OpticsPlanet.com Blog

As one of the world's top optics and telescope dealers, OpticsPlanet is sometimes able to get access to limited quantities of unique items made by major optics manufacturers. Right now, OpticsPlanet has several models of telescopes available that are not for sale anywhere else. These include two dobsonian telescopes from Bushnell - a 5" dobsonian telescope and a 6" dobsonian telescope. Dobsonian telescopes are noted for their ability to provide the most bang for the buck, as well as being easy to transport. These two dobsonian telescopes from Bushnell are among the best values you will find in a telescope. Speaking of best deals, that brings us to another OpticsPlanet exclusive: The Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope Package is an amazing deal on a bundle of items from Celestron Telescopes that you won't find anywhere else. With a tripod, finderscope, two eyepieces, barlow lense AND the Celestron motor drive included for a total price of only $139.99, you will not find a better value on a beginner telescope set.

The Streamlight TLR-2 Rail-Mounted Tactical Light/Laser Sight is one of our best-selling items- and when you carry over 120,000 different products that really says something. Streamlight is one of the top manufacturers of flashlights you'll find, and Streamlight weapon accessories impress more and more people every day. The Streamlight TLR Weapon Accessories line is leading the way, and at the forefront is the TLR-2.

The Streamlight TLR-2 and TLR-2s are noteworthy for being an integrated unit. Many handguns do not have room for multiple optics, and you are left deciding between a weapon light, a laser sight or even a red dot sight. With the TLR-2, you have a powerful 135 lumens (160 for the TLR-2s) Streamlight flashlight and a high-powered aiming laser sight all in the same package. The brightness of the light can blind and disorient a threat, and if that fails the laser sight will be there to aid you in making sure you neutralize said threat. For home security, you must be prepared for any situation.

Shock-proof, dust-proof, water resistant, almost indestructible, the Streamlight TLR-2 is built to last. You can expect 2.5 hours of continuous running time with the light and laser active, and up to 45 hours of runtime for the laser sight only on a set of CR123A lithium batteries (free through Sept 30, 2010!) Streamlight also provides a "No Excuses" limited lifetime warranty and stands behind its work. This unit fits most handguns with rails, and also most long guns with Picatinny (1913) rails. Rated 4.8/5 with over 120 reviews, customers RAVE about this weapon light/laser sight combo. The TLR-2s strobe function is also highly regarded- if you are looking for another method of disorienting a target the strobe function comes highly recommended.

When you are looking for weapon accessories or Streamlight gear, there's no better place than OpticsPlanet!

An old saying is that it is better to give than to receive. I'm pretty sure that whoever said that wasn't thinking of our latest contest, the 30 Days 100 Giveaways festival of giving cool prizes away.

Over the next 30 days, we have 100 products to give away. These include:

• Telescopes
• Binoculars
• Sunglasses
• Monoculars
• Range Finders
• Radar Guns
• Flashlights
• ... and a whole lot more!

Playing is really simple. "Like" OpticsPlanet on Facebook to learn when a new giveaway is happening. There will be a tab specifically for the contest. Whenever we are giving away a product, that tab will have a picture of the product, a short description, the number we are giving away, and a trivia question. This is a competition of skill and brains. The first person (or people, if we are giving away multiples) to answer the question correctly win that product! We'll have to verify the answer and the time we receive it, so you won't find out if you won right away but there will be more giveaways coming constantly. You can enter as many times as you want!

You can read the official rules on our website. Head over to the OpticsPlanet Page now so you don't miss a chance to win big!

Christopher Columbus was an explorer that believed you could sail to India by going west from Spain. As we all know today, there is a little thing called "North America" that blocks that route from being quite as functional as expected. Little did he know he was actually landing in The Bahamas and not a port in eastern India... until he landed in The Bahamas.

I will not argue that the Steiner 7x30 Navigator Pro Marine Binoculars would have alerted Columbus to the fact that he was not going to be partying in Calcutta on this voyage, but they sure would have been helpful. These waterproof bionculars also come with an integrated magnetic compass, which I am told can be quite handy when on the water. Steiner quality is reflected in the durability and performance of these compact binoculars and as with any other Steiner Binoculars as OpticsPlanet is an Authorized Dealer, you benefit from the full manufacturer warranty available!

The exclusive Steiner Sports Auto Focus system, once configured to meet the specifications of your eyes, delivers a incredible field of view of 20 yards to infinity. You can easily pan across the water to take in whatever is around you. Look there! It's a dolphin! And over there- it's a whale, playfully blowing his spout. Wait, what's that? Pirates- sound the alarm! Man the cannons!

You most likely will not be sailing on a 17th century battleship, but whether kayaking, fishing, sailing, or whatever recreational water activity you are engaged in, the performance is just what you need. Advanced anti-haze "CAT" optics block glare (always a major issue on the high seas) but also maximize brightness. A vertical/horizontal range finding mil reticle is built-in to help you determine the distance from a harbor, pier, lighthouse, buoy, other boat, or anything else you see.

There's no reason to have any other pair of binoculars for your maritime activities. And with a $30 Steiner Rebate available for this product, now is truly the best time to buy. Visit OpticsPlanet for great deals on binoculars and many other products!

Hello OpticsPlanet friends and fans!

We're rapidly approaching our 10th anniversary here (you heard that right- 10 years!) and preparations are buzzing about. Between that and the rapidly approaching holidays, projects are stacking up and the coffee machine buzzes later and later every day.

Recently, we got a fun little opportunity to make a video about the Yahoo! Merchant Summit. American Express is sponsoring a contest where the video that gets the most views will win, and naturally- we want to win! We'd really appreciate if you checked it out and helped us, and as an added bonus there is a 10% off any $50 order available in the video description on YouTube.

One of the things we've always been proud of at OpticsPlanet is that we aren't just a company, we're part of a community. We are active in our biggest segments, such as hunting, birding, and astronomy, and we are also rapidly expanding our OpticsPlanet Cares program that supports noteworthy charities focusing on humanitarian efforts, education, and HEROES (military, law enforcement, emergency personnel.)

In addition to that though, we also try and engage with the business and technology community whenever we can. We regularly send people to conferences and expos such as:

• Yahoo! Merchant Summit
  
• SES Conference & Expo
  
• Internet Retailer Conference & Expo
  
• SHOT Show
  
• SMX
  
• ... and so many other events, both large and small.

We also try to engage with people on forums, both on our site and off-site, and offer help in any way we can. Many of our employees are members on interest forums, and they post there to help and advise, not make a sale. This is because we truly believe that we should make any community we are involved in stronger, for the good of everyone in that community. We also have employees (like me!) that have made guest posts on sites such as SEOMoz to help business owners, marketers, and entrepreneurs excel and reach their goals.

As an organization, we always strive to help as much as we can. While we can't help everyone, we try our best everyday to make a difference. We look forward to sharing more of our 10th Anniversary news soon!

Swarovski is renowned for incredible quality and durability in its optics. From rifle scopes to binoculars, and especially spotting scopes Swarovski Optik merchandise proves to be some of the top products in their class time and again, as this Austrian company continues to innovate in the industry of sport optics.

When you are purchasing top of the line optics, be it from Swarovski or any other top brand, you cannot skimp on the accessories that make the experience. Would you buy cheap $80 tires for your luxury car? You would absolutely not- the performance of a car can be limited by the tires that are the point of contact to the road. So why would you use a cheap, flimsy tripod for your top-shelf Swarovski spotting scope?

Tripods are necessary when using spotting scopes because the high magnification amplifies every movement, every quiver, every shake. A top quality tripod will keep your spotting scope firmly locked in and secure, while also allowing for precision adjustments so that you can keep your subject in view. The Swarovski CT 101 Carbon Fiber Tripod Kit offers carbon fiber/basalt composite construction making the legs of this tripod extremely strong, resilient, and steady. This allows for frequent and intensive use, and these materials also make the tripod incredibly lightweight at only about 3 pounds. In conjunction with the soft neoprene shoulder strap and carrying strap, you can easily and comfortably take this tripod anywhere you go and enjoy the break-taking views your spotting scope provide.

The tripod head on the Swarovski CT 101 Carbon Fiber Tripod is stable and practical, with a five-tooth locking system to make sure your spotting scope is firmly held in place, secure and protected from unwanted displacement. You can easily pan and tilt smoothly and efficiently to make sure you always have your subject in clear view. And with a digital camera and digiscoping setup, the Swarovski CT101 Tripod has the stability you need to produce a perfect picture every time.

Upgrade your tripod today with the Swarovski CT101 Carbon Fiber Tripod Kit and get the most from your high-end spotting scope. Available at OpticsPlanet, your source for Authentic Swarovski Optiks.

Labels: digiscoping, spotting scopes, Swarovski, tripods

ATN's affordable and powerful Gen 1+ Night Cougar Night Vision Binoculars/Goggles will have you seeing like a cat at night and in low light environments. ATN has always been innovating and introducing new night vision devices, with a great range of products from Gen 1 to Gen 4, from night vision rifle scopes to night vision binoculars. The Night Cougar Night Vision Googles are lightweight and comfortable in addition to offering great performance and being so affordable.

With a dual eye/tube setup and two high quality Gen 1+ light intensifier tubes, you can utilize these night vision goggles in even the lowest of moonlight situations, or even with no moonlight available in conjunction with the powerful IR emitter. While the performance of any night vision device increases directly related to the amount of light available (a full moon with no clouds will be the best situation to use your night vision binoculars) with the two Gen 1+ light intensifier tubes and the built-in IR emitter, you will still be able to use the ATN Night Cougar Binoculars in any situation.

With the face mount, you can utilize these goggles hands-free comfortably. The 1x magnification means you can walk around with these NV binoculars and not become disoriented because everything will appear in a 1:1 ratio. This is extremely important, because moving around while using binoculars or goggles with magnification can cause you to become dizzy, or even trip or get injured due to not having a full field of view. A focus distance of 1m to infinity means these ATN Night Vision binoculars are great for home security, spotting for predators, camping, or just enjoying the beauty of nature at night.

For all your night vision needs, you know the ultimate source: Optics Planet. Many orders over $29.95 qualify for free ground shipping in addition to our already low, low prices- you can't beat that!

5.11 Tactical RUSH 72 VTAC Backpack is a high-performance tactical backpack that provides an extensive array of storage compartments and weight-balancing construction. Designed by Kyle Lamb, a Special Operations Combat Veteran (RET) who has trekked more than his fair share of miles carrying a heavy load, this product from the 5.11 Tactical Carrying Bags collection is made to last. Durable construction and high performance, along with ergonomic design has always been the hallmark of 5.11 Tactical Gear and this isn't any exception.

This military backpack itself is ruggedly constructed of water-resistant 1,050 denier nylon. Internal compartment are flexible and have internal dividers and compression straps. 5.11 Tactical gear always looks good, and this carrying bag is no different. With side compartments and large compartments throughout, this bag can store everything you need. Other features include an eyewear pockets, hydration pockets, sternum straps and YKK zippers throughout.

Top carrying bags offer MOLLE-compatible webbing so that you can add additional pockets/compartments to meet your needs, and the 5.11 Tactical RUSH VTAC Backpack is no different. With the MOLLE-compatible webbing on the front of the bag, you have the flexibility to add additional modular pouches to expand the carrying capacity of your tactical backpack. There is also room for name tape and flag holders- nice features for a bag perfect for any purpose.

The capacity of this bag is enough for the typical three day excursion, with an adjustable waist band and hip padding for comfort. You do not have to be in the military to fully utilize a backpack like this- the 5.11 RUSH 72 Backpack is great for long hikes, nature excursions, travel, hunting, and sports shooting activities. You can easily load everything you need into this carrying bag and carry it comfortably and securely.

When looking for a great selection and low prices on carrying bags be sure to visit Optics Planet!

Labels: 5.11 Tactical, backpacks, carrying bags

In the past, we've talked about the importance of preparation for hunting season on this blog. We've really hit on how it can shape your experience. In this post, we are going to talk a bit about the different products offered by Cuddeback such as their trail cameras and trail camera accessories.

The Cuddeback Trail Camera you hear the most about these days is the Cuddeback Capture Trail Camera IR 1132 that uses infra-red illumination, as opposed to a startling flash, to take pictures at night and in extreme low light conditions. With a fast trigger speed of 1/3rd a second, and IR technology you won't be scaring any animals- and the images are conveniently stored on an SD card for you to view later on your digital camera or computer.

The Cuddeback Capture Digital Trail Camera 1125 offers many of the same features as the Capture 1132, but does not have the IR capabilities. Instead you get a much lower price- which nobody can really complain about. Some people think you only need one trail camera, but you can gain a lot of information to using multiple trail cameras to monitor different paths, trails, and areas. At such an affordable price, the Capture Trail Camera 1125 makes an excellent addition to your arsenal of scouting cameras.

The Cuddeback CuddeView X2 is the accessory that makes your entire experience complete. Once you've set up your trail cameras and they've been running for a while, you'll undoubtedly want to check out the photographs stored on their memory. With the Cuddeback CuddeView X2 you can easily go from camera to camera, popping in the memory card and quickly accessing the photos your trail cameras have been snapping. You can also easily transfer photos to a second SD memory card.

Deer season is right around the corner in many places, and time is running out to get yourself prepared. Don't delay any longer- get all your hunting optics here at OpticsPlanet!