Category Archives: Shooting Sports

Firearms and shooting sports

Shooting Sports

Arken EP8 LPVO


Arken changed the landscape of long range shooting with their SH4 and EP5 rifle scopes. Consumers could expect high performance features of a >$1000 scope for less than half. With the EP8, Arken aims to do the same for LPVOs.

When I visited the Arken booth at Shot Show earlier this year, they didn’t have an EP8 prototype or mention they were working on an LPVO. It came as a surprise to me and everyone when Arken Optic released their first LPVO, the 1-8×28 EP8. It’s been back ordered since it’s launch and I was grateful Arken finally sent one for me to test.

The EP8 features a 34mm tube with an impressive 110 MOA of internal adjustment and a first focal plane BDC reticle at a meagre 21 oz. The Japanese glass provide bright and clear image but at 8x there was chromatic aberration. Despite this, at 8x the EP8 is as sharp as a 10x SIG Tango. Its eyebox was relatively forgiving even at 8x, with good eye relief at all magnifications.

The scope features 2 levels of Night Vision compatible illumination (invisible to the naked eye) and 9 levels of visible illumination in red. At max brightness, the reticle is daylight bright but not Nightforce level red-dot bright. At 1x I was able to quickly and intuitively aim using the holosun style reticle.

This KL Box (“killbox) reticle becomes evident at higher magnifications. At 8x circle zooms out of view and the center dot enlarges to reveal a horse shoe reticle with an interlocking set of BDC brackets and wind holds. The reticle designed in a way to allow you to bracket an IPSC target or human torso to range estimate your target from 400yards to 800yards. Moreover the design automatically aligns your aim to your targets center mass when you bracket it to estimate its range.

This design is simple, efficient, and brilliant. With the EP8 Arken has a good shot at shaking up the optics world yet again. As of this writing, the EP8 is out of stock with a 6-week minimum wait which says it all.

ONLINE RETAILERS

Use this link to support my channel

Amazon https://amzn.to/40QB7Lh

Arken Optics https://www.arkenopticsusa.com/ep-8-1-8×28-lpvo-ffp

RESOLUTION

Group: -1
Element: 1

MANUFACTURER SPECS

EP8

Magnification: 1-8

Objective Diameter: 28mm

Eye Relief: 3.74″

FOV @ 1x: 121.15′, 22 deg

FOV @ 8x: 14.56′, 2.78 deg

Tube Size: 34mm

Turret Adjustment: 1/4 MOA

Reticle Position: FFP

Reticle Details: BDC style: ‘KL Box’

Elevation Adj. Range:: 110 MOA

Windage Adj. Range:: 110 MOA

Illuminated Reticle: Red

Weight: 21 oz

Battery Included: CR2032

Throw Lever: Integrated/removable

Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Athlon Cronus Tactical G2

After my review of the Athlon Range Finder Binoculars, Athlon asked me to test out their new Gen 2 Cronus Tactical spotting scope. Its a straight line 7-42x60mm optic. While other traditional spotters offer higher magnification, Athlon engineers chose 7-42x for a wide field of view and not sacrifice sharpness and brightness.

It has a ruggedized and rubberized body to withstand impacts and bumps under combat-like conditions. For additional protection, it comes with a neoprene sleeve for the body and leashed neoprene lens caps. It comes with a set of thin rubber lens caps but these are for tranport and storage, not for field use.

The magnification ring has a rubberized surface for good traction but was a bit stiff to turn; as is the focus ring next to it. A stiffer focus ring is good so as not to lose sharpness once set. But having a stiff to turn magnification ring is a hinderance for a tactical or competition spotter that has to switch between targets at different ranges for a shooter. It would be helpful Athlon designed the magnification ring to accept a throw lever.

One unusual feature found on the bottom of the scope tube, are twin photo screw mounting holes. You can use either screw ports to screw the scope onto a tripod or mounting plate. It comes with a ARCA/Swiss adapter plate with unique twin screws that fit into both holes in tandem. This twin screw design makes it impossible to twist the scope out of of alignment.

What makes this spotter “tactical”? On the scope tube is a Picatinny rail to add a red dot to quickly aim the scope and 2 additional hard points to add additional rails. You may need to add a riser to clear the bell; the include Picatinny rail is a bit thicker/taller than standard for this reason.

The most tactical aspect of this scope is a first focal plane reticle. Its etched MRAD subtensions are designed to help spotters call out distances between objects, reference points, or bullet splashes. The reticle is quite fine and at its low magnification is hardly visible and won’t obscure your view but at 20x and above the reticle grows to provide a T-style cross hairs.

At high magnification a set of 8 numbered vertical lines of various heights are visible below the cross hair reticle. This is the Cronus quick range estimator that is calibrated to a 72″ tall individual. By using the guidelines to measure the distance between the top of the subject’s shoulders and head, you can quickly estimate the targets distance. I was able to confirm its relative accuracy using a hiker on a hillside 1300-1400yrds away.

At +1000yrds the image picture was very sharp for a 42x scope. Glassing reference targets at 100yrds I could clearly see .22cal holes on paper but more importantly I could see the wrinkles on the paper. At 42x I was able to resolve all the way down to Element 1 in Group 1 on the USAF-51 optical resolution chart; the finest detail of any spotting scope I’ve tested.

ONLINE RETAILERS

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Amazon https://amzn.to/3sr3B1d

RESOLUTION

Group: +1
Element: 1

MANUFACTURER SPECS

CRONUS TACTICAL G2

Magnification: 7-42

Objective Lens: 60 mm

Glass: UHD / ED

Lense Coating: ESP Fully Multi-Coated

Field of View: @1000yds 284-47.6 ft

Exit Pupil: 5.2-1.43 mm

Eye Relief : 30 mm

Close Focus: 10′

Length: 13.9″

Width:  3.2″

Weight: 46.6 oz

Shooting Sports

Hi-Lux Vintage Rifle Scopes

Hi-Lux is unique among rifle optics companies because not only do they make modern hunting and tactical rifle scopes but they also make reproduction of rifle telescopes for vintage firearms. I got a chance to try one first hand a few months ago when my friend Mike bought a Hi-Lux Malcom scope for his 1950’s vintage BSA Martini target rifle.

Hi-Lux offers a range of reproduction scopes that include wide range of historical firearms, from 19th Century muzzle loaders to Vietnam War USMC sniper rifles. These scopes share a common trait of having external scope mounting systems and external adjustments. The telescope tube are designed to slide within these external adjustments rails to protect their delicate reticles and glass from the damage of recoil.

Hi-Lux Vintage scopes are designed to look historically accurate and yet are higher performance than the original, because they use modern compute controlled milling machines and use modern HD glass. While Hi-Lux scopes are far from cheap, compared to buying an antique optic, they are by far a better value for all but the most fussy collector.

Airsoft, Shooting Sports

Xaegistac budget shooting glasses

Xaegis Tactical sent me their newest set of shooting glasses to test and evaluate. They comes in 3 different lens tints: clear, yellow, and dark. Each comes in a hard nylon woven case with a cleaning cloth and a sparse instruction pamphlet.

These shooting glasses are generic Oakley and Bolle-style wraparound glasses. They are entirely polymer and silicone in construction. They claimed to be ANSI Z87.1 impact rated, UV-filtering, and anti-fog. I couldn’t test the first two claims but I aimed to test the last one.

I ran the Xaegis glasses over the mist of a room humidifier and they left no trace on the lenses. In comparison, the humidifier left a noticeable fog patch on my prescription eyeglasses. Next, I put on two layers of cloth face masks and put on the Xaegis glasses. I got only the barest hint of moisture on the lens after 60 seconds of talking and breathing.

These inexpensive $15 safety/shooting glasses lived up to their performance claims and will be going into my range bags as spares. If you’re interested in picking some up, they come in a variety of arm colors as well as lens tints.

Use the affiliate links below to support my channel.

ONLINE RETAILERS

Amazon https://amzn.to/3SJ3zwt

Gadgets, Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Top 10 Buys for 2023

Black Friday is almost here and Mariah Carey invades the radio. It’s that time of year to think about buying gifts for our family, friends, and for ourselves. With that in mind, here are my Top 10 Best Buys from products I’ve personally tested and reviewed on this channel. Starting from inexpensive to indulgent.

Moondog Industries TOP 10 Pew Pew Products

  1. Feyachi push button laser bore sighter $17
    Caliber 9mm https://amzn.to/3sMf0J6
    Caliber 223/5.56mm https://amzn.to/3PrYzuh
  2. Feyachi S27 Fiber Optic iron sights $27
    https://amzn.to/3MxH2yL
  3. Fenix EO3 Keychain light $30
    https://amzn.to/3rm6109
  4. OLIGHT PL Turbo $89
    https://amzn.to/3RUHpXQ
  5. Athlon Talos a $150
    https://amzn.to/3u4AuBy
  6. Banshee LPVO BDC $239
    https://amzn.to/3QKH6hd
  7. Arken EPL4 $330
    https://amzn.to/46daLUZ
  8. Sig TANGO MSR 1-10x $550
    https://amzn.to/46daLUZ
  9. Athlon Cronus 10×50 Binoculars $1000
    https://amzn.to/3QH3Qi5
  10. Tract Toric $1700
    https://amzn.to/3R6TN6r

Moondog Reviews TOP 10 GADGET BUYS

Shooting Sports

Banshee vs Tango MSR 1-10: Budget vs Big Brand

https://youtu.be/Gs7Qc8t-Os4

After reviewing the Banshee 1-10×24, Monstrum offered to sponsor my next video if I would compare it to a higher end LPVO. I was hesitant thinking their scope would probably be optically inferior and I would not hide that fact in my video. Surprisingly they said they would be ok with me showing their LPVO’s shortcomings as long as I was honest and fair about it.

Monstrum agreed to cover my ammo, gas, range fees, and time. Most 1-10x LPVOs we could find were First Focal Plane. Wanting to compare apples-to-apples, we looked for a Second Folcal Plane (SFP) 1-10x. The Sig Sauer Tango MSR was the only higher end brand that fit that profile. And while SIG isn’t really a “high end” brand, Nightforce doesn’t make a 1-10x LPVO and Vortex and EOtech 1-10x are First Focal Plane, so those were not good comparisons. Primary Arms also makes a 1-10x SFP, but most consider Primary Arms to be also a “budget brand” so Monstrum agreed to send me a Sig Tango to compare to the Banshee. Both scopes were shipped directly from Amazon in new sealed boxes.

Both scopes come with offset mounts and similar accessories in the box. On paper they share many similar features.

BANSHEETANGO
Objective Lens:24 mm28 mm
Magnification:1 – 10 x1 – 10 x
Tube Diam:30 mm34 mm
Weight:17 oz20.4 oz
Eye Relief:4.0 – 4.5 in3.22 – 3.54 in
ReticleSFPSFP
Adjustments:0.5″0.5 MOA
Illumination:Red & GreenRed
Battery Type:CR2032CR2032

Beyond the specs, looking at both LPVO’s side by side, it was easy to see which scope looked better built and expensive. The Tango had more refined design features and construction. The Banshee’s design could best be described as clean and spartan but in comparison looked like a budget scope. This design difference extended even into the scope mount.

Sig Sauer has a great reputation for making solid optics. The Tango costs more than double the price of a Banshee. I was sure before I began the testing that it would be better than the Banshee. The question would be how much better?

At the range I tested both out on the same reference targets and was surprised at the results. Optically, the Banshee was a bit brighter, sharper, and clearer than Tango. It also had an inch further eye relief and a more forgiving eye box than the Tango at 10x.

The Banshee held its own against the Tango save for one key feature, its reticle. The Banshee MX1 reticle is an old school crosshair with MOA sub-tensions, traditionally found on long range target scopes. The Tango has the MSR, a modern tactical reticle that provides the user with windage hold-overs and aim points to lead moving targets.

Despite the Banshee’s better optical qualities, I’d prefer the Tango because its MSR reticle makes it a more useful LPVO for action shooting and combat. On the other hand, at half the price of the Tango, the Monstrum is still a good value. If Monstrum were to upgrade a future version of the Banshee with a more useful reticle, it would be a done deal.

ONLINE RETAILERS

Use these affiliate links to support my channel

SIG TANGO MSR

Amazon https://amzn.to/3ZZhRe8

Optics Planet https://shrsl.com/49qvf

MONSTRUM BANSHEE

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3P2wKZp

Monstrum: https://monstrumtactical.com/banshee-1-10×24-lpvo-rifle-scope/

Gadgets, Shooting Sports

Face Tracking Phone Camera Tripod Mount

Having a camera on a motorized gimbal that could automatically center itself and points to you is a cool idea but until now was crazy expensive. With advances in electronics and facial recognition software, a tracking tripod mount that used to cost hundreds now can available for under $20. I purchased one online with the intent of using it for my video production. But they say you get what you pay for, so I thought it best to tested it out.

The tracking mount comes in 3 color choices in a plastic with a USB-C rechargable internal battery. It mounts to a tripod via a 1/4″ photo screw at the base. It comes with a screw on circular base so that you could place it on a table top flat surface and use the motorized mount alone to film with your phone.

The top of the unit has a spring loaded clamp that holds your phone (or possibly a small camera) and tilts and rotates to allow for both vertical or horizontal orientations. The power button turns the unit on with a long press and two quick taps when on, puts the mount on a slow 360º rotation mode.

When on, the unit automatically tracks to center the mount on a face in front of the mount. A small camera at the base views a subject and can be tilted. I was not able to test the mount using multiple subjects or groups of people. Presumably the mount would not be able to identify the “primary” subject.

The tracking can be disabled by holding your hand up like a Stop Sign. Then reactivated by holding up an OK symbol with your fingers. There is no remote included with the model I bought, but I have seen more expensive models online with remotes.

Tracking was good but reactive and not predictive. The unit tries to catch up to your face but if you move to quickly it can not keep you in the center until it catches up. The movement speed does speed up depending on how quickly you move. Short of sprinting or bounding out of frame, the unit managed to catch up eventually. Unfortunately, the unit always places the subject with a face in the center of the field of view so you can’t do 1/3 framing of your shots.

For solo travel vloggers, the P01 could be an easy way to allow you some freedom when showing off and pointing out locations behind you. In addition, in 360º mode, it can be used to create tasteful pan B-Roll footage. For the price, I think this would be a useful took for vloggers.

This mount came in a generic box marked P01 but having no other branding. It is sold on Amazon under various brand and store names.

ONLINE RETAILERS

Support my channel using these commissioned affiliate links

Amazon (under various brand names): https://amzn.to/4607QPM

Shooting Sports

Sunwayfoto T3240CSL

The T3240CSL is a lightweight carbon fiber hunting tripod that is essentially identical to the T3240CS that I reviewed a few months ago. What makes the CSL version different is the “L” in its name for “Long”. The CSL is 0.5lbs heavier because it is a head taller at 62″ full extension.

The tripod has 4 carbon fiber leg segments that have o-ring environmental seals to keep moisture and dirt out of the mechanism. The feet are rubberizes pads which are screwed in using standard 3/8″ tripod threads. Without tools, they can be user replaced with stainless steel spikes that Sunwayfoto includes.

The legs can be splayed out up to 85º wide allowing the tripod to almost lay completely flat on the ground. This side angle is ideal for low shots with a camera or shooting prone with a rifle. It can also be angled out to a more moderate 55º to position the tripod for a sitting shooting position.

The aircraft grade aluminum base has additional 3/8″ and 1/4″ screw sockets to attach accessories and arms. Within the base is a sunken/reverse 40mm ballhead. This design creates a lower center of gravity while providing 360º of rotation and up to 35º of elevation tilt. The ballhead is locked into place with a curved arm formed to the shape of the circular base.

Atop the ballhead the CSL comes with an Arca-Swiss compatible head and plate. A locking quick-release lever and tension adjustment screw allow for secure mounting of after-market plates. Which I’ve discovered, may not be created to Swiss levels of engineering.

Interestingly, the sample tripod sent to me from Sunwayfoto has the Asian style clamp head, which is also NATO/Picatinny compatible. You can mount a firearms or accessory that has a Picatinny rail directly onto the ballhead. RSS holds the U.S. patent on this design, so this particular feature may not be present on tripods shipped from U.S. stores.

The tripod is rated with a load capacity of up to 55lbs. In my testing I found it could handle much higher loads. I weigh 175lbs and the tripod could handle my weight without the segment locks slipping.

At the range I found the CSL handled identically to the T3240CS. It had the same steady hold on my rifle. It’s carbon fiber legs soak up vibration while retaining repeatable position. While I may not need the extra height that the CSL affords, for taller shooters or for those competing in PRS/NRL matches with unorthodox positions, having the flexibility of extending the tripod out 62″ may be a game changer.

RETAIL SOURCES

Use these links to support my channel

Sunwayfoto https://sunwayfoto-store.com/products/t3240csl-hunting-tripod-for-shooting-rifle-stand-carbon-fiber?ref=pwwCNnfb

Amazon affiliate https://amzn.to/46cgKtK

SPECS

T3240CSL

Load Capacity: 55 Pounds (25kg)

Lock: Sealed Twist

Head: Embedded 40mm Ball

Range: 360° Rotation, 35° Tilt

Folded Length: 23.2in. (59cm)

Max Length: 62in. (157cm)

Net weight 4.1 lb(1.85kg)

Leg Angle: 23º, 55º, 85°

Rubber Fee

Stainless Steel Spikes

Arca-Swiss Compatible

Gadgets, Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Getatek 10Gbps USB 5-in-1 HUB

Modern laptop with USB-C ports have the benefit of data speeds up to 5,10, or even 20Gbps. But to conserve space, many laptop and tablet makers also use the USB-C port as its charging port. This can be an issue when you want to charge and use multiple USB peripherals at the same time.

Some Thunderbolt 3/4 compatible USB hubs which also offer PD (Power Delivery) power passthrough can cost $30 or up to $200 for some “docking stations”. I use a laptop to conserve space and for portability, so finding a USB hub with a small footprint was also a primary criteria. Unfortunately many inexpensive hubs lack PD passtrough, are USB 3.0 or slower, or have HDMI or other peripheral connections I don’t need.

Fortunately, I found a Getatek USB hub on Amazon for under $18 (at the time of purchase, there was a 15% Prime discount). The Getatek hub has a mix of 2x USB-A and 2x USB-C ports that are USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports with data rates of up to 10Gbps. In addition, it has third USB-C port that allows for PD passthrough power. All in all, an ideal mix of USB ports and features.

In my testing, I was able to confirm that the PD port allowed a pass through approaching its claimed 100W capacity (my test charger is an older 90W Apple adpater). In my data testing using a SSD drive, I was able to get data transfer speeds over 8.5Gbps, which is close enough to its claimed 10Gbps max speed. I experienced some power drops initially but discovered this was caused by a poor connection in my testing cable and not the hub itself.

If you’re looking for one of the least expensive USB hubs with a mix of both old school USB-A ports and new USB-C ports, fast USB 3.1 speeds, and power passthrough, the Getatek may be an ideal choice. Or whatever brand this hub may be found under as it’s likely Getatek is yet another random OEM keymash brand.

RETAILERS

Amazon #commission https://amzn.to/48ly2q2

Shooting Sports

RRS BH55 Ballhead

RRS (Really Right Stuff) has a reputation for making some of the best tripods on the market. And some of the most expensive ones. Part of the cost is because their tripods and tripod heads are 100% made the U.S.A. and not China like most other brands. But mush of it is simply due to how much better built their gear is.

RRS tripods are so over-built and rugged, they are not only well known to lanscape and atrophotographers (who need rock solid tripods to take the sharpest images), but they’re the brand of choice among long-rang target shooters. RRS sent me their BH55 precision tripod ballhead to test and evaluate. I was curious to see if a BH55 was good enough to turn an old photo tripod into a shooting platform?

Out of the box, the BH55 is heavy and solid. It’s by far the heaviest tripod head I’ve used outside of heavy duty 35mm motion picture pan heads. The design is top notic and over-built, offering large diameter knobs to allow me to transfer more torque from my hands.

Heavy duty construction is required in a shooting tripod because the weight of the rifle on the tripod is often not the strongest force exerted on the mechanism. Firearms also produce recoil which is often multiple times more force than gravity. Moreover, a tripod head needs to be unwavering to allow repeatability in follow up shots using magnified optics.

For this test, I used a +20 year old photo/video tripod. I replaced the pan head with a BH55 using the tripod’s 3/8″ screw. This heavy all-metal tripod could handle the weight of a 10lb rifle but the legs aren’t able to splay out more than 20-30º so it is not as stable as shooting tripod with a wider stance. Furthermore, to achieve standing height, the center post has to be raised to max height, further destabilizing its center of gravity.

For the test I would be using my DMR style 5.56mm AR rifle with an ARCA-Swiss adapter plate. The BH55 has RRS’ patented Picatinny compatible ARC-Swiss mount which allows you to clamp down any rifle with a Picatinny 1913 rail. This is particularly handy for AR pattern rifles. This innovative design was created by RRS and not licensed to any other manufacturer, so if you see this feature on any other tripod head, they are illegally selling it in the U.S. (and there is ongoing litigation against some Chinese brands selling in the US).

Mounted on the BH55, my rifle was sold and secure despite the tripods less than ideal geometry. Shooting from it felt much more wobbly than shooting off one of my hunting tripods but was manageable. Follow up shots too a fraction longer to line up but the overall experience was far less severe than I imagined.

At 75yrds, my 5 shots groups were nearly identical to arm rested bench shots at about 2.5 MOA. While an old photo tripod isn’t ideal was hunting tripod, the experiment was a success. The heart of a good tripod is the ballhead. And while the BH55 is an expensive ballhead to be sure, it appears to be worth it.

RETAIL SOURCES

Amazon #commission: https://amzn.to/453aPpn

Adorama Camera #commission: adorama.rfvk.net/WqgVVn

MANUFACTURER SPECS

Base Mount3/8″-16 Female
Camera Mounting Screw1/4″-20 Male
Quick Release Plate TypeArca-Type
Load Capacity50 lb / 23 kg
Weight2 lb / 0.91 kg

Head

Head TypeBall Head
Base Mount3/8″-16 Female
Camera Mounting Screw1/4″-20 Male
Quick Release Plate TypeArca-Type
Number of Bubble Levels1
Friction ControlYes
Independent Pan LockYes
Ball Sphere Diameter2.2″ / 55.88 mm

Pan & Tilt Range

Lateral Tilt-45° to +45°
Vertical Tilt+90° to 0°
Panning Range360°

General

Load Capacity50 lb / 23 kg
Weight2 lb / 0.91 kg