DarkLordOfOptics

This edition of DLO Live! is really going to be centered around a general Q&A, but there are several specific topics I would like to cover as well, as time allows. -It turns out that one of the companies very well known in the photography world, SunwayFoto, decided to jump into the shooting support market. I have a tripod and a few other products from them that I just started looking at. I'll offer some initial impressions. -Why do some scopes weigh a lot and others do not? There is no single simple answer to that, but there are quite a few design aspects that matter. This one might get nerdy. If you want a case study on how to make a high quality light weight FFP scope, Vortex Razor HD-LHT 4.5-22x50 is a good example: https://bit.ly/3KEbZyA -Picatinny 1913 vs STANAG rail clamps. They look the same, but they are not. STANAG is a better standard and here is the "why" of it. Mounts I comfortably recommend: Badger rings and mounts, for example https://bit.ly/3EX6L0F https://bit.ly/3ShDHny Seekins Precision rings https://bit.ly/3CQki7r and mount https://bit.ly/3MNVnGb Element Optics Accu-lite https://bit.ly/3EYhU1s Vortex Pro rings https://bit.ly/3gp5Ag6 This is by no means exhaustive, just a couple of examples.

This time, scheduled for the correct time... We will revisit the origin of the conflict and cover recent events and future possibilities. Eugene and I will offer our take, but more importantly we have a guest with us, Paul, who spent time in Ukraine during the conflict.

Strasser RS14 EVO has been in my hands for a little while, but our time together is coming to the end. If you see me shed a tear during the livestream, do not think badly of me. Sending it back will be hard. If I could afford it, it would be staying here. It is a classically beautiful design on the outside and technically brilliant and innovative solution on the inside. Since most of the time the RS14 was here it had Trijicon's Tenmile 3-18x44 on it, I figured it fitting to review them together.

Join me at www.darklordofoptics.com for further discussion. This is sort of a continuation on the whole theme of getting ready for hunting season. Last year, I did not quite think through my shooting support solutions well enough. This time around, I decided to take a slightly less conventional approach. The basic problem is that I need the means to quickly change between low to the ground (say prone) and higher off the ground (say sitting) solutions. On top of that, I want to be able to use the same hardware, when possible, to support a binocular and/or spotter. The bipod I use is here: https://sovrn.co/13d8c0z The various adapters and other bipods are here: https://sovrn.co/zciiss2 I'll update my impressions after the hunting season is over.

Join me at www.darklordofoptics.com for further discussion. RS14 Evoluton is, in many ways, a remarkable rifle and it firmly takes place at the top of my "bucket list". I tested a 22-250 version, but the gun is available in many calibers. The action can support pretty much anything the length of 30-06 or shorter. If I were buying one (and I assure you that is exactly what I am scheming to do), I will likely get it with three barrels: 375 Ruger, 6.5PRC and 22-250. The scope I tested it with was the rather nice Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44. I will do a livestream dedicated to the rifle and the optic to answer any and all questions you may have this coming Thursday (September 22nd): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC8cqOmK-aE

Given that I have released a good number of videos (by my standards) in the last couple of weeks, I figured a general purpose Q&A livestream is in order. I'll take on any questions you have whether they pertain to my recent videos or not. I do have a topic I want to cover since it has been in many conversations lately: DMR Optics, so I will likely start off with that, but the main purpose here is the Q&A.

Join me at www.darklordofoptics.com for further discussion. If you have been following my channel, you know that I have been very impressed with the new PLxC 1-8x24 scope from Primary Arms. It is essentially and alpha level design for mid-range prices once you take into account the overall package: optical and mechanical performance, size, weight and durability. I took my sweet time abusing it and it just kept on ticking. I'll get my hands on another one since I want to also look at the Griffin Mil reticle, but the ACSS Raptor M8 Meters reticle I have in this particular scope (https://bit.ly/3KKNPl9), is one of the better BDC designs out there. This particular video is all about the reticle.

Join me at www.darklordofoptics.com for further discussion. This turned out to be an interesting category of scopes. I have talked about them before here: https://darklordofoptics.locals.com/post/2254866/mpvo-comparison Here is, finally, the accompanying video. It is long, so brace yourselves. The contenders are: Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10x44 https://bit.ly/3Q9zq5i SWFA SS 3-9x42 https://www.samplelist.com/swfa-ss-hd-3-9x42-tactical-30mm-riflescope-demo-b-178649.html Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 2-12x42 https://bit.ly/3c2wXLf US Optics TS-12x 3-12x44 https://bit.ly/3fmvgpD

Join me at www.darklordofoptics.com for further discussion. Every once in a while a question comes up on why we should not judge the optical quality of a scope by "through the scope" videos and pictures. Even more importantly, we should not be using those to compare between scopes. While I was recording the video on the 1-10x24 Ares, I took the opportunity to first go over why this is such a subjective thing. That is about four minutes of the video. After that is the actual review of the scope. https://bit.ly/3QxWOtw

Join me at www.darklordofoptics.com for further discussion. Here is the first look at the new SwampFox Kraken. Compact enclosed emitter red dot sights have been all the rage lately and the Kraken is an interesting entry into this increasingly crowded category. This is a kickoff of a long term test.

As some of you may know, I have been having some issues getting my CP33 to feed the first round reliably...

Primary Arms has been doing a lot of things right lately and none of them more so than this scope. It is absolutely exceptional in terms of how much performance they stuffed into a very compact package. This is easily the best under $2k LPVO I have seen to date. Scope: https://bit.ly/3KKNPl9 Mount: https://bit.ly/3Qs2ghs

This one is going to get nerdy, folks! As you all prepare to dust off your pocket protectors, I am mostly looking to go into more detail on the technical aspects of how FOV and resolution work with electro-optical sighting devices. Naturally, there will be a Q&A as well. Post show notes: A question came up on thermal scopes in the $5k range that I like. There are plenty I have not tested, but I really liked Steiner S35 (these guys have it in stock for $4500: https://bit.ly/3JNasGC) and Bering Super Yoter. Stiner is heavier and bulkier, but has longer battery life. Bering is trim and compact, but battery life is shorter. Pick your poison. There was a good amount of conversation about precision scopes in the $500 range. There are several good options there. I am quite partial to the Element Helix FFP 6-24x50 https://bit.ly/3QBRWDb The guys at Element really pay attention to tracking consistency. If you are looking for some extra adjustment range without breaking the bank, Arken seems to have cornered that territory: I have only tested their SH4 Gen2 4-16x50, but I rather like it. With Vortex, I think the Venom is a very user friendly scope if you do not need illumination: https://bit.ly/3AfXA8F If you are willing to step up in price a little, I have to admit that Element Titan 3-18x50 is really growing on me. It is a nice scope with a huge adjustment range. https://bit.ly/3bBFfJP

In the spirit of continuing my coverage of commercial electro-optics, I decided to spend some time on iRay thermal products. While we are at it, this is a good opportunity to discuss how thermal clip-ons work and how they are different from conventional thermal riflescopes. I currently have two iRay products on hand. They need to go back, so this is a good time to discuss them while they are here: iRay RL42 thermal riflescope: https://bit.ly/3Mrj4Dy iRay Micro RH25 thermal monocular and clip-on: https://bit.ly/3lfAuqM Post show notes: A question came up on what would be the lowest cost of entry if you are looking for a decent clip-on, but do not want to go all out. I use Burris BTC-50. It is around $3k and gets me a 50mm lens albeit with a lower resolution sensor. https://bit.ly/3E1bb2w If you are just new to thermal, there is a lot to be said about Accufire Incendis that can be used as both riflescope and clip-on. It is about $3k and for hunting with it, I'd stay within about 250 yards. Detection distance is much longer, of course. https://bit.ly/3LkHPj4 Nothing with thermals is cheap, but $3k is roughly the starting point for the decent stuff. If you care more about portability, but still want to be able to use the device as a clip-on, iRay Micro RH25 linked above is a really capable general purpose device that can be used handheld, on a helmet and on the gun. However, if you are trying to use is side by side with PVS-14 and sorta blend them in with each other, you need wider FOV. PVS-14 has 40 deg FOV. There are not a lot of thermals with FOV as wide. N-Visions NOX18 is not quit that wide at 30 degrees, but wider than most and very compact: https://bit.ly/3vHH1Qi

It has been a while since I've done one of these, so I plan to leave a lot of time for the Q&A. I'll talk a little about Night Vision in general and Photonis' PD PRO 16M in particular. I also plan to discuss how good current state of the art digital night vision technology is and what we should expect in the foreseeable future. Post show notes: I got my Photonis monocular from Brookes Precision. While John is working on getting his website up, I set up an e-mail for him: brookesprecision@darklordofoptics.com Send an e-mail there if you need to get a hold of him. I do not have any business or financial interest with Photonis or Brookes Precision. Just helping a friend. The first hour and fifteen minutes was discussion of Night Vision in general and Photonis in particular. After, we switched gears to tall about prismatics. https://youtu.be/6AOKafmjcBg?t=4422 Prismatic discussion preceded by a couple of minuted on imaginary horse sized ducks

BDC reticles are all over the place. They are successful because they are simple to understand. However, with most BDC reticles, I am decidedly not a fan and I think the way they are presented is deeply flawed especially for applications that require any sort of precision. However, there are a few people out there making meaningful improvement to the idea. I have done a show on David Tubb's DTR reticle in the past. Today, we will talk about problems with typical BDC reticles and then go over tacomHQ's Master reticle concept that represents a different and very original take on BDCs. It tackles one of the biggest problems BDC reticles have at distance

It has been a couple of months since our last Ukraine War update, so it is high time we re-visit what's happening there. There are comparatively fewer bombastic news articles coming out, but the intensity of the fighting has been quite high. The nature of the military side of the conflict has changed though to a good degree. I find the duplicitous nature of US coverage of the way on both sides of the political isle really interesting and quite detached from what's happening in Ukraine. Join us for a discussion.

Precision rimfire is clearly a growing shooting discipline. It has been a topic of conversation here more than once and this time, my guest is Greg Roman of Vudoo Gunworks. Vudoo makes some of the most accurate rimfire rifles I have seen to date and the company is well known for consistent products and exemplary customer service on rare occasions when it was needed. I'll kick things off with a few thoughts on rimfire optics and Vudoo rifles, after which we will transition into the customary Q&A session.

Join me at www.darklordofoptics.com for further discussion. I have been messing with the 1x and 3x SLx Microprisms from Primary Arms for quite a while now. Long enough to comfortably add both to my list of recommendations. I have talked about these tiny prismatics here and there for quite a bit, but it is time to be offering some parting thoughts. There will be a couple more installments of these, but here is the first one. Something to clarify: if I were to buy only one of PA's small prismatics, it would be the slightly bigger GLx 2x (https://bit.ly/3vWrUks). It kicks ass. As I will talk about in the next video, the tiny 3x Micro prism (https://bit.ly/3KuU7oL), while a very nice sight on its own is also a perfect back up scope for ARs. For any rifle I use a good bit, I also have backup optics setup. Just so that you understand the overall levels of my paranoia. For rifles, I tend to have a primary scope with secondary offset or piggy-backed sights on the gun and I ALSO have a pre-sighted in backup sight of some sort. For boltguns, I use the SWFA SS Ultralight for this. For ARs, I usually have a backup red dot sight of some sort, but I like having a small amount of magnification. The tiny SLx 3x Microprism is easy to keep available just in case without weighing anything down or spending a fortune. To be fair, there are other microprisms out there, most notably from Burris and Vortex, although I happen to prefer the reticle arrangement of the PA SLx. They all work pretty well and I have the Burris one here as well, set up in exactly the same way: as a backup scope for a larger LPVO or larger prismatic. That's one of the big things that I got out of this: to get a nice LPVO, there is going to be a weight penalty and, most importantly, you'll spend some money. In the meantime, with this new generation of small prisms, I can get a pretty mature and well thought out scope product for not a lot of money. It is a great first time user magnified optic and if you later decide to upgrade to something bigger (LPVO, etc), you already have your backup optic squared away.

Join me at www.darklordofoptics.com for further discussion. In this video, I take a look at Russian-made Dedal riflescope. There were a couple of quirks, but overall it is better than I expected. To be fair, I am generally prejudiced against Russian-made products having grown up there, so my skepticism is not unexpected. Still, the scope held up well and while there were a couple of QC misses (tracking was 3% off and the reticle was not perfectly centered), the scope adjusted the same away every time and stayed zeroed.

This livestream is intended as a Q&A follow-up for the High End Tactical #7 video.

Join me at www.darklordofoptics.com for further discussion This seventh installment of the High End Tactical series goes over the current crop of fancy 50mm objective scopes.