Category Archives: Shooting Sports

Firearms and shooting sports

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

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

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

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

Shooting Sports

DiscoveryOpt Q&A with Nigel

https://youtu.be/6XHHFIln7EY

I’ve reviewed many of Discovery Optics (DiscoveryOpt) scopes and a have found their top-tier scopes to be among the best values in terms of glass clarity and precision features. DiscoveryOpt opened a US office to service customers with their Lifetime warranty. They have been touring the country supporting PRS and long-range matches, promoting their scopes and getting first hand feedback on their products.

Nigel, the head of their US office, was traveling through San Francisco and we arranged to meet up at my local range. I reached out to my subscribers and collected questions about DiscoveryOpt that they wanted me to ask during our interview.

SHOP

DiscoveryOpt on Amazon https://amzn.to/4wpefk3

Shooting Sports

Hold Em or Fold Em Challenge: DiscoveryOpt ED-PRS 5-25×56 and BC22

My YouTube friends @Dayattherange and @Hazzbro1964 created a deceptively tricky .22 rimfire challenge target called Hold Em or Fold Em. https://dayattherange.com/holdem-or-foldem/5/

This timed challenge requires 10 shots to hit 10 targets from 50 yards with a .22. The first row is five playing-card targets for a straight flush; the second row is five smaller ones for a royal flush. You must keep every shot entirely inside its card without breaking any lines or it’s a DQ. After the first five you can hold (stop) or go for broke on the royal flush. Ties are broken by time. From 50 yards the cards are roughly 1–1.5 MOA—tiny, with edges that are hard to distinguish.

For my attempt I used a budget Bear Creek Arsenal BC-22 (dedicated .22 LR semi-auto AR upper on a BCM lower). On top sat a Discovery Optics ED-PRS Gen 2, a 5-25×56 FFP scope with Japanese ED glass. Even though it’s a long-range optic, the high magnification and clarity made the thin card lines visible enough to aim precisely (I stayed in the mid-power range rather than maxing out at 25×). I sighted in with a few spotter rounds, then ran the challenge.

I DQ’d on the first row (broke a line), but continued for fun. Time was 1:31. Looking at the target, the second (smaller) row actually went better—several clean hits inside the cards. Aim small, miss small, I guess. Not a clean run, but a fun test of both the budget upper and the high-power scope at close range.

SHOP

DiscoveryOpt Website: https://discoveryopt.com
10% Discount Code: MOONDOG2A

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gxa6os
10% Discount Code: MOONDOG2A

Shooting Sports

Wuben E2 Pulse Keychain EDC

The E2 is a lightweight, compact keychain with some unique features that set it apart. It has a multi-output main beam with a 150 lumen max, body light, and body blue/red signal lights. The E2 Necklace Edition is the first flashlight I’ve ever tested that comes with a clip-on bead chain that turns it into a neck-worn flashlight.

My sample was not perfect. The activation button would occasionally stick when pressed. And like the X5, Wuben seems to have a reputation for less-than-perfect waterproofing. In my high-power water test, some water worked itself inside the body. Despite this, the unit continued to function through the rest of my testing.

One cool feature escaped me until nighttime testing: its body is glow-in-the-dark.

SHOP

SPECS

Max Output: 150 lumens (main)
Max Throw: 26 meters
Battery: Built-in 120 mAh Li-ion battery
Charging: USB-C port
Dimensions: 19 × 14.6 × 41.4 mm
Weight: 10.7 grams
Durability: IP66

Shooting Sports

Arken Outrider 2-12×42

Just before its official release, Arken sent me an Outrider, their new traditional hunting scope. This new scope was not something I was expecting to come from Arken. It’s not tactical. It’s Fud.

Arken shook up the firearms industry with their SH4 and EP5; long-range scopes for half the price of the competition. Scopes with oversized turrets, zero-stop, and a first focal plane reticle with a detailed tree and fine subtensions. Scopes made for PRS competition shooters or counter-snipers.

The Outrider is the antithesis of tactical. It has a traditional hunting scope: second focal plane duplex reticle, capped low-profile turrets, and a fixed 100-yard parallax focus. It has a small fin that you can screw into the magnification ring, but it feels unnecessary as the ring turns butter smooth.

But the Outrider isn’t a step backward in quality. It has Japanese HD glass delivering a sharp and color-accurate image. It has an LPVO’s fiber optic center dot that is daylight bright and an unusual 2x low end providing an exceptionally wide field of view. It has a good eyebox and is pretty lightweight, especially compared to Arken’s other scopes.

The Outdrider may be a traditional hunting scope, but it has Arken’s trademark quality optics, robust build, and affordable street price (~$300.)

BUY

https://arkenopticsusacom.sjv.io/QYxrxA
Discount code: Moondog2A

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4g4E8Q7

RESOLUTION

Group -1 / Element 1

SPECS

Outrider

Magnification: 2-12x

Objective: 42 mm

Tube Size: 30 mm

Eye Relief: 3.5 inches

FOV: 58.3 – 9.73 ft @ 100 yards

Click Adj:  1/4 MOA

Focal Plane: Second

Elevation Adj. 90 MOA

Windage Adj. 80 MOA

Parallax: 100 yards

Weight: 22.4 oz

Battery: CR2032

Shooting Sports

TMI 260826 July Winners

Lets find out how the winners of July’s GoFundMe contest like their prizes? 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-260826-july-winners/

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:

Omit “the” in the name

VIDEOS THIS WEEK

Moondog2A

Moondog Reviews

Moondog Go

BRAND CONTEST CLUE

This international society of charities started in Geneva, Switzerland in 1876. The American branch was started in 1881 by Clara Barton during the Civil War.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

We’ll talk to two winners of July’s huge GoFundMe contest with over $1000 in prizes.

What did you win?

What was your impression of product?

Have you had a chance to use it or what are your plans in using it?

What suggestions would you have to improve it.

What are your thoughts on this month’s tripple-prize.

Should I continue the tripple-prize or offer a mystery box prize?

• Solar Trailcam
• Keychain Flashlight
• SE DPP/MOS red dot
• ScopeCam
• Laser Rangefinder
• Arken scope

FINAL CLUE

The American institution of this international humanitarian organization provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education. Its crossed shaped logo has become synonomous with medic first-aid.

DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS

Vector Optics August 19th Anniversary:
https://vector2007.com/X-NanoVEOT-RSS08
Discount code (12% off): MOONDOG

Votatu
https://www.votatu.com/?ref=defwwarc
10% Off Code: VOTATU10


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

AUGUST CONTEST

WIN:
Techhunter 1-6×28 LPVO with ED glass, 28º FOV, and lifetime warranty. @Techhunters_Optics

Nitecore TIP3 mini EDC

Votatu V848 IR illuminator and IR laser

CONTEST August2026 Breast Cancer GoFundMe

BRAND QUIZ DRAWING

Shooting Sports

Mileseey IONJet 8 Ballistic Laser Rangefinder

Mileseey is the world’s 3rd largest manufacturer of laser measuring devices. I tested my first Mleseey IONJET 2 last year and I was impressed with its long-range performance. Their new IONJet 8 increases its maximum to 8000 yards (hence the 8) and adds a firearms ballistic calculator for firearms.

To use the Ballistic Calculator, in MODE submenu, you can select from 30 different bullet profiles in popular hunting cartridges such as .308, .223, and 300 WinMag, all the way up to 50BMG. But oddly, 22LR is not a bullet option. Then using the arrow keys, you manually input wind direction and speed. After you laser range the target, the IONJet automatically detects vertical angle to target and displays your windage and elevation adjustment values in MOA or MIL.

I tested the accuracy of the IONJET’s measurements at my local gun range. I got accurate readings at 100 yard and 50 yards. What was most impressive is that I was able to detect a ship in the bay that was almost 6000 yards away.

The IONJET feels remarkably solid and weighs more than most handheld laser rangefinders due to its all-metal body and internal rechargeable 450mAh battery. In addition, it has a CR2 backup battery that is user-replaceable. The battery is recharged via USB-C and the unit is Bluetooth-connectable to the Mileseey mobile app.

The mobile App makes navigating the menu and settings options a bit easier than through the unit’s built-in button controls, which are far from intuitive. Unfortunately, it does not appear to be a method to modify or update the bullet selection. This will be disappointing to long-range competition shooters who develop their own custom handloads.

All of this performance doesn’t come cheap at close to $900. This puts it in the same league as top-tier options from Leupold, SIG, and Vortex but adds a ballistic computer.

BUY

Amazon https://amzn.to/4fvL9cy

SPECS

Max Range: 8000 yrd

Optical Magnification: 7.5x

Water Resistance: IP67

Power: 450mAh rechargable battery and CR2 cell

Connectivity: USB-C and Bluetooth

Dimensions: 119 × 74 × 43 mm (4.68 × 2.91 × 1.69 inches)

Weight: 365 g (12.87 oz)

Mileseey IONJET2 Rangefinder

Shooting Sports

TMI 260819 Swiss Memory Hole

What do royalty, dictators, milk chocolate bars, jazz music, Led Zeplin, and me have in common? Switzerland. 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-260819-swiss-memory-hole/

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 Clue:

VIDEOS THIS WEEK

Moondog2A

Moondog Reviews

Moondog Go

BRAND CONTEST CLUE

This multi-national food company was founded in 1867 by a Swiss confectioner and invented milk-chocolate and powdered baby formula.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

Switzerland

TED Talk with Prof. Martin Rendel last Agust https://youtu.be/EgnhTjHxsqg

Prof. Rendel in our student days on a road trip from Switzerland to Italy in 1990.


Switzerland boarding schools educatee some of the the world’s richest and oldest wealthy dynasties.

Institut Le Rosey alumni
• King Reinier of Monnaco
• King Albert II of Belgium
• King Juan Carlos of Spain
• King Fuad of Egypt
• Aga Khan
The herreditary leader of the Shia islam. Direct decendent of Prophet Mohamed.

This Kid who went to public school in Switzerland between 1998-2000

Kim Jong Un today.

Art Center Switzerland 1990
I spent a winter semester abroad at the Art Center College of Design (Europe).

Clarens https://maps.app.goo.gl/L18jfMrJqaW5aJrA8
I rented a room next to a real life castle on a hill, in the town of Clarens

Travel tip: shop for food Migros, Coop, or Aldi

Vevey
HQ of Nestle foods


Montreux
The largest town on the Eastern end of Lake Geneva.

Chateu Chillon
Inspired Lord Byron’s peom “The Prisoner of Chillon”

Montreux Jazz Festival
https://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com/en/

Notable headline artists:

Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Evans, Count Basie

Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Bo Diddly, Muddy Waters

Led Zeplin, David Bowie, Elton John, Prince, Earth Wind and Fire, R.E.M, ZZ Top



1971 Fire at the Montreux Casino during a Frank Zappa concert

BONUS: Do you know the song?



The story of Smoke on the Water https://musicenthusiast.net/2019/07/26/stories-behind-the-songs-smoke-on-the-water/

Frank Zappa Live at Montreux

FINAL CLUE

This is Swiss company headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland is the largest food company in the world. Among its own products it also owns brands including Perrier, Purina, Friskies, Toll House, Nescafe, Nesquick, Hot Pockets, and Stoufers.

DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS

Vector Optics August 19th Anniversary:
https://vector2007.com/X-NanoVEOT-RSS08
Discount code (12% off): MOONDOG

Votatu
https://www.votatu.com/?ref=defwwarc
10% Off Code: VOTATU10


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

AUGUST CONTEST

CONTEST August2026 Breast Cancer GoFundMe

Techhunter 1-6×28 LPVO with ED glass, 28º FOV, and lifetime warranty. @Techhunters_Optics

Nitecore TIP3 mini EDC

Votatu V848 IR illuminator and IR laser

BRAND QUIZ DRAWING