USS Portland will continue that proud tradition, whether delivering humanitarian assistance or the full range of combat capability for many decades to come.”

For more information on the USS Portland, go to USSPortlandLPD27.org.

For more information on Leupold® products, please visit us at Leupold.com.

Warrior West 18 – Lockheed Martin Indago Payloads

Monday, April 23rd, 2018

During last Fall’s UAS + Counter UAS Industry Day by ADS, I mentioned Lockheed Martin’s Indago 2 UAV and payload. The Noctus Dual IR payload is now available.

Featuring Dual FLIR Boson IR cameras which provide 640×512 video and 32 deg to 2 degree Field of View zoom, with seamless transition between cameras. Additionally, it incorporates an IR laser pointer. Finally, the payload is paired with real-time Geo location and Geo pointing capability as well as object tracking.

Knight Vision, LLC Acquires Rights To RQE

Friday, April 20th, 2018

Knight Vision, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Knight’s Enterprises has acquired the exclusive rights of RQE precision mounting and adaptation devices.

Along with the various IP and design concepts acquired, adding to the Knight’s family is the owner and lead designer of RQE as an integrated business and design entity.

Learn more at www.knightarmco.com/15291/shop/uncategorized/rqe-slick-sheets.

Warrior West 18 – Bushnell XRS II

Wednesday, April 18th, 2018

The XRS II is an update to Bushnell’s flagship optic. It incorporates ED Prime Glass to deliver colorful, high-contrast images in any light, with 4.5-30x zoom and wide 50mm objective lens to acquire targets well beyond 1,000 yards. Additionally, it features lock windage turret and an elevation turret featuring a RevLimiter Zero Stop that will not turn past zero.

Features:
Throwhammer Throw Lever – Removable lever enables quick magnification changes.
Precise – 10 MILs per revolution on elevation, windage turrets for exact adjustments.
Locking diopter Maintains scope’s focus, no matter what.
EXO Barrier – lens coating is moleculary-bonded to the glass, and repels water, oil, fog, dust and debris

The XRS II comes standard with the G3 reticle. It also is available with an H39 reticle. Look for the TRMR 3 late Summer. The XRS II is offered in grey, black and flat dark earth.

www.bushnell.com/tactical/riflescopes/xrs-ii/4-5-30×50,-g3,-fde

LFT / Cloud Defensive LCS Surefire

Monday, April 16th, 2018

This is the LCSmk1 mount, a collaboration between Lead Faucet Tactical and Cloud Defensive. It is designed to accept the Surefire ST07 Remote Tape Switch for Weapon lights. It features a 3-clamp, Picatinny rail compatible design.

It is machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum and Mil-Spec Type III hardcoat anodized finish. Additionally, a Mil-Spec Manganese Phosphate finish is applied to the customized and hardened screws. (MIL-STD-171) Proprietary Integrated Cable Channels (ICC) are integrated into both sides of the mount, giving the user the ability to control excess cable and making the mount ambidextrous and reversible. Channels can be used for other cable management as well (IR, etc).

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They promise Zero movement. Zero play. Virtually indestructible.

A version compatible with the Streamlight ProTac series series is also available.

leadfaucettactical.com/store/13j/lft-cloud-defense-lcs-surefire-now-available

TRACT Optics Announces Free Custom Turret Promotion with Riflescope Purchase

Friday, April 13th, 2018

HUMMELSTOWN, Penn. – April 12, 2018 – TRACT Optics has announced a custom turret promotion from now until Thursday, April 19, 2018. Customers will receive a free custom engraved turret (a $100 value) with the purchase of any T-Plex riflescope, including TORIC, TURION and 22 FIREriflescope models.

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“Every TRACT riflescope features the ability to add a custom engraved turret to match your specific cartridge or load,” said TRACT Co-Founder Jon LaCorte. “We teamed up with Kenton Industries, the premier leader in custom turret technology, to provide highly accurate turret solutions for TRACT riflescopes. And now, during this limited-time offer, all our customers who purchase a riflescope with a T-Plex reticle can take advantage of this custom upgrade at no extra cost.”

Custom engraved turrets allow the shooter to dial in the distance for long-range high-precision shooting. Once set-up, the turrets are ready to use and easy to operate. To operate, shooters simply range-find the target and dial the turret to that distance. With all TRACT T-Plex riflescopes, which feature a second focal plane reticle, a ballistic turret will work regardless of the magnification level since the user is already using the center crosshair.

TORIC riflescope models can utilize either a Medium-Profile Turret or High-Profile Turret since each scope includes the High-Profile Turret Kit with lock and zero stop. TEKOA and TURION models can utilize the Medium-Profile Turret, or customers can purchase the accessory High-Profile Turret Kit and then use a High-Profile Turret. 22 FIRE models are available with a Low-Profile Turret.

Customers wishing to take advantage of this limited-time promotion can visit tractoptics.com/promotions/customturretspromo, add a T-Plex reticle riflescope to the cart and then select a custom turret. Before checkout, customers will be prompted to complete the Impact Ballistics by inputting the appropriate scope, ammo, sight settings and shooting conditions, plus the preferred turret profile and custom label inscription. More detailed instructions for redeeming the offer are available online.

To learn more about the complete TRACT product lineup, visit www.tractoptics.com. The website offers a comprehensive educational resource with blogs, videos and social media connections. Specific questions or inquiries can also be answered by calling 844-747-4928.