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I.O.T.A. Training tip

Pthfndr-CA

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
One of the comments made about using the I.O.T.A. is that you need to have a fair amount of light on the target. There is an alternative.

Use your computer. Seriously.

I use my desk top for sitting, kneeling and off hand practice and my lap top (it sitting on the floor) for prone practice. Beats trying to set up enough lights for good illumination if your house tends to be dark inside like mine is.

Below are 2 sets of pictures. All on the computer. One of them is a target from the 6mmbr website referenced in the thread about the I.O.T.A. The other is a computer generated simulation of the targets we use in our long range tactical rifle matches on our 1000 yard range.

All pictures were taken through my NF F1 at 15x. I'm not a pro photog and my camera is old and I'm not very good with it, so the pictures are not the best. But you'll get the idea.

Pic 1. Room totally dark. No lights except for the computer screen.

IOTA1.jpg


Pic 2. Same pic with all lights on.

IOTA2.jpg


Pic 3. Targets as they would appear from 1000 yards, all lights off.

IOTA3.jpg


Pic 4. Targets as they would appear from 1000 yards, all lights on.

IOTA4.jpg


 
Re: I.O.T.A. Training tip

HOLY SHIT!!! This is freakin brilliant.

Thank you Pthfndr!!!!

Just think of all the things you could do with this idea. You can DF on all kinds of different targets/images and even set you screen saver for a time limit to remind you to stand up and rebuild your position or change to a new position to practice.

CM
 
Re: I.O.T.A. Training tip

This brings to mind a cop I used to shoot handgun competition with. He used to dry fire at the TV all the time. You can guess where this is going… He reloaded and was about to walk out when someone he had a low opinion came on the screen. Ka-boom!!! His wife was really pissed. Never point a weapon at anything you aren’t willing to destroy. And be careful out there.

Cheers,

DC
 
Re: I.O.T.A. Training tip

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EventHorizon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Does anyone have a link to the 1,000 yard simulation? I asked the OP but haven't heard anything back.

Thanks. </div></div>

We could tell ya, but then we would have to kill ya.....
wink.gif
 
Re: I.O.T.A. Training tip

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Vu</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EventHorizon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Does anyone have a link to the 1,000 yard simulation? I asked the OP but haven't heard anything back.

Thanks. </div></div>

We could tell ya, but then we would have to kill ya.....
wink.gif
</div></div>

Well the wife has reserved that particular right and I wouldn't want her killing you for killing me... I've been told it's off limits so I'll make do with other targets in the meantime. Great idea so congrats to all involved!

BTW - thanks for highlighting the IOTA, it really is a clever and useful training tool. Well worth every penny.
 
Re: I.O.T.A. Training tip

I tried to put a ton of light on a paper target while using the IOTA but it still seemed dim and/or not perfectly clear so, here's what I did.

I googled images of whatever I wanted to make a target out of. B-27's, F targets, dot drill, KYL, faces, shapes, etc. Just copy and paste to MS word. Right click to format size and make them small, then reduce the document size down to about 50% or so. Worked great for me. Anything I wanted to practice was right there.

I use a laptop so I can put it anywhere. To get the correct distance to the screen, either measure or pace it out and adjust as necessary. To practice positions, just put the laptop on a chair and use a similar height chair to dryfire from.

As far as mllling goes, I don't see how it would be possible, but someone who is better at math than I am could probably figure it out.

The brightness of the computer screen solved any image lighting problems. For me, this worked far better than anything else, YMMV.

I even tried to use the screen saver on the slowest scrolling setting to practice movers, but it was still too fast.....like shootin runners!!

CM
 
Re: I.O.T.A. Training tip

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Vu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yah, i think one of our guys wrote and hosts it on his server for club members.

The IOTA is the shit for training.

Vu </div></div>

So how does one get ahold of one of these I.O.T.A's? I've sent emails and PM's with no luck!!! After looking at the last post not sure it's all it's cracked up to be. Can anyone help me with an email or phone number to order one???

Mike
 
Re: I.O.T.A. Training tip

If your trying to get ahold of Chuck. It might be hit or miss right now.
He's doing some hr's, so it might be tough for him to respond.
He will get back to you as soon as he can.
 
Re: I.O.T.A. Training tip

I have used PowerPoint to simulate the snap shooting matches I want to train for; using the build and animation features I can get targets to appear and disappear in the correct timings for the matches. Scaling the images to get the correct target view is easy as well. Well worth the investment. This works better than I could have hoped for on a small netbook.

If anyone wants my PowerPoint files just drop me a PM with your email.