GearExpert - by OpticsPlanet

OpticsPlanet, Inc. Celebrates 20 Years of Gear™

Oct 28 • News • 3221

Put on your party hats because OpticsPlanet, Inc. is celebrating 20 Years of Gear™ as your Destination for Gear. At the dawn of ecommerce, OpticsPlanet was one of the first companies to sell premium optics online and has continued to grow through our commitment to offer the widest selection of outdoor and tactical products possible. Throughout our journey, we’ve added high-performance gear from best-selling brands to our roster including Holosun optics, Aero Precision gun parts, and recently, Winchester Ammunition. What’s more, we’ve released exclusive products you won’t find anywhere else including customized tactical and hunting gear from OPMOD.

OpticsPlanet’s success has opened doors of opportunity to give back to the community that helped them get this far, including the OpticsPlanet Cares program that has provided over $500,000 to various organizations in support of both enthusiasts and the heroes who bravely serve our country. Over the last several years, the company has shown unwavering commitment to aid those who serve through direct donations to organizations such as Hope for the Warriors® – a nonprofit veteran service organization that assists combat-wounded service members and their families and Ranger Road – a nonprofit whose mission is to help veterans through their transition from military to civilian life.

We’ve continuously expanded our selection to provide you with everything for your outdoor needs. Take a look at the timeline below to see how we went from selling monoculars online to becoming your Destination for Gear.

Of course, it isn’t truly a celebration without proper party favors. Make sure to stop by our 20^th Anniversary Gear page to score exclusive items that are only available at OpticsPlanet! We have limited-edition Men’s T-Shirts, Women’s Tees, Beanies, Jackets, and other commemorative apparel for sale.

Visit our official 20 Years of Gear™ site to learn more about OpticsPlanet and our history of gear. Thank you for helping us celebrate 20 Years of Gear™, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to provide you the biggest variety of outdoor equipment to fuel your active lifestyle.

OpticsPlanet • No Comments on OpticsPlanet, Inc. Celebrates 20 Years of Gear™
Read More
The Best 5 States for Turkey Hunting in 2020

Apr 22 • News • 5898

Spring is here, and it’s time to dust off the igloo cooler, tighten up your bow strings, and fit your favorite turkey hunting choke to your long hibernating shotgun, because we have prepared the absolute top states for you to go turkey hunting this year!

With our 2018 best turkey hunting states guide being such a big hit, we wanted to rerun the program in our turkey hunting computer and plug in the newest numbers to give you the best chance of bagging a record gobbler (currently 37.6lbs).

So, if you’re looking for an out of state turkey hunting adventure or just wanting to see how your state stacks up, or even just to look at some cool turkey stats, then you’ve come to the right place. Be sure to leave a comment below if you think we’ve overlooked what you consider the best state.

5) Michigan

Turkey Population: 220,000

2019 Spring Harvest: 34,000

Michigan is often overlooked when hunters talk about the best turkey hunting states in the US. There are too many positives in hunting here though to look past. First of all the state boasts a 30% hunter rate and a 100% chance of getting a license. Secondly, there is a ton of land to hunt on, they are the 11^th biggest state in sq mileage and are the most forested area in the Midwest. Thirdly, and most importantly Michigan is filled with a ton of wild turkeys. Michigan in fact had the biggest spring 2019 harvest of any state at 34,000 gobblers.

Two great added side bonuses – Michigan has changed their rules to allow hunting from raised platforms, and in several areas of Michigan have also extended the season out to June 7^th for this spring wild turkey hunting season.

-$151 for a nonresident license.

4) Mississippi

Turkey Population: 283,000

2019 Spring Harvest: 27,153

The combination of an extremely robust gobbler population (over more than a quarter of a million birds waiting to be claimed), and a very liberal bag limit of 3 turkeys, puts the Magnolia state in our top turkey hunting state list. On top of this, they sport a ton of WMA improvements that have helped develop the perfect conditions for a thriving turkey population, with a more natural and mature habitat setting. With one of the earliest starting seasons in the country most hunters are usually in a hurry and itching to get out on the hunt, but a tip from a long time hunter, top gobbler activity usually doesn’t peak until mid- April.

-A 3 day license goes for $132.

3) Texas

Turkey Population: 500,000 Rio Grande Turkey, 10,000 Eastern Turkey

2019 Spring Harvest: 18,004

What many describe as a turkey hunting heaven, the Lone Star state, has more than a half of a million turkeys to try and bag this season, they also have the most liberal bagging limits of any state at 4 gobblers, so getting your fill won’t be a problem. If you’re looking for the Rio Grande wild turkeys you’ll want to look to the grasslands of Decatur, where their conditions are perfect from the prior year’s prepping of burning and mulching. In south South Texas the season runs until May 3^rd, and in the Northern counties it runs until May 17^th.

-The cost of a non-resident license is $126.

2) Kentucky

Kentucky Wild Horses

Turkey Population: 350,000

2019 Spring Harvest: 29,500

Kentucky was one of the States that was left out of the best of lists in 2018, it was near making the list, but this year it has jumped to number 2. The main reason for the jump was that the reproductive success had a huge increase over 2018 and 2019, and that should most likely lead to a very strong 2020 and even 2021.

An interesting side note for those looking to do some turkey hunting in the blue grass state -the current record holder for a bagged turkey was in Kentucky in 2016, at an wopping 37.6lbs.

-Out of State permit will run you $85.

1) Alabama

Turkey Population: 427,000

2019 Spring Harvest: 25,625

Imagine you lived in a state that was more than 75% timbered land, imagine that it had more than 20 million acres of perfect turkey spawning habitat, well you would find yourself in the state of Alabama. This perfect turkey habitat is one of the main reasons almost a half of a million birds are jam packed into a state that is on the lower 25 in terms of land area. This combined with being able to shoot a bird a day, and up to 5 combined for fall and spring, makes the Sooner state the #1 best state for turkey hunting in 2020.

Also, a great bonus is that it has one of the lowest costs for an out of state hunting license for any state at $51.

Products to help make the most out of your hunt:

Choke Tubes

Carlson Choke Tubes

Crossbows

Crossbow Scopes

Game Calls

Other turkey articles of interest:

Wild Turkey Recipes

Must Have Turkey Hunting Gear

Scott B • 1 Comment on The Best 5 States for Turkey Hunting in 2020
Read More

Nikon P-Tactical Superdot Red Dot Sight

Nov 13 • News • 8402

Red dot sights give shooters a fast aiming system while remaining target focused. While the originals were bulky and expensive, today there are a variety of options that are compact and affordable. They are a great option for any platform – carbines, shotguns, even handguns. Now Nikon, known for quality optical devices, has a contender in the red dot arena with the P-Tactical Superdot.

Overview

The Nikon P-Tactical Superdot is a compact, sealed red dot sight with a 2 MOA dot and utilizes Nikon’s TRUCOLOR lens-and-coating technology to provide a crisp sight picture. Compatible with “micro” pattern mounts, the Superdot offers fast point-and-shoot action with carbines and shotguns.

Specifications

Objective Size:	22 mm	Length:	2.8 in
Reticle:	2MOA Red Dot	Width:	1.7 in
Brightness Settings:	10	Weight:	4.2 oz
Adjustment Click Value:	1 MOA
Total Adjustment Range:	100 MOA
Attachment/Mount Type:	Picatinny
Battery Type:	CR2032
Battery Life:	14000 hours
2 Night Vision Settings

Included spacers:

1/3 Co-Witness Or Full Co-Witnes

“Micro” Pattern Mount Compatible

First Impression

The P-Tactical Superdot offers a lot of value for the price. Durable construction, IPX-7 waterproof rating, and 10 brightness settings with 2 of them for nightvision are just some of the features. Being compatible with “micro” pattern mounts makes the Superdot a versatile optic. Having the push button controls on top provides ambidextrous access, allowing brightness changes while still aiming down the sight.

Summary

Reliable performance and crisp sight pictures at an affordable price is something everyone could use. Whether it is your first optic or tenth, the Nikon P-Tactical Superdot is a great option for fast point-and-shoot action.

Matt S. • No Comments on Nikon P-Tactical Superdot Red Dot Sight

Leica Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM

Nov 13 • Reviews • 7549

Thanks to the advancement of cartridges like .224 Valkyrie and 6.5 creedmoor, shooting accurately at long range distances is well within the average shooters capability. But knowing the distance to the target and how to adjust the scope is vital to a successful hit. Solving that problem requires the click of a button with the Leica Rangemaster 2800 laser rangefinder.

Overview

Combining powerful, fast, precise performance in a compact and lightweight package makes the Leica Rangemaster 2800 an invaluable tool for both hunters and long-range shooters alike. Offering 3 ballistic outputs in addition to the measured distance, a shooting solution out to 1000 yards is almost instantaneously provided to make accurate hits on target using the Leica ballistic app. The laser rangefinder can also be paired to a Kestrel 5700 Elite using Bluetooth to provide shooting solutions past 1000 yards.

Specs

Magnification:	7 x
Maximum Range:	2800 yds
Minimum Range:	10 yds
Field of View, Linear:	115 m at 1000 m
Weight:	6.7 oz
Length:	4.5 in
Battery Type:	3 V/Lithium-type C2R
Operating Temperature:	-4 – 131 Fahrenheit
Range Response Time:	0.3 seconds
Objective Lens Diameter:	24 mm
Additional Features:	Bluetooth 4.1

First Impression

The compact, lightweight form factor of the Rangemaster 2800 is something that Leica does exceptionally well with all their rangefinders. But combining that with an astoundingly powerful ranging engine is truly impressive. The unit is very easy to configure and even easier to use. Pairing the Rangemaster 2800 with a smartphone makes setting up ballistic information quick and simple. After that you simply point and click to get your shooting solution.

Summary

The power and speed of this rangefinder make seemingly difficult shots feel easy. Quick shooting solutions mean a successful kill shot on game rather than a wasted opportunity. A powerful ranging engine and linked ballistic calculator allow you to utilize the maximum performance of a cartridge for accurate, repeatable hits rather than guessing and hoping for the best. The Leica Rangemaster 2800 is a powerful tool to increase your capabilities.

Matt S. • No Comments on Leica Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM

OpticsPlanet Presents the 2019 Brilliance Award Winners

Oct 31 • News, Reviews • 7148

As we head into the brisk months of fall, the vibrant colors of nature and cool, crisp air can only mean one thing — it’s deer hunting season, folks. Preparation is key, and you need the best gear in the game to make the most out of every backcountry session. Thankfully, the fall season also means that it’s time to announce our Brilliance Award Winners for 2019. For the uninitiated, the Brilliance Awards are an annual event where our experts take a deep dive into OpticsPlanet’s vast inventory to crown the best-of-the-best gear in several distinct categories. Check out these award-winning products to discover the finest hunting, tactical and outdoor gear on the market for your adventures.

No need to scroll to the bottom for this one, we’re coming right out the gate with the #1 Product of the Year for 2019. And the winner is … drumroll please … the Sig Sauer ROMEO5 1x20mm Red Dot Sight! The ROMEO5 is a crowd favorite, and for good reason. Rapid target acquisition, ultra-low parallax and adjustable illumination are just a few of the features that make this optic a must-have addition to your firearm. Sig Sauer continues to impress marksmen of all experience levels, and we can’t wait to see what they cook up for 2020.

While Sig Sauer has a rich history in the gun business, there’s been quite a few newcomers bursting onto the scene looking to make their mark in the industry. One stands out in particular, and that would be our winner for Best New Brand of the Year: Grey Ghost Precision. Many of the great minds at GGP have extensive military backgrounds. Pair that with their vast network of industry and sport shooting professionals, and you get a well-informed company that knows exactly what shooters demand in the field.

While there were many great contenders for Best Riflescope of 2019, this year’s Goliaths of glass should come as no surprise. Vortex snagged the top spot this year with their Strike Eagle 1-6×24 Riflescope. This scope is built tough as nails, and the illuminated reticle with a fast focus eyepiece provides enhanced sight acquisition for quicker shots on target, greatly boosting your efficiency on the hunting grounds or at 3-Gun matches.

As titans of the industry, Vortex wouldn’t be satisfied with just one gold medal so they decided to snag the honor of crafting this year’s Best Spotting Scope, as well, with their Razor HD 27-60×85 Spotting Scope. Their high-grade optical system provides distortion-free images with unparalleled edge-to-edge sharpness and perfect color accuracy to help you survey the field with the utmost clarity. And with their ArmorTek-coated body and weatherproof protection, you can brave any climate conditions while having the supreme advantage of eagle eyes.

While Vortex made a valiant effort to dominate the distance-related categories this year, it was the Zeiss Victory RF 10×42 Rangefinder Binoculars that won Best Binocular of 2019. We’ll skip the Victory pun here and get right into why these binos came out on top. Beyond the outstanding optical system Zeiss is renowned for, these binoculars have Bluetooth capabilities to synchronize with their ZEISSHunting app that shows you essential ranging data, and you can pair up to nine custom ballistic profiles that use distance, temperature, air pressure and angle to help you make the most out of every opportunity in the backcountry, filling your freezer quicker than ever.

The Holosun HS507C Micro Red Dot System was crowned king of close-range encounters by taking home the honor of Best Red Dot Sight. Plain and simple: this optic offers precision aiming and the popular RMR cut for fractions of the price. ‘Nuff said.

When you can snag 4,000-yard distance reads with lightning-fast speed and precision, you’re bound to win the Best Rangefinder of 2019. Congrats to Nikon and their Black RangeX 4k Rangefinder for winning this category despite some stiff competition from Vortex, Leica and Sig Sauer.

Next up is Best Night Vision of 2019, and the ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Edition 5-20x Smart HD Day/Night Riflescope knocked the competition’s lights out, claiming nearly 65% of votes with three other competitors in the running. Its unprecedented night vision viewing, HD recording and integrated ballistic calculator helped ATN secure this win with ease.

But they didn’t stop there. In another landslide victory, ATN snagged the award for Best Thermal Optic with their ThOR 4, 640×480 Sensor, 2.5-25x Thermal Smart HD Rifle Scope. Camouflage can’t save your prey when you’re sporting a thermal detection range of 1,950 meters. No wonder our experts went with this thermal device.

The Best Crossbow award goes to the buck-stopping Ravin R10 that is compact yet powerful, allowing you to quickly maneuver the countryside in search of your next big takedown.

No crossbow is complete without this year’s Best Archery Accessory, the Hawke Sport Optics XB30 1-5x24mm Vari-Speed SR Scope. Outfitted with a speed selector ring and a rheostat control for brightness, you can customize your crossbow experience to pull off impressive shots in the field.

It was a close race for Best Flashlight, but Streamlight pulled ahead of the other contenders with their ProTac HL 5-X USB Flashlight. While you can’t avoid a terrible joke about it outshining the competition, you can avoid damaging this handheld light with its rugged anodized aluminum construction, waterproof build and anti-roll head. Plus, 3,500 max lumens are more than enough to brighten up any path you choose.

The Cloud Defensive OWL – Optimized Weapon Light doesn’t come cheap, but there’s a reason it snagged top place in our Best Weapon Light category. This premium attachment features a modular, tough build, and the tail cap even has an integrated tool to help lighten your gear load. These bad boys also have twice as much candela as the competition, lighting up your target with unbelievable brightness to see every move they make.

Our category of Best Shooting Accessory is always an exciting one because you never know what will end up on top. Ironically, this year’s winner belongs on the bottom of your weapon since it’s the Leapers UTG Heavy Duty Recon 360 Bipod. Our experts love these for their premium features at an incredible price point. It’s rare to find a sturdy, adjustable bipod you can rely on time and time again for such a great value which is why this accessory deserves all the praise it gets.

The Aero Precision 5.56 AR15 Bolt Carrier Group is this year’s gunsmith go-to, claiming the honor of Best AR15 Part by a decisive margin. While this category may not seem as exciting to most, anyone who’s spent some time on the work bench can appreciate the rugged steel construction with Nickel Boron coatings inside and out that combine to create one of the highest quality rifle parts on the market.

Our winner of the Best Trigger award is one of the greatest bargains on this list. The Rise Armament RA-140 Super Sporting Trigger is a single-stage aftermarket replacement that drops right into your rifle build, providing crisp, clean breaks with every pull. Grab one for yourself to experience the satisfaction of smoother shots and a virtually-indestructible design.

This next product carved up the competition to win Best Knife or Multitool of the year. The Leatherman MUT Multi Tool packs 16 highly-durable tools all into one compact device. It provides a ridiculous amount of utility and takes up minimal space in your loadout, making it a prime choice for tactical operators or anybody who needs to make field adjustments on their AR-15.

Last, but certainly not least, we present this year’s winner for Best Telescope. Two star-studded scopes were neck-and-neck in the polls, and they both happen to be from the astrology experts at Celestron. However, the NexStar Evolution 8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope came out on top. It’s compact for easy transportation to your favorite stargazing spots, provides high-tech tracking to locate breathtaking celestial objects and best of all, it’s user-friendly for astronomers of all experience levels.

That wraps up this year’s winners of the 2019 Brilliance Awards. Be sure to check out these hot products at OpticsPlanet to beef up your gear collection with the very best. Plus, with the holidays around the corner, these products make the perfect gift that might secure your bid for Best Family Member of 2019.

OpticsPlanet • 3 Comments on OpticsPlanet Presents the 2019 Brilliance Award Winners
Read More