On display at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada, was Streamlight's TLR-8 Sub light and laser unit for micro-compact pistols. In this article, we'll highlight other top tech from lights and sights to magnified and thermal optics. (Photo by Alfredo Rico)
February 04, 2023
By Richard Nance
The number of products on display at SHOT show is overwhelming. In addition to the usual firearm and ammunition offerings, this year’s exhibition had no shortage of new technology and innovative products. From a cleverly designed light/laser charger to a thermal imaging riflescope, here’s a sampling of what’s new in the world of gun tech.
Viridian Weapon Technologies SAFECharge for the C Series Viridian's SAFECharge is a portable charger for the company's C Series lights and lasers. (Photo by Alfredo Rico) Portable phone chargers have become insanely popular in recent years, as society has become ever more connected to cell phones. Being able to charge your phone on the go is important – but not nearly as important as having your weapon-mounted light/laser fully charged when you need it. Enter the SAFECharge, a portable charger for your Viridian C Series products.
The C Series weapon-mounted lights and lasers are distinct for their onboard rechargeable batteries. But, for those armed and on the go, the patent-pending SAFECharge provides a rechargeable power source that can travel with you, and that is designed specifically for Viridian’s on-gun products. The charger’s magnetic adaptor will even allow you to power you unit while the handgun is secured in a Viridian Weapon Technologies C Series holster.
When fully charged, SAFECharge provides up five energy refills for the light/laser unit. It automatically wakes up when connected to a C Series product and preserves battery longevity by shutting down once the unit’s rechargeable battery is full. SAFECharge is included with every new C Series product, includes a 1-year warranted, and can also be purchased separately for $19.
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Streamlight ProTac 2.0 Flashlight Streamlight ProTac 2.0 Flashlight (Photo by Alfredo Rico) For decades, first responders have relied on Streamlight for illumination products that are bright, durable and user-friendly. Streamlight’s latest offering is the ProTac 2.0, and you don’t need to be a first responder to reap its benefits. In fact, in addition to the Handheld model, there is a Rail Mounted version for attaching to a firearm, and even a Headlamp model.
Each ProTac 2.0 produces 2,000 lumens, 17,300 candela, and has a beam distance of 262 meters. The unit is powered by an SL-B50 Li-Ion USB battery pack that can be charged in the flashlight, thanks to the sliding sleeve design, or removed for charging.
The TEN-TAP programming system enables you to select from three modes, each with different options options: High/Strobe/Low; High only; and Low/Medium/High. High output produces 2,000 lumens for 2.5 hours, Medium offers 570 Lumens for 4.5 hours, and Low puts out 100 lumens for 25 hours. At writing, the Optics Planet website lists the ProTac 2.0 from $119.99-$171.91 depending on the configuration.
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Burris Veracity PH 4-20x50mm Burris Veracity PH 4-20x50mm Riflescope (Photo courtesy of Burris Optics) Burris’ new Veracity PH Riflescope features a heads-up display providing elevation turret distance in yards, meters or MOA, rifle cant angle, wind holdover based on distance, and battery level. This allows you to stay on scope and have all the data you need in one clear view. Best of all, when paired with the Burrisconnect app, there’s no math involved.
By inputting environmental factors, the custom ballistics calculator lets you know precisely how to adjust the turret. You can even create a customizable dope card to confirm the data in the heads-up display. Of course, this would also come in handy should the batteries in the scope fail.
The Burris Veracity PH 4-20x50mm pairs a digital display with a tall, target-style elevation turret. (Photo courtesy of Burris Optics) PEK (Programable Elevation Knob) technology provides a digital sensor with a click-less mechanical elevation turret that’s accurate to 1/10 MOA. Once you determine the distance to target, simply dial the scope to that distance.
A solid one-piece outer tube is designed for durability and the double internal spring tension system enables the scope to hold zero through shock, recoil and vibration. The Veracity PH Riflescope is covered by Burris’ Forever Warranty.
HiViz Co-Witness Tritium Sight Set for Glock The HiViz Co-Witness Tritium Sight Set available for Glock pistols offers sights tall enough to be use with a slide-mounted red-dot optic. (Photo by Alfredo Rico) While reflex sights make it easier to aim, like anything electronic, they can fail, which is why you need a backup sighting system. Traditional iron sights sit too low to see through the window of most reflex sights. HiViz solves this problem for GLOCK MOS shooters with their newest tritium sight set.
As the name implies, this tritium sights are intended to co-witness with the reticle of a reflex sight mounted to a Glock MOS pistol. Sitting .430” above the slide, the tritium sights will appear level with or just below the optic’s reticle, in most cases.
The front sight’s Litepipe tritium insert is surrounded by a white circle. The rear sight contains two Litepipes to form the familiar three-dot sighting configuration. These sights are visible in any lighting condition and like a reflex sight, they make it easier and faster to aim your pistol.
The HiViz Co-Witness Tritium Sight Set for Glock features all steel construction for durability, as well as the Hi-Viz patented Litepipe technology, and a 12-year warranty.
Holosun DRS Thermal The Holosun DRS Thermal Sight combines proven reflex-sight design with integrated thermal imaging. (Photo courtesy of Holosun) Known for their reflex sights, Holosun will soon offer thermal-imaging-capable sights that combine the simplified aiming of a reflex sight with the ability to locate targets in darkened environments based on heat signatures. The base model will be the Digital Reflex Sight - Thermal (DRS-TH), which features 8X digital zoom and 1024x768 resolution with a 50FPS overlay refresh rate.
Modes include White Hot, Black Hot, Highlight, Outline and Fusion. The DRS-TH features Holosun’s Multi-Reticle System (MRS) which enables you to choose between: a 65 MOA ring with a 2 MOA dot; dot only; or ring only. In thermal mode, you can select between a duplex- or T-style reticle.
The DRS-TH is powered by a 18350 rechargeable battery, providing a run time of 10 hours. The DRS-TH Pro model runs on two batteries and has twice the run time as well as a 33 percent increase in thermal sensor resolution.
Each model features video recording with onboard storage. The DRS-TH model is expected to have a price tag around $1,600, while the DRS-TH Pro should list for around $2,300.
Leupold BX-4 Range HD TBR/W 10x42mm Leupold BX-4 Range HD TBR/W 10x42mm Range-Finding Binoculars (Photo courtesy of Leupold) Leupold’s new 10x magnification range-finding binoculars enable you to spot and range targets simultaneously, saving you time and allowing you to carry less gear. Built around Leupold’s Elite Optical System, the BX-4 Range provides dawn to dusk light transmission, glare reduction, and resolution clarity. Their DNA engine ballistics software has a Line of Sight (LOS) mode, a Bow mode, and True Ballistics Range with Wind (TBR/W) mode.
Edge-to-edge glass clarity makes observation easy, and a bright red OLED display is visible in any light. The BX-4 is waterproof, fog proof, and operates with the press of a reversible power button. It ranges out to 2,600 yards on reflective targets, making it well-suited for any hunting or long-range shooting application.
The BX-4 Range is tri-pod ready, comes with field replaceable eye caps, and is protected by Leupold’s Lifetime Optics Warranty and Two-Year Electronics Warranty.
Pulsar Talion XG35 Pulsar Talion XG35 2-16X Thermal Riflescope (Photo courtesy of Pulsar) Thermal imaging riflescopes are one of the hottest trends in the shooting world. Pulsar’s Talion XG35 exemplifies many of the reasons why. This scope provides a sharp, richly contrasted thermal image that not only enables you to identify animals, but even branches, leaves, and other terrain.
Powered by a Pulsar APS5, the lightweight Talion XG35 has a seven-hour battery life. Featuring variable 2-16X magnification, the Talion’s zoom can be adjusted gradually or continuously, depending on the field of view desired. Picture-in-picture mode enables you to focus on a magnified image of the target while maintaining a view of the surrounding area.
You can choose from one of eight color palettes based on conditions. For example, White Hot, Black Hot, and Red Hot are the best choices for locating a target. Rainbow and Ultramarine modes aid in identification. Red Monochrome, Sepia and Violet are ideal for long range observation in darkness.
The Talion XG35 is high-caliber recoil resistant and it’s housing is waterproof even in heavy rain. It carries 16 GB of internal memory, enabling users to record hours of video or thousands of photos.
Sound Off Thermal products like the Pulsar Talion XG35 riflescope were a big hit at SHOT 2023. (Photo by Alfredo Rico) What new gun tech are you in the market for? Any new innovations you'd like to see reviewed? Let us know by emailing us at GAEDITOR@OUTDOORSG.COM , and use "Sound Off" in the subject line.
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