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November 30th, 2011

New Nikon EDG Spotting Scopes with Vibration Reduction

Nikon has raised the bar in Spotting Scope technology. It has introduced the first-ever spotters with built-in Vibration Reduction. This may be a significant breakthrough. Image stabilization has revolutionized hand-held photography, and it could definitely improve the practical functioning of spotting scopes. If you have ever used a big, heavy spotting scope, you know that it is easy to induce vibration and shaking — merely with a heavy hand on the focus knob. And when the wind blows, a big scope acts like a sail, so it can wobble and vibrate in gusts. Just a small amount of shake or vibration can make it difficult to see your target, slowing down your target acquisition time considerably.

Nikon Vibration Reduction EDGE spotting scope

Nikon’s new 85mm EDG Fieldscopes are the first spotting scopes on the planet with lens-adjusting image stabilization. The EDGs employ a lens-shift type VR (Vibration Reduction) system that counters vibration and shaking. According to Nikon, the EDG VR system greatly reduces external vibrations caused by wind and the operational vibrations occurring during focusing, panning and tilting. Nikon claims its VR system reduces vibration to 1/8th the level of a conventional spotting scope.

HOW IT WORKS — This system uses two independent Angular Velocity sensors to detect pitching (vertical movement) and yawing (horizontal movement). Both sensors then detect diagonal movements. Upon the detection of movement, the sensors provide instructions to the two Voice Coil Motors (VCM) that command and control the Vibration Reduction-optical system to eliminate the shake or blurring. These sensors can detect movement every 1/1000 second. The system can effectively reduce vibrations by roughly 88% (compared to a conventional spotting scope), providing the equivalent of a shutter speed approximately two stops faster.

Nikon Vibration Reduction EDGE spotting scope

So how much does this new VR technology cost? Hold on to your hat — MSRP for the 85mm EDG VRs (either body style) is a shocking $5,499.95! At least that includes eyepiece and protective case. We can only hope that, as this technology matures, it will be implemented at much lower cost. Consider that $200.00 point-and-shoot cameras now offer image stabilization. Given time, we can expect the vibration reduction systems to go down in price, and to become commonplace in premium spotting scopes.

Available in a straight or angled body, the all-new EDG VR Fieldscopes come standard with a 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece, ED (Low-Dispersion) glass, and multi-coated lenses. The 85mm EDGs feature a five-meter close focus distance and waterproof, fogproof construction. Weighing in at just over 84 ounces (w/o batteries), the straight-body EDG is 14.9″ long, while the angled version is 15.7″ long. Nikon’s VR system takes four AA batteries which provide roughly 17 hours of battery life with alkaline batteries and up to 32 hours with lithium. While the VR function can be manually activated, an auto power-off function helps conserve battery life. Seven optional EDG eyepieces are available. Three tripod mount screw holes permit flexible mounting.

Nikon Vibration Reduction EDGE spotting scope

Permalink New Product, News, Optics No Comments »
November 30th, 2011

Dan Wesson Clone Revolvers — Now THAT’s a BB Gun

As a fan of the classic big-frame Dan Wesson revolvers, this editor did a double-take when I saw the latest addition to Pyramyd Air’s line of BB guns. Pyramyd Air now sells four very authentic-looking, metal-framed CO2-powered BB Revolvers, marked “Dan Wesson”, with the distinctive “DW” logo on the grip. These BB-shooting revolvers are offered in four different barrel lengths: 2.5″, 4.0″, 6.0″, and 8.0″. The revolvers are loaded by placing .177 BBs in mock cartridge shells, which fit into the chambers of the swing-out cylinder — just like on a real revolver. Max velocity, for the 6″-barrel version, is 426 fps. These BB guns are handsome and they have the feel and heft of the real thing. The 4″ version weighs 1.94 pounds, while the 6″ version weighs 2.21 pounds.

Dan Wesson BB gun revolver

Dan Wesson BB gun revolver$119.99 — Your Choice of Size and Finish
All four sizes (2.5″, 4″, 6″, 8″) cost just $119.99 each. Take your pick — either silver finish or black (but not all sizes available in both colors). The Dan Wesson BB revolvers come with adjustable rear sights. An owner-installable, Weaver-type scope rail is packaged with each revolver to allow use of Red-Dot scopes or other optics. A speedloader and six “cartridges” (shown above) are also included with each revolver. To see how the CO2 cartridge fits in the gun, check out the Airgun Academy Dan Wesson Review.

Dan Wesson BB gun revolver

If you’re interested in the Dan Wesson BB Revolvers, visit PyramydAir.com or call (888) 262-GUNS (4867). Note, quantities are limited. While you’re shopping at Pyramyd Air, you can use Coupon Code AirgunsNov30-2011 to save 10% on purchases. This Code expires 12/6/2011 and cannot be combined with other offers.

Pyramyd Air Discount code

We expect these guns will be popular for indoor training, and for fun plinking outdoors. We also predict Dan Wesson collectors may snap them up to add to their collection. Unfortunately, you need to purchase a different BB revolver for each barrel length. The real centerfire Dan Wesson revolvers featured a unique interchangeable barrel system with barrels threaded on both ends inside metal shrouds. Buyers could order one frame with multiple barrel/shroud assemblies. Dan Wesson even sold multi-barrel “Pistol Packs” in a fitted metal case. These Pistol Packs, if complete with all barrels and accessories, are highly prized by gun collectors today.

Pyramyd Air Discount code

Permalink Gear Review, New Product 3 Comments »