Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Boruit V10 Keychain EDC

A few months ago, I reviewed the Boruit V3 which disappointed me because its light output fell short of it’s claims. Would it be the same with the new V10? This flashlight follows the same keychain fob format, creating a slightly bulkier and boxier version of the V3. The V10 is the same size as my car key remote fob making it a handy backup EDC or as a primary one.

Like the V3 the V10 comes in a choice of a polymer body in dark smoke or glow-in-the-dark white. The unit is powered by an internal LiPo battery charged by a USB-C cable under a silicone flap. There is a rare-earth magnet on the tail like the V3 which allows the light to attached to a steel car hood or on the side of a door panel where the side LEDs could be used as an emergency signal.

The V10 has a twin set of main LED white emitters and a small UV emitter at one end and a panel of colored LEDs on the side panel next to the buttons. Inexplicably the control buttons on the V10 arranged differently than the V3. When tapped twice, the left button activates the side LEDs and cycles through various color modes. 3 taps the side button activates the UV mini lamp. A continuous press activates an audible panic siren and the flashing red/blue side LED.

Double tapping on the main control button activates the twin LEDs. Tapping cycles through the brightness modes. A continuous press actives maximum output TURBO mode. In my lumen testing rig, I was able to record a HIGH output reading over 600 lumens which drops off quickly after 35-45 seconds to below 400 lumens. This was approximately in line with manuals stated HIGH output of 450 lumens.

Testing the TURBO mode was challenging because it requires holding the lights button down while holding the flashlight inside of my testing box. Some light would inevitably not leak out. Despite this I was able to record about 900 lumens which was close enough to its claimed 1000 lumens. This makes me wonder if I gave the V3 too poor of a review if it has a similar performance curve drop.

Testing the beam, the pattern is very much a flood with a defuse hot spot. Even in TURBO mode, I could barely register any visible illumination past 50-60 yards. The side LEDS are visible from a distance but cast a very short throw.

There is one key feature where the V10 falls short of the V3: IPX4 water resistance. Because of sound holes on the body for the siren speaker, the V10 is not water proof. The unit is only resistant to splashes and light rain. Not knowing this when I tested the unit using a water hose, water entered through the sound holes and pooled up inside the body. Oops.

The V10 is in most ways more capable than the V3. I especially like the panic button mode. But it is a bit larger so adding a second large fob on my key chain would be ungainly. It would still make a very useful backup EDC. If I envisioned a V20, it would be an elongated version of the V10 with longer runtime and a clip.

Help support my channel by using the Amazon affiliate link below

ONLINE RETAILERS

V10 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QSPpXh

V3 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MY2MnD

PRODUCT SPECS

V10
Dimensions: ‎2.63″D x 1.37″W x 0.59″H
Beam Distance: 100m
Battery: Internal ‎Lithium Ion
Weight: 46 Grams
Water Resistance: IPX4
Brightness: 1000 Lumen
Battery Description
Item Weight: 1.62 oz

Shooting Sports

2024 Holiday Clearance

I’m clearing space in my gear closet just in time for Christmas. These are all items I tested and reviewed so they’re practically brand new. I’m selling them for 50% off retail or more.

Athlon Talos BTR Gen2 10×42
$180

Normal Retail Price $269

*SOLD*
Arken LH6 1-6×24 LPVO
$100

Normal Retail Price $199


Riton 1 Primal 4-16×44
$90

Normal Retail Price $199

Monstrum MS 3-9x extreme recoil scope
$20

Normal Retail Price $59

OneLeaf Commander NV100 scope mounted night vision
$150

Normal Retail Price $339


GTMedia N4 NVG
$50

Normal Retail Price $139

Conree earmuffs
$20

Normal Retail Price $40

CVLife Bipod
$25

Normal Retail Price $59


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgrZMlbbSZ4

Ghost RDT Red Dot and Ghost 3x magnifier Bundle
$60

Product Details https://amzn.to/3CVpuLd
This bundle includes both the Monstrum Ghost Red Dot Sight and the Monstrum Ghost 3x Magnifier with Flip to Side Mount
Normal Retail Price $139



Monstrum Ghost 3x magnifier Gen2
$33


Normal Retail Price $70

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmCaQw89tkQ

Monstrum Marksman 2x prism
$43

Normal Retail Price $89


Monstrum P330 3x prism
$50

Normal Retail Price $109

OLight PL Baldr Pro Laser + 1350 lumen Light
$60

Normal Retail Price $129

OLight PL Turbo 800 lumen 515 yard throw
$40

Normal Retail Price $89

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

Use these affiliate links to support this channel.

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.

Gadgets, Product Reviews

Hikeen Dry Bag

Hikeen sent me a 10L and 5L of dry bag. For those of you who haven’t been to a rafting, kayaking, or a water park lately, dry bags are water proof, vinyl bags with a folding closure to keep items dry inside. When folded shut correctly, these bags are so air tight that they can be used as floats.

What makes these bags different is that they have a built-in external pouch for you phone. Normally if you store it in a dry bag, you have to find a dry, stable location to open up the dry bag and get to your phone. The water tight clear zippered pouch allows you to use your phone’s touch-screen while inside, allowing you to answer calls or read text messages without having to remove your phone.

The pouch has a zipper with rubberized seals similar to dry suits used by kayakers and cold water scuba divers. The entire bag is rated IPX7 waterproof, capable of submersion in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. I don’t have a pool to test them in so I tested them to IPX6 standards.

I places sheets of toilet paper in the phone pouch and inside the main bag. Next, I shot a high-pressure water hose at its main opening, the zipper pouch, and the seams for over a minute. I opened up the bag and found both sheets bone dry.

Hikeen makes these bags in 5L, 10L, and 20L sizes (denoting the internal volume capacity). In a pinch you could also use these bags in reverse and cary water in them. This makes them an ideal survival accessory for any home or an emergency bag in any car. My only criticisms is that the external pouch is a bit small for larger sized phones and that they only cary one color choice on Amazon: blue.

Support my channel using the Amazon affiliate link below.

ONLINE SOURCES

Amazon https://amzn.to/49QtOHt

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

Gear Reviews, Education, and Adventure