Rifle Scopes SHOT Show Day 3 Report from Doug at Camera Land

[gr8fuldoug]

SHOT Show Day 3 Report



I like to try not to make any meetings for the last day (well my last day as I can only be here for 3 days) however, I was so busy the last two days that I still had a few important appointments.



I started my day at Zeiss

Always great seeing my friend Tom and catching up. We discussed all types of things, including the new releases:

Conquest V4 Riflescopes: Conquest V4 Riflescopes

Key Features:

30mm Main Tube

Matte Black

Second Focal Plane

Capped Windage Turret

T* Six Layer Transmission Coating

LotuTec Hydrophobic Coating

CONQUEST V4 1-4x24 ZQAR Illum. Reticle (#62) - Ext. Elevation Turret, Locking, Single Turn - Ballistic Stop - .5 MOA - Fixed Parallax

CONQUEST V4 3-12x56 Z-Plex Reticle (#20) - Capped Elevation Turret - .25 MOA - Fixed Parallax

CONQUEST V4 3-12x56 Plex Illum. Reticle (#60) - Capped Elevation Turret - .25 MOA - Fixed Parallax

CONQUEST V4 4-16x44 Z-Plex Reticle (#20) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.

CONQUEST V4 4-16x44 ZBR-2 Reticle (#92) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.

CONQUEST V4 4-16x44 ZMOA-2 Reticle (#94) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.

CONQUEST V4 6-24x50 ZBR-1 Reticle (#91) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.

CONQUEST V4 6-24x50 ZMOA-1 Reticle (#93) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.

CONQUEST V4 6-24x50 ZMOA-1 Illum. Reticle (#93) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.



Laser Rangefinder Binocular

VICTORY RF Rangefinding Binoculars

Key Features:

2500 Yards

Bluetooth® enabled

Angle Compensation

T* Six Layer Transmission Coating

LotuTec Hydrophobic Coating

Adjustable Red LED Display

Compact Design

VICTORY RF 8x42

VICTORY RF 10x42

VICTORY RF 8x54

VICTORY RF 10x54

Absolutely the most technologically advanced rangefinder binocular available.



VICTORY HARPIA Spotting Scopes

Key Features:

3x Wide-Angle Objective Zoom

FOV: Constant 72°

Dual-Speed Focus

FL/HT Glass

T* Six Layer Transmission Coating

LotuTec Hydrophobic Coating

VICTORY HARPIA 85mm (Main Body w/o Vario Eyepiece)

VICTORY HARPIA 95mm (Main Body w/o Vario Eyepiece)

VICTORY VARIO Eyepiece (22-65x w/85mm Obj.; 23-70x w/95mm Obj.)



We also discussed getting our hands on some show samples and such of various product and should have a list next week (No, there will be no samples of the just announced products)



Next was Meopta which I have hinted would be a great meeting, and it certainly was. I was looking forward to this visit as they brought on a new head of Sports Optics at the end of 2017.. I know how he works and how will be on a quest to make Meopta the major optics company that they deserve to be. For years it was "Oh, I know Meopta, they made the Zeiss Conquest for Zeiss and don't they make all kinds of great optics for Cabelas too"?

Well with Randy at the helm it will be more of a "Hell yeah, I own Meopta Binoculars, a few of their riflescopes and a spotter and couldn't be happier"

Well to say I was not disappointed with my meeting would be a total understatement. Meopta is going after the binocular business with gusto.

There's no question, after being here at SHOT, that the #1 suggestion in binoculars is a Meopta Meopro or Meostar. Reason being is not that they have changed these great offerings for 2018 as far as their great European Optics, but they are stealing your business away from all the other manufacturers offering binoculars made in the Pacific Rim with the insanely lowered prices they are offering.

They have reduced the Meopro 8x42 HD from $749.99 to only $479.95 and the Meopro 10x42 HD from $799.99 to $499.95.

Can you say "Give me an amazing Euro glass for the same price the other guys are asking for their made in China binoculars"?

It gets better

They are offering their high end Meostar Binoculars also at reduced prices and less than the competitions Pacific Rim offerings:

Meostar 10x42 HD for only $999.95

Meostar 15x56 HD for only $1499.99

Meopta is well on their way to being in many more folks hands for sure.



I then asked for something I could put into today's post as a super offer and was given:

#467820 MeoStar 3-10x50 Z-PLEX II in Silver

or

#469480 MeoStar 3-10x50 #4 in Silver

Reduced to only $399.99, while supply lasts Please call, 516-217-1000 to place an order.



I stopped by Carson to order some more HOOKUPZ™ 2.0 Digiscoping adapters.

The HookUpz 2.0 Universal Adapter from Carson Optics to attach your smartphone to your binocular, spotting scope, telescope, or microscope and record still images or videos.

The HookUpz 2.0 securely attaches any phone up to 3.75" wide to any 25mm to 58mm optical eyepiece using a powerful, patented dual-spring clamp. A generous-sized knob operates the screw mechanism that smoothly and precisely aligns the phone's camera with the eyepiece. A locking cam further secures the phone in place. The screw mechanism also makes it easy to switch between camera-in-the-corner iPhones and center-camera Android phones, and the HookUpz 2.0 is compatible with the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, etc. Only $59.99



After this I went and met with Nikon to try and see if we, as a Nikon photo dealer, could also become an official Nikon Sports Optics dealer. Once again, I was informed that Nikon has not changed their policy and as a photo dealer we are not permitted to be a hunting dealer. Long story.

We can special order any Nikon riflescopes, binoculars, etc for you so if you are interested please call to discuss it.



OH, I couldn't find the links yesterday for new Steiner items so here they are:

TOR FUSION LIGHT/LASER COMBO FROM STEINER

STEINER TOR MINI/MICRO PISTOL-AIMING Lasers

TOR TORCH™ RAIL-MOUNTED Light



Lastly I walked the floor looking around, saying goodbye to folks I speak with all year and only see here at SHOT.



Being this was my last meeting you know by now where I went. Today was birthday cake flavor. Very refreshing.



If I can answer anything for you, as always, it will be my pleasure. For those of you who took the time to read all of my reports please mention this to me when you place your next order and I'll add a bonus into your shipment. Nice to know that you're taking the time to read the whole thing when I take the time to write it, lol.



As always, thank you for all the support we receive. We are nothing without you, and we know that.

Have a great day



Thank you for your continued support.

If there is anything else that I can assist you with please let me know.

Doug

516-217-1000



Please visit our web site @ www.cameralandny.com

 

[Glassaholic]

Serious, Zeiss has some new laser Rangefinder binos and just when I was thrilled to hear about Leica's HD-B 3000's, what to do, what to do... how does one decide between the two

 

[Covertnoob5]

This is great news Doug thank you. I’m the guy that spoke with you and ordered the meopta meostar 8x56 binoculars the other day.
I started a thread in the observation section, but other than the Zeiss you mentioned, is anyone else coming out with any RF binos? Looking to upgrade my bushnells rather quickly. Thanks!

 

[colorado_native]

Thanks for the reports!

 

[CMH]

Am I the only one that checks to make sure he reports the ice cream flavor each day?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

A bit more intel on the new Zeiss RF Binocular:

The new RF is not a new and improved RF but rather an entirely new design.

A true bino body with no humps, bumps or clumsy bridge…. It’s looks and feels like a bino.

FL glass and T* coatings deliver a clear, bright, image with excellent resolution.

It ranges quickly and accurately from 2500 down to to 16 yards.

It features a completely new internal adjustable display that works well even in brighter light conditions.

Blue tooth connectivity allows for easy set-up, setting and profile adjustments and usage, and it works perfectly well when it’s not connected as well.​

 

[ToddM]

It's been a long time since there have been any significant changes to the rangefinding binoculars so that should be interesting, doesn't look like they have a manual posted yet, just a brochure. Price looks about $400 more than the Leica HD-B, but about 500 yards less ranging distance. It will be interesting to see how well the ballistics work and if it's a detailed as the leica's, how much it relies on the phone for data in its calculations (does it have temp/pressure sensor in the binoculars or does it need the phone) and will it output holdovers in moa/mil (it only references their own BDC knobs) in the literature. Also how fast the bluetooth is going to drain the battery in the binoculars. Weight appears about the same the Leica being 2oz heavier, field of view is basically identical, etc.

The leica is just a "refresh" it seems, but as a 3D archery shooter I can greatly appreciate the addition of decimal distances in the new Leicas and for some archers being able to range down to 10 yards is a plus. If you like shooting a bow at longer distances whole meter resolution just doesn't cut it. Being off half a yard at longer distances can be 4-6" of drop with a bow. However I've noticed that the Leica's have display brightness issues against bright backgrounds, snow is by far the worst. I've also noticed that they have problems ranging reflective targets at the correct distances. For example both of my HD-B 2000 and 2200's would range the distance to a stop sign and the distance to the ground at the base of it's post significantly different (the base of the post was accurate).

I was hoping Swarovski would do something new with theirs because in my experience their customer service is significantly better than either Leica or Zeiss.

At the end of they day it was still hard to beat the black friday deal some places had on the HD-B 2200's for $2000 or less if you used codes/coupons it was possible to get them under $1600

 

[Glassaholic]

Doug, what can you tell us about the new Meopta TGA 75, I really like the specs of this spotter for field use.

http://www.meoptasportsoptics.com/shop/en/tga-75/q2txadtsrjul/ctgSSen.html

 

[gr8fuldoug]

I like it and found it to be great quality. The 1 downside is it is water resistant, not waterproof. This can be an issue in poor conditions.

 

[Glassaholic]

I like it and found it to be great quality. The 1 downside is it is water resistant, not waterproof. This can be an issue in poor conditions.

I wonder if that means it cannot be submerged but should be fine in rain or heavy snow...

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Correct. Cannot be submerged but would be fine in rain or snowy conditions.

 

[Glassaholic]

Correct. Cannot be submerged but would be fine in rain or snowy conditions.

I can live with that as I don't plan to go swimming with my SEAL buddies anytime soon. It'll be interesting to see what price point these come in at as I gravitate towards compact and lighter weight gear.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The new TGA-75 spotting scope tube will have a street price of $899.95 with 2 different available eyepieces:
20-60x @ $399.95
30x Wide Angle Ranging Reticle @ $399.95
Of course you're always advised to give us a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss pricing on anything we carry

 

[Glassaholic]

The new TGA-75 spotting scope tube will have a street price of $899.95 with 2 different available eyepieces:
20-60x @ $399.95
30x Wide Angle Ranging Reticle @ $399.95
Of course you're always advised to give us a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss pricing on anything we carry

That's even better. You know I always call so will do so when I'm in the market, but right now there's a lot of other scopes that may take up the budget, but I do like this spotter. Thank you Doug.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

I guess we shall speak about "there's a lot of other scopes that may take up the budget"

 

[Glassaholic]

I guess we shall speak about "there's a lot of other scopes that may take up the budget"

Take a look at my 2018 - Year of the Ultra Shorts thread and that will give you some idea of my interest