Rogue Elite

While many in the tactical community have been learning that magnification does not increase your effectiveness is close quarters combat, it can actually hinder you, some are finding out that using a rifle scope to monitor movement, whether it’s for hunting, military or law enforcement purposes is not really a good idea.   Field of view is very important for tracking movement because a 50mm objective on a rifle scope stands out like a sore thumb, weighs a lot and might actually be set at too high of a magnification that you will most likely miss any potential threat.    It’s really almost like watching the stars at night with only one eye open and trying to spot shooting stars.

If you are not looking to break the bank and are just a target shooter or hunter, you can get a good set of binoculars for under $100 that will give you a very wide field of view.   Check out our website for some good deals on Bushnell binoculars.    I would suggest you consider keep a pair in your shooting range bags or active shooter bag.   Bushnell has a an extra wide binocular that gives you an oustanding field of view of up to 900ft.   That’s pretty good and not something  you’re going to get from a combat optic like an ACOG or Leupold CQT.   If you are on a team, you may want to consider having a designated observer.

Binoculars seem to be getting over looked today now that so many people are using rifle optics instead of iron sights.    I guess I’m old enough to remember that the vast majority of friends that owned AR15 or M16 rifles had them without optics.    If you go back to many of the 1970 and 1980s TV shows, none of the military or police that  used them had optics on them.   I’m sure that there was a basis for that in reality.    Back in some of the old WWII movies,  used see guys toting around with M1 Garands and an Army General with a pair of binoculars scouting the landscape for the enemy, well now that everyone has an ACOG rifle scope, every guy with an M4 can see very well several hundred yards out, still there is a place for having binoculars.

If you are doing taget shooting and still think  you would rather have a spotting scope, well then go ahead and get a spotting scope.    I can tell you that there have been plenty of times I’ve been to long range gun clubs where frustrated plinkers couldn’t see the holes on targets 200yds away with 60X spotting scopes that cost $700 or more.   Well, the reality is on a hot summer afternoon, a mirage is going to obscure your visibility as much as a dark rainy day.    Binoculars are being made lighter and lighter and if you get in a good position,  you can still use them for seeing great distances even without using a stand.  Some of us still like to carry around lever action guns for deer season but it’s sometimes a good idea to carry a pair of binoculars for identifying potential targets beyond what your eyesight allows.

Getting up close and personal to wildlife is always exciting, but campers have to be careful that they don’t tread too closely. You don’t ever want to interact too directly with wildlife for the sake of you and the animal itself. For your safety, you must always remember that wild animals are just that-wild. They can act in unpredictable ways, and that includes attacking without notice. Keep your distance for this reason alone. And also don’t forget to keep the safety of the animals in mind as well.

Animals that learn not to fear humans are more likely to be picked off my hunters or predators. Also, feeding animals is also something that should never be done. Wild animals can grow dependent on humans as a food resource and simply forget how to find food on their own. For all these reasons, all wildlife is best viewed through a high quality pair of binoculars. Whether you’re interested in sighting birds or larger animals, look into any number of binocular brands. There are plenty available, so you’re sure to find the pair that’s right for you whether that’s Burris binoculars or Zeiss binoculars.

Binoculars are a very versatile tool.    The reality is this, a good pair of binoculars is just an extension of  your eyes.   What do you use your eyes for?   Binoculars can be  used for eveything you use your eyse for.  Nikon Binoculars come in fixed power from 7×32 – 10-22×50.   When you are looking for a good pair of binoculars, keep in mind that some of the best views are with the medium and larger sizes and they can get heavy real fast.   If you are looking for  high magnification you may want to think about spotting scopes instead since they are normally used with tripods.

Nikon Binoculars are reasonable priced optics.    When you figure out what you are using these optics for think about how you might carry them, whether its in a jacket or in a range bag.   Something as little as 7X magnification can help you ID targets or objects that are just out of your visible sight and this is an extremely useful tool to have.   We see a lot of Nikon optics on firing ranges and very few complaints.

Most of remember what it was like to get a telescope or pair of binoculars as a kid.   Back then we pretty much just wanted to see how far we could look and that was about it.   Magnification doesn’t always mean you will be able to see more.   For  instance, many cheaper brand binoculars may magnify up to 20X, but try holding them and read a sign with magnification that high and you’ll more likely see your heartbeat pumping before you read your first word.

Another problem with high magnification is the higher the magnification the less light your binoculars will let in.   Sometimes people bypass the  higher end fixed power binoculars like Zeiss binoculars for the cheaper high magnificaiton, but if you ever get a chance to compare the glass side by side you’ll be amazed.  Good quality glass will allow in more light and clarity and you will actually see more, get a better field of view and not strain your eyes in lower light.

My grandmother got me interested in bird watching at a young age by taking me to monthly meetings of the Audubon Society. As much as I enjoyed the tales of guest speakers and the frequent potluck dinners, nothing compared to getting out in the field and spying a new bird for the first time. I came to look forward to winter because it meant the annual Christmas bird count.

I would wake up early Saturday morning, put on some warm clothes and pull my trusty pair of Konus binoculars out of a desk drawer. Then grandma and I would inspect the backyard feeders for signs of life. Moving beyond our own house, we ventured along the river and through some nearby parks. My greatest find was a bufflehead duck diving in the icy river with its distinctive markings on full display.

We’ve all seen the massive accessorizing of firearms in recent years.   Firearms likes SKS rifle and Mini 14s are not immune to the firearm attachements and modifications that have run rampant in the AR15 community.   In my opinion, there are a lot of firearm owners out there that had their Legos taken away from them and they brought that mindset into gun accessorizing and tactical gear stockpiling.    That’s about as harsh as I can be about why people do what they do to their firearms, but some of it is for hobbie reasons, some for practical reasons, and some because people have the obsessive compulsive behavior of needing to spend money.

There area a lot of good upgrades one can do to a firearm, a fighting rifle should be customized to fit an operator.  Advanced Technology makes some quick and easy upgrades for your shotgun or carbine that can give you better grip or balance.  Shotgun shell holders on the buttstock or riding side saddle is a practical tactical upgrade you can do on your remington 870.  The fiberforce stock for the MAK90 is a way to legally get around some firearm bans and are a big step up compared to the stupid thumbhole stocks.    Attach a rifle sling that fits yoru purpose from Blue Force Gear, they come in 1 point, 2 point and 3 point attachements. Minor firearm modifications make need to be done to attache rifle slings, but do some research on various rifle sling configurations to see what works for you.

Hunting an elusive species of animal can be highly enjoyable and add a certain thrill absent in the hunt of more common game. To make your elusive game hunt as successful as possible, there are a few pieces of equipment you will need in addition to the standard hunting gear. For spotting game, you will need a pair of quality long range binoculars, like Burris binoculars. 

You will also want scent dampening clothing, as species of elusive game often have keen senses of smell. Riflescopes or spotting scopes are necessary for accuracy and for quick shots on moving targets. Ensure you observe the standard rules of hunting including reflective clothing, and a hunting buddy or at least in depth notification of your location and where you will be at specific times.

If you’re an avid birdwatcher, it’s imperative that you have the best binoculars at your disposal. After all, if you choose the best, you’ll be able to view the birds and other wildlife in the greatest detail. That’s why every binocular purchase should take the following characteristics into consideration. For one, the binoculars have to be lightweight and comfortable for the user. If they don’t feel comfortable, they aren’t likely to be used.

You’ll also want to ensure that your binoculars, whether they’re Nikon binoculars or Bushnell binoculars, have the appropriate amount of zoom for you. You don’t want to end up buying something with far too short of a range, because then you’ll never get a chance to really view the birds and other animals you’re interested in seeing. But you also don’t want to choose something that’s too advanced. If you never use those features, it will just end up being a waste of the extra money.

When I was a kid I use to look at the stars through some of the cheapest optics around.   I remember the first time I looked through my Uncle’s Bushnell Binoculars and I was amazed at how clear the stars and the sky could be seen.    There’s a big difference between all of the differing brands and levels of optics, but for most practical purposes there is a pretty broad middle of the road.   My Uncles optics were a pair of Bushnell binoculars and he’s had them for decades

I picked up a pair of 10×42 H2O Binocular 10X 42 Standard Water-Proof, Porro Prism Black Rubber this year and I’m reliving my childhood explorations.   A good pair of binoculars can be used for anything from 4th of July viewing, hunting, bird watching, Stargazing or being a part of the neighborhood watch.    I know a neighbor that was able to bust a drug dealer with a pair of binoculars and he used it to help relay info to a 911 dispatcher which helped the arresting police officer know where a weapon was hidden.   Would you pay $80 to do all of that?