SHOT Show Day 3 Report from Doug at Camera Land

[gr8fuldoug]

SHOT Show Day 3 Report

I like to try not to make any meetings for the last day (well my last day as I can only be here for 3 days) however, I was so busy the last two days that I still had a few important appointments.

I started my day at * Zeiss*
Always great seeing my friend Tom and catching up. We discussed all types of things, including the new releases:
* Conquest V4 Riflescopes:* Conquest V4 Riflescopes *
Key Features:*
30mm Main Tube*
Matte Black
Second Focal Plane
Capped Windage Turret*
T* Six Layer Transmission Coating
LotuTec Hydrophobic Coating
CONQUEST V4 1-4x24 ZQAR Illum. Reticle (#62) - Ext. Elevation Turret, Locking, Single Turn - Ballistic Stop - .5 MOA - Fixed Parallax*
CONQUEST V4 3-12x56 Z-Plex Reticle (#20) - Capped Elevation Turret - .25 MOA - Fixed Parallax
CONQUEST V4 3-12x56 Plex Illum. Reticle (#60) - Capped Elevation Turret - .25 MOA - Fixed Parallax*
CONQUEST V4 4-16x44 Z-Plex Reticle (#20) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.*
CONQUEST V4 4-16x44 ZBR-2 Reticle (#92) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.*
CONQUEST V4 4-16x44 ZMOA-2 Reticle (#94) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.*
CONQUEST V4 6-24x50 ZBR-1 Reticle (#91) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.*
CONQUEST V4 6-24x50 ZMOA-1 Reticle (#93) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.*
CONQUEST V4 6-24x50 ZMOA-1 Illum. Reticle (#93) - Ext. Elevation Turret - Ballistic Stop - .25 MOA - Parallax Adj.

Laser Rangefinder Binocular
VICTORY RF Rangefinding Binoculars*
Key Features:
2500 Yards
Bluetooth® enabled*
Angle Compensation*
T* Six Layer Transmission Coating*
LotuTec Hydrophobic Coating*
Adjustable Red LED Display*
Compact Design*
VICTORY RF 8x42*
VICTORY RF 10x42*
VICTORY RF 8x54*
VICTORY RF 10x54
Absolutely the most technologically advanced rangefinder binocular available.

VICTORY HARPIA Spotting Scopes*
Key Features:*
3x Wide-Angle Objective Zoom*
FOV: Constant 72°*
Dual-Speed Focus*
FL/HT Glass*
T* Six Layer Transmission Coating*
LotuTec Hydrophobic Coating*
VICTORY HARPIA 85mm (Main Body w/o Vario Eyepiece)*
VICTORY HARPIA 95mm (Main Body w/o Vario Eyepiece)*
VICTORY VARIO Eyepiece (22-65x w/85mm Obj.; 23-70x w/95mm Obj.)

We also discussed getting our hands on some show samples and such of various product and should have a list next week (No, there will be no samples of the just announced products)

Next was Meopta which I have hinted would be a great meeting, and it certainly was. I was looking forward to this visit as they brought on a new head of Sports Optics at the end of 2017.. I know how he works and how will be on a quest to make Meopta the major optics company that they deserve to be. For years it was "Oh, I know Meopta, they made the Zeiss Conquest for Zeiss and don't they make all kinds of great optics for Cabelas too"?
Well with Randy at the helm it will be more of a "Hell yeah, I own Meopta Binoculars, a few of their riflescopes and a spotter and couldn't be happier"
Well to say I was not disappointed with my meeting would be a total understatement. Meopta is going after the binocular business with gusto.*
There's no question, after being here at SHOT, that the #1 suggestion in binoculars is a Meopta Meopro or Meostar. Reason being is not that they have changed these great offerings for 2018 as far as their great European Optics, but they are stealing your business away from all the other manufacturers offering binoculars made in the Pacific Rim with the insanely lowered prices they are offering.
They have reduced the Meopro 8x42 HD from $749.99 to only $479.95 and the Meopro 10x42 HD from $799.99 to $499.95.
Can you say "Give me an amazing Euro glass for the same price the other guys are asking for their made in China binoculars"?
It gets better
They are offering their high end Meostar Binoculars also at reduced prices and less than the competitions Pacific Rim offerings:
Meostar 10x42 HD for only $999.95*
Meostar 15x56 HD for only $1499.99*
Meopta is well on their way to being in many more folks hands for sure.

I then asked for something I could put into today's post as a super offer and was given:
#467820 MeoStar 3-10x50 Z-PLEX II in Silver
or
#469480 MeoStar 3-10x50 #4 in Silver
Reduced to only $399.99, while supply lasts Please call, 516-217-1000 to place an order.

I stopped by* *Carson* to order some more* *HOOKUPZ™ 2.0 Digiscoping adapters.
The HookUpz 2.0 Universal Adapter from Carson Optics to attach your smartphone to your binocular, spotting scope, telescope, or microscope and record still images or videos.
The HookUpz 2.0 securely attaches any phone up to 3.75" wide to any 25mm to 58mm optical eyepiece using a powerful, patented dual-spring clamp. A generous-sized knob operates the screw mechanism that smoothly and precisely aligns the phone's camera with the eyepiece. A locking cam further secures the phone in place. The screw mechanism also makes it easy to switch between camera-in-the-corner iPhones and center-camera Android phones, and the HookUpz 2.0 is compatible with the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, etc. Only $59.99

After this I went and met with Nikon to try and see if we, as a Nikon photo dealer, could also become an official Nikon Sports Optics dealer. Once again, I was informed that Nikon has not changed their policy and as a photo dealer we are not permitted to be a hunting dealer. Long story.
We can special order any Nikon riflescopes, binoculars, etc for you so if you are interested please call to discuss it.*

OH, I couldn't find the links yesterday for new Steiner items so here they are:
* TOR FUSION LIGHT/LASER COMBO FROM STEINER*
* *STEINER TOR MINI/MICRO PISTOL-AIMING Lasers
* TOR TORCH™ RAIL-MOUNTED Light*

Lastly I walked the floor looking around, saying goodbye to folks I speak with all year and only see here at SHOT.

Being this was my last meeting you know by now where I went. Today was birthday cake flavor. Very refreshing.**
**
If I can answer anything for you, as always, it will be my pleasure. For those of you who took the time to read all of my reports please mention this to me when you place your next order and I'll add a bonus into your shipment. Nice to know that you're taking the time to read the whole thing when I take the time to write it, lol.

As always, thank you for all the support we receive. We are nothing without you, and we know that.
Have a great day

Thank you for your continued support.
If there is anything else that I can assist you with please let me know.
Doug
516-217-1000

Please visit our web site @ www.cameralandny.com*

 

[dotman]

Thanks again! So did Zeiss improve the optics and coating in the new RF bino or just increase the range and add Bluetooth? Be interesting to see who the king of RF binos wil be.

 

[Grumman]

I always enjoy reading your reports. And again this year I am taken back by Nikon’s policy seems like they are shooting themselves in the foot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[daddie63]

Thanks Doug. looks like some great new offerings this year.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

I was impressed with:
Some scopes at Steiner as well as their HX-15x56 binocular, which for the price I would go to in the under $1500.00 price class for a big eye binocular.
Athlon is really trying for placement in the over crowded optics arena and we had a great discussion about quality control and i was very pleased to see how seriously they are concentrating on that.
Leupold introduced the VX-Freedom riflescopes which is a great entry level scope starting at only $199.99.
The Kahles 318i scope is amazing.
The new, for us, Vanguard line is exciting. I think their spotting scopes will be a great addition for us.
Flir is always mind blowing technology. So cutting edge.
GPO, in the hunting scope market I think has some very solid offerings.
Zeiss' new rangefinder binocular offers bluetooth integration which is a first in that area.

All in all a good week here
The price drop in order to grab binocular market share from Meopta

 

[catorres1]

Doug,

Love to read your updates.

Did you see any longer eye relief 65mmish spotters at the Meostar level of quality coming on board (hopefully an actual Meostar?)

Also, you mentioned Zeiss new RF is bluetooth enabled....is it setup to connect to a phone, or maybe, per chance, a Kestrel Elite?

 

[MIKEYB]

Doug,

Camera land supporter here, Thanks for the in depth reports. You did leave me questioning your flavor choices on day 2 and 3 but I lean more to the carmel de leche and butter pecan side of things. LOL!

Would you give the edge to Meopta over Steiner in the 15x56's? looking to move up from current vortex kaibabs soon.

Thanks!

 

[sndmn11]

Doug, on the Zeiss scope page you linked, the 4-16x scopes say 4-46x

 

[Trial153]

Doug ...what new products are you most excited about or impressed with?

BTW loving that ER 5 ....

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Thanks again! So did Zeiss improve the optics and coating in the new RF bino or just increase the range and add Bluetooth? Be interesting to see who the king of RF binos wil be.

The new RF is not a new and improved RF but rather an entirely new design.

A true bino body with no humps, bumps or clumsy bridge…. It’s looks and feels like a bino.

FL glass and T* coatings deliver a clear, bright, image with excellent resolution.

It ranges quickly and accurately from 2500 down to to 16 yards.

It features a completely new internal adjustable display that works well even in brighter light conditions.

Blue tooth connectivity allows for easy set-up, setting and profile adjustments and usage, and it works perfectly well when it’s not connected as well.

Hope this helps

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Doug ...what new products are you most excited about or impressed with?

BTW loving that ER 5 ....

There was not all that much that I wasn't already aware of.
The new Zeiss and Leica Rangefinder binoculars are sweet.
The Kahles 318i riflescope was probably the sweetest scope I saw.
Steiner has some great hunting scopes
The new Athlon Spotting scope with reticle
Meopta lowering their binocular prices I think was a high point which will totally change $499.99 and $999.99 binocular choices
Nikons little handheld rangefinder 3000 with image stabilization
GPO including 5 free Turrets with scopes
These were some noteworthy things from the show