Thermals>NV for a majority of night observations. I’ve only recently been exposed to handheld thermals and man they blow even Top quality NV tubes out of the ballpark. Don’t even get me started on any mounted thermals, their capabilities are absolutely insane. I’m sure you are already prepping a video on thermals and can’t wait for it!
Hey fellow defender... just found your channel, been catching up on your content. I was in from 98 to 03, best job ever.... hated LP/OP's though lol, rather be on a gate at that point. I've always carried a good monocular with me, at least 10 power, usually used it on the flight line the most while sitting in my truck. Thanks for this channel, it's good to see some quality content from a former SF member. Lot of good useful skills to be learned here. Supporting you 100%
The best thing about this channel, even if there is "rambling" it's never more than about 10 minutes of it. Sweet and to the point. It feels like some channels I have been watching lately just go long to pad for time. I usually cut out at about the 15 minute mark.
Great video. Many moons ago I was recon platoon with the Airborne in Vicenza. I remember those heavy ass Steiners! 😆 Retired now, and I have a 10x monocular in my backpack. It's made in China, but it was only $30 or so and it actually works pretty good and is literally half the weight of binos.
While hiking (only armed with a pistol) I carry a Vortex 10X25 monocular in my HPG chest pack. I recommend a monocular for BOB/GHB. Detecting threats/hazards earlier is a good thing, same goes for spotting resources.
A great thing about the ACSS reticles are the markings to gauge a target range, great for glassing to the capability an RCO has (I use a 5x prism myself)-- yeah it isn't great to point your rifle at the subject/ whatever in question without initial PID, but sometimes it has to be done, yeah. Binos are essential imo, got a set of Leupold's in my Ruck at all times, and I've used them many times to include with Advance Work/ Planning and Recon/ Surveillance capacities (done a few vids talking about that myself). Good stuff!!!
A good set of Bino's, Range Finder, Spotting scope etc......along with a good map that is well thought out for sectors and check/reference points for the group goes along way for situational awarness...its a win either way.
I’m all about observation for the reason you mentioned about not wanting to point a weapon at someone that is a potential friendly. No point in picking a fight with the good guys. I always roll with an 8x Vortex monocular in my GHB and will most likely be upgrading to the 10x sooner or later. That way I could glass an area before moving in, similar to how the man in The Road.
I've got a chest rig from Haley Strategic, & I've got attached to it an 8x12 binocular, which is really light weight. I do use it at the range, when shooting past 50yrds, I'm glad I have it, but I'd prefer a monocular with higher magnification
Observation is likely the bulk of what you’ll be doing while moving during SHTF. Without good tools, you’ll be unable to avoid what you’re trying to avoid.
A range finder with some magnification can both observe and range targets, whether electronic or analog, saving weight and space if you were already planning on having one on you.
FWIW: I look forward to your ramblings. They always make a lot of sense. Added those slick water purification kits to all my ifaks as well. Just makes perfect "Well, Sh!t" sense to me. So far as magnification goes, I've had a vortex 3x micro and a pair of vortex binos hanging via the baller included straps for awhile. Looking at the compass = looking through binos. Why not?
Last time you have snow in your background and now you have so light clothing, How? I dont know why your weather is so nice in Europe we have so bad weather 😂 . You make so nice videos plese make it so long how you can its so nice to whatch you videos 😊❤
I use the Steiner 8x30 Marine/Military. In fact, they are in my vehicle or on my body at all times. I have much more powerful binos and lighter binos, and more expensive binos. The Steiner 8x30 is a great sweet spot. Not too heavy or bulky, but the biggest advantage is that you do not have to change the focus, as they work differently than other binos. You can focus on anything more than 30 feet away, to as far as you can see. You won't have the perfect clarity of really high end binos, to pick out the tip of an antler in brush, but the ability to scan large areas quickly, and see if there are any threats, makes them the best binos for EDC in my opinion. Knowledge is important, and it's even more important if you are in a dangerous situation.
8x30 are great general purpose glass. 8x20 are fine for daylight in a smaller package. UK military recon units use this type in midrange brands For low light at dawn/dusk, 7x50 professional marine style are hard to beat but not small or light. Premium grade glass is much better than midrange esp at low light but the price is painful. Avoid cheap ones esp the big 10x50 ones. Mechanically weak and poor optics. The AxB spec A is the magnification. Too high magnifies shake. B is the diameter of the lens. Bigger ones capture more light. Also the " exit pupil" is the diam of the circle of the image on your eyeball. Anyghing bigger than your pupil is wasted. Anything smaller is sub optimal. Obv your pupil diam changes with light conditions. Exit pupil gets smaller with higher mag, and gets bigger with wider diam lens.
I came to the exact same conclusion and use the same Steiner binos. Light gathering detail at dawn/dusk is very important and monoculars and mini binos fail in this regard.
@michaelw2288 agreed with what you said. Average dilated pupil is going to be somewhere between 4-5mm. Therefore that's the exit pupil result you're looking for.
Just found your channel yesterday, i really enjoy how your vids are straight to the point. I can only imagine how your power points are in the air force 😆🤣 Edit: Also, would you recommend just swapping binos for a magnified range finder?
Outstanding video airman! Off gridder Cold War veteran 18bravo. You give real world advice. I carry a monocular 10x around my neck with para cord. Tuck in my bdu shirt when not in use. It does the job. Don't need to see what they have in their pockets. Just how many armed what direction of travel? See these videos where they're packing 40 lbs gear just on their battle belt and they're way out of shape. It's lame. Army proverb. Ounces equals pounds. Pounds equals pain. Ruck up move out press on 🌵
Prepared Airman: My Wife and Son are STILL Dead and Gone, however, I Myself AM here for the Video on optics for observation during Operations Downrange.
in a heated scenario or SHTF typ situation, i personally feel optics are going to be a have to have item. Identifying objects or persons from distance using your number 1 sense (vision) can be key to make correct decisions for ones well being. I always plan to have binos (eye strain will be a large issue) and run an LPVO (1x8) on my main battle rattle. To each their own but vision at distance can never be bad. (weight is minimal, most people are carrying around 4 lbs of extra biscuits and gravy :D )
Appreciate the content, do you have thoughts on binos or monocular that double as a range finder as well? Seems to help justify weight then as well. Vortex Recce or any laser range finder as an example
I get the LPVO versus ACOG weight discussion, but when it comes to price.... I'll take a slightly heavier decent quality LPVO that I can afford over an ACOG I can only dream of. Also, there is such a thing as too much magnification. Based on a study I can't find, but what I recall of it found that more people could gather more information through 7x binos than 12x binos because of biomechanical motions.
So what some are saying is that the rules of firearms safety are flawed? We should ignore “don’t point your weapon at anything you don’t intend to destroy?”
There are two types of mindsets that come with that. If you are a civilian in a normal rule of law situation, you should NOT be pointing your weapon at folks unless you Inted to do deadly harm. Now as military force at war with an adversary then I have and will point my weapon at unknown targets/ potential threats. There are still two actions that need to happen after pointing a weapon at something. Safty off and trigger squeeze, both are deliberate acts. "Officer perception" comes to mind. So in my opinion the "don't point your weapon at anything you don't intend to destroy" is a cheap military commanders way of saying "I don't trust my troops to make good decisions". It all comes down to situation, time and place. It's a great rule to instill on civilians and new military troops. But if you are an experienced war fighter, it comes to situational choice.
That's probably the lightest one I've seen, which is very interesting. Ill have to give it a look. but relisticlly, that's just the LPVO body weight. You're missing a mount. Add another 4oz to the overall weight. So its right around 20oz. That's not bad for a 1-8 though.
Unrelated to the topic of this video, a fellow airman named Aaron Bushnell recently self immolated at the entrance to the Israeli Embassy in Washington as an act of protest against the genocide of Palestine. Wondering if that rattles you at all
I love my 11.3 ba Hanson for 90% of my uses and if I plan on shootingwith a high degreeof accuracy or range I go to a mk12 or ar10. Now when it comes to ballistics for an 11.3 barrel. With good 75-77gr ammo you hit 2000 fps and 650ft/lbs of energy at 250yds. You go transonic 1368fps and have 310ft/lbs of energy at 600yds. P.S: The projectiles I loadwill open down to about 1700fps. With my 55gr jhpbt hand loads from hornady or my 62gr fmjbt from hornady. 2000 fps and 510-560ft/lbs of energy at 250yds. You go transonic 1350fps and have 220-240ft/lbs of energy at 525yds. Now keep in mind I am a decently high elevation and hand load projectiles to the most part that open or frag at lower speeds than traditional m193 or m855. But the FBI has concluded that 220ft/lbs is the minimum energy threshold to cause fatal wounds. Transonic range is there it put a cap at consistent accuracy especially in 22cal projectiles. Hope this information can help someone out.
It sounds like everything is too heavy for you! SAD. Maybe you could work out a lot more and toughen up and that wouldn't be a problem! Guy's during WW2 didn't complain about running around with a 10 pound rifle... they just sucked it up and did it!!! Oh how the youth of today have fallen to become weak!!!
After 12 years of active duty service on multiple deployments, I understand the value of necessary weight and unessesary weight. It's actually comical that you mention WW2 gear and load out. Every single WW2 soldier was not running around with 24lbs of body armor, Thermal devices. Night vision devices, 152 radio batteries, GPS units, ATAK comunicators, claymores, Javalins, LAWs, IR beacons, weapon mounted flashlights, Inferred Laser aiming modules, scopes, vs17 panels, Thermal blankets to conceal your Thermal image from cameras.... and the list goes on.... and that's all on top of the "Normal ww2 loadout" With that comment, I'm willing to bet you have never put on a full combat loadout in a hostile environment.
You assume wrong!!! I was referring to the rifles not to the other gear. I just find you comical because you are worried that a scoped AR that is a pound heavier than your ACOG is too heavy! You obviously don't understand the capabilities and limitations of them. I guess you haven't had to shoot long distance or at just someone's head pocking up from behind cover way off in the distance! I'm sure you SP guys are used to full standing targets in a wide open field around a base! You would think that someone with your so called intelligence would know that a highly trained person with a scope (sniper) has a way higher kill ratio than your average shooter shooting an ACOG!!! You do you with those skinny arms and keep complaining that things are too heavy for you! I guess that's why your in the Air Force because you are physically weak!!! @@PreparedAirman
Semantics leads into personal insults.. very professional and educational for us... I've actually already done a dedicated video on rifle weight and capabilities. Including the time period you mentioned.. th-cam.com/video/1OT0wn_ADLQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=SWjHeitYFHKA6rIn
I can’t believe you don’t have over 100k subs with the quality of information you provide
Lol thank you. Maybe someday.
Thermals>NV for a majority of night observations. I’ve only recently been exposed to handheld thermals and man they blow even Top quality NV tubes out of the ballpark. Don’t even get me started on any mounted thermals, their capabilities are absolutely insane.
I’m sure you are already prepping a video on thermals and can’t wait for it!
Hey fellow defender... just found your channel, been catching up on your content. I was in from 98 to 03, best job ever.... hated LP/OP's though lol, rather be on a gate at that point. I've always carried a good monocular with me, at least 10 power, usually used it on the flight line the most while sitting in my truck. Thanks for this channel, it's good to see some quality content from a former SF member. Lot of good useful skills to be learned here. Supporting you 100%
Always enjoy Stump Talks bro…..
The best thing about this channel, even if there is "rambling" it's never more than about 10 minutes of it. Sweet and to the point. It feels like some channels I have been watching lately just go long to pad for time. I usually cut out at about the 15 minute mark.
Great video. Many moons ago I was recon platoon with the Airborne in Vicenza. I remember those heavy ass Steiners! 😆
Retired now, and I have a 10x monocular in my backpack. It's made in China, but it was only $30 or so and it actually works pretty good and is literally half the weight of binos.
I was in the 3/325 ABCT 89-92 and 1/508 ABCT 95-97. I carry 6×30 Steiners nowdays. 🥃🍻🍝🪂😁👍🏻🏴☠️🇺🇸
@@RedDevil5081 Vicenza 88-90. C Co then Recon
@@richardschafer7858 I was in Aco both times. Where you a "Rat Bastard?
While hiking (only armed with a pistol) I carry a Vortex 10X25 monocular in my HPG chest pack. I recommend a monocular for BOB/GHB. Detecting threats/hazards earlier is a good thing, same goes for spotting resources.
Good take.
Great idea to present. Never really see anyone bring up observation gear unless they’re talking about LP/OP
A great thing about the ACSS reticles are the markings to gauge a target range, great for glassing to the capability an RCO has (I use a 5x prism myself)-- yeah it isn't great to point your rifle at the subject/ whatever in question without initial PID, but sometimes it has to be done, yeah. Binos are essential imo, got a set of Leupold's in my Ruck at all times, and I've used them many times to include with Advance Work/ Planning and Recon/ Surveillance capacities (done a few vids talking about that myself).
Good stuff!!!
You keep making the content and we'll keep on watching.
Congrats on 50K, i like your content, thanks
I carry a Vortex Solo with MRAD markings for ranging. Has worked great.
Stayed to the end. I liked this. Good video.
A good set of Bino's, Range Finder, Spotting scope etc......along with a good map that is well thought out for sectors and check/reference points for the group goes along way for situational awarness...its a win either way.
Did you ramble about rambling? Love the stump talks! Keep up the good work. They are great jumping off points for making me think
Great video
Good advise Brother
Great video!
Definitely keep watching for sure
Excellent points
I always learn something from you. Keep up the good work. All my bags have 10x25 binos in them.
I’m all about observation for the reason you mentioned about not wanting to point a weapon at someone that is a potential friendly. No point in picking a fight with the good guys. I always roll with an 8x Vortex monocular in my GHB and will most likely be upgrading to the 10x sooner or later. That way I could glass an area before moving in, similar to how the man in The Road.
Ramble On, Brother! 🫡
Thanks for the video
I've got a chest rig from Haley Strategic, & I've got attached to it an 8x12 binocular, which is really light weight. I do use it at the range, when shooting past 50yrds, I'm glad I have it, but I'd prefer a monocular with higher magnification
Yes. Some type of optics is essential.
Great video man and I appreciate the rambling LOL
Observation is likely the bulk of what you’ll be doing while moving during SHTF. Without good tools, you’ll be unable to avoid what you’re trying to avoid.
A range finder with some magnification can both observe and range targets, whether electronic or analog, saving weight and space if you were already planning on having one on you.
It's definitely on the list to get! Hopefully soon.
FWIW: I look forward to your ramblings. They always make a lot of sense. Added those slick water purification kits to all my ifaks as well. Just makes perfect "Well, Sh!t" sense to me. So far as magnification goes, I've had a vortex 3x micro and a pair of vortex binos hanging via the baller included straps for awhile. Looking at the compass = looking through binos. Why not?
Last time you have snow in your background and now you have so light clothing, How? I dont know why your weather is so nice in Europe we have so bad weather 😂 . You make so nice videos plese make it so long how you can its so nice to whatch you videos 😊❤
This video was filmed before all the snow and cold weather hit. It was released out of my typical order lol
Looking at the Zeiss MiniQuick 5x10 monoc - just 3oz. Seems to be the absolute lightest out there but pricey
I use the Steiner 8x30 Marine/Military. In fact, they are in my vehicle or on my body at all times.
I have much more powerful binos and lighter binos, and more expensive binos.
The Steiner 8x30 is a great sweet spot. Not too heavy or bulky, but the biggest advantage is that you do not have to change the focus, as they work differently than other binos.
You can focus on anything more than 30 feet away, to as far as you can see. You won't have the perfect clarity of really high end binos, to pick out the tip of an antler in brush, but the ability to scan large areas quickly, and see if there are any threats, makes them the best binos for EDC in my opinion.
Knowledge is important, and it's even more important if you are in a dangerous situation.
8x30 are great general purpose glass.
8x20 are fine for daylight in a smaller package. UK military recon units use this type in midrange brands
For low light at dawn/dusk, 7x50 professional marine style are hard to beat but not small or light.
Premium grade glass is much better than midrange esp at low light but the price is painful.
Avoid cheap ones esp the big 10x50 ones. Mechanically weak and poor optics.
The AxB spec
A is the magnification. Too high magnifies shake.
B is the diameter of the lens. Bigger ones capture more light.
Also the " exit pupil" is the diam of the circle of the image on your eyeball. Anyghing bigger than your pupil is wasted. Anything smaller is sub optimal.
Obv your pupil diam changes with light conditions. Exit pupil gets smaller with higher mag, and gets bigger with wider diam lens.
I came to the exact same conclusion and use the same Steiner binos. Light gathering detail at dawn/dusk is very important and monoculars and mini binos fail in this regard.
@michaelw2288 agreed with what you said. Average dilated pupil is going to be somewhere between 4-5mm. Therefore that's the exit pupil result you're looking for.
If weight is not your issue, stabilized binos can't be beat.
🎉🎉 great content bro, Greetings from Ramstein AB Germany
Just found your channel yesterday, i really enjoy how your vids are straight to the point. I can only imagine how your power points are in the air force
😆🤣
Edit: Also, would you recommend just swapping binos for a magnified range finder?
Outstanding video airman! Off gridder Cold War veteran 18bravo. You give real world advice. I carry a monocular 10x around my neck with para cord. Tuck in my bdu shirt when not in use. It does the job. Don't need to see what they have in their pockets. Just how many armed what direction of travel? See these videos where they're packing 40 lbs gear just on their battle belt and they're way out of shape. It's lame. Army proverb. Ounces equals pounds. Pounds equals pain. Ruck up move out press on 🌵
Off topic question but what can do you use/recommend for a duty style can. Thank you and keep the videos coming.
Any thoughts on handheld thermal ? Its use in eastern front seem to be significant. Or glint reduction.
I will have an entire future video discussing Thermal, stay tuned! 😁
@@PreparedAirman I heard that KIWI shoe polish makes your face disappear in thermal. True fact.
Prepared Airman: My Wife and Son are STILL Dead and Gone, however, I Myself AM here for the Video on optics for observation during Operations Downrange.
I always have an 8x monocular in my kit, just because I get curious about what might be waaay out there, that I can't see with the naked eye.
I carry monos in my pocket daily. I don’t have the eye sight I use to have.
in a heated scenario or SHTF typ situation, i personally feel optics are going to be a have to have item. Identifying objects or persons from distance using your number 1 sense (vision) can be key to make correct decisions for ones well being. I always plan to have binos (eye strain will be a large issue) and run an LPVO (1x8) on my main battle rattle. To each their own but vision at distance can never be bad. (weight is minimal, most people are carrying around 4 lbs of extra biscuits and gravy :D )
can you talk about bulk because icj plates carrier plate rack tends to be alot and placement and bulk can also pose significant movement problems
Appreciate the content, do you have thoughts on binos or monocular that double as a range finder as well? Seems to help justify weight then as well. Vortex Recce or any laser range finder as an example
I carry a range finder over binoculars
I get the LPVO versus ACOG weight discussion, but when it comes to price.... I'll take a slightly heavier decent quality LPVO that I can afford over an ACOG I can only dream of.
Also, there is such a thing as too much magnification. Based on a study I can't find, but what I recall of it found that more people could gather more information through 7x binos than 12x binos because of biomechanical motions.
I can spot the drivethrough line from x12 magnification away
Great vidéo. Are you using a fiber optic cover on your acog please ?
I place tape on my TA31s.
@@PreparedAirmanThanks for answer
Gaffers tape to specific.
So what some are saying is that the rules of firearms safety are flawed? We should ignore “don’t point your weapon at anything you don’t intend to destroy?”
There are two types of mindsets that come with that. If you are a civilian in a normal rule of law situation, you should NOT be pointing your weapon at folks unless you Inted to do deadly harm.
Now as military force at war with an adversary then I have and will point my weapon at unknown targets/ potential threats. There are still two actions that need to happen after pointing a weapon at something. Safty off and trigger squeeze, both are deliberate acts.
"Officer perception" comes to mind.
So in my opinion the "don't point your weapon at anything you don't intend to destroy" is a cheap military commanders way of saying "I don't trust my troops to make good decisions".
It all comes down to situation, time and place.
It's a great rule to instill on civilians and new military troops. But if you are an experienced war fighter, it comes to situational choice.
Acog weight = 15.1oz
Athlon 1-8 LPVO = 16.1oz
That's probably the lightest one I've seen, which is very interesting. Ill have to give it a look. but relisticlly, that's just the LPVO body weight. You're missing a mount. Add another 4oz to the overall weight. So its right around 20oz.
That's not bad for a 1-8 though.
@@PreparedAirman true, but that 8x is totally worth it. Good glass, too.
This video brought to you by Amzn. 😂
Algorithm sacrifice
Unrelated to the topic of this video, a fellow airman named Aaron Bushnell recently self immolated at the entrance to the Israeli Embassy in Washington as an act of protest against the genocide of Palestine. Wondering if that rattles you at all
Are you Air Force security forces? Or special forces Air Force?
Like comment subscribe
I love my 11.3 ba Hanson for 90% of my uses and if I plan on shootingwith a high degreeof accuracy or range I go to a mk12 or ar10. Now when it comes to ballistics for an 11.3 barrel.
With good 75-77gr ammo you hit 2000 fps and 650ft/lbs of energy at 250yds. You go transonic 1368fps and have 310ft/lbs of energy at 600yds. P.S: The projectiles I loadwill open down to about 1700fps.
With my 55gr jhpbt hand loads from hornady or my 62gr fmjbt from hornady. 2000 fps and 510-560ft/lbs of energy at 250yds. You go transonic 1350fps and have 220-240ft/lbs of energy at 525yds.
Now keep in mind I am a decently high elevation and hand load projectiles to the most part that open or frag at lower speeds than traditional m193 or m855. But the FBI has concluded that 220ft/lbs is the minimum energy threshold to cause fatal wounds. Transonic range is there it put a cap at consistent accuracy especially in 22cal projectiles. Hope this information can help someone out.
It sounds like everything is too heavy for you! SAD. Maybe you could work out a lot more and toughen up and that wouldn't be a problem! Guy's during WW2 didn't complain about running around with a 10 pound rifle... they just sucked it up and did it!!! Oh how the youth of today have fallen to become weak!!!
After 12 years of active duty service on multiple deployments, I understand the value of necessary weight and unessesary weight.
It's actually comical that you mention WW2 gear and load out. Every single WW2 soldier was not running around with 24lbs of body armor, Thermal devices. Night vision devices, 152 radio batteries, GPS units, ATAK comunicators, claymores, Javalins, LAWs, IR beacons, weapon mounted flashlights, Inferred Laser aiming modules, scopes, vs17 panels, Thermal blankets to conceal your Thermal image from cameras.... and the list goes on.... and that's all on top of the "Normal ww2 loadout"
With that comment, I'm willing to bet you have never put on a full combat loadout in a hostile environment.
Thats why my loadout gear is Tren and Test
You assume wrong!!!
I was referring to the rifles not to the other gear. I just find you comical because you are worried that a scoped AR that is a pound heavier than your ACOG is too heavy! You obviously don't understand the capabilities and limitations of them. I guess you haven't had to shoot long distance or at just someone's head pocking up from behind cover way off in the distance! I'm sure you SP guys are used to full standing targets in a wide open field around a base! You would think that someone with your so called intelligence would know that a highly trained person with a scope (sniper) has a way higher kill ratio than your average shooter shooting an ACOG!!!
You do you with those skinny arms and keep complaining that things are too heavy for you! I guess that's why your in the Air Force because you are physically weak!!! @@PreparedAirman
@@johnl-cz2qg Why don't put out some content then and show how its all done there big guy. Thats of course, if you got the sack to. Just saying...
Semantics leads into personal insults.. very professional and educational for us...
I've actually already done a dedicated video on rifle weight and capabilities. Including the time period you mentioned..
th-cam.com/video/1OT0wn_ADLQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=SWjHeitYFHKA6rIn