Dark Lord Of Optics

This topic came out of another forum discussion on what magnification riflescopes perform best at. There is no simple answer, so I thought an overview is worthwhile. Scopes mentioned in the discussion: Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56 https://bit.ly/3o6XgUc March 4.5-28x52 https://bit.ly/3uc6aAQ March 5-42x56 https://bit.ly/39CqyS7

For further discussion, please visit www.darklordofoptics.com This video is a quick overview of the Delta Titanium RF 9x45 laser rangefinding binocular. I have spent a significant amount of time with it and I am quite impressed with what you get for the money. Delta Optical dealers in the US are EdGun West, Annex Defense and Darn Fine Shot if you are interested. The carry case I happen to like the most comes from Marsupial Gear. Medium size carrier fits this binocular very nicely. The LRF binocular shown for size comparison is the somewhat more expensive Vortex Fury 5000 AB 10x42. That's the one I use most of the time these days, since it integrates with other electronics I use (like my watch) very nicely https://bit.ly/3tTVgzA

For more discussion, please visit www.darklordofoptics.com This video is mostly a "through the scope" look at the reticle, although it also gives you some idea of the depth of field. The discussion of the reticle illumination starts at the 7 minute mark. MRAD version: https://alnk.to/4MuMajA MOA version: https://alnk.to/e70W9C6

This one is going to be a bit later than I normally do this. My apologies to the East Coast people. Something that has been on my mind quite a lot lately is the subject of rimfire optics, so I thought it worthwhile to talk about it a little.

For more discussion, please visit www.darklordofoptics.com This video is mostly a "through the scope" look at the reticle, although it also gives you some idea of the depth of field. The discussion of the reticle illumination starts at the 7 minute mark. MRAD version: https://alnk.to/4MuMajA MOA version: https://alnk.to/e70W9C6

Now that I am back from the inaugural CompExpo 2021, I thought I'd share my thoughts on the event. I will be joined by a competition shooter who took part in the NRL Finals and perhaps another guest or two.

Now that I am back from the inaugural CompExpo 2021, I thought I'd share my thoughts on the event. I will be joined by a competition shooter who took part in the NRL Finals and perhaps another guest or two.

This was livecast to Youtube, Facebook and Odysee on August 3rd, 2021. If you would like me add Rumble to the list of my livecast destinations, please let me know in the comments.

Here is an abbreviated overview of my riflescope and reflex sight recommendations for different flavours of the AR-15. 7 mnutes: SPR/DMR/Precision scopes 13:30: LPVOs for General Purpose use 19:50: Prismatics for General Purpose use 24:00 Red Dot magnifiers 28:20 Red Dots and Holographics 34:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Join to support this channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8LveRHZgnq469aWVQVhM2w/join My website has a fair bit more in terms of details and recommendations. Riflescope recommendations are sorted by price here: http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=623 Here are some product links to retailers who support my efforts: Tangent Theta scopes at Eurooptic: https://alnk.to/1BYFuOF March scopes at Eurooptic: https://alnk.to/clOTkCe Leupold Mark5 HD 3.6-18x44 with illuminated TMR reticle https://alnk.to/dAehDB3 Vortex PST Gen 2 3-15x44: https://alnk.to/eODv49q SWFA SS 3-9x42 https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-hd-3-9x42-tactical-30mm-riflescope.html S&B PMII Dual CC 1-8x24: https://alnk.to/hDhCL9Z Vortex Razor Gen3 1-10x24: https://alnk.to/7qbFRRo https://alnk.to/31iOMWF Steiner P4Xi 1-4x24: https://alnk.to/a3V2AB0 Elcan SpecterDR https://alnk.to/74mfluk Elcan Spectre OS 4x https://alnk.to/87QNer6 Crimson Trace Battlesight 3.5x https://alnk.to/cSzfIzg https://alnk.to/aLA9WMN Vortex Micro 3x Magnifier https://alnk.to/aAFoXZh https://alnk.to/2Qo3O7f Aimpoint 6x Magnifier https://alnk.to/bP4HPSS https://alnk.to/1MTvVxF Meprolight MOR https://alnk.to/8EB4bnF Vortex UH-1 Gen2: https://alnk.to/cSzfIYm https://alnk.to/2Qo3Ouh Leica Tempus: https://alnk.to/dAehEgx Aimpoint T2: https://alnk.to/60RHtcb Shield SIS: https://alnk.to/cSzfJ1W

Here is a real time take on the Vortex Razor Gen3 1-10x24 and S&B PMII Dual CC 1-8x24. I think these two are as close as it gets to being "LPVO royalty", although there are definitely other scopes that belong in the same category. I'll spend 20 minutes or so going over my impressions after which, I will open things up for a Q&A pertaining to these two scopes or anything else that comes up.

For the last six months, the new Vortex Razor HD-LHT 4.5-22x50 has been my primary hunting and precision scope. It spent a lot of time at the range with me and got me a nice Aoudad. I'll give you an overview of the scope and what I think about it before opening things up for a Q&A.

If you want to support my efforts, please join my community on Locals: https://darklordofoptics.locals.com/ Having talked a little bit about flashlight during the last show, I figured it is a good idea to talk a little bit about "light" in general. I'll start out with a little bit on flashlights, specifically I want to re-visit the whole "lumen vs candela" business and then we'll go from there. If there is time, the subject of light transmission really should be discussed in some detail. We will close up with the usual free-for-all. Post show notes: Derek's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE3X_qcLQoase48uAJ8Himg 5:30 Start of the light terminology and flashlight discussion https://youtu.be/-bihwHDQcnA?t=332 30:40 Brief discussion of light transmission and how it effects image quality https://youtu.be/-bihwHDQcnA?t=1841 49:06 Derek @NorthWest Guns joins me Scopes and flashlights I talked about: S&B 5-20x50 Ultra Short https://alnk.to/bimzfRc The new DTII+ turrets are really impressive US Optics FDN FX10 10x42 https://alnk.to/goUxHxt This is is likely the best tactical 10x scope on the market right now Primary Arms Microprism Gen2 https://alnk.to/4XphWwK This one is really growing on me Primary Arms GLx 2x prismatic https://alnk.to/4MuwXJf I have talked about this one before extensively SwampFox Trihawk 3x https://alnk.to/cSBo5i0 Shield RMSc https://alnk.to/bimzfXg (this is my primary RDS for narrow slide guns) Shield RMS https://alnk.to/5jeNUei (for standard width slides) Surefire E2T-MV Tactician https://alnk.to/faveQup Streamlight TLR-7 Sub https://alnk.to/3y5e6Qp (for handguns with slim dustcover rail) Crimson Trace CMR-207 https://alnk.to/7qdTGO9 (for standard dustcover rails)

Now that I am sorta back home (I leave again in 3 days), I am looking to wrap-up with my impressions on the Primary Arms GLx 2x prismatic and talk a little more about modern reflex sights, prismatics and other AR optics. Naturally, I will switch over to a Q&A after half-time. I will have a guest joining me for some of the discussion: Matt of The Everyday Marksman will swing by for a bit. He is good friend and a smart guy, so he is worth paying attention to. He had an interesting optics question that I thought was worth addressing and I hope he can stick around for some of the Q&A. If you have not seen his website, check it out. He covers a lot of interesting topics and really thinks through them: https://www.everydaymarksman.co/ Primary Arms GLX 2x: with 7.62x39/300Blackout reticle https://alnk.to/74ohj3P with 5.56 reticle https://alnk.to/4Muqytt

One of the most common questions I get is whether a particular scope is worth the money. It comes so often that I think it should be discussed in more detail. If you are trying to get the best bang for your buck, where is the sweetspot? Post show notes: Alex's Youtube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/c/AffordableOpticsandRifleReviews/featured Some of the scopes mentioned as being in a price/performance sweetspot of their respective categories. Long range precision: Vortex Razor Gen2 4.5-27x56 https://bit.ly/3il7M7p Athlon Cronus 4.5-29x56 https://bit.ly/2T0p4MI Trijicon Tenmile 4.5-30x56 https://bit.ly/3fN0Uhm Tract Toric ELR 4.5-30x56 https://tractoptics.com/all-products/toric-uhd-4-5-30x56-34mm-ffp-mrad-elr-extreme-long-range-rifle-scope Delta Stryker HD 4.5-30x56 https://www.edgunwest.com/store/optics/item/delta-stryker-4-5-30x56/ General purpose hunting: Vortex Razor HD-LHT 3-15x42 https://bit.ly/34SyKex Leupold VX-5 3-15x44 https://bit.ly/3wZaYJR Meopta Meostar R1 3-12x56 https://bit.ly/3cj9kuP Vortex Razor HD LH 1.5-8x32 https://bit.ly/3uPeiGb Get the HD LH tweener while they still have a few. At $430 these are a steal. AR-15: Vortex Razor Gen 3 1-10x24 https://bit.ly/3ihtSYk Delta Stryker 1-6x24 https://www.edgunwest.com/store/optics/item/delta-optics-stryker-1-6x24/ Swampox TriHawk 3x30 https://bit.ly/3uUhxvP Primary Arms GLx 2x https://bit.ly/3vWrUks Vortex Spitfire Gen2 5x https://bit.ly/3vS5pwL

My original intent was to talk a little bit about choosing your first gun, but given that it is Memorial Day, I will start by spending a few minutes on that. Post show notes: Advantage Arms 22LR conversion kit https://alnk.to/7WXU45X Glock 34 https://alnk.to/dplotEq CMMG 22LR Bravo conversion kit https://alnk.to/44Peuam If I were building a starter AR-15 right now, I would source a lower receiver locally and pick up one of these from Palmetto: https://alnk.to/flpJgwg Building an AR-15 out of one of these kits is really straight forward and by the time you are done you'll have a good understanding of how the bloody thing works.

This is completely impromptu, but since Vortex announced the 5-25x56 Venom and I happened to have one in hand, I figured I should do a very early impression of sorts. There are also some political developments that may be worth covering if there is time. Discussion of the Venom 5-25x56 starts about a minute into it. The reticle is EBR-7C, not EBR-7B that I kept on mentioning in the video. I switch over to the Spitfire Gen2 5x at 19:30: https://youtu.be/DNU7mdITQSw?t=1161 We kick it over to a proper Q&A at around 30:15: https://youtu.be/DNU7mdITQSw?t=1815 And switch over to politics at 1:06:00: https://youtu.be/DNU7mdITQSw?t=3958 Other scopes mentioned: Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 https://bit.ly/3fKcXed Element Helix 6-24x50FFP https://bit.ly/3vlT2cj PA GLx 6-24x50 Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 https://bit.ly/3fOeNdU Element Titan 5-25x56 https://bit.ly/3ukzQu5 Crimson Trace Hardline Pro 6-24x50 https://bit.ly/3ulfjW8 Vortex PST Gen 2 5-25x50 https://bit.ly/3bQ67m7 Vortex PST Gen 2 3-15x44 https://bit.ly/3vlESb7 Vortex Razor Gen 2 4.5-27x56 https://bit.ly/2RDa3A9

Somewhat unusually, I have to do this one over the weekend. I'll start off talking about the two US Optics scopes I have been using for quite some time, how I think they stack up, where they fit market-wise and what applications they are good for. Then, I'll stick around for the customary Q&A for a bit. US Optics Scopes that were discussed: US Optics FDN 17x with JVCR reticle: https://bit.ly/3tRx53g US Optics FDN 17x with Gen II XR reticle: https://bit.ly/33Pfgas US Optics TS 12x with MHR reticle: https://bit.ly/3fmvgpD or https://bit.ly/3wbTaLu Other scopes I mentioned: Tangent Theta TT315M https://bit.ly/33KJk74 Nightforce ATACR 4-20x50 https://bit.ly/3wa3bZp Nightforce ATACR 4-16x42 https://bit.ly/3eNC1BL Leupold Mark 5 3.6-18x44 https://bit.ly/3wa3zHl

I am back home after a "bucket list" Aoudad hunt, so naturally that is what I want to talk about in this livecast. I'll talk a little bit about the environment, gear I used, and lessons learned. Frontier Outfitting http://www.frontieroutfitting.com/index.asp The Fix by Q https://www.liveqordie.com/products/the-fix-by-q/ Federal Hybrid Hunter 168gr https://bit.ly/33R8Xmy Eberlestock Afterburner Hunting Pants https://bit.ly/3oldJSR Forloh base layer https://bit.ly/3foKB93 or https://bit.ly/3byBq54 Salomon Quest hunting boots https://bit.ly/2RlREHC Kuiu Chugach NX Valo rain/wind jacket https://bit.ly/3ygd5us Vortex Fury 5000 HD AB 10x42 LRF binocular https://bit.ly/3yea0Lt Vortex Razor UHD 10x42 binocular https://bit.ly/3ePLd8Q

I decided to do a quick impromtu mid-day livecast, mostly to talk about March LPVOs, but also to answer any questions if you happen to be online.

Join to support this channel either at https://darklordofoptics.locals.com/ or here on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8LveRHZgnq469aWVQVhM2w/join Here is the second installment in the Guns of the Dark Lord series. Let me know what you think,

For this episode, I want to start out by talking a little more about precision scopes. I'll kick it off with some final thoughts on the Leica PRS scope and go from there. A little later Cyclops Joe and Brian from Edgun West will join in to discuss a Russian optics brand called Dedal. They are new to the US, so they've got my curiosity peaked to a degree. We will wrap things up with a regular Q&A. "Guess the booze" contest is naturally going to make a triumphant return.

If you wonder what exactly I mean by Episode 17.5, here is the gist of it. Last DLO Live show went for 5 hours. It was fun, but patently unsafe. You see, I drink during the show and stand at my standing desk. It is not good for my liver or my feet. Also, it is not good for my European and Russian audience when I do the show in the evening Mountain Time. That is what brought us here. I will try to do a couple of hour long, midday for me, but evening for the Euro/Russian crowd, Q&A sessions and see if there is interest. This does not replace the regular, full length (I will cap them at three hours in the future) shows.

Join to support this channel either at https://darklordofoptics.locals.com/ or here on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8LveRHZgnq469aWVQVhM2w/join Here is a First Look at a new scope from a new company: SAI 6 1-6x24 FFP https://alnk.to/e70aHsZ It is a good quality Japanese scope with an unusual reticle, so a lot of the focus of this video is indeed on the reticle.

Join to support this channel either at https://darklordofoptics.locals.com/ or here on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8LveRHZgnq469aWVQVhM2w/join Here is the first installment of a new series I am kicking off, the very tongue-in-cheek "Guns of the Dark Lord". I can start with one other than The Fix. If I was forced to only keep one boltgun, this would be it. I use it to test a lot of scopes, but the optic that is on it when I am not testing anything is the remarkable Tangent Theta TT315M 3-15x50 that will one day be pried form my cold dead hands. Choice of bipods is very personal. I happened to have an Atlas when I got the gun, so it has been on it ever since. I have not seen a need to change, but if I find something that works as well, but weighs less, I will. While sticking with the Atlas, I highly recommend the lockdown lever from Defy Gear. It has really improved the usability of the Atlas bipod for me (they also have a lever for the Magpul bipod, but that is for the next video). Tangent Theta: TT315M with Gen3 XR: https://alnk.to/eDKcq3T TT315M with Gen2 XR: https://alnk.to/cwL6Eie TT315M with Gen2 MilDot: https://alnk.to/2uzUJNv Atlas bipod: https://alnk.to/3y4sCI4

Mike from SwampFox will join me for an hour or so to talk about the new things at SwampFox and answer a few questions. After that, we will have the usual Q&A. "Guess the booze" game is coming back too. If you guess correctly what I am drinking, you get a t-shirt.