Shooting Sports

MidTen Red Green Dot Reflex

MidTen is a budget firearms accessory brand that many consider to be Airsoft grade. Their products typically come in unmarked boxes, and their products don’t have logos. They released an update rifle reflex sight simply named the “Red Green Dot”. A generic name that perfectly matches their generic packaging.

This reflex sight appears to be a beefed up replica of the Ultradot style reflex; made of metal and polymer. Like Ultradot copies, it a rotary selector at the rear that changes an etched mask which changes the shape of the reticle projected. The unit offers a choice of 4 patterns: dot, circle-dot, crosshair-dot, and sunburst. The unit has a metal cage around a large sized mirrored lens but all reflex sights are not as rugged as a holographic EOTech. From personal experience, an airsoft BB hit from CQB distance can chip a lens so extra protection is required for actual airsoft use.

The Ultradot design is simple and reliable but quite a bit out dated by a couple of decades. Two other disappointing aspects of the design is its QD lever and battery. It has a quick detatch lever with a Picatinny base which does not offer a secondary lock, which means it could work itself loose after repeated recoil. Most red dots are powered by a CR2032 coin battery, but oddly this reflex is powered by a 3 x stacked, tiny LR41 button batteries.

I tested the unit on my Ruger 10/22 at 50yrds. I ran over 100 rounds of 22LR and the unit held zero. While 22LR doesn’t have much recoil, in my experience airsoft optics don’t hold zero on firearm even after a mag or two. This reflex may be a cheap as an airsoft optic but it appears to be a suitable to take to the range on a real firearm.

BUY IT

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H8VRFXC 10% Discount Code: B53QR2BD  

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EARLYBIRD Clue: This submachine gun inspired by the CZ Model SA 25

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https://youtu.be/7pNa73Y6voM

Moondog Reviews

Moondog Go

EARLBIRD CLUE: This gun was first issued in 1954/56 and used in combat during the 1967 Six-Day-War. And seen used by Secret Service Agents during the attempted assination of President Regan.

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WORD(s) OF THE WEEK

Colly

The lyrics to the “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was first published in the 1700s and based on a French poem. What we sing as Day 4: Four Calling Birds was originally written as “Colly” which is a European Black Bird. “Colly” is derived from “Coal-y” meaning black and where Border Collies get their name.

-American Ornithological Society
https://americanornithology.org/four-calling-birds/

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12 Days of Christmas
The 12 days of Christmas is the period in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings’ Day).

Stille Nacht / Silent Night
“Silent Night” (German: “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht”) is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria.

What are your Christmas taditions?

New England Lobster Market https://newenglandlobster.net/

CONTESTS

CVLife EagleTalon 1-6×24 https://moondogindustries.com/december-2024-contest-cvlife/

Next Livestream Thursday January 2

EARLBIRD CLUE: This submachine gun was designed by Maj. Uziel Gal and was first produced by IWI and FN.

HASHTAG DRAWING #uzi

Shooting Sports, Social

DATR FTS Overwatch Mission

Day at the Range is a popular YouTube channel that creates uniquely designed and fun rimfire challenge targets. He shoots them on his channel and encourages other shooters to download them and share their results. This December he created a snowman themed target where we have to protect Frosty The Snowman (code name: FTS) from being melted by evil suns.

I downloaded the target and added some festive holiday colors to the otherwise black and white target. I posted my target at the prescribed 50yrds and after zeroing my scope, proceeded to shoot at each sun. I missed about half of them unfortunately. Worse yet, I hit FTS with one of the misses. I only managed a meger score of 2 points but it was a fun attempt nonetheless.

If you’re interested in the scope I was using in this video, its the new Discovery Optic LHD 8-32×56. A very high magnification scope for a very budget price. I reviewed it https://youtu.be/Jn7LcnJBsbg

You can download this target on the Day at the Range website https://dayattherange.com/fts-overwatch-mission/

Download my Christmas color target

BUY IT

Discovery Optics website 10% Off code Moondog: https://www.discoveryopt.com/DISCOVERYOPT-LHD-8-32X56SFIR-FFP-Z-optics-Scopes.html

Amazon 10% discount code: Moondog832 https://amzn.to/3Ck6nu2

Shooting Sports

OLight OSight Red Dot

Olight is a flashlight company known for making high-performance flashlights for a more reasonable price point than more tactical brands such as Surefire and Streamlight. It was a bit surprising when Olight quietly previewed a micro-reflex sight at SHOT Show 2024. OLight makes weapon lights but is the first flashlight company to make a weapon optic (that I’m aware of).

The OSight is unusual among micro-reflex sights for having an oversized lens window and for being powered by an internal rechargeable battery. Moreover, it is unique in that its lens cover is also its charger and a mini-powerbank capable of recharging the OSight up to 4 times without being plugged into a USB-C cable. Fully charged the unit can run for up to 70,000 hours on low brightness which is impressive.

The Osight functions like a perfectly normal red dot and now comes in a green dot version as well. It also has auto-dimming, motion activation, and auto-off. And like OLight’s other products, the OSight comes in at a reasonable price compared to premium brands such as Trijicon and Holosun.

70,000 hours is a long time, nearly 8 years at low power; and they claim it will run continuously on the highest brightness for 17 days. But why would you need to constantly keep it charged? It seems a bit of an overpowered solution to the problem of changing a CR2032 coin battery. But overpowered for a reasonable price is something Olight is known for. I’ll leave that for the consumer to decide.

BUY

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1GH6X9X?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.17IKT0XT0KJCA&linkCode=tr1&tag=moondogindu05-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.17IKT0XT0KJCA_1779735173197

SPECS

Reticle Type3 MOA Dot
Adjustment1 MOA per Click
W&E Travel Range± 45 MOA
Window Size0.94 * 0.85 in (24 * 21.5 mm)
Brightness Settings12 (10 visible & 2 NV)
Max. Runtime70,000 Hours
Power Source OpticBuilt-in 170mAh Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery
Power Source Charging CoverBuilt-in 800mAh Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery
Charging TypeUSB-C Charging
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height)Optic: 1.77 * 1.18 * 1.29 in (45 * 30 * 32.8 mm)
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height)Charging Cover: 1.38 * 2.01 * 1.73 in (35 * 51 * 44 mm)
WaterproofOptic: IPX6; Charging Cover: IPX4
WeightOptic: 2.12 oz (60 g)
Gadgets, Product Reviews

Nitecore Luminblade EDC29

6500 lumens is a lot of light. Several flashlights now can output that much brightness or more, but typically they are the size of small water bottles. The Nitecore Luminblade is the first pocket-sized EDC that can output 6500 lumens.

I found out the hard way that 6500 lumens isn’t just bright, it’s freak’n hot! When I pressed the button to test out its max output “Lumen Shield” mode, I immediately saw smoke and smelt burnt plastic. At first, I thought the unit was defective and burnt itself out but upon closer inspection, I discovered a hole melted through the outer layer of my puffy vest, right through to the insulation. Damn!

The unit is made of lightweight metal alloy with a few plastic plates which look like heat dissipaters but the fact they are plastic makes me think otherwise. It has two activation buttons at the top, a smaller primary on-off/mode button, and a wider and slightly recessed multi-function button; which can be configured for Lumen Shield, Search, or Strobe modes. The flashlight has mode memory.

There is a small but very informative LED display near the activation buttons. This display shows the brightness mode, lumen output, estimated run time, battery level, and voltage output. Under a silicone cap near the buttons and display is a USB-C charging port. Opposite the charging port is a button lockout switch, which seems like a good safety precaution after accidentally burning a hole in my clothing.

Given its high output and wealth of features, it shouldn’t be surprising that the EDC29 has a decently long runtime. Nightcore claims a 2hrs runtime when started in High (1200 lumens). In my test, my unit exceeded 3 hours (stepping down to low mode after about an hour).

Overall this is an impressive EDC flashlight in most respects. The only disappointing thing is that it is only IPX5 water resistant, which means it is rainproof but won’t survive dropping into a toilet bowl. To be better Nitecore should add the option of a double-bend pocket clip to allow you to clip it onto a cap brim as a headlamp, and a magnetic panel to allow the unit to be affixed to metal and be used as a work light.

BUY IT

Amazon https://amzn.to/4eY8VeQ

SPECS

Max Output: 6,500 Lumens
Max Beam Distance: 370m
Max Beam Intensity: 35,360 cd
Max Runtime: 61hrs (15 lum)
LED Type: 2 x UHi 20
Battery: Built-in 2,500mAh LiOn
Beam color: White
Length: 133.5mm / 5.26 in
Width: 34.6mm / 1.36 in
Weight: 160g / 5.64 oz
IPX Rating: 5/4

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EARLYBIRD #flag

SPECIAL GUEST

Ian Conolly
Unix Systems Administrator with the US Department of the Interior. SONIC my co-producer for OP: Bad Blood and line producer joining me at SHOT Show for the first time next year.

SHOT SHOW interviews planned

Athlon Optics
Aguila
Evike
Primary Arms
Sightron
Olight
Palmetto State Armory
SIG
X-Vision Optics / Thermal
Discovery Optics
Nitecore
Monstrum

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Moondog Reviews

Moondog Go

EARLBIRD REMINDER #flag

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EARLYBIRD DRAWING #

#COLT

WORD(s) OF THE WEEK

Maliprop

noun: malapropism
the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect, as in, for example, “dance a flamingo ” (instead of flamenco ).  Yogi Berra, regarding switch hitters, “He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious”

Eggcorns and Modegreens

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

Def Leapherd Pour Some Sugar on Me / Pour Some Shook Up Ramen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JEZZ1J_4N0

Pommes Frites Super Angle (french fries Super English).

French Fries aren’t French they’re Belgian
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_fries

Sandwich American (irony) https://justinsomnia.org/2008/06/sandwich-americain/

Pommes Frites / Pulp Fiction
Belgo

What are your favorite French Fry dishes?

Moules Frites https://www.foodandwine.com/moules-frites-7104389

Beef Tallow Fries

What’s your favorite fries leftover recipe?

Loaded Fries Shepherd Pie https://cupcakesandkalechips.com/shepherds-pie-loaded-fries/

CONTESTS

CVLife EagleTalon 1-6×24 https://moondogindustries.com/december-2024-contest-cvlife/

Next Livestream Thursday December

HASHTAG DRAWING #colt

Shooting Sports

Primary Arms SLx 1-8×24

When Primary Arms (PA) introduced the ACSS about 10 years ago (an evolution of the Trijicon ACOG reticle), PA quickly became the must-try LPVO. When PA introduced the 1-8×24 they set a new bar for high-power, budget LPVOs. SupersetCA, Garandthumb, MrGunsnGear reviewed it and raved about it, and I bought into the hype and I bought one.

Because so many other big Guntubers had already covered this optic, I didn’t see a need to do a review of mine. But after I started posting reviews of LPVOs from SIGs, Vortex, even Monstrum, one of the more common comments I’ve gotten is some like “You should try a Primary Arms”. So here I am 5 years after I bought mine, with a review of the PA SLx 1-8×24.

This scope doesn’t come with a lot of accessories in the package. All the magic is in the scope. It has a decent eyebox, pretty clear glass (though not edge to edge clarity), bright illumination, and one of the best SFP combat reticles available, the ACSS.

4 years ago, I had taken 1-8x off my ready rifle to put it into rack storage to make room for optics I was testing for my channel. It was sitting in storage when I pulled it out to test on camera. I discovered that it had a parallax alignment flaw causing objects to shift in position when brought into the scope’s field of view at 1x. I suspect 99% of the buying public would never notice this flaw (I didn’t when I bought it nor in the time I used it).

I contacted Primary Arms about the issue and sent them photos and they were amazing. They called me immediately and sent me a return label and inspected my scope. And this was a 100% joe-blow customer interaction. I had never reviewed their products nor had a contact at PA; to them I was just any other customer. PA confirmed what I was seeing in the scope and sent me a brand new one to replace it. I was pleased to discover this SLx had slightly better glass and illumination than my original scope: Great job PA, twice!

The PA SLx 1-8x may not have the sharpest or flattest glass (fisheye) but I still love the ACSS reticle for its fast and intuitive design. The ACSS is not really great for precision shots over 500 yrds away but honestly, that’s not what I use a LPVO for. I’m looking to engage man-sized targets from CQB distance to an 8″ plate from 150yrds. Sadly the SLx also taught me that more is not better: the trade off in higher magnification with an LPVO is a tighter eyebox at 1x.

The SLx may not be the best. It may not be the cheapest. But the SLx remains my benchmark for a solid, practical, “budget” combat optic.

If you want a detailed explanation of how the ACSS reticle works, check out MrGunsnGear’s video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfVEQXVxi4A

SHOP

Primary Arms https://alnk.to/9xjE2Pt

SPECS

Objective Diameter: 24mm

Magnification: 1X – 8X

Click Value: 1/2 MOA

Illumination: red

Eye Relief: 3.50 in

Reticle: ACSS Second Focal Plane

Exit Pupil: 9.0mm at 1x, 3.0mm at 8x

Length: 10.0 in

Weight16.9 Oz

Battery: CR2032 

Gadgets, Product Reviews

OLight OClip Pro

The OLight send me a special holiday limited edition OClip Pro, which has snowflake graphics on the front of an anodized candy cane red body. A large spring clip runs the length of the unit on its back allowing it to be clipped onto clothing, gear, and objects. Furthermore, the base of the clip contains an embedded magnet allowing the unit to be attached to metal surfaces.

The unit is about the size of an OLight Arkfeld if you cut off 2/3 of the length. The Pro model has a trio of LED emitters on the front side of the unit which face outward when clipped onto a pocket, lapel, or backpack strap allowing you to illuminate the area in front of you whilst leaving both hands free. The three emitters are controlled by a selector dial on the side with an integrated button.

The unit’s emitters include a long throw beam with a tight hotspot capable of illuminating objects over 100ft away. A wide flood beam which casts a broad defuse light, and a high intensity red LED. The flood and focus beams have a Turbo, High, Medium, and Moonlight mode (and strobe). The red emitter has constant or beacon mode.

The flood beam was able to emit about 455 lumens in Turbo mode, which aligns with the 500 lumens Olight claims when fully recharged. In my endurance testing, I was able to achieve a 120 minute runtime starting in Turbo mode. Unlike many of Olights flashlights, the OClip uses a standard USB-C port for charging which I find to be a welcome option. The USB-C port cover does not allow the unit to be submersible in water.

The only drawback to the right-angle design is that he clip and ergonomics do not lend itself to be used as a clip on headlamp. When clipped to the brim of my baseball cap, the majority of the light hits my chin and some of the spill does also blind the user. Despite this one mode of use, the OClip is a useful secondary light and is bright enough to be used as a primary and is compact and light enough to truly an Every Day Cary flashlight.

BUY IT

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHW31QWP?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.2SCO6A983ZT38&linkCode=tr1&tag=moondogindu05-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.2SCO6A983ZT38_1779736175938

SPECS

MATERIALS
Body MaterialAluminum Alloy (6061)
GENERAL DATA
Mode OperationSide Switch
Light SourceWhite: Floodlight(CCT: 5700-6500K); Spotlight(CCT: 5700-7000K); Red: (WL: 620-630nm)
Charging TypeUSB-C Charging
Max Performance500 lumens
Beam Distance393 ft (120 m)
Max Light Intensity3,600 candela
Lighting Levels
TurboFloodlight: 500~300~100 lumens; Spotlight: 380~240~85 lumens
Turbo RuntimeFloodlight: 1 + 50 + 30 minutes; Spotlight: 1 + 50 + 30 minutes
HighFloodlight: 300~180~100 lumens; Spotlight: 240~150~85 lumens
High RuntimeFloodlight: 1 + 100 + 10 minutes; Spotlight: 1 + 100 + 10 minutes
MediumFloodlight: 100 lumens; Spotlight: 85 lumens
Medium RuntimeFloodlight: 3.5 hours; Spotlight: 3.5 hours
LowFloodlight: 10 lumens; Spotlight: 9 lumens
Low RuntimeFloodlight: 27 hours; Spotlight: 27 hours
MoonFloodlight: 1 lumen; Spotlight: 1 lumen
Moon RuntimeFloodlight: 144 hours; Spotlight: 144 hours
SOSYes
StrobeYes, (Floodlight: 13Hz at 500 lumens; Spotlight: 13Hz at 380 lumens)
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Thickness1.10 in (27.83 mm)
WaterproofIPX6
Weight1.87 oz (53 g) (Including Battery)
Length2.24 in (57 mm)
Width1.10 in (28.05 mm)

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EARLBIRD #sub2000

THIS WEEK

Moondog2A


Moondog Revies

Moondog Go

Thomas Edwin Caldecott (July 27, 1878 – July 23, 1951) was a pharmacist[1] and politician. From 1923, Caldecott served in politics in Alameda County, California in the San Francisco Bay Area until 1951. The Caldecott Tunnel which is a key highway link through the Berkeley Hills is named after him.

Percy Jackson book series

The Tyrant’s Tomb is an American fantasy novel based on Greek and Roman mythology written by American author Rick Riordan. It was first published on September 24, 2019, and is the fourth book in The Trials of Apollo series, the second spin-off of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series.

EARLBIRD #sub2000

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EARLYBIRD DRAWING #sub2000

WORD(s) OF THE WEEK

Mondegreen

A mondegreen (/ˈmɒndɪˌɡriːn/ ⓘ) is a mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase in a way that gives it a new meaning.[1] Mondegreens are most often created by a person listening to a poem or a song; the listener, being unable to hear a lyric clearly, substitutes words that sound similar and make some kind of sense.[2][3] The American writer Sylvia Wright coined the term in 1954, recalling a childhood memory of her mother reading the Scottish ballad “The Bonnie Earl o’ Moray“, and mishearing the words “laid him on the green” as “Lady Mondegreen”.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

TOP 10 Misheard Lyrics American Songwriter.com https://americansongwriter.com/10-commonly-misheard-lyrics-that-make-us-miss-a-beat/

  1. “Suspicious Minds” – Elvis Presley
    “Were calling a trout”
  2. “Bette Davis Eyes” – Kim Carnes
    “Haul the bathtub just to please you”
  3. “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
    “The chair is not my son.”
  4. “Chasing Pavements” – Adele
    Should I give up / Or should I just keep chasing penguins?
    I think it would be “Payments”
  5. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” – Eurythmics
    “Sweet dreams are made of cheese”
  6. “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
    “There is a bathroom on the right”
  7. “Forever in Blue Jeans” – Neil Diamond
    “Reverend Blue Jeans”
  8. “Dancing Queen” – ABBA
    “See that girl / watch her scream / kicking the dancing queen,”
  9. “We Will Rock You” – Queen
    “kickin’ your cat all over the place”
  10. “Louie Louie” – The Kingsmen

Top Misheard Lyrics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E2ZS8GpKfg&t=426s

Buzzfeeds Misheard Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbumV5bQTuM&t=88s

Pour some Shook Up Ramen commercial (2002): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JEZZ1J_4N0

AT&T Hawaii Santa commercial (2002): https://youtu.be/rG9ARrnxoJw

CONTESTS

CVLife EagleTalon 1-6×24 https://moondogindustries.com/december-2024-contest-cvlife/

Colt tote HASHTAG DRAWING #colt

Shooting Sports

Discovery ED-PRS GenII 4-20×52

They say “Less is More” that could certainly be said of the ED-PRS GenII 4-20×52 scope. Earlier this year, I reviewed Discovery Optics new GenII revision of their ED-PRS 5-25×56 scope. The GenII EP-PRS boasted improved optical clarity by using Japanese ED glass. So, why would they make a 20x scope when they already offered a 25x? And why would you want to buy one?

The 20x version appears nearly identical to the 25x. In terms of performance, the 20x has a 4x magnification factor which means in theory it should provide slightly a sharper and brighter image when set to the same power numbers as the 25x. In my testing, the differences were too subtle for me to see. But what I could clearly see is that the 20x is slightly shorter, slightly lighter, and slightly cheaper than the 25x.

Moreover, most hunters and target shooters don’t typically shoot a 5-25x scope at its maximum 25x; preferring a setting of about 12x or 16x to improve clarity and brightness. A 20x scope is able to be used at 12-18x. Let me again remind you that the 20x is slightly shorter, slightly lighter, and slightly cheaper than the 25x. It all starts to make more practical sense.

BUY IT

Discovery website (get 10% off with CODE: moondog): https://discoveryopt.com/ED-PRS-4-20X52SFIR-FFP-Optics-Scope.html

or
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZxHRP8

RESOLUION

Group: -1
Element: 5

SPECS

Objective Lens: 52 mm

Magnification: 4-20x

Tube Diameter: 34 mm

Max Elev Adj: 32 MRAD

Max Wind Adj: 17 MRAD

Adj/Click : 0.1MRAD

Exit Pupil: 2.6 – 13.3 mm

Field of View,: 6.1-30.6 ft @ 100 yds

Eye Relief: 3.3 in

Weight: 39.3 oz

Length: 14.8 in

Lens: Japanese ED Glass

Gear Reviews, Education, and Adventure