This is a high quality battery pack, I love it because my truck does not have good charging ports and my phone is always dead when I get off work. I can easily plug one of these 2 5200mAh batteries into the Q-Swap module and power up my cell phone.
These devices are around 5 oz each and are very sturdy and about the size of a deck of cards.
I use mine all the time – especially when I am out shooting video.
I will admit they are expensive, but they are very high quality. If you use a lot of electronic devices ity is nice to have such an easily used and easily charged system to ensure you can always have power.
Tips for Choosing the Right Scope for Your Survival Rifle
It’s hard to describe the joyful feeling when you finally have the opportunity to enjoy yourself and pursue your shooting/hunting hobby. However, you need a proper scope that fits your needs and a scope that fits your gun; in other words, you need a top quality rifle scope that performs 100% without breaking your bank.
You will find so many rifle scopes out there being sold today, and you might wonder exactly how you are going to choose the perfect scope. That will all depend on what kind of gun you plan on shooting with, shooting you plan on doing, and what type of reticle you need/want.
Let’s browse through the fundamentals that you need to keep in mind when choosing your rifle scope and once you know the basic principles of how the rifle scope work, it will be easier for you to select the perfect scope that fits you the best. It is also important to get a scope designed for your rifle caliber. A rimfire scope won’t last on a large centerfire rifle. If you have a larger rifle you need a stronger scope. Here is an article on how to choose the best scope for a 308
How Does a Rifle Scope Function?
What the rifle scope does is to magnify the image of your target and the area surrounding your target. Depending on your scope’s type, the scope will magnify the image significantly to what the naked eye can see.
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But, exactly how is the process that allows your scope to magnify an image? Simply put, inside the scope there is a different type of lenses, and these lenses work to magnify the image that you see when you look through the scope.
Lower power scopes will have smaller lenses, and they are usually shorter while the higher powered scopes include bigger lenses and will come in bigger sizes as well.
All scopes will include reticle (cross-hairs or a dot) that are built in feature to easily mark the center of the Field-of-View that you see when you look through the scope. It will take you a lot of practice to properly shoot accurately using open sights, and there are things that you need to be aware of at the same time you are focused and waiting for your target.
You might be comfortably waiting in complete silence in your spot, having everything ready and set for your target to appear in your scope and then you suddenly start to “panic” and wonder if the front blade is perfectly aligned with the rear for elevation. Exactly at that moment, your prey suddenly appears but is way out of focus because it is farther away from your eye than the sites.
You rush quickly to set the focus, and then suddenly your crosshair appear completely out of focus! Evidently, to avoid this, you need to prepare, do your homework, learn how to use your scope perfectly and practice if you want to be able to shoot perfectly.
A quality rifle scope removes and completely eliminates all these problems. What you are supposed to do with a scope is to focus on the target and align the center where you want the bullet to hit and then squeeze the trigger. That’s all there is to it! Furthermore, a scope will magnify your target prey, and therefore you will see your target clearly. This will give you plenty of space to perform a precise shot. With a scope, it will be significantly easier to shoot and hit bulls-eye of a target than without one.
What Is The Main Parts of the Rifle Scope?
Eye-Piece:
This is the metal unit that holds and supports the ocular lens.
Ocular-Lens:
This is the lens that is closest to your eye when you are looking through the scope.
Power-Ring:
This is the ring that will allow you to change the magnification of the scope, in other words, this feature allows to you change the distance of the internal lenses.
Windage:
Windage adjustment is measured in Mintue-of-Angle (MOA). When you turn the knob on your scope, you will “feel/hear” a click and each click changes the aim point to a certain amount that is measured at every hundred yards. For instance, a ¼ Minute-of-Angel (MOA) will change the aim point ¼ of an inch to the left or right at hundred yards.
Eye-Relief:
This is the distance measured from your eye and to the ocular lens. What you should do is look for a scope that will offer you plenty of eye relief to avoid experiencing the recoil of your gun when it slams back and hits you very hard, then you will end up with a Scope-Eye! Look for plenty of eye relief to avoid the Scope-Eye!
Tube:
The rifle scope is a tube assembled into another tube. The inner tube is made of lenses that work out what to do with the light that enters the scope. On the other hand, the outer tube is intended more for protection purpose and provides a strong objective bell and eye piece bell.
When searching for the perfect rifle scope, it is extremely important for you to know the tube’s diameter because the rings that are attached to the mounts come in different tube diameters.
Nearly all scopes that are made in the United States include tubes with 1-inch diameter (measured just above 30millimeters). It is NEVER recommended to force or tighten down 1inch ring on a tube that is measured 30 millimeters because that will most definitely damage your scope.
Eye-Bell:
This is the house of the eye-piece and tube.
Objective-Bell:
This is the housing of the objective-lens.
Objective-Lens:
This is the lens that gathers the light that will enter your scope. Generally speaking, if the scope has higher magnification, then the objective-lens diameter will be larger. If you happen to own a 4-12x scope, then 40-millimeter objective lens will be fine.
However, if you are interested in buying 50-millimeter objective lens then have in mind that it will be significantly more expensive and most probably not very beneficial for you regarding light transmission. It is not only more expensive but also you have to deal with more weight and higher mount weight.
Elevation-Adjustment:
Elevation Adjustment will shift the aiming point up or down and is used to sight in your scope.
Adjustable –Objective-Lens (AO)
This is the lens that will correct parallax error (more on parallax error below).
Exit-Pupil:
Exit pupil is the diameter of the light that leaves the eye piece and most of the time it is measured in millimeters (mm). A large exit pupil is extremely beneficial under low-light conditions and during the night. The more the exit pupils increase, the brighter image will appear in your scope.
You will need a scope with at least same diameter as the dilation of your eye’s pupil. Your eye will dilate around 2 millimeters during bright sunshine and in darkness around 7 millimeters. It is extremely easy to calculate the exit pupil.
What you have to do is simply divide the diameter of the scope’s objective lens by the magnification that the scope is set at any giving time. For instance: 50-millimeter scope, 50mm/10. A 3-9x40mm scope has an exit pupil of 13 millimeters and 4.4 millimeters at 9x.
Obviously, a 50 mm objective scope will give you considerably more magnification in low light situations than 40mm will offer. Generally speaking, standard eight times (8x) magnification should be enough, but that’s just my opinion. You should investigate and find the magnification that you think will fit your needs the best.
What Else do you need to Know?
Magnification:
Basically, all the rifle scopes out there come with some magnification. Some with fixed with marked with a number and an X (For example, 4x). This means that the scope will magnify the image four times (4x) more than you can see with the naked eye.
Another example: Scope that is marked like this, 3-9x50mm, means that the scope will magnify the image between 3 and nine times (3-9x) more than you could see with the naked eye.
The 50mm (millimeters) means that the objective-lens come with a 50mm diameter. It is extremely beneficial to have variable power rifle scope rather than fixed one because it will allow you to adjust the magnification and adapt to any situation that you are in.
However, the downside is the hefty price tag. If you plan on buying a variable power scope, you have to make sure you are investing in a good quality variable scope. The bottom line is that once you get a great quality scope, you won’t have to worry about losing your –zero- and you won’t require frequent sighting in. If you can afford a good quality variable power scope, by all means, get one!
Field-of-View (FOV)
What you see through your scope when you look through it.
Parallax-Error:
If your scope is not perfectly centered when you look through the lens, a small error can appear that is called parallax error. This usually happens when you shoot at a distance that your scope is NOT factory set for. High power scopes of, for example, 12x and more, are quite affected by parallax error.
Parallax error is not something that you should worry too much about because it’s so minimal and if you are a long-range shooter (over 500 yards), you should buy a scope with adjustable objective lens. If so, you just set the range that you think the target is from you, and you are all set no more parallax error.
Light-Transmission:
Light transmission calculates precisely how much of the light enters through the objective lens and exits the ocular lens. Every top quality scope will let almost all the light enter through the lens which makes the scope easier to use when you are shooting in low light conditions.
Transmission numbers are quoted in % (like 95% resolution), but you should consider that those numbers are hyped by manufacturers of poor quality scopes, they tend to inflate this number significantly. You should be fine by trusting the numbers from the big reputable rifle scope manufacturers.
Resolution:
A top quality scope will, of course, come with good resolution and will have a crystal clear, sharp sight picture, while on the other hand, poor quality scopes will have blurry and reflect bad quality image through your scope. Those poor quality manufacturers can easily fake high-resolution number on their scopes, but it is impossible for them to fake a good resolution.
Reticles:
Generally, part of the scope that shows the center of the Field-of-View. This is where you select where you want the bullet to hit. Not too long ago, all you could get was just a simple cross-hair, but nowadays, the choices are endless. Basically, the reticle that people go for is the Duplex, and there are others top quality products available on the market that you should thoroughly research.
Top quality scopes today include a wide variety of reticle, so it is important for you to choose the one that you think will fit your hunting style the best and if you are a long range shooter, you might want to go for Ballistic Mil-Dot, they are exceptionally easy to use.
Lens-Coatings:
If the scope you plan on buying does not come with coated lenses, please, by all means, don’t buy it! Just about all scope lenses have materials to reduce glare, make a better resolution and protect the scopes from scratching. Also, always use lens covers when you store your scope.
Sealed, Water and Fog Proof:
You should make sure that your scope is properly sealed and also water and fog proof to avoid any small things (dust, moisture, humidity, etc.) entering your scope.
Do I Need a Powerful Scope? What Power Should I get?
That will entirely depend on what type of shooting you plan on doing and how you plan on using your scope. Here are some key points for reference:
100 yards or less = 7x
100-200 yards = 7x-9x
200 yards and more = 9x-12x
You Get What you Pay for!
Like with all products that you buy, you will most definitely get what you pay for. It is obvious that you cannot expect a $150 scope to perform just like a $1000 scope. Spend what you can in your scope, it will pay off eventually. Invest in a good quality scope. Your rifle will always shoot when you pull the trigger, but without a good quality scope, your rifle is useless!
Good quality scopes for the average hunter can range from $400-$1000. If you need a scope with high magnification and you want to shoot +400 yards, then the price tag will significantly increase.
Final Thoughts
Always, no matter what, go for quality! You won’t regret that you did. After you have done your research and found your quality scope that you want to buy, go for something just a little bit better. You will never regret buying something that is a little bit too good. Don’t knock your head on the wall afterward, wondering why the heck you didn’t buy a scope that was good enough!
Douglas Brooks is the founder of ProReviewly.com. He was enthusiastic about hunting from the first shot. He is also Rifle optic guru.
If you want to enhance your security on the water, you need to be realistic about the boat. They are not very secure, are targets for thieves, and not always well secured, but that does not mean you cannot improve your security on the water.
Always:
Lock anything valuable out of sight in a strong locker secured by a strong padlock;
Lock up emergency money away from other valuables;
Keep your curtains closed so that no-one can look in;
Keep unused ropes, fenders and other items out of sight in your cockpit, lockers and cupboards -and always lock them;
Make sure that your life raft and outboard motor are secure, as these are valuable and attractive to boat thieves.
When you go ashore from a dinghy, always remove your oars or paddles, rowlocks or pump, and secure the dinghy with a strong chain and padlock.
If you are the victim of boat theft, call the police immediately and tell the harbormaster or boat yard manager. Check to make sure that your boat is still seaworthy and hasn’t been badly damaged.
If you can, check that neighboring boats haven’t been broken into as well.
Get to know other boat owners in your marina and work together to keep the marina secure.
You can do the following.
Keep an eye on other boats, as well as your own.
Report any strangers at the marina to the harbormaster or yardmaster.
Don’t give your marina access card or key to other people.
Never tell anyone else the access code to the marina.
Don’t let strangers into the marina, however genuine they may seem.
If you want to keep your boat safe, you need to make it unattractive to thieves. Its not that hard if you use common sense and look at your boat from the viewpoint of a thief.
Don’t make yourself an easy target. Always follow the simple steps below:
Never leave anything valuable on display, however small and insignificant it may seem. Thieves steal first and think about value later.
Don’t leave anything loose in the cockpit or on deck.
Don’t leave your engine key in the ignition -always take it with you.
Keep your boat keys separate from your engine keys.
Always keep your boat locked when no one is on board, even for a short time.
Use strong padlocks or rim locks on all your hatches, entry points and cockpit lockers.
Constantly check and improve the security on your boat. It’s a good idea to fit an alarm and use a visible sticker to say that one is fitted.
Make sure your cockpit lockers can be properly locked, and check that your main hatch and fore-hatch are strong.
Also think about having a strongbox down below. If you don’t think something is secure, get it fixed.
As you can see, the tips above aren’t hard, but they do take some effort, but to keep your boat safe, they are well worth it.
There are all manner of tips, classes, posters, and videos about how to go about driving safety.
As a teenager, I was notorious for ignoring all of them. I totaled more cars that I had years on earth.
To my father’s dismay, I wrecked, sped, ghost rode, raced, and flipped trucks all over the great state of Tennessee.
The only thing stupid I did not do with a vehicle was drink and drive or steal one.
Now that I have calmed down and don’t feel invincible behind the wheel I wanted to share some common sense tips.
Here are 12 Tips to Prevent Carjackings and Break-Ins shows common sense tips on driving safety and crime prevention. It helps keep you safe.
Car Security Tips
Avoid driving alone or at night.
Keep all car doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your car. Set your alarm or use an anti-theft device.
If you must shop at night, park in a well-lighted area.
Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows.
Park as close as you can to your destination and take notice of where you parked.
Never leave your car unoccupied with the motor running or with children inside.
Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your car. This creates a temptation for thieves. If you must leave something in the car, lock it in the trunk or put it out of sight.
Be sure to locate your keys prior to going to your car.
Keep a secure hold on your purse, handbag and parcels. Do not put them down or on top of the car in order to open the door.
When approaching and leaving your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings.
Do not approach your car alone if there are suspicious people in the area.
Ask mall or store security for an escort before leaving your shopping location
If you a`re an automotive guy and love talking cars or if you want more information about vehicle performance or safety you can visit drivinglife.net. It is the website I use when I have car problems or questions.
But, exactly how is the process that allows your scope to magnify an image? Simply put, inside the scope there is a different type of lenses, and these lenses work to magnify the image that you see when you look through the scope.
If you want to keep your boat safe, you need to make it unattractive to thieves. Its not that hard if you use common sense and look at your boat from the viewpoint of a thief.
