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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

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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


Shooting Sports

Nitecore EDC15

If you’ve ever fumbled for your phone’s flashlight in a dark parking lot and muttered something unprintable, meet the EDC15. This blade-style EDC is the little brother of the EDC17 minus the laser and about an inch in overall length.

The slide-switch operation keeps things simple. Four steady white levels plus strobe and a hidden unltra-low mode. In addition it has 3 levels of UV brightness for identifying bogus bills or unsavery activity by the previous occupiers of your hotel room.

The beam is mostly flood, great for close work, less great if you’re trying to spot a raccoon across the field. Build quality feels solid for the size made of aluminum that shrugs off pocket lint and the occasional drop. It even comes with a clip and lanyard.

Is it the brightest, throwiest, or fanciest light on the market? No. But it’s the one you’ll actually have with you when the power goes out, the basement gets weird, or you just need to find the remote under the couch.

SHOP

Amazon https://youtu.be/B5lnGGCwSns

SPECS

EDC15
Max Lumens: 1200
Max Throw: 208m
Max Runtime: 200h (ultralow)
Lighting Modes: 5 white / 3 UV
Length: 111mm / 4.37″
Width: 28mm / 1.10″
Height: 21mm / 0.83″
Weight: 85g / 3.00 oz

Shooting Sports

CVLife EagleVanta 6-24×50 FFP

Continuing CVLife’s proud tradition of smashing animal names into a random name, we get the EagleVanta 6-24×50 FFP. “Vanta” still means “boast” in Italian, and this one boasts a proper first-focal-plane Christmas-tree MOA reticle, a 34 mm tube, zero-stop elevation, and side parallax that actually goes down to 10 yards. Not bad for a scope that costs less than a decent night out.

The scope has fully multi-coated ED glass, comes comes with flip-up caps, a sunshade, and a nice set of rings. But perhaps to accomodate any strange rifle setups, these are high rings which are about 1/2″ too high for any of my rifles unless you prefer a see-through setup for your iron sights?

It’s not going to dethrone a high-end Japanese or German optic, and at nearly 30 ounces it’s no featherweight. But for the money it delivers real long-range tools—FFP holdovers that work at every magnification, decent tracking, and enough adjustment to get you into trouble—without requiring a second mortgage.

SHOP

Amazon https://amzn.to/4A3FuUA
10% Off Code: MOONDOG2609

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH645L3L?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.3SRVSEDR88BWV&linkCode=tr1&tag=moondogindu05-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.3SRVSEDR88BWV_1789740870178

SPECS

  • Magnification: 6-24x
  • Objective: 50 mm
  • Tube: 30 mm
  • Reticle: FFP Christmas Tree
  • Illumination: Red 11 levels
  • Eye Relief: 3.9″
  • FOV @ 100 yds: 21.3-5.4 ft
  • Click Value: 1/4 MOA
  • Elev Adj: ±70 MOA
  • Wind Adj: ±70 MOA
  • Parallax: 15 yds – ∞
  • Battery: CR2032
  • Length: 14.2″
  • Weight: 24.4 oz

Social

TMI260909 TrailCam History

Did you know that TrailCams aren’t a new inventions? They’ve been around for nearly as long as photography.

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/tmi260909-trailcam-history/

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 company invented rolled photographic film and the Funsaver disposable cameras. And ironically invented digital photography in the 1970’s but were eventually killed by the smartphones, declaring bankruptcy in the 2000’s.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

Maxdone Trail Camera sneek peek. This is a solar powered WiFi enabled cam.

• WiFi for real time connection

• SD Card for long term recording

• Solar that works in poor sunlight conditions

• 4k but not much better than 1080p cams

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

HISTORY OF THE TRAILCAM

TrailCams seem like a modern invention. But after doing a deep dive, I came across this article from a Canadian hunger Nathan Davis that reminded me that TrailCams have been around for almost as long as there have been film cameras.

In 1877 Eadweard Muybridge took this historic series of photos of a galloping horse.

•Proved a bet by Leeland Standfor that a horse has all 4 legs in the air during a full running gallop.

• This led to the invention of motion pictures

In the 1880’s George Shiras III a Congressman from PA and a pioneer in nature photography, invented wildlife trap photography using a flash and trip wire.

The first commercialy available all-in-one film TrailCam was the 1980’s Cuddeback.

BUT I DIGRESS
Camera companies were instrumental in creating products for hunting. Leica invented the first commercially available hand-held laser range finder in 1993.

Mileseey makes industrial laser measuring devices. I recently tested the longest range laser rangefinder, the IonJet8

• 8000 yard max range

• MIL-STD-810H compliant

• Built in ballistic calculator with up to 10 bullet profiles

FINAL CLUE

This company was founded by George Eastman in 1892 in Rochester, NY and became one of the largest photographic film and comera companies in the world.

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

JULY WINNER REPORT

Ace-Sportzone

AUGUST WINNERS

Nitecore TIP3: 720 lumen compact keychain EDC flashlight

Votatu V848: 1200 lumen weapon light with, Green Laser, IR laser and IR illuminator

TechHunter 1-6×28 LPVO: ED glass SFP LPVO with 120 MOA of adjustment

Congratulations

PatrickG.Nitecore TIP3
HernanB.Votatu V848 IR Illuminator
Tristan BS.TechHunter 1-6×28 LPVO

BRAND QUIZ DRAWING

Shooting Sports

Last Days of Summer, Ocean Beach

https://youtu.be/dwc1MB4_Nkc

Ocean Beach is like like a local secret. This three-and-a-half mile stretch of Pacific shoreline just past the western edge of Golden Gate Park and The Great Highway. Hundreds of yards of soft sand extend from the parking lot to the ocean. Above the sea wall, a multiple walking paths run for about mile between the Cliff House ending in sand dunes.

This beach attracts local in San Francisco and experienced surfers from around the world. The water looks inviting until you remember it’s usually 52–57°F year-round and the currents have a long, documented habit of sweeping people out, so be careful when walking near the water if you’re visiting.

Before the neighborhoods of the Richmond and Sunset filled in, this was a vast dune wilderness. Steam trains and later streetcars brought city people out to the edge for fresh air and amusement. The Cliff House has stood in various forms since 1863, watching over Seal Rocks. Adolph Sutro’s enormous glass-roofed baths once filled a cove just north of here; the ruins still sit there, atmospheric and photogenic. Playland at the Beach—roller coasters, fun houses, the original It’s-It ice cream sandwich—ran until 1972. At very low tides you can still spot the weathered ribs of the ship King Philip, wrecked in 1878 near Ortega Street. Between 1850 and 1926 roughly twenty vessels came to grief along this stretch.

Today the beach is quieter, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The amusement parks are gone, the dunes partially restored, and the place is chill.

Enjoy 10 minutes of zen that I filmed at one of the last days of Summer 2026.

Gadgets, Shooting Sports

Vector Optics Owlset HEIM ES X-NANO RSS08

At the Vector Optics booth at Shot Show 2026, I discovered the smallest thermal optic I’d ever seen, the Owlset HEIM ES X-Nano RSS08. This thermal optic has an ACRO and is sized between an enclosed pistol red dot and an EOTech holosight.

The RSS08 is powered by an 18280/CR2 battery and came with 3 cells in the box along with a USB-C combatible charger. Each cell is rated to run the unit for up to 3.5 hours (in standby/sleep mode). The unit can also be powered and recharged using a USB-C port.

The RSS08 is not just a thermal imager, but it is also a thermal camera, allowing the user to record video and photo stills. The unit has about 14-16GB of internal memory. The RSS08 model can be connected via WiFi to an Owlset mobile App to control the camera and to download files. Or you can download the files via the USB-C port to your computer.

Its 1.4″ LCD display screen is a touch display which allows for gesture controls and access to the menu. Two external control buttons allow additional access the menu and activate/deactivate the unit. The RSS08 offers 6 false-color modes to display hot/cold objects and 10 reticle options for targeting. The default PURE MODE setting must be deactivated before the reticles are available.

Nighttime, hand-held testing did reveal the unsuitability of using the RSS08 as a pistol optic. I was able to clearly ID human and varmint-sized objects in complete darkness over 100 yards away. But the rapid movement of the LCD screen under recoil would make it unreadable in rapid fire. On a rifle, it would necessitate very slow semi-fire. On a pistol slide, impossible.

Moreover, the light spill from the screen would easily give the user’s position away to another human. To an animal, this wouldn’t be as alarming as the noise we make walking around at night. And before using this thermal on a firearm, you should consult your local hunting and gun laws.

One major drawback to using the RSS08 as a combat or patrol optic is water. The RSS08 is IPX6 water-resistant, able to survive rain and water spills. But as anybody with a phone knows, moisture renders LCD touchscreens inoperable until they can be wiped dry.

Where I see this mini thermal being used is co-mounted to a red dot or other optic. The box comes with an ACRO to Picatinny adapter plate, and Vector Optics makes a selection of adapters. The RSS08 isn’t the firearms optic as I’d originally hoped, but it is a capable and affordable full-featured thermal camera.

BUY

Vector Optics get 12% Off using code: MOONDOG
https://vector2007.com/VEOT-RSS08

SPECS

X-NANO RSS08

Infrared Resolution: 256×192 / 12μm

Frame Rate: 50Hz

Magnification: 0.5x /1x

NETD: ≤40 mK

Detection Range: ≤ 600m (656.17yds)

Recognition Range: ≤ 150m (164.04yds)

Angular Field of View: 13.5° × 10.1°

Focus Range: 5m – ∞

Display Screen: 1.4

Pseudo-Color Modes: White Hot, Black Hot, Hot Iron, Rainbow, Iron Red, Cold Color

Reticle: 10 Reticle Options with 5 Color Modes (Black / White / Red / Green / Yellow)

Weight: 123 g / 4.34 oz

Dimension: 51×43×46 mm / 2.01×1.69×1.81 in

Wi-Fi & App Support: Yes

Waterproof: IP66

Shockproof: 1000 G

Battery Type (Not Include): 16280, 900 mAh

Operating Duration: 3.5h

Charging Interface: USB Type-C, 5 V

Operating Temperature: -20°C to 60°C / -4°F to +140°F

Gear Reviews, Education, and Adventure