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Archive for the ‘Optics’ Category

Tasco Unveils New Website, ProPoint Red Dot Lineup Expansion

Monday, May 10th, 2021

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – May 10, 2021 – Tasco®, a leader in superior value optics, has launched a major redesign of its website, Tasco.com. Besides a new look and feel, the website features overhauled navigation, enhanced product content and new categories for customers to explore.

Tasco.com now includes integrated connections to Tasco social media, streamlined customer support and in-depth product pages so customers can quickly and easily find the information they need. Searchers can find products by category, with added filtering or with new and improved search functionality. Besides classics like binoculars, rifle scopes, telescopes and spotting scopes, customers will notice new red dot and golf categories highlighted on the website’s homepage.

The Tasco lineup of red dot sights is also new and improved in 2021 with the addition of two new models – the TRD130T ProPoint® 1×30 and TRDPCC ProPoint 1×30 PCC. Designed with rugged construction and versatile mounting options, both red dots offer outstanding value at an entry-level price point.

At the core of the ProPoint line is a crisp red dot with multi-coated lenses for a bright image without the blue tint found on other brands’ red dots. This provides a clear target view and aiming point for quicker and more accurate shooting, making ProPoint red dots intuitive sights for hunters and range shooters alike.

Both red dots come with capped elevation turrets and provide up to 500 hours of battery life. From front to back, these red dot sights are designed, constructed and tested to withstand relentless recoil for years of service at the range and in the field thanks to their rugged aluminum construction.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the TRD130T Red Dot is $41.59 and for the TRDPCC is $79.99. For more information on these or to see other Tasco products, visit Tasco.com.

Bushnell Expands Rimfire Riflescope Lineup

Monday, May 10th, 2021

New Scopes Offer DZ22 Reticles and Peak Performance for Rimfire Shooters

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – May 5, 2021 – Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, has announced the addition of two new models to its dedicated lineup of rimfire riflescopes. Specifically designed for .22LR rifles, these scopes are ideal for varmint and small game hunting, as well as for plinking and recreational shooting.

The two new riflescopes are available in a 3-9x40mm configuration with DZ22 reticles, with one model featuring an illuminated reticle option. The DZ22 reticle was specifically designed for .22LR rimfire ballistics, with drop points out to 125 yards.  On the illuminated reticle model, the riflescope is standard with an “off” position between each intensity setting, so users do not have to return to zero and lose their preferred intensity. The illuminated reticle also provides shooters with improved visibility in low light environments.

Rimfire shooters will appreciate that both models come equipped with glass enhancements for improved performance. Standard features on both riflescopes include multi-coated surfaces, one-piece tube design and a large 40mm objective for more clarity, improved resolution and a larger exit pupil. Both riflescopes can also be used with the Bushnell Ballistic App. These enhancements allow for faster target acquisition and more accurate shooting.

Capped turrets protect shooters’ windage and elevation settings in the field, while lightweight and waterproof sealed aircraft-grade aluminum construction protects the entire scope from the elements. From the field to the range, the 3-9×40 rimfire riflescopes are IPX7 rated and have been designed to get the most out of rimfire rifle shooting no matter the weather conditions.

MSRP is $149.95 for the 3-9×40 rimfire riflescope with standard DZ22 reticle and $179.95 for the illuminated DZ22 reticle model. For more information about these or other Bushnell products, visit Bushnell.com.

XS Sights Announces Staff Promotions

Monday, May 3rd, 2021

Fort Worth, TX (April 27, 2021) – XS® Sights is pleased to announce the promotions of Zack Kinsley to Vice President of Business Development and Addison Monroe to Marketing Manager.

 

As Vice President of Business Development, Kinsley is responsible for creating and implementing plans to increase existing business and for developing new business opportunities to grow market share and brand awareness. He will track new markets and emerging trends, spearhead strategy on new products and services, and work closely with leadership on strategic sales and marketing initiatives as the company continues to innovate and grow.

As Marketing Manager, Monroe now oversees all marketing initiatives for the company. This includes advertising, sponsorships, the ambassador program, web content creation, graphic design, and photography, among other responsibilities.

“I could not be prouder than to announce the promotions of Zack to Vice President of Business Development and Addison to Marketing Manager,” said Kellie Brunn, Co-Owner of XS Sights.  “Zack’s proven solutions-based approach is an integral part of our innovation, profitability, and growth initiatives. He works closely with all of Team XS to grow our brand, and this role will allow him to focus on the long-term strategic direction of XS.”

Brunn continued, “Addison is a pleasure to work with and has demonstrated her talents as she has taken on more responsibilities in marketing this past year.  She is an excellent representative of our company and will hit the ground running in her new position.”

For more information, visit www.xssights.com.

Major Order for HENSOLDT Optronics

Thursday, April 29th, 2021

Oberkochen-based sensor specialist supplies sight systems worth almost 75 million euros for Dutch armoured reconnaissance vehicles

Oberkochen, Germany, 28 April 2021 – Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT has received an order from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) worth nearly 75 million euros to equip the Royal Netherlands Army’s “Fennek” armoured reconnaissance vehicles with visual systems. The scope of the order includes 188 BAA II NL observation and reconnaissance systems as well as a number of spare parts.

“Our optronic solutions combine sensors from different technologies to provide armoured vehicle crews with an excellent situational awareness,” said Andreas Hülle, CEO of HENSOLDT Optronics. “In the field, this capability is essential to fulfil the mission and ensure the protection of the crews.”

The BAA II NL is the logical further development of the BAA II JFST, which is already in use in the Joint Fire Support Team (JFST) of the German Armed Forces. The external dimensions have remained the same and the use and menu navigation have also been left unchanged in order to keep the training effort for the crew as low as possible.

The scope of the contract also includes adjustments to the YellowKite camera, which will be optimised to become a day-vision/near-infrared (NIR) camera with colour vision and will receive a near-infrared cut filter. In addition, HENSOLDT provides a digital outlet.

HENSOLDT will deliver the observation and reconnaissance systems to Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), which will handle the integration of the BAA II NL and its command and control system into the Fennek reconnaissance vehicles. Deliveries to KMW will begin in autumn 2022 with the qualification systems. Series delivery will start in 2023 and is scheduled to be completed by 2027.

Live Fire with the US Army’s New Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binoculars

Wednesday, April 28th, 2021

Soldiers assigned to 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, conduct a platoon live fire using the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binoculars at Joint Base Lewis-McChord April 19, 2021. The ENVG-B arms U.S. Army soldiers with the ability to target, engage, and neutralize threats; enhancing mission success and operator safety.

Video by 1LT Egor Krasnonosenkikh

Creating Binocular Night Vision Capability Using Existing PVS-14s: TNVC TNV/PVS-14 Powered Bridge Mount (PBM-A)

Monday, April 26th, 2021

Since it’s introduction at SHOT Show 2019 the TNVC TNV/PVS-14 PBM-A (Powered Bridge Mount) has been fielded by a number of users, including military, law enforcement, and commercial end-users. The patent pending Powered Bridge Mount is a unique product that allows individuals and organizations that already have PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Devices (MNVDs) to obtain capabilities similar to dedicated Binocular Night Vision Goggles (BNVGs) at a fraction of the cost of purchasing new devices.

tnvc.com/shop/tnvc-pvs14-powered-bridge-mount

While bridge systems that allow two PVS-14 MNVDs to be bridged together are not in and of themselves unique, the TNVC TNV/PVS-14 PBM-A features a unique power control system that not only allows both PVS-14s to powered and controlled using a single power control knob and on-board AA battery located within the Powered Bridge Mount rather than individually, but also allows the device to use an external battery pack for extended battery life, similar to the USSOCOM AN/PVS-31A BNVD.

The TNV/PVS-14 PBM-A also features a distinctive “yoke and harness” attachment system to provide the best possible image to the end user by ensuring optical and mechanical alignment of the individual PVS-14s, and is stable enough for collimation.* Like the TNV/DTNVS, USSOCOM BNVD, USMC SBNVG, and Army ENVG-B, the TNV/PVS-14 PBM-A is an articulating system that allows the individual monoculars to be rotated up from the center hub, allowing users to move the monoculars out of their field of view without fully stowing the entire goggle. This can be especially helpful inside of vehicles and other confined spaces with low overhead clearance. When the goggles are fully stowed, the articulating feature allows the device’s center of gravity to be located much closer to the head, reducing end user neck strain and fatigue.

Binocular night vision goggles offer significant advantages over individual monocular systems, such as improved depth perception and situational awareness, allowing end-users to process information faster and more accurately. While purpose designed dedicated binocular systems do continue to have advantages over bridged MNVDs such as overall system weight, many individuals and organizations already possess PVS-14 MNVDs and it may not be possible or cost-effective to immediately replace them with dedicated binocular systems. The TNV/PVS-14 PBM-A allows those individuals and organizations to obtain many of the advantages of binocular systems without having to purchase brand new dedicated BNVGs.

For more information, please visit tnvc.com/shop/tnvc-pvs14-powered-bridge-mount or e-mail sales@tnvc.com

*non-user level maintenance, requires collimation test set

EAA’s New Optics Tactical Shotguns for Home Defense

Friday, April 23rd, 2021

EAA/Akkar reconfigured their popular Churchill semi-auto and pump shotguns in 20ga and upgraded features to enhance its use as a tactical home defense shotgun as “Home Defense without a Kick.”

Cocoa, Fla. (April 2021) –  EAA Corp., importers of select quality and affordable handguns, rifles, and shotguns, built upon the success of their Churchill semi-auto and pump shotguns in 20ga, and with upgraded and enhanced features, has created the ultimate home defense tactical shotgun with the Churchill 220 Optics Tactical semi-auto shotgun and the Churchill 620 Optics Tactical semi-auto, pump-action shotgun.

The semi-automatic 220 Optic Tactical Shotgun features a checkered pistol grip stock, a semi-enhanced loading port for fast reloads, and accessible controls for confidence under any stressful situation. EAA/Akkar machined the Optics Rail right into the receiver for lower optics mounting to give the user easy and quick target acquisition. Simply raise the shotgun to your shoulder and your eye looks directly into the included red dot sight. Perfect alignment means better accuracy, a performance plus for the Churchill 220 and 620 Optics Tactical shotguns at a much lower price than other competition shotguns.

EAA/Akkar also shortened the barrel to 18.5,” making the Optics Tactical shotgun more maneuverable in hallways or tight scenarios. The breaching choke tube is capable of breaking glass when the situation calls for it.

The Churchill 620 Optics Tactical Shotgun is the Tactical Home Defense version of EAA’s popular Churchill 20ga pump-action with all the enhancements that make this a perfect, low-recoil home defense shotgun. With a pistol grip stock for greater control, a breaching choke tube, enhanced loading port and accessible controls for operation under duress, the 620 Optic Tactical shotgun also features an Optics Rail, machined into the receiver for quick and easy target acquisition and fast follow up shots.

Both the Churchill 220 Optics Tactical and the 620 Optics Tactical shotguns give you whole home defense without the kick on your shoulder or your budget.

For more information on EAA Corp., visit www.eaacorp.com.

SIG SAUER Electro-Optics Spotlight – ROMEO4 Series

Wednesday, April 21st, 2021

The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMEO4 Series currently consists of three models with the ROMEO4T as most feature rich variant.

ROMEO4H
ROMEO4S
ROMEO4T

The ROMEO4 is a 1×20 closed red dot sight designed for fast, accurate target acquisition regardless of lighting conditions, weather or terrain. It is available with 1 or 2 MOA dots and the various reticle patterns can be seen in the graphic above (Dot, Circle-Dot, Dot with Holds, Circle-Dot with Holds). The ROMEO4H is a bit different with a 2 MOA Green Horseshoe reticle.

Additionally, the ROMEO4 is the FBI general issue optic for patrol carbines and they also serve various other government and law enforcement agencies around the world. In fact, it was quite a shocker in 2019 to see an SAS operator responding to a terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya outfitted with a ROMEO4. However, SIG has not acknowledged any military sales of the ROMEO4 series.

Battery life is an impressive 100,000+ hours for the ROMEO4S & T thanks to the CR2032 battery combined with a solar panel. The ROMEO4H offers 50,000 hours, but there is no solar panel.

There are 12 illumination settings for the ROMEO4T (10 daytime/2 NV). Additionally, the ROMEO4 series incorporates MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) which powers the sight up when it senses motion and powers down when it does not, providing operational safety and enhanced battery life.

The main housing is 7075 aluminum with a 1.41″ riser mount and additional lower 1/3 co-witness spacer. Adjustments are 0.5 MOA with 100 MOA windage and elevation travel.

The sight weighs just 7.6 oz and offers IPX8 environmental proofing meaning it can be submerged to more than 1 meter. In fact, SIG goes even further, conducting Mil-Spec 810G testing and submersing the sight up to 20 meters. On the other hand, the ROMEO4S & H variants is subjected to IPX7 testing which only certifies the sight to submersion of up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

The ROMEO4 series of optics are assembled in the USA using some foreign sourced parts. I visited SIG SAUER Electro Optics in Oregon last Fall and watched the team assemble these optics.

SIG continues to optimize their supply chain, working with multiple vendors for those components they don’t manufacture in-house.

Likewise, they continue to improve the performance of their existing line, while simultaneously introducing new models. Stay tuned to SSD as we continue our coverage of additional SIG SAUER Electro Optics offerings.