Gadgets, Shooting Sports

Tarantula LRF 25-256 Thermal Scope

To be honest, I’d never heard of the Vistaget brand before they approached me to test their thermal hunting scope. The Tarantula is a thermal scope with a heavy-duty body and recoil abosorbing integrated picatinny base. It provides day/night performance with an OLED display and a built-in laser rangefinder.

Build in rangefinders are the new must-have when hunting with night vision as determining the range to a target is critical when adjusting for ballistic drop. The Tarantula can also store up to 10 different ballistic profiles and adjust the reticle for point of impact. Unfortunately the laser ranging button is also the MENU activation and selection button which caused numerous mistaken function when I tested it.

Its controls and adjustments aren’t intuitive. The optical focus knob is at top of the scope insead of a side focus more commonly found in optical scopes. Instead the side knob is the digital zoom which would be better placed near the eye piece. Ergonomics overall are an area for improvement with this scope.

Despite its ergonomics, its thermal performance and resolution and were excelent under 50 yards and good enough to spot racoon at over 100 yards; you would be hard pressed to differentiate a dog from a coyote at that distance. It had a good variety of false color options. You can record video and photo still in its internal 32GB memory accessable via USB-C and wifi connectivity to phones.

Best of all, it has a dual-power system allowing it better than average endurance. Night vision and thermal optics are notrious for their short battery life. But the Tarantual has a built-in battery allowing its primary CR123A cells to be hot-swapped.

While not perfect, the Tarantala is a solid thermal optics for hunting and game observation.

SHOP

Coupon Code 8% Off: VGSCOPE8 (valid until Jan 31, 2027)

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRVDJ4VX?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.32GP6J9LDI2VJ&linkCode=tr1&tag=moondogindu05-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.32GP6J9LDI2VJ_1788272355392

SPECS

TARANTULA LRF 25-256

Objective Lens: 25 mm

Glass: UHD

Thermal Resolution: 256 × 192 pixels

Thermal Sensitivity: ≤ 15 mK (25 °C)

Magnification: 3.49×

Close Focus: 3.5m

FOV: 281 fr. @ 1000 yrds

Display: 0.49-inch OLED 1440 × 1080

Laser Rangefinder: 1000m max

Recoil Rating: 1200G 

Waterproof: IPX67

Dimensions: 6.5″ x 5.1″

Weight: 32 oz

Gadgets

SVBony SA207 8×32 Binoculars

SVBony keeps making optics that force you to check the price tag twice. The SA207 is a compact 8x scope with ED glass with a light weight magnesium chassis and the features you’d find in binoculars double or quadruple the price.

The ED glass deliver high-fidelity color with very little fringing, even off-axis. Weight is average but lighter than you’d expect. Nothing feels cheap or rattly.

It’s not a Swarovski or Zeiss, but it doesn’t pretend to be—and the street price under $300 makes this a good value

SHOP

Amazon SA207: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2M7MQ3C?maas=maas_adg_B4FB69F0DF69590340652BEB62260D92_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas

RESOLUTION

Group -1
Element 3

SPECS

Objective: 32mm
Magnification: 8x
Exit-Pupil: 4mm
Eye Relief: 19mm
FOV: 8.12º / 428ft @ 1000 yds
Minimum Focus: ~1.5m
Prism: BaK4
Prism Coating: Dielectric + Phase
Diopter Range: ±4 DPT
Interpupillary: 56-74mm
Body: Magnesium alloy
Gas Purge: Nitrogen
Water Proof: IPX7
Weight: 557g/19.65oz

Gadgets

OLight OPen 3 flashlight pen


They say ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’, and the OPen3 is MIGHTY cool. This pen light is literally a ballpoint pen that is also a multi-function flashlight and Class 3R green laser pointer.

It clips into a pocket like any other pen with a 120 lumen flashlight LED on the clip, which allows you to work hands-free. In addition, by sliding the mode switch, you can activate a moonlight bright illunated tip allowing you write in the dark; great for those taking notes in darkened presentations or when traveling overnight. Charging is through a hidden USB-C port that is exposed when unscrewing the center halves of the pen.

As a writing pen, the OPen has a smooth gel cartridge but it feels a little tail heavy. I’d like to see OLight make a Jumbo sized version with a thicker barrel which would allow the more battery capacity and a nicer hand feel.

Olight sells it for around $80 in black, red, or outdoor orange. Ink refills are available, but I was incorrect about the type. The OPen refills are proprietery sized, and not Parker compatible.

If anybody asks to borrow a pen, I’m going to say “no way” because I’m going to carrying the new OLight OPen3.

SHOP

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1PM5LN4?ref=t_ac_spc_accepted_tile&linkCode=tr1&tag=moondogindu05-20&linkId=B0H1PM5LN4_1789060903794

https://amzn.to/4hcK2QT

SPECS

  • Max white output: 120 Lumens
  • Red Light: 5 / 10 Lumens + SOS
  • Tip light: ~0.4 Lumens
  • Laser: Class 3R green, dual brightness
  • Battery: 130 mAh Li-Po, USB-C
  • Length: 6.1 in
  • Barrel: 0.5 in
  • Weight: ~33–33.5 g
  • Body: Aluminum
Shooting Sports

OSight R

OSight makes some of the smallest enclosed-emitter red dots and now they’ve made their largest. The mode R is a rifle-sized, enclosed-emitter, multi-reticle reflex sight. It comes with an Aimpoint T1/T2 compatible AR co-witness height mount. At launch, OSight offers a promo package that includes a high 1.93″ mount. It’s fair to say it’s a knock off Holosun AEMS but it’s about hundred clams less.

 OLight designed the R with a 7075 body, able to hold zero over 10k rounds and survive a 1-mile height drop (or so they’ve tested, I have not). It has clever, see-through hinged lens covers, which can be swapped out for the included hex kill flash.

The unit has a motion-activated reticle with a 2MOA dot or 65MOA circle options. It uses a standard CR2032 coin battery with an 85,000hr rated run-time. I didn’t notice it at the range, but my sample did have edge distortion along the top edge of my window. In my live-fire testing, the unit provided an excellent sight picture to my target at 50 yards, and I was able to quickly and repeatedly get the dot on target. 

SHOP

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H417MDMT?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.2RWVHXWHCS61G&linkCode=tr1&tag=moondogindu05-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.2RWVHXWHCS61G_1790132739581

SPECS

Magnification: 1x
Window Size: 1.10 × 0.87 in
Eye Relief: Unlimited
Reticle: Red 2 MOA Dot, 65 MOA Circle
Brightness Settings: 9 daylight / 3 NV
Windage Adj: 50 MOA
Elevation Adj: 50 MOA
Click Value: 0.5 MOA
Battery Type: CR2032
Max Runtime: 83,000 hours
Housing: 7075-T6 Aluminum
IPX: 8 waterproof
Dimensions: 2.72 × 1.42 × 2.52 in
Weight: 7 oz

Shooting Sports

BART Lets Glow! 2026 Anime Festival

https://youtu.be/JTgp0jYdIeg

In 2025, BART introduced the Let’s Glow! BART Anime Festival and attracted more than triple the expected 1000 attendees. This year, the free anime festival expanded to accommodate even more anime fans. I traveled to the Warm Springs/South Fremont Station to check it out.

This year, the fest doubled in size. Booths and exhibits took up both sides of the BART station. The Itasha car expo in the Southern Pick-Up lot, the Artist Alley in the North side lot. In between, there was a stage for performers and cosplay contests, and a Food Truck row.

Itasha cars are vehicles themed and often wrapped with graphics depicting characters from popular anime and manga, and now VTubers. The Artist Alley was double the size and packed with shoppers picking up fan-made anime art, plushies, and merch. The longest line was for the Railgoods booth selling official BART merch featuring its Anime mascots: Baylee, Nimbus, Jasmine, and Mira

BART has anime mascots? Along with the Vatican (yes, the Vatican) the San Francisco BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT system wanted to reach out “the youth.” Appealing to Asian-weeb subculture of Anime by bolting on a BART logo onto it. Did it work? Overall BART ridership is down 56% since 2016 but the Lets Glow! Festival has doubled in attendance since last year. So yay, I guess?

Social

TMI 260923 Arken Optics

In this episode, I’ll be interviewing Bill Paulley from Arken Optics. This Livestream is sponsored by Aura.com. Go to my link https://aura.com/moondog to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed.

Read my notes: https://moondogindustries.com/tmi-260923-arken-optics/

SPONSOR

Read my notes: https://moondogindustries.com/tmi-260624-prime-day-deals/

This episode is sponsored by MattHat jerky.
Use code: MOONDOG to get 15%
Order a free sample using my link https://matthatjerky.com/products/sample-pack?ref=moondog

EARLYBIRD Visual Clue:

VIDEOS THIS WEEK

Moondog2A

Moondog Reviews

Moondog Go

BRAND CONTEST CLUE

This gun-maker was founded in 1949 by Alexander McCormick Sturm and William B. Ruger. Its first firearm was a .22LR semi-auto pistol heavily inspired by the Japanese Nambu and German Luger pistols.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

Arken is a Texas-based optics company that was founded by a former Navy SEAL. In the 2010s, it came out with the SH4 scope, which changed the optics landscape. For the first time, you could get a brand-new PRS-style long-range scope for under $400.

Last year they went through an ownership and management change. They’ve come out of it with a new headquarters in Houston, TX, upgrades to their long-range scopes, and a brand new hunting-scope line. Today, I interview Bill Pauley of Arken Optics.

FINAL CLUE

This gun maker produces the two most popular .22LR rifles in the world. September of 2020 it purchased Marlin firearms from Remington and now produces both the Marlin 60 and its own 10/22 rifle.

DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS

Arken
Special scope ring and accessory bundles for Labor Day week.
20% OFF Sitewide with code MOONDOG
25% OFF for Verified Veterans

Vueroid S1 Dashcam
September 5 to September 20, customers will save up to 35% off the regular price on Amazon.
https://vector2007.com/X-NanoVEOT-RSS08
Discount code (12% off): MOONDOG

Anarchy Outdoors
Get 5% this using code MOONDOG2A
https://www.anarchyoutdoors.com

SEPTEMBER CONTEST
Enter for a free chance to win up to three prizes:

CONTEST Sept2026 Breast Cancer GoFundMe

BRAND QUIZ DRAWING

Prizes package from Arken Optics

Shooting Sports

OLight PL X GL

The PL X is an evolution in OLights’ pistol lights. They designed the PLX to be shorter and more compact than their previous PL models, to be more holster-compatible. The PLX has the ability to switch between a flood or spot beam. The new GL adds a green laser for aiming assistance in low light.

Physically, the GL is similar to the original PL X. The USB-C port at the bottom has been moved and replaced with a flat switch for white light, laser, or combined output. The flood/spot selector switch can still be found on the left side of the unit.

The PL X has contoured buttons that allow you to push forward or push downward to activate the beam. The PL X has OLight’s familiar controls able to switch between low- and high-brightness modes with a double-tap, and strobe by pressing both buttons simultaneously or triple-tapping.

Thankfully, this OLight now recharges with a universal standard USB-C port. Remarkably, the unit is IPX 7 rated and able to be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. I don’t claim that any OLIGHT is as durable or as reliable as military-tested weaponlights, but OLIGHT offers a lifetime warranty with good customer service.

RETAIL SOURCES

Amazon https://amzn.to/45sDCX6

SPECS

Max Lumens: 1200 (Flood mode)
Max Run Time: 95 min
Maximum Throw: 260 yards (Spot mode)
Battery type: 620 mAh
Charging type: USB-C
Dimensions: 63 x 30 x 31.5 mm (2.48 in x 1.18 in x 1.24 in)
Weight w/battery: 3.1 oz / 88 g
Track compatibility: 1913, Glock
IPX: 7 waterproof

Gadgets, Shooting Sports

Votatu G2L laser weaponlight

Most people have never heard of the Votatu brand but the G2L is one of the most affordable lights I’ve tested. The G2L is a compact green laser and flashlight unit that is about half the size of typical 1000 lumen weaponlights. My unit only achieved 800 lumens of output, which is still a respectably bright flashlight. The flattened main body is metal and feels robust, but while testing its IPX 65 rating, I accidentally used high-pressure water. Water did find its way into the unit, but it continued to function normally until runtime testing eventually evaporated the moisture.

The G2L has some disappointing aspects. The unit charges via a proprietary magnetic cable, so you better not lose it. It is not truly ambidextrous. The white light is only activated by the right paddle, and the laser is controlled by the left paddle. Despite these shortfalls, the G2L stands out for its low price under $50.

SHOP

Amazon https://link.amazon/B07otosT4

SPECS

G2L-G
Body: Aluminum
Max Output: 1000 lumens
Max Throw: 100m
Laser Color: Green
Laser Max Output: ＜5mW
Mount Type: Picatinny, Glock
Battery: Polymer Battery (Built-in)
Charger: Magnetic
IPX: 65
Dimension: 68x33x30mm (2.7×1.3×1.2″)
Weight: 81g/2.86oz

Social

TMI 260916 Ozempic Borrowed Interest

Do you recognize the duo in the Ozempic Ads? They’re a hack ripoff. This Livestream is sponsored by Aura.com. Go to my link https://aura.com/moondog to get a 14-day free trial and see if any of your data has been exposed.

Read my notes: https://moondogindustries.com/tmi-260916-ozempic-borrowed-interest/

SPONSOR

Read my notes: https://moondogindustries.com/tmi-260624-prime-day-deals/

This episode is sponsored by MattHat jerky.
Use code: MOONDOG to get 15%
Order a free sample using my link https://matthatjerky.com/products/sample-pack?ref=moondog

EARLYBIRD Visual Clue:

VIDEOS THIS WEEK

Moondog2A

Moondog Reviews

Moondog Go

BRAND CONTEST CLUE

Introduced in 1963, this was the Coca-Cola Company’s first no-calorie diet softdrink.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

This year, Ozempic launched the “There’s Only One Ozempic” consumer TV campaign staring Justin Long and John Hodgman, that spoofs the duo’s iconic 2000s Apple “Get a Mac” commercials.

Apple’s “Get a Mac” campaign which ran from 2006-2009, created by TBWA-Chiat/Day. This campaign was largely lauded at the time, as being memorable, funny, and unpretentious (unlike the previous “Think Different” campaign).

But what l possessed Novonordisk bankroll this arguably terrible and unfunny campaign which has been largely ignored or lambasted by critics in the creative, technology, and pharma space. https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/01/21/ozempic-maker-launches-the-latest-painfully-unfunny-im-a-mac-ripoff

It’s so bad, I could not find any article identifying the Advertising agency responsible for the creative development of the TV ads. A company called Rogue Producer is credited for the creative work. After further delving, they have been described as “an internal independent advertising and content production department”, which explains why this campaign is so meh. It’s a TV commercial created by NovoNortics own marketing department who created something only they find amusing or interesting. Nobody else cares.

This is an example of “Talking to Yourself” and “Borrowed Interest”

Borrowed interest: Advertising and Marketing’s “Cheap Shot”

• Apple’s own “Think different” campaign featuring Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., Picasso, and others. They never owned a Mac.

• All Celebrity Endorsements: Matthew McConaughey + Lincoln

• Dead Celebrity Endoresement: Fred Astaire + Dirt Devil

With the permission of his wife, the late Fred Astaire was shown in one of his best-known film dance routines with a Dirt Devil in a computer-generated scene for an ad that debuted during the 1997 Super Bowl.

• Bugs Bunny in Nike’s Michael Jordan’s Air Jodan TV campaign. So successful it spawned the movie “Space Jam”

OZEMPIC CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT?

FINAL CLUE

This O.G. diet soft drink was also the first to receive a health scare. In the early 1970’s a lab rat study suggested a connection between sacharine and cancer in lab rats, forcing this drink to sport the first medical warning in it’s label. It was later found that the Canadian study was flawed giving male rats the equivelent of 800 soda cans of sacarin per day. The FDA officially removed the cancer warning in 2000 but too late for this brand, which was canceled by Coca-Cola.

DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS

Vueroid S1 Dashcam
September 5 to September 20, customers will save up to 35% off the regular price on Amazon.
https://vector2007.com/X-NanoVEOT-RSS08
Discount code (12% off): MOONDOG

Arken
Special scope ring and accessory bundles for Labor Day week.
20% OFF Sitewide with code MOONDOG
25% OFF for Verified Veterans

Anarchy Outdoors
Get 5% this using code MOONDOG2A
https://www.anarchyoutdoors.com

SEPTEMBER CONTEST
Enter for a free chance to win up to three prizes:

CONTEST Sept2026 Breast Cancer GoFundMe

BRAND QUIZ DRAWING

BONUS
In which movie did Marty McFly orders this drink?

Shooting Sports

Maxdone Solar WiFi Trailcam

https://youtu.be/kP8mCtHqMIg

The Maxdone 4K incorporates a solar panel can keep the unit powered day and night. Over a 2.5 week test, it captured footage through multiple overcast days in direct sun as well a 2-day test mounted under a bush with limited direct sunlight. If the unit can not be mounted in a location that receives direct sunlight, is has a USB-C port, which allows it be powered or recharged via an external battery or solar panel.

The unit’s LED lamps that allow it to capture nightvision footage. My package came with a 32GB SD card and the unit can accomodate 256 GB cards. The cam can be accessed via WiFi and Bluetooth using a downlodable phone App. This is vital in aiming and positioning the camera and allows you to review captured footage.

This solar powered trailcam solves the biggest issue I’ve had with trailcams: the battery pack. AA powered trailcams I’ve tested in the past failed because the batteries never lasted as long as needed or worse, corroded and destroyed the internals of the trailcam. The Maxdone camera is light weight and priced at under $60 on Amazon.

By the way, why researching this article, I discovered that trailcams aren’t aren’t a modern invention. They are nearly as old as film cameras themselves. I discussed it on my TMI livestream show.

SHOP

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQTYHRZW?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.1B2SPJ9783IJB&linkCode=tr1&tag=moondogindu05-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.1B2SPJ9783IJB_1787168639763

2-Piece Solar Trailcam https://amzn.to/4gnc3Uc

SPECS

PH9702

Lens FOV: 100 degrees

Max Image Resolution: 64MP

Max Video Resolution: 4K

Frame Rate: 30fps

Video Format: MP4

Nightvision: IR up to 65 ft.

SD card: 32GB

Max storage: 256GB

Opperating Temp: -20°C to 60°C

Dimensions: 2.76 x 1.97 x 5.51 in.

Weight: 9.9 oz.

Waterproof: IP66


Gear Reviews, Education, and Adventure