Electronics and Technology 2024
New technology continues to reshape the shooting and hunting markets in 2024. Here’s a look at some of the most exciting new products this year.
By Brad Fitzpatrick
Many people head to the woods or the shooting range to escape from technology, but there’s no doubt in the digital age that electronics are part of every facet of our lives—and that includes hunting and fishing. But unlike the emails and texts that mean more work and the social media notifications that distract you from that work, hunting and shooting technology can actually make your time on the range or in the field more worthwhile and enjoyable.
One product that certainly makes range time more enjoyable is Garmin’s new Xero C1 Pro chronograph, which is far and away the most user-friendly chrono ever designed. But that’s not the only exciting new product this year. High-tech handgun, rifle, and even shotgun electro-optics are on display at SHOT Show 2024; Leupold is offering new rangefinding binoculars with ballistic data built-in, and Streamlight is packing more lumens into a lighter, more compact EDC light this year. Clay target shooting has gone wireless, Hornady is helping shooters call hits at long ranges, and Moultrie has developed a sleek new cell camera that cuts back on the unwanted photos of non-target game.
Indeed, technology can make hunting and shooting more enjoyable. So, as you’re cruising the show floor this year, take the time to check out these cool new tech products.
Garmin
Xero C1 Pro
Garmin’s new Xero C1 Pro doppler chronograph is about the size of a deck of cards and it’s incredibly easy to use. There are four buttons (up, down, back/power, ok), making it intuitive and easy-to-operate, with the ability to read velocities from 100 to 5,000 feet per second. Although many other chronographs are finicky about noise levels and position relative to the muzzle, the Garmin is very forgiving, and it returns accurate velocity readouts within seconds. It functions with rimfires and suppressed firearms, yet it doesn’t register false readings when other shooters fire guns nearby. The unit also collects data for each shooting session, such as minimum and maximum velocity, average velocity, extreme velocity spread, and standard deviation. When you download the Garmin ShotView app and pair it to the chronograph you can adjust settings, review data, or delete shots or entire strings from your phone.
The compact Xero C1 Pro is easy to carry, and there’s no need to walk downrange to set up a chronograph, which is a major concern with traditional chronographs. Battery life is exceptional: one four-hour charge with a USB-C cord (provided) lasts for 3,000 shots. The Garmin is so good that it has forever changed the chronograph market and initial response and demand for the Xero C1 Pro has been extremely positive. The Garmin is indeed a game-changer. (garmin.com)
Leupold
BX-4 Range HD Binoculars
Leupold makes outstanding optics, but their new BX-4 Range HD binos are a complete shooting system. They come with a built-in rangefinder that ranges deer to 1,100 yards and reflective objects to 2,600 yards with the touch of a button. The TBR/W (True Ballistic range with Wind) technology accounts for angle when providing range values, and it also provides wind holds as well. Shooters may choose from among 25 different ballistic groups to match their load; the BX-4 Range HD binos will provide not only distance to the target, but holdover values based on the ballistics of your firearm. The durable rubber exterior protects Range HD binos from damage, and the waterproof and fogproof lenses provide a clear, glare-free sight picture in all conditions. A sophisticated light-management system helps provide crisp, true colors even in dim morning and evening light. Twist-up replaceable eye cups come standard, and the two-button control layout makes it easy to range objects without moving your eyes from the glass. The two-button layout (with a reversible ranging button) also makes it easy to scroll through the settings. (leupold.com)
Trijicon
RMR HD
Trijicon’s RMR has set the standard for duty-grade red-dot optics for years, but the design has been updated to meet the changing needs of law enforcement and military professionals with the addition of the new RMR HD. Fitting on the same footprint as standard RMR and SRO optics, the RMR HD offers a larger tempered glass lens with an advanced forward-facing light sensor that automatically detects ambient light conditions and matches the optic’s brightness accordingly. Owners can customize the auto brightness setting to make it brighter or dimmer, and there is a lockout feature that prevents accidentally adjusting light through contact with the optic. Shooters can also manually choose from among nine different brightness settings as well. The reticle includes 55 MOA circle and dot or single dot options, and the RMR HD is available with a 3.25 or 1 MOA center dot. The optic is powered by a single CR2032 top-loading battery with a runtime of three years of continuous use on setting 5 of 9. New, larger buttons make it easier to toggle through brightness settings quickly. Like the original RMR, the RMR HD comes with a precision-machined 7075 T-6 housing that is designed to reduce impact forces, and like other Trijicon optics it’s made in the U.S. (trijicon.com)
Hornady
HIT Target Impact Indicator
Long-range shooters know that identifying hits and misses on steel targets at extended distances can be a challenge, but Hornady is now offering an affordable, convenient solution. Their HIT Target Impact Indicator attaches to most target stands via an included elastic band, and a built-in accelerometer causes the LED red lights to flash. The red indicator lights, which flash the Morse code pattern for the word HIT, are visible for up to 1,000 yards with the naked eye depending upon weather conditions. A spotter using a magnified scope can identify flashes at even greater distances. This is hugely beneficial for long-range shooters because it offers a clear signal when you strike the target, eliminating confusion and reducing the need to send more shots downrange to verify. And since the indicator is not attached to the target face itself there’s less chance that an errant shot will damage the unit. Best of all, Hornady HIT indicators are USB-C rechargeable, so there’s no need to constantly swap-out batteries. (hornady.com)
Burris
Thermal BTS35 V2 Riflescope
Burris is expanding their thermal optic line with the release of their BTS35 V2 scope. Its Burris Cyber Core thermal processor, 12uM 35mm objective lens, and 400x300 thermal sensor provide crisp, clear images day or night for accurate shot placement on hogs and coyotes. The thermal can be paired with the BurrisConnect mobile app to adjust settings, and video can be streamed to as many as five different devices in real time. With multiple reticle options, first or second focal plane digital reticles, contrast and thermal intensity control, and multiple color palette options, shooters can customize their optic to fit their needs. The user-friendly interface was inspired by video-game controls and is simple to operate even in complete darkness thanks to a simple rotary controller. Battery life is exceptionally good, and the Burris BTS35 V2 is hot-swap compatible using widely available rechargeable 18650 batteries. With so many great features and such an intuitive interface, the Burris BTS35 V2 is one of the most appealing thermal optics available in 2024. (burrisoptics.com)
Champion
Wheelybird 3.0 Auto-Feed Trap
Shotgun sports are growing in popularity, and each year more high school and colleges add trap and skeet to their list of club and varsity sports—great news for rural communities. Whether you’re building a backyard clay target course for your student athlete or simply want to break clays with friends at the house or cabin, Champion’s new Wheelybird 3.0 Auto-Feed Trap is a perfect option. This lightweight, portable, automatic clay target thrower is powered by a 12-volt deep-cycle battery that rests on a battery tray at the base of the thrower. Wide, sturdy wheels make it easy to change thrower positions, and with a 60-count clay stack, 1.5-second cycle time, and angle adjustment (0 to 30 degrees) you can keep clays coming in a hurry and adjust target presentation.
The Wheelybird 3.0 throws 108mm clay targets up to 70 yards with the touch of a button, and a remote with 25-foot cord is included. You can also purchase a separate wireless remote that’s perfect for shooting coaches who want to deliver targets while standing at various locations to instruct student shooters. The Wheelybird 3.0 is easily portable, easy to set up and operate, and it helps improve shooting skills. (championtarget.com)
Streamlight
Wedge XT
EDC flashlights are an essential part of a daily carry kit, and Streamlight is now offering a more compact version of their Wedge series, the Wedge XT. Measuring just 4.25 inches long and weighing 2.62 ounces, the Wedge XT is even smaller than the original Wedge flashlight. But don’t let the Wedge XT’s compact size fool you; this light produces 500 lumens and 1,900 candela with a 284-meter beam range at the touch of a button. If you’re saving battery life or simply don’t need to shed that much light on the scene, there’s a low setting that produces 50 candela and 200 lumens with a beam range of about 90 feet, the ideal light source when you’re fumbling with your door keys or you’ve dropped something in a dark parking lot. The Wedge XT is powered by a 950 mAh lithium polymer cell battery that is USB-C rechargeable. The battery can be fully charged in six hours and a red-and-green indicator light provides feedback on battery level. The aluminum-alloy body and polycarbonate lens allow this optic to stand up to the rigors of daily carry and the TEN-TAP programable switch allows owners to customize high/low or low/high programs. Run time on high is two hours while low runtime is 11 hours. A sturdy metal clip makes it easy to secure the Wedge XT in a pocket where it can be immediately accessed when needed. (streamlight.com)
Aimpoint
S-2
I grew up shooting trap and skeet, and while I understand the value of a red-dot sight on a carbine or even a handgun I was skeptical about their value on a shotgun. However, the Aimpoint S-2 taught me I was wrong to doubt the value of a red-dot optic on a scattergun. At a range in Colorado where I tested Aimpoint’s new shotgun-specific reflex sight I broke 25 straight clays, which is considerably better than I did with the same shotgun sans red-dot sight. This small, sleek sight weighs just 2.4 ounces and comes with adapter plates that allow it to fit on the rib of most shotguns without modification. The 9 MOA dot is larger than most carbine and pistol sights, but it’s easy to see, and multiple brightness settings allow you to adjust the sight to ambient light conditions. The housing is small enough that it doesn’t distract the shooter, and I was surprised (and believe you will be, too) at how easy it is for shotgun shooters to transition to this optic—easier, in fact, than rifle or pistol shooters.
Every shotgun coach in America teaches target focus, and the front bead simply serves as a reference point when making the shot. The same is true with the Aimpoint; it’s very natural to find the target with both eyes and use the oversized red dot as an improved front bead. The design makes sense for turkey and self-defense guns, but I think clay target shooters and upland and waterfowl hunters will be shocked by how intuitive and effective this sight can be. (aimpoint.com)
Moultrie Mobile
Mobile Edge Pro Cellular Camera
I love running cellular cameras to keep track of the game on my property, but roughly 70 percent of my photos are of non-target species like squirrels and raccoons. Moultrie has developed an ingenious technology to reduce unwanted trail cam pictures with the Mobile Edge Pro camera. Smart Capture gives the operator control over which species you capture with videos or photos, and Smart Zones technology allows you to focus on key areas and ignore areas where you’re likely to get unwanted photos. Moultrie says that Smart Capture and Smart Zones help eliminate as many as 99 percent of false triggers—and that means no more sorting through hundreds of pics of swirling leaves, flocks of birds, possums, and stray cats to find the images of your target buck. Also, the Live Aim feature allows you to check the camera’s field of view using the Moultrie Mobile App on your phone so there’s no more guessing whether your photos are centered. NYXEL NIR infrared technology boosts low-light performance, and you can capture 36 MP pictures and 1080 video with HD audio. Moultrie’s Auto Connect Technology allows for nationwide coverage and real-time access to photos of the bucks, bears, or bulls that are in your hunting area. (moultriemobile.com)
PARD
FD-1LRF night-vision scope
The FD-1LRF night-vision scope and rangefinder incorporates a 1920x1080 CMOS sensor and a 1,200-yard laser rangefinder into a single device that can be used as a monocular, a stand-alone scope, or a front-mounted clip-on device to an existing optic. This technology allows a user to turn their daytime optic into a night-vision platform instantly. Available in 850nm wavelength, the VCSEL IR illuminator has three levels of intensity.
The FD1-LRF provides a 7.9°x5.9° FOV, 1X optical magnification, and sensitivity down to .001 lux. When used as a stand-alone scope, the FD1-LRF also incorporates a ballistics calculator, picture-in-picture (PIP) mode, and features six reticle styles, four reticle colors, and two independent image modes.
Daytime or night vision images are displayed on the 1440x1080 OLED display. Additional features of the FD1-LRF include a removable 128GB micro SD card that allows the user to capture 2592x1944 photo images and video, WiFi connectivity to a PC, tablet, iOS, or Android device through the use of the free PARDVision app, and USB Type-C and HDMI output connections. In addition, the unit is IP67 weatherproof and recoil proof to 6000J (think .308 caliber). SRP: $649. (pard.com)
Sightron
The new S-TAC 1-6x24 AR1 LPVO riflescope (SRP: $499.99) is designed for AR platform rifles chambered in .223/5.56mm. The scope features Japanese optical glass lenses combined with Sightron’s MC-333 multi-coating technology for the best possible light transmission, contrast, and clarity. The S-TAC AR1 reticle is purpose-built for .223/5.56mm, and the illuminated halo helps with fast target acquisition at close range while the illuminated center dot ensures accurate mid-range target placement. The ExacTrack erector-tube system delivers consistent, reliable, and repeatable adjustments, even at the extreme edges of the scope's adjustments. (sightron.com)
Trijicon
Two new red dot optics include the RMR HD (SRP: $849) and the RCR ($849). The RMR HD is a compact pistol optic built on the RMR Adjustable LED model, but features a large, clear lens. Users can toggle between a 55 MOA segmented circle reticle with a center dot or a crisp dot-only option, both of which include a new super-bright setting and an additional night-vision setting. Either a 1.0 MOA or 3.25 MOA center dot is available. The RCR (Ruggedized Closed Reflex) is a closed emitter optic. The 3.25 MOS reticle has 10 brightness settings that are adjusted manually; there are also three night-vision options and one super-bright option. Both the RMR HD and RCR have the same footprint as the RMR. (trijicon.com)
XS Sights
New and improved second-generation R3D notch and post tritium sights are engineered to give gun owners a brighter and stronger set of self-defense sights. In addition, with the new EasyPress feature, the sights are now far easier to install. Designed to drive focus downrange, the new R3D 2.0 sights feature significant improvements from their Gen 1 counterpart. The two rear tritium dots are bigger and brighter than those in the original R3D. The new sights also have a PVC ring surrounding the rear sight lamps for a more defined edge to improve sight picture and further differentiate the front dot from the rear sight lamps. The rear sight is also blacked out and serrated to reduce glare. When paired with the high-contrast orange or green dual-illuminated photoluminescent Glow Dot front sight with a tritium vial, the R3D 2.0 provides more visible indexing for precision alignment.
The new sights also have a black nitride finish with double the corrosion resistance of the original black oxide surface treatment. The R3D 2.0 fits all Glock models as well as select Smith & Wesson models in the M&P/M&P 2.0 and Shield lines. SRP: $131.99-$142.99. (xssights.com)
