Category Archives: Gadgets

Gadgets, Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Athlon Argos G2 8×42 Binoculars

Athlon’s Argos line is their value tier product line, a step up from their budget/entry level Talos. But taking a look at the build quality and features of the Argos Gen2 8×42 binoculars, it looks more like a premium optic. The tubes are encased in rubberized armor coating with checkerboard textured panels to add further grip in wet conditions.

The Argos comes with soft plastic retained front lens caps which are one of the few disappointing features. The retaining strops too easily slip off the front of the tubes when flipping open the caps. The rear caps are spectacle style which can be retained to the optic, when used with a neck strap. The rear lenses have built-in retracting eye cups.

Indicative of budget level optics, there was some softness in focus and increased chromatic aberration along the other edge of the image. The Argos does not have ED glass like their more expensive Midas and Cronos optics but was nicely bright and clear. For an 8x scope, the field of view is nice and wide with good depth of field.

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Optics Planet https://shrsl.com/4rg9q

SPECS

ARGOS G2

Magnification: 8x

Objective: 42mm

Eye Relief: 17.3mm

Close Focus: 4m/13 ft

FOV: 371 ft. @ 1000 yrds

Coating: XPL / USP

Glass: UHD

Prism: BaK-4

Waterproof: IPX7

Argon Purged

Weight: 25.5 oz

Dimensions: 5.7″ x 5.3″

Gadgets, Product Reviews

OLight Arkflex

The Arkflex adds a new angle to the innovative wedge style EDC. The Arkflex rounds out the harder squared edges of the Arkfeld design. It is a little smaller and lighter than the Arkfeld and lacks the rotary control, UV light, and laser. Arkflex adds a new feature: a hinged top which can tilt the dual LED emitter to 90º angle. With the tilting emitter, the Arkflex can transform from a standard wand style flashlight, into a clip-on hands free work light.

In testing, the Arflex meets or exceeds all of its printed specs. The Arkflex outputs a little over a maximum of 1000 lumens in Turbo mode. It has a runtime of 120 minutes in Turbo and can be fully immersed in water.

But nothing is perfect. After my testing, my sample unit wouldn’t turn off until the battery died and wouldn’t recharge. It was defective. But rather than this review ending in a negative conclusion, it became a test of the company’s warranty and customer service.

I went to the Warranty and Repairs page of Olight’s website and entered in a return request. After uploading photos of the unit and describing the issue, they emailed me a PDF return label. I received a replacement unit a few days later. Unfortunately Olight was out of the Halloween limited edition lights, so they sent me a plain orange one. Far from disappointed, I was impressed with how easy Olight’s warranty return process was.

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Amazon https://amzn.to/3CH0c3l

Gadgets, Product Reviews

Blackbeard Plasma Lighter

When you hear the words ‘plasma lighter’ the lightsaber or something out of the Aliens universe comes to mind. But they are real and they are sci-fi (at least to old guys like me). Plasma lighters are battery powered devices that generate a high voltage electrical arc which can ignite kindling. They work in the same way as your car’s spark plug or a mini taser.

Blackbeard Fire sent me a Pirates Plunder survival pack which includes their Plasma Lighter along with Firestarter sticks and a Ferro Rod. The device is about the size of an executive Zippo lighter and is incased in a black silicone skin. The top is latched down to keep it water proof. The device is recharged via USB-C and has LED charge indicator lights.

Pressing on the a button next to the igniter, immediately creates a purple spark of plasma. Unlike a plasma lighter that I already owned, Blackbeard’s uses not just a single pair of electrical contacts but four to create an ‘X’ like electrical arc between them.

Like a mini arc welder, the electricity heats the air into a plasma at hot as the surface of the sun. The Plasma Lighter easily ignited the Fire Plugs and FIrestarter fibers that I had soaked in water for an hour. The only thing a Plasma Lighter doesn’t do better than a traditional lighter is provide illumination but I’m sure somebody makes a version with a built-in CREE light so check-mate Bic.

AFFILIATE RETAIL LINK

Amazon https://amzn.to/3xQqPAE

Pirate Plunder Kit: https://amzn.to/3xHAgm6

Gadgets, Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

5.11 X.VI Pants

5.11 worked with law enforcement SWAT teams to design the X.VI tactical pants. These pants were only available to Law Enforcement and Military until this year when 5.11 made them available to civilians on their website. I had my first look at them at SHOT Show in January, where I learned that X.VI was Roman numerals for 5.11.

These pants are robustly made with gusseted stitching to reinforce stress points, especially around the waist. The pants are loaded with well thought out performance features. All the pockets are oversized and the cargo pockets contain internal mag holders, zippered venting slits, and patented straps to adjust the height and position of the knee pads. The legs have built in knee pads with removable polymer knee covers and padding. The pant legs have boot hooks that anchor the pant ends to the top laces of your boots and keep them from riding up and exposing the top of your boots to debris.

In my week long testing of the pants, I found them comfortable but a bit heavy. The only disappointing feature were the knee pads. Though well built with a variety of adjustment, they never stayed where I wanted them when sitting the car. I found myself constantly repositioning them by hand. Fortunately, the pads can be removed to allow me to use them with my Hatch knee pads.

The other aspect that would make me balk, is their price of over $200. While these pants are now available for civilians, but those civilians probably drive Rivians and not Kia’s.

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L.A. Police Gear https://la-police-gear.pxf.io/OeB3nz

Gadgets, Product Reviews

MIFMIA LED headlamp bulbs

https://youtu.be/wvx2luWeL1Y

At about 80k miles, I replaced the headlight bulbs in my KIA Sorrento 2019 with similar Sylvania H7 halogen bulbs. Most newer cars have switched to LED bulbs so I was interested in upgrading my lights to LEDs but many require cooling fans and “ballast” boxes containing controller electronics which make it difficult to fit into light housings without modification.

I found these H7 replacement bulbs by MIFMIA, a brand I’m not familiar with. Testing them out I found that their design was indeed identical length and form factor to halogen H7 bulbs. They fit in my housing and installed without issue. Their beams were brighter than the halogen bulbs and provided a whiter/bluer light.

Unfortunately my KIA’s computerized diagnostics system registered an error and displayed a warning light that my headlamp bulbs were burned out/disabled. These MIFMIA bulbs were returning an incorrect voltage signal to the car’s diagnostics and setting off a false alarm. Unfortunately they didn’t work for my 2019 KIA but they may work for your car.

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Amazon affiliate: https://amzn.to/4ci8H0K

Gadgets

Sunwayfoto T1A20 Tabletop Tripod

Sunwayfoto makes a wide range of carbon fiber, light weight photography, video, and hunting tripods. This is the opposite. This is a heavy weight all aluminum table top tripod. That isn’t in reference to its weight which is over 3lbs (remember this is a tabletop tripod that at its max is only 18 inches high). This tripod’s strong enough to hold up to 55lbs of equipment.

Sunwayfoto sent me both a tripod and a XB-52 ball head to test out. The tripod legs extend with a classic design where the leg extension is sandwiched between the support legs above it. The extending legs are double-headed with spikes on one end which can be removed and reversed for rubberized feet on the other. On the inside/bottom face of the legs are an additional set of rubber feet to allow the tripod legs to be splayed out a full 90º to allow the tripod to be placed as low as as possible on a table.

I tested the tripod at the range by attaching Maven 18x50mm binoculars. It handled this lightweight optic like it was nothing. Similarly when I mounted an AR with an ARCA/Swiss M-Lok adapter to the tripod, it prooved a beefy rifle rest. Unfortunately my final test was to try a telescope mounted on a Picatinny/ARCA adapter. Unfortunately, the XB-52 ball head offered strength enough to easily hold the rifle scope but there was just enough play that I wasn’t able to get a repeatable lock on a bullseye target at 100yrds when putting the turrets through a rough torture test.

My testing requirements are quite unusual so for 99% of the rest of you out there who have even the heaviest broadcast video rig or a high caliber rifle, this heavyweight tripod and ball head combination should well suit your needs.

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Sunwayfoto affiliate https://sunwayfoto.com/products/sunwayfoto-t1a20-tripod-aluminum-camera-tripod-3-8-screw-maximum-load-25kg?ref=pwwCNnfb

SPECS

Main Material： Aluminum 
Number of Leg Sections： 2
Max Height： 18.1 in./ 46cm
Min Height： 0.16 in./ 5cm
Length with legs folded：12.6 in./32cm
Net Weight： 3.08 lb./1.4kg
Load Capacity： 55 lb./25kg 
Screw Thread： 3/8″ 
Leg Angles： 30°、60°、90° 
Top Plate Diameter： 2.68 in./6.8cm 

Gadgets, Product Reviews

Fenix PD40R v3.0

Tactical lights with their multiple lighting modes have always been hamstrung by their control, usually having to resort to multiple clicks or one or two buttons to cycle modes and brightness. With the PD40R, Fenix developed a duty light whose controls are an intuitive selector ring, allowing the user to precisely dial in their desired brightness or set the flashlight into SOS and strobe.

The PD40R v3.0 steps up in run time and throw distance from the v2.0. Physically the PD40 is just a little bit larger than the PD30 at a little over 6″ long. It runs of a 5000mAh 21700 lithium battery. The PD40R has a USB-C charging port allowing the battery to be charged inside the flashlight (which is fortunate because none of my LiPO chargers is large enough to fit a 21700 battery).

The PD40R has a slightly crenelated crown to assist in breaking glass and as a pressure point when used a self-defense tool. Because of its control ring, the unit lacks a tail click button and thus easily tail stands. Fenix included a removable pocket clip though the unit is a bit oversized.

In my testing, I measured 2600 lumens from a freshly recharged battery, which is close enough to its stated 3000 lumen output that I consider my reading well within a margin of error. In addition, the PD40 lasted well past Fenix’s 2hr and 40min runtime in Turbo brightness; I stopped my test at 3hrs and 40min and it was still not exhausted.

The only disappointing aspect of the flashlight is its control ring. I prefer the PD40’s control ring system which is much more intuitive and precise than pressing button combinations. Fenix claims the ring has a hard stop at TURBO to prevent the user from accidentally activating the SOS or strobe function. But in my testing, I too often accidentally turned the unit past TURBO into SOS. I contacted Fenix about this and they were aware of the feedback.

Suggestions about the SOS mode in the ring control aside, the PD40Rs exceeded expectations for “professional” performance.

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SPECS

Max Output: 3000 lumens

Max Throw: 500 m

Max Runtime: 89 hrs (low)

Modes: 6

Strobe Mode: 3000 lumens

Control: Rotary Switch

Length: 5.63” (143mm) 

Head: 1.34” (34mm) 

Body: 1.02” (26mm)

Weight: 6.98 oz. (198g) with battery

Charging Type: USB Type-C

Waterproof Rating: IP68

Gadgets, Shooting Sports

Discovery ED-AR 1-8×24

Discovery Optics has quietly been making high featured optics in the price tier usually considered “budget”. Discovery sent me a pre-release sample of their new ED-AR 1-8x24SFIR FFP LPVO. This is part of their top tier ED line of optics which utilize Japanese ED glass.

This is an evolution on the ED-AR 1-6×24 not just in illumination but also in the addition of a side-focus parallax adjustment knob. This feature is nearly unheard of in LPVOs. Moreover, this scope is able to focus from infinity to an unprecedented 5 yards; making this optic an option for hunting, NRL22 or precision airgun.

The overall glass quality was bright, clear and sharp. While not quite the same league as the Vortex Razor HD it come much closer than most LPVOs under $500. At launch this scope is selling for a street price of $200 on Amazon and the Discovery Optics website which makes this optic cheaper than Swampfox, Primary Arms and many other budget optics! The retail version does not include rings or a mount; I recommend mounting this on an offset mount for your AR like Discovery Optics and Monstrum QD mounts.

Like other FFP’s, the ED-AR suffers from a thin reticle at 1x. Unfortunately the ED-AR’s illuminator is typical of most LPVO’s, not quite daylight bright and only useful in low light or CQB. I would suggest Discovery offer this optic with a much thicker 1x reticle configuration similar to the Arken EP8 or the Sig TANGO MSR.

Over multiple range visits, the scope held zero. It has a lifetime warranty. With their new service office in California customer service shouldn’t be a problem. If they can keep this unit at this price point the ED-AR has the potential to change the LPVO landscape.

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The 10% discount code: MoondogED18
Amazon affiliate: https://amzn.to/4g3PMKg
Discovery Optics: https://discoveryopt.com/DISCOVERYOPT-ED-AR-1-8X24IR-FFP-Optics-Scopes.html

RESOLUTION

Element 4 / Group -1 @50yrds

SPECS

ED-AR SFIR

Magnification: 1-8x

Objective Lens: 24mm

Reticle Plane: First (FFP)

Tube: 34mm

Length: 11.4 in/290mm

Weight: 24.2 oz/687 g

Click Value: 0.1 MRAD

Elevation Adj: 38 MRAD 

Windage Adj: 22 MRAD

Parallax: 5yrds–Infinity

Eye Relief: 4 in 

FOV @ 100 yd 1x: @ 133.6 ft 

FOV @ 100 yd 8x: 15.7 ft

Exit Pupil 1x: 15.6 mm / 8x: 3.0 mm

Gadgets, Shooting Sports

Maven B.5 18×56 MIL Binoculars

Maven sent me the target model of their excellent B.5 18×56 binoculars. This version has a MIL target range finding reticle (they also make an MOA version) in the left tube of the binos. These are a feature that make them useful for target range estimation and shot correction in long range shooting sports.

While it only offers 18x magnification, binoculars offer stereoscopic depth perception unlike single tube scopes; this allows you to easily determine the relative distances of objects to each other and that of ground splashes to the target. Its size and compact form make it easy to pack and transport compared to a 80mm spotting scope (which can’t easily be use handheld like binoculars).

The B.5 features bright and clear Fluorite glass for crisp details. This is a step up in price and quality than standard ED glass which has some fluorite in it but “Fluorite ED” is even sharper and more expensive. Looking through the B.5 there is little chromatic aberration from edge to edge.

Looking at my reference targets at 100yrds I was able to see far clearer than in my phone camera test footage. Something about the eye and the brain when looking through binoculars allows you to see in greater zoomed detail. I was easily able to see the .22cal holes on paper even at 100yrds.

The B.5 has dark grey silicone rubber armored body tubes and striking metallic orange accents on its reticle leveling ring and washer sections. These colored accents and the body can be customized when ordering a build-your-own model of your optic on the Maven website. No other optics company offers such a wide range of custom style options on their products.

The B.5’s does not come cheap. This and all of Maven’s optics come in at a premium price tier. But its optical performance and customizable style make it look like a winner.

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Amazon affiliate: https://amzn.to/3AAtY8D

Maven Custom builder (use code: moondog): https://alnk.to/3J6z2Dh

RESOLUTION

Element 5 / Group -1

SPECS

Magnification18x
Obj. lens diameter56mm
Exit pupil3.1mm
Field of View (FOV)3.7°
Apparent FOV (FOV x Power)66.6°
Field of view (ft/1000 yds)194
Brightness9.6
Light transmission (%)92.70%
Twilight factor31.7
Multi Position Eyecups Y/NYes
Eye relief18mm
Near focus9.8ft
Eye width adjustment56~75mm
Dimension WxHxD6.1×8.2×2.6
Weight45 oz
Gadgets

Maven B.6 10x Binoculars

Maven sent me their new B.6 binoculars which comes in 10×25 and 12×50 sizes. These feature ED glass which reduces chromatic aberration to provide clearer, sharper images. These 10x field binoculars are small enough to pack in a range bag or luggage for a trip, while offering brighter images and a wider field of view than pocked sized 10x binos.

Despite only being 10x these optics surprised me when I was clearly able to see a pair of .22cal holes on my paper target at 100yrds. Typically these would be faint or hard to see with a 12x rifle scope. While not easily seen in my video footage, they were as clear as day with my naked eye.

The B.5 has dark grey silicone rubber armored body tubes and striking metallic orange accents on its reticle leveling ring and washer sections. These colored accents and the body can be customized when ordering a build-your-own model of your optic on the Maven website. No other optics company offers such a wide range of custom style options on their products.

The B.6 do not come cheap. This and all of Maven’s optics come in at a premium price tier between Zeiss and Leupold. Is it worth it? It certainly looks like a million bucks both outside and looking through it.

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Amazon affiliate: https://amzn.to/3XbAoUw

Maven website: https://alnk.to/gzVUnQp

Maven Custom builder (use code: moondog): https://alnk.to/8iUihuy

RESOLUTION

Element 2 / Group -1

SPECS

Magnification10x
Obj. lens diameter50mm
Exit pupil5mm
Field of View (FOV)6.5°
Apparent FOV (FOV x Power)65°
Field of view (ft/1000 yds)341
Brightness25
Light transmission (%)94.75%
Twilight factor22.4
Multi Position Eyecups Y/NYes
Eye relief18.1mm
Near focus7.5ft
Eye width adjustment58~74mm
Dimension WxHxD5.2×6.6×2.3
Weight30.69 oz