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Tuesday, November 29, 2011
New OPMOD Binoculars Make Hunting Easier!
We get some cool stuff from major manufacturers at Tactical Store all the time. Whether it's some cool new Thermal Imaging equipment from Thermal Eye, a sweet new riflescope from Leupold or the latest holster from Galco, we get to play with a number of interesting and highly specialized pieces of equipment.But it's a lot more fun when the item was designed by our team using feedback from you guys. And that's what we have today. OPMOD is our exclusive line of products, and we've just added 2 new binoculars: the OPMOD Waterproof 8X42mm Binoculars and the OPMOD 10X42mm Waterproof Binoculars. Both models are essentially the same, but we know that some of you prefer the powerful 10X magnification, while others the more easily handled 8X.
I'll describe a few of the coolest features on these new binoculars, but the video below features our Director of Product Intelligence, Steve Ledin, and since he helped design the binocular I'll let him give you a full rundown.
What makes these OPMOD Binoculars so great is their combination of great glass and tough construction. As their name implies, they're waterproof, and you can even see them placed in water in the video. They'll still give you a great image after total submersion, so if you're out in the woods tracking game and they fall in a stream or puddle, you don't need to worry about ruining these OPMOD Binoculars. This is huge for hunters everywhere.
The optics will give you an amazing image even in low light situations. Every piece of glass that's exposed to the air is fully multi-coated, so there's optimal light transmission and you can see well through all of the glass. All this rugged quality makes the OPMOD Binocular perfect for a variety of uses, from hunting and birding to hiking and nature watching.
Before I bore you to death talking about these exclusive binoculars, take a look at the video below. Steve does a great job showing off his new baby, and I'm sure you'll be salivating for a pair by the end. Remember, you can only get them at OpticsPlanet's network of stores, which includes Tactical Store and OpticsforYou.com!
Labels: binoculars, hunting binoculars, opmod
Posted by brian.coughlin at 7:37 AM Read Article 0 comments 
Friday, November 25, 2011
New Battery Tech Helps You get more Power!
More and more the objects we use every day require some form of power. To find your way today, more people turn to a GPS device than a compass. Many rifle scopes today have illuminated reticles, which often need batteries, and binoculars have incorporated cameras and laser rangefinders for greater functionality.With all this awesome gear, you're likely running through batteries quickly. Some manufacturers are using rechargeable batteries, which is great, but you still need to recharge them. Lithium batteries last a lot longer and provide great power, but no matter how great they are, we want more.
Well, researchers at Northwestern University have heard the complaints and worked out some new technology for Lithium batteries. First, the way that these batteries currently work is through a chemical reaction, with lithium ions moving from one end of the battery to the other. While moving, these ions produce an electrical current, which in turn powers you device. The ions start at the anode and move to the cathode. When you plug in the device to charge it, the ions move back to the cathode. Currently there are issues with how many of these ions can move, and how quickly. These two problems limit the amount of power produced, the number of times the battery can be recharged, and the speed of the recharge.
The problem with the current setup is that graphene is used as the material the ions travel down. Graphene is limited as to how many atoms of lithium can be fit on a single sheet, with some space required for carbon. One suggested fix is to use silicon instead of graphene. Unfortunately, silicon expands and contracts during charging, which causes it to break down relatively quickly.
What the researchers at Northwestern have done to combat these battery issues is to embed clusters of silicon in sheets of graphene, so there's a 'best of both worlds' thing going on, and the result is a huge increase in both speed of recharge, and the amount of power produced.
This new tech will affect all sorts of battery-powered devices, including electric cars and your phone. Unfortunately, it's still a couple years away from the market. So what can you do today to make sure you have plenty of power?
A backup battery is usually a good idea, but they have their limits when you're in the middle of the woods. A great option is a solar battery charger. American Hunter has a few really cool options, such as the American Hunter 6V Solar Charger for R-Kit/RD-Kit. With this American Hunter Battery Charger you can convert sunlight into usable energy for you electronic devices. It is really simple to use, and is tough enough to stand up to the many abuses it'll likely go through as part of your hunting load out.
Even when you get newer, longer lasting batteries you'll still love to be able to recharge them anywhere you can find sunlight. Check out this new solar battery charger and many more at Tactical Store today!
Labels: american hunter, batteries, chargers
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
GPS May be Under Attack by Wireless Phone Networks!
GPS Devices have long been useful in military operations, hunting expeditions, and when driving to job interviews (I had mine on hand to help me get here!), but it appears that new technology is trying to push out 'old-fashioned' devices like GPS.So what's the problem?
Well, there's a new mobile broadband services that are using the same (or very nearly the same) spectrum to broadcast their signals, and they're doing it at a higher power, so GPS signals might get drowned out. This new system is called LTE, and you've likely heard of it. Some of, if not THE, fastest wireless speeds are found on LTE broadband networks, and it has been touted as the next big thing for smart phones and tablets.
Well, there was a symposium at Stanford University just a few days back on Position, Navigation and Time (PNT), and leading authorities on Global Positioning Systems talked about both threats to GPS and some of the latest advancements in tech.
LTE networks were a big topic. Part of the problem is the FCC, which hasn't really done much to either curb the spread of LTE networks, or make sure they limit their frequencies so they don't overpower other systems. As they run, by design, at lower power, it's easy for GPS signals to be drowned out by more powerful signals from cellular networks. The interference really puts a kink in GPS networks, and while it hasn't been a problem so far, it could turn into a problem in the future.
Representatives of LTE say it isn't an insurmountable problem, but rather one that can be, and more or less has been, solved. These representatives feel it's more of a question of who will pay for the fix, which has to do with separating out the frequencies a little clearer to make sure there is little to no interference.
So if you have a brand new Brunton Get-Back Mini GPS Home Button, you'll be okay, and there's little to no danger of these devices having problems when further away from the grid anyways, which is where they're most useful. In the middle of a big city, interference can happen, but when you're camping, there's probably not much of a chance you'll have a cell signal at all, so it'll work perfectly.
The Brunton Get-Back Mini is especially useful for finding your way back to a starting point, as you can easily tag a location, such as your car, and if you get lost in the woods miles away, another simple button press will show you the direction and distance you need to travel to get back.
But since there was a symposium on GPS tech, what other uses are there?
Well, it's a heck of a list. First, GPS technology is helping geologists better understand earthquakes, such as the devastating quake and tsunami that hit Tokyo earlier this year.
GPS is also used more and more to help drill for oil is safer, cleaner and more efficient ways, making it possible to access oil that was previously nearly impossible to get to. The GPS used on these oil rigs allows for precise horizontal drilling, instead of trying to dig straight down.
GPS is tracking marine animals in the wild to give biologists a better understanding of how some species of tuna and sharks are migrating, which will lead to being able to better protect endangered species.
The list could go on and on, but the main point is that GPS is important for some many different applications, and could help us keep our cars running, save species and human lives, and continue to be a huge factor in finding our way around the world. No doubt there will be a compromise between the GPS industry and these new cellular networks, and we'll be able to enjoy the best of both worlds.
That way you can take that Brunton Get-Back (from Tactical Store!)where ever you go and have no trouble finding your way.
Labels: cellular networks, gps
Friday, November 18, 2011
Heating Contractors Using Thermal Imagers For Home Repairs
Up to 50% of the energy consumption in many buildings comes from heat loss. It's long been known that keeping heat in during the winter will lower your power bills, and whether you've invest in better windows, doors or insulation, you probably know how much money you can save by keeping heat indoors.My mom, being a smart lady with good common sense, puts towels or blankets at the base of every door to the outside during winter months.
But though we know that heat loss is a crucial factor in energy consumption, it can be tough to figure out exactly where the heat is seeping out of your house. There are obvious culprits, like the windows and doors, but sometimes loose floorboards and nearly invisible cracks can cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars!
To combat this unfortunate lack of information, many heating contractors have added thermographic imaging to their list of services. Using a thermal imaging camera, much like the ones used for hunting and tactical purposes in our store, they take photographs of your house to see where the most heat is escaping. This information can prove incredibly valuable, as even seemingly small problems, over time, can cost you a lot of money.
If you want to do a little heat imaging on your own, check out some of the great FLIR Systems Thermal Imagers. FLIR has actually designed thermal imagers specifically for home repairs, and while our options were intended for use when hunting or in tactical situations, you can still be able to take a look at some of your windows and doors to see if there's a problem.
Thermography can be used in two ways to see if heat is escaping. From the inside, you can look at the corners and bases of walls to see if there's a cold spot, or from the outside you can see where there are hot spots. It's still a good idea to seek help from a certified professional, as they can tell you how feasible it is to fix something, as a repair may either cost more than it's worth, or an attempted improvement may not actually keep more heat in. Unfortunately, some degree of heat is bound to escape, no matter how many repairs you make.
This is also a great way to convince your wife to let you buy a thermal imager for hunting. It'll help around the house too! Stop by Tactical-Store and get all your hunting and tactical needs.
Labels: flir, thermal imaging
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Troops back from Drawdown may Operate Military Tech for Homeland Security
The drawndown in troops overseas may have some extra benefits for border control. The Department of Homeland Security is hoping to both obtain some of the excess military gear and surveillance equipment that will no longer be needed in Iraq as soldiers come home, and to employ many of those returning soldiers who are already trained in using the equipment.Rather than trying to build a physical fence along the US/Mexico border, the DHS is building a virtual fence that will use surveillance tools such as blimp-like aerostats and tunnel detectors, although it will take some adapting to get these tools to work for the DHS. Currently, the two systems are not entirely compatible, and while the DHS has some great gear, their budget is far less than the military, so their level of technological advancement is limited.
It is similar to the difference between using a digital camera and a generation 4 night vision device. They're both useful tools and can make your life easier, but night vision requires a greater degree of training and skill to use than a camera.
Having highly trained military specialists who can start using the tech on day one would go a long way toward protecting the border and keeping costs down, plus it offers employment to men and women who are returning home after their tours of duty.
Knowing your terrain and where a possible enemy, or, in the case of a hunter, your game, is located is essential to being effective. You can plan your attacks much more effectively, and you don't need to use as much manpower if you have quality electronic assistance. I just read a blog article about radar gun cameras that can track multiple cars at the same time and potentially issue thousands of tickets per hour. Instead of needing a thousand police officers, one camera with a single operator can be far more effective and cost significantly less.
Hunters use trail cameras and read animal population reports before hunting season, and using these top level military surveillance tools without having to spend a lot of taxpayer money seems like a cool way to help secure our borders.
Not all of the military equipment traded from one department to another has been announced to the public, so there's likely some really cool tactical gear that the DHS will use for border patrol that we haven't even heard of yet. Still, having different branches of the government work together makes me feel a bit safer when I go to bed at night. Definitely worthwhile news!
Labels: military technology
Friday, November 11, 2011
Happy Veterans Day! A Bit of History and a Thank You to Our Soldiers
But why November 11th?
Well, November 11th was first honored in 1919, one year after the day that the armistice that ended WWI was signed. The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month saw the end of the fight of the "war to end all wars." The next year President Woodrow Wilson asked the country to remember those who had fallen.
At first the holiday was for those who had given their lives in service, but a few years after Armistice Day became a national holiday, the name was changed to Veterans Day and the scope was altered to honor all veterans, regardless of the war they fought in.
Outside the U.S. Veterans Day is commonly known as Remembrance Day, and is similarly a day of remembrance of the end of one of the most horrible wars to ever occur.
The name Poppy Day comes from the poem "In Flanders Fields," by John McCrae. McCrae was a physician and Lieutenant Colonel who had just seen a friend of his die in battle. The poppies in the poem grew amidst all the battlefields, cemetaries and horrors of the war. The red of the poppies grew to signify the blood lost in the war. I don't feel I have words capable of describing the poem, so I thought I'd share it with you below.
To all those who have believed enough in our freedoms to fight and die for them, thank you. We have not broken the faith with you. We here at Tactical Store and our parent company OpticsPlanet have always striven to provide the best duty gear for soldiers, law enforcement professionals and hunters, and through our many interactions with customers we have been honored to work with you.In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Thank you.
Labels: brunton, veterans day
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Hunting is No Longer a Boys Club! Young Ladies in Missouri Enjoy their First Hunt!
Hunting is generally considered a male sport, and while surveys on the participation demographics show that an overwhelming majority of hunters are men, millions of women also enjoy hunting every year, with more starting every year.
In 2010, according to a survey done by the National Sporting Goods Association, of the 16.3 million hunters throughout the U.S., 2.3 million were women. Overall numbers of hunters are declining, although in some states, such as Missouri, where the numbers have stayed consistent, women have increasingly taken part in hunting. The increase in female participation is part of why Missouri has had a steady number of hunters over the last few years. Nearly three thousand more women hunted in 2010 than in 2009.
This increase is personified by a few young ladies who just took part in their first hunts. The girls, aged 11 and 14, enjoyed their first hunt with their dads, who have been teaching them about shooting and gun safety for the last few years in preparation of the hunt. The older of the two girls, Hannah, spotted her first doe fairly quickly, and her dad gave her advice for lining up her shot, taking her time and squeezing the trigger. Though the deer was only about 100 yards away, and she had a decent riflescope outfitted on her gun, Hannah missed her first shot. Fortunately, the next day she was able to take her first deer. Just like her dad, she shot her first deer at 14.
Taylor, the 11 year old, had a bit more success with her first shot, and took the deer down quickly. She had no problem learning how to dress the deer either, though her friends thought she'd be squeamish. No information was given as to what type of rifle scope she was using, although for new hunters like Taylor and Hannah who need quality glass that'll last without breaking the bank, they might want to check out Blackhawk Riflescopes. Blackhawk is pretty well know for the quality of their duty gear, from Blackhawk holsters to Blackhawk belts, but they've recently entered the sports optics field, and their hunting riflescopes are really top notch, especially for those looking for high value at a reasonable price.
The girls partly hunted from shooting blinds, but they also hiked a bit to find game, and comfort is always necessary in those situations, so having a really high quality tactical bag like those from Eberlestock is super important. Personally, I think the Eberlestock J34 Just One Pack would be perfect for hunting, as it was designed to be the only pack you need, with enough versatile room to accommodate whatever gear you want to bring along, such as the essential Nutter Butters and Oreos that Taylor made sure to pack. Regardless, the Eberlestock J34 pack would have had plenty of room to pack snacks, binoculars, and ammo.
It's always nice to see girls getting in on hunting, especially as it's mostly a boy's club, and no doubt they'll have many successful hunts as long as they are outfitted with the best hunting and tactical gear from Tactical Store!
Labels: blackhawk, eberlestock, hunting
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Detroit Police Departments Considers Shot-Locating Tech
Law enforcement and military officials are constantly seeking new ways to improve communication and intelligence gathering. About 2 weeks ago I mentioned how the US Army has added new high speed internet and radio systems to some of the vehicles, with GPS units and all sorts of other high tech gadgets included to give soldiers a tactical advantage on the battlefield."Know your enemy" is one of the oldest pieces of military advice. This goes further than simply knowing what someone is capable of, but also when and where they are doing something. As a city with a climbing homicide rate in recent years, Detroit is ramping up efforts to cure their city of a criminal plague. Since the police can't see the future, knowing where a bullet as quickly as possible is the next best way to save lives. A police officer who can tell precisely when and where a bullet was fired can respond quicker and better prepare for the situation.
Enter the Shotspotter Flex. This gunfire alert system uses sensors placed throughout the city to show where a bullet was fired, and then gives police a lot more of information to better apprehend and prosecute the shooter. Using the relative loudness and pitch of a gunshot to one sensor to another, the system can triangulate the exact location of a shooter at the time of the shot, and the data can further be used to tell police how many shooters there are, and possibly the direction they are moving.
Using a gunshot alert system enables the police to quickly respond when a shot is fired, meaning they don't need to wait for a 911 call to let them know about the crime. Quicker response times saves lives, but the recorded data can also be used by prosecutors to verify witness statements and make better arrests and improve conviction rates.
The milita
ry has tested similar systems that are mounted on riflescopes to tell soldiers the direction that a bullet came from, allowing them to direct their attention toward the shooter and take appropriate cover.Police and military professionals have long used location-based technology to coordinate their efforts. For instance, Naval officers could use the Minox Nautic BN 7x50 Digital Compass Binoculars, which combine clear optics in the binoculars with a digital compass, barometer and stopwatch to allow for exact calculations on distance, direction, weather and more.
Some GPS devices, such as the Garmin eTrex Wireless Handheld GPS with Paperless Geocaching allows you to not only know where you are at present, but also track your path, which can be communicated to others to give them a better idea of how to find you or locations that you've come across.
Granted, these don't track gunfire, but knowing your terrain, and using advanced location technology to accurately map the field can give a decisive advantage. Soldiers and police officers need to know where potential bad guys are, but hunters know how helpful it is to know where game is located, minimizing their time tracking, and maximizing their time shooting. They use trail cameras to track game, and a gunshot alert system is very similar, only geared toward stopping crime rather than finding deer.
Regardless of your particular method of gathering intelligence, remember to take advantage of whatever technology is out there so that you're most effective, on the job or when partaking in a favorite hobby!
Labels: military technology, new technology, police technology