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Archive for the ‘Optics’ Category

DeltaPoint Micro from Leupold Optics

Monday, January 4th, 2021

Leupold has officially released the DeltaPoint Micro, their new minimalistic red dot sight for pistols.

For shooters who need a red dot sight for their personal carry pistol, the DeltaPoint Micro is a rugged reflex sight that delivers rapid target acquisition, increased accuracy, and legendary Leupold performance in a sleek, low-profile design.

It’s a direct replacement for the factory rear sight. While I’m not overly enthused by the form factor, I do appreciate the technology. Leupold has placed a red dot about as close to the bore axis as possible. I imagine this means you’ll have to get used to it, if you decide to replace a more traditional RDS. But if this is your first use of an RDS, transitioning from traditional sights should be a bit easier as the dot is essentially where you normally find your rear sight. It’s also in direct alignment with the front sight.

Offering 8 power settings, the 3MOA dot is fully enclosed and is powered by a CR 1632 battery. The sight incorporates Motion Sensing Technology for power management and is waterproof rated at IPX7.

Although readily accessible for battery swaps, that battery case looks like it will take some getting used to. Perhaps an updated version will come out with a conformal, internal battery making the whole package a bit more sleek.

Initially, the DeltaPoint Micro is offered to fit either any non-MOS Glock or Smith & Wesson M&P models.

It should be right around $400 street price.

www.leupold.com/product-series/deltapoint-micro

Powerful Example: IVAS Program Uses Middle Tier and Other Transaction Authorities

Sunday, January 3rd, 2021

The Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program office employed critical thinking and innovative practices in the strategy, planning and execution of IVAS–an acquisition program designed to give our Soldiers, Marines and Special Operators a decisive advantage in close-combat capability. The program team leveraged the Adaptive Acquisition Framework, Middle Tier of Acquisition Pathway/Rapid Prototyping Path as highlighted in DoDI 5000.80, as well as Other Transaction Authorities to contract with Microsoft and other traditional and non-traditional vendors. Additionally, they involved Soldiers in the design and test process (“Soldier-Centered Design”), collaborated with key stakeholders and industry as one team (the “right team”), and effectively identified, managed and drove down risk as development and testing progressed.

Click here to watch the video.

IVAS is a low-profile, ruggedized Heads-Up Display (HUD) with a body borne computer pack, Conformal Wearable Battery (CWB), squad radio, and integrated thermal and low light sensors that provides the Close Combat Force a single platform to fight, rehearse, and train. The IVAS suite of capabilities leverages tactical mixed reality to enable planning, networked information sharing via Tactical Cloud Package (TCP) and Cloud Services, and an augmented reality Synthetic Training Environment (STE) and Squad immersive Virtual Trainer (SiVT) that enables the Warfighter to fight ‘25 bloodless battles’ before engaging the enemy. IVAS integrates next generation situational awareness tools and high-resolution simulations to deliver a single platform that improves Soldier sensing, decision making, target acquisition, and target engagement. These capabilities will provide the increased lethality, mobility, and situational awareness necessary to achieve overmatch against our current and future adversaries.

Team IVAS is on target to begin production in March 2021, with first unit equipped in September 2021, accelerating the development process by more than four years compared to traditional acquisition processes.

Written by Tony Romano, DAU

Riton Optics Announces Eric Hickman as Brand Manager

Tuesday, December 29th, 2020

Tucson, AZ (29 December 2020)- Riton Optics is pleased to announce Eric Hickman as the new Brand Manager for Riton Optics. Within this position, Hickman is focusing on marketing programs, such as the ProStaff, brand ambassador and influencer programs, as well as the industry relations.

Hickman commented, “I am truly blessed to have this opportunity to work in an industry that I am really passionate about. To be able to do so with Riton Optics is just icing on the cake. The commitment to customer service and delivery of a quality product that is value driven was immediately evident. Furthermore, to do so right in my hometown of Tucson is a perfect fit for me!”

Hickman came to Riton Optics with 21 years of law enforcement experience having just retired as a Sergeant from the Tucson Police Department. In that time, he served in a variety of assignments to include S.W.A.T. and grenadier with Mobile Field Force bringing skills that translate into the optics industry. He also grew up hunting and shooting with his father from a very young age. He is a Tucson native and received a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Arizona.

According to Calley Carpenter, Director of Marketing for Riton Optics, “Beyond Eric’s passion and experience with shooting and optics, he has a great ability to connect with people and effectively manage relationships.”  

With the addition of staff and a recent expansion, Riton Optics is continuing to push the market. 

www.ritonoptics.com

Bubble Level for Spuhr Optic Mounts from Flatline Ops

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020

Flatline Ops have released a new bubble level specificially made for Spuhr mounts, the TANGO SM ACCU/LEVEL. It can be swing out of the eay when not needed, aids in the correction of “cant error,” and offers micro fine-adjustment after installation.

Specs:
Mounting: SPUHR® mount adaptive
Profile: Ultra-low profile
Material: 6061-T6 Aircraft Aluminum
Finish: Mil spec Type III Black Hard Anodized
Hardware: Stainless Steel
Level: High Visibility Fluorescent** green fluid

flatlineops.com/products/levels/tango-sm

Aimpoint – Occluded Aiming

Thursday, December 17th, 2020

Did you know you can shoot with the lens caps closed on an Aimpoint sight? It’s called occluded aiming.

In fact, the earliest dot sights didn’t have front lenses. The Singlepoint Occluded Eye Gunsight used by US Special Forces on the Son Tay Raid 50 years ago uses this same concept.

By looking at the target with both eyes open and one looking into the Singlepoint, a 16 MOA dot is superimposed on the target.

Unpowered, a cover at the objective end of the optic protects the fiber optics filament that gathers light to form the dot.

TNVC Stocking Stuffer Sale and New Product: NVG Pouch, Padded Expandable (NVG-PPE)

Monday, December 14th, 2020

Need last-minute gift ideas for a Tactical Timmy that has it all?

TNVC has got stocking stuffers available, including brand new eGift Cards, as well as the release of a brand new Night Vision storage and travel pouch, the TNVC NVG-PPE (Pouch, Padded Expandable)!

tnvc.com/shop/category/stocking-stuffer-sale

Give the gift of night vision with an e-Gift Card from TNVC, available in $250, $500, and $1,000 denominations, and get extra rewards! Get $10 extra with the purchase of a $250 gift card, an extra $25 with the purchase of a $500 gift card, and an extra $50 with each $1,000 gift card!

We’re also offering:

$10 off all TNVC Mohawks!

4D Deluxe and Standard Combat Liners!

Unity Tactical SPARKs  – $15.00 each!

Along with the brand new TNVC NVG Pouch, Padded Expandable (NVG-PPE) AVAILABLE NOW IN RANGER GREEN – $65.00 (Multicam available Q1 2021)

tnvc.com/shop/tnvc-nvg-pouch-padded-expandable-nvg-ppe

The TNVC NVG-PPE is a new solution to an old problem–a modern, practical, and useful update to the classic green “lunch sack” NVG Carrying Case, and designed in-house at TNVC.

One of the most common yet baffling accessories usually included with night vision devices is green soft case, issued by the thousands with USGI AN/PVS-14s and often provided with many night vision systems. While the “lunch sack” undoubtedly does in fact do its job of carrying night vision devices, it doesn’t really do much to protect the device or keep the contents of the case and basic issue items (BII) organized–as a storage, shipping, and carrying case, it leaves a great deal to be desired, causing many users to seek alternative solutions.

In our continuing efforts to improve not only existing products, but their accessories, we decided to take another look at the NVG carrying case and re-design it from the ground up. In examining other solutions and alternatives on the market, we found that carrying cases and pouches tended to come in either one of two main categories:

– Hard-sided cases of varying quality that were primarily designed for shipping and administrative storage, but were often far larger than they had to be and not very useful in the field

– Too small and/or overtly specific in and that they either only fit a single device or type of device, but none of the common accessories or BII that some users might want to keep with their NVGs, or that would only support one specific application/method of carry

Moreover, in many cases, NVG-specific storage and carrying solutions tended to be surprisingly expensive for what they are.

The TNVC NVG Pouch, Padded Expandable was designed to not only be a useful OEM carrying case solution for shipping and storage of TNV NVG systems, but also to an adaptable and practical NVG pouch that could realistically be used in the field by a wide range of end-users with a wide variety of units, accessories, and configurations at a lower cost than many other NVG-specific case/carrying options.

The TNVC NVG-PPE has multiple zipper-secured compartments with multiple ways to access them, allowing you to not only securely carry and transport your single or dual tube night vision device, but any accessories you might need as well. The main pocket can support a dual tube night vision device with an ECOTI, or even dual PVS-14s and a FLIR Breach, while the secondary compartment can hold ancillary equipment and can be accessed either from the main compartment or from the outside.

The NVG-PPE also has a large Velcro loop panel on the lid, allowing ID/Callsign patches or placards to be placed on the pouch to identify individual pouches, as well as a rapid closure/compression/cinch strap with a Fastex buckle

The secondary compartment is also expandable with zippered 4-way stretch Tweave material, allowing you to securely carry small accessories such as spare batteries, cleaning supplies, etc., with the compartment collapsed, or larger items such as mounts, external battery packs, or any other equipment that you may want to keep with your night vision device when expanded. The soft-sided pouch is also sized so that it can be carried inside of a helmet for extra protection and to keep your gear together.

While we do not recommend attaching the TNVC NVG-PPE to individually worn first or second-line load-carrying gear, the NVG-PPE also has PALS webbing and is supplied with MALICE clips that offer a wide variety of options for mounting the pouch to MOLLE platforms like seat cover panels, range bags, or packs.

The TNVC NVG-PPE pouch isn’t designed to be the be-all, end-all of night vision cases, but rather to be a value-added alternative to some of the more useless alternatives that come with many night vision devices—even if you don’t use it for your night vision, it’s a highly adaptable general purpose pouch that gives you a lot of options for different mission essential gear that provides some protection for the contents, but is not overly bulky or difficult to transport.

Riton Optics Announces New Partnership: RSR Group

Monday, December 7th, 2020

Tucson, AZ (4 December 2020) Riton Optics is excited to announce RSR Group as the newest distributor of Riton products.

Since 1977 RSR Group, Inc. has provided its customers with the speed and convenience of ordering from regional branches. Dealers can simply call a nearby sales center and have their order shipped on the same day and by the most inexpensive means. RSR Group’s national sales network provides dealers with neighborhood service combined with the vast buying power of a national corporation.

The RSR Group, Inc. has revolutionized the shooting sports industry. The company has become a top distributor in the shooting sports market and has been recognized for its commitment to the industry and its programs. By partnering with the RSR Group, Riton Optics is able to expand its reach to more dealers across the country.

Riton Optics Director of Sales, Todd Niece said, “The partnership with RSR will help to propel Riton’s growth upward. The pairing of the RSR customer base and our products will be a great fit for what we are doing in the marketplace.”

As Riton continues to experience unprecedented growth in the industry, the partnership with RSR Group will only further support the expansion efforts in 2021.

Blaser Group Acquires Liemke Thermal Optics

Monday, December 7th, 2020

San Antonio, Texas (December 7, 2020) – Blaser Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of Liemke Thermal Optics.  Headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany, Liemke is the dominant thermal imaging brand in Germany trusted for its performance, reliability, and outstanding customer service.

Delivering high-definition images with fast refresh rates for smooth viewing, Liemke thermal optics will soon be available to hunters and shooters in the United States through Blaser Group.  Introductory offerings include the Merlin, Keiler, and Sperber lines.  Merlin thermal imaging devices can be clipped directly onto any hunter’s daytime riflescope or be used as a monocular while the Keiler family of products are designed for use as hand-held monoculars.  Sperber scopes are multifunctional and can be used as a monocular or as a thermal riflescope.

“We are excited to add this premium brand of well-priced, high-performance thermal optics to our product portfolio,” said Jason Evans, CEO, Blaser Group.  “Liemke is at the forefront of technology, delivering the precision and performance of German engineering, making it a top choice for hunting, game detection, and nighttime shooting applications.”

Originally developed for military use, thermal imaging technology detects infrared energy emitted as heat and the various temperature differences of everything in view, allowing the observer to see what would otherwise be invisible.  All objects, living and manmade, emit infrared energy.  Today, thermal optics are especially popular for hunting hogs and predators, and an invaluable tool for low-light observation applications. 

For more information, visit: Liemke.com.