Best Scope Options for Shooters with Poor Vision or Old Eyes – Hi-Lux Optics

New rifle scope adapters for hunters with macular degeneration?

Blind hunter Colt Weber with Digital Crosshairs 1000A
Blind hunter Colt Weber with Digital Crosshairs 1000A

Age-related macular degeneration

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration:

  • Dry (atrophic) macular degeneration is by far the most common, occurring in 80-90% of cases.1,2
  • Wet (exudative) macular degeneration strikes in only 10-20% of cases. It is less common but much more serious. 1,2

Within these two main types, the severity can vary greatly depending on various factors such as genetics, environment, and age.

Adaptive rifle scope adapter for disabled hunters
Adaptive rifle scope adapter for visually disabled and blind hunters

Stargardt disease

Stargardt disease, also called Stargardt macular dystrophy or juvenile macular degeneration, is the most common inherited macular dystrophy for both adults and children and affects one in 8,000-10,000 individuals.3 Often times, vision loss slowly occurs during childhood or adolescence, but for some individuals, it may not occur until adulthood, such as in patients with fundus flavimaculatus.

Myopic macular degeneration

Digital Crosshairs 1000A adaptive rifle scope clip-on makes shooting easier for visually handicapped shooters
Adaptive rifle scope clip-on makes shooting easier for visually handicapped shooters

Myopic macular degeneration (MMD), also known as pathological myopia or degenerative myopia, is closely associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which is the leading cause of visual impairment in those younger than 50 in the US.4 In highly myopic, very nearsighted, eyes, the ocular tissues (retina and choroid) are gradually stretched as the eye elongates. In some individuals, this stretching may lead to structural damage.

Dry AMD is a slow deterioration of the cells of the macula, often over many years, as the retinal cells die off and are not renewed. The term ‘dry’ does not mean the person has dry eyes, just that the condition is not wet AMD. The progression of dry AMD varies, but people often carry on as normal for some time.

Blind Hunters? – My Macular Degeneration Journey/Journal

Believe it or not, people with all sorts of handicaps hunt. This includes the visually impaired. I remember years ago we had a special education student who was blind and his father wanted him to take the hunters’ safety class.

We thought he was crazy but apparently the man was not as crazy as we thought! Some states will license the visually impaired to hunt.

I was not able to find information for Pennsylvania but Iowa, Michigan and Texas all allow the visually impaired to hunt. Other states don’t have statutes against it.

How does this work? I mean really? I would not want to be down range of a blind person with a gun.

Source: Blind Hunters? – My Macular Degeneration Journey/Journal

 

New rifle scope adapters for hunters with macular degeneration?

Blind hunter Colt Weber with Digital Crosshairs 1000A
Blind hunter Colt Weber with Digital Crosshairs 1000A

Age-related macular degeneration

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration:

  • Dry (atrophic) macular degeneration is by far the most common, occurring in 80-90% of cases.1,2
  • Wet (exudative) macular degeneration strikes in only 10-20% of cases. It is less common but much more serious. 1,2

Within these two main types, the severity can vary greatly depending on various factors such as genetics, environment, and age.

Adaptive rifle scope adapter for disabled hunters
Adaptive rifle scope adapter for visually disabled and blind hunters

Stargardt disease

Stargardt disease, also called Stargardt macular dystrophy or juvenile macular degeneration, is the most common inherited macular dystrophy for both adults and children and affects one in 8,000-10,000 individuals.3 Often times, vision loss slowly occurs during childhood or adolescence, but for some individuals, it may not occur until adulthood, such as in patients with fundus flavimaculatus.

Myopic macular degeneration

Digital Crosshairs 1000A adaptive rifle scope clip-on makes shooting easier for visually handicapped shooters
Adaptive rifle scope clip-on makes shooting easier for visually handicapped shooters

Myopic macular degeneration (MMD), also known as pathological myopia or degenerative myopia, is closely associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which is the leading cause of visual impairment in those younger than 50 in the US.4 In highly myopic, very nearsighted, eyes, the ocular tissues (retina and choroid) are gradually stretched as the eye elongates. In some individuals, this stretching may lead to structural damage.

Dry AMD is a slow deterioration of the cells of the macula, often over many years, as the retinal cells die off and are not renewed. The term ‘dry’ does not mean the person has dry eyes, just that the condition is not wet AMD. The progression of dry AMD varies, but people often carry on as normal for some time.

Best Hog Hunting Gun For 2021

Digital Crosshairs 1000 night vision clip-on with harvested hog

The best hog hunting gun for 2021 is the AR15 in the affordable knock down caliber of 762/39.

Lots of articles are written every year about which rifle or cartridge is best for hog hunting.  Everyone has an opinion.  Just like cars and trucks, brand loyalty plays a big part and let’s be honest, most of the web articles on the best of anything are really paid advertisements.

Best Hog Hunting Calibers
Best Hog Hunting Calibers

I am a hog hunter.  I have hunted with .223, 30-30, 300 blackout, 6.5 Grendel, 762/39 and 12-gauge shotguns.  As a hog hunter, I want a semi-auto with knock down power.  It is just no fun searching around at night in the brush for wounded or dead hogs that ran 50 or 100 yards after you shot them.   Yea, some will read this and say they can kill a hog with a .22, sure with the perfect shot.  If you ever get the pleasure of feeling the adrenaline running down your body standing in a field full of running wild feral hogs, forget that perfect shot.

When I night vision wild hog hunt with my buddy Andy at Owen Farm Hunting Preserve in South Georgia, it sounds like a war zone with his AR15 and mine rapid firing at wild feral hogs stampeding across dark fields in every direction.  It’s just too much excitement.  That is what night vision and thermal scopes were made for!

You can sit in a blind with night vision overlooking a bait site, walk and stalk after dark in fields, hunt hogs with dogs, or even from helicopters.  Night hunting using night vision, thermal or just a green light is getting very popular and a must for any hunter’s bucket list.  I use Digital Crosshairs Night Vision Clip-on because it lets me keep my great glass optics for daylight hunting and use the same rifle+scope setup at night with no re-zeroing necessary.

Digital Crosshairs 1000 Night Vision Clip-on
Digital Crosshairs 1000 Night Vision Clip-on

You may be surprised that my go-to rifle of choice, and in my opinion the best hog hunting gun for 2021 is the 762/39 AR15 platform.  I have hunted with several different guns.  To be honest, there are many great hog hunting guns but in this year’s environment, which ones can the average hunter afford to shoot.  The cost of ammo today is something to be considered.  I love my Grendel but it cost 70 cents to $1.50 every time I pull the trigger.  Most other calibers heavy enough for hogs are also pretty pricy.   I use Wolf 762/39 HP which does the job well out to 200+ yards, has knock down power, and best of all is affordable at a cost of about 40 cent a round.

Feral hog populations are exploding in the United States, especially in Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. What other big game can you hunt day or night, and year-round in many states.  What every your choice of rifle or caliber, enjoy the hunt!

Learn about Digital Crosshairs Night Vision Clip-on products at:

www.digitalcrosshairs.net

or call 404-590-6513

New Bill Allows Blind Sportsmen to Hunt with Illegal Adaptive Equipment – COOL BLIND TECH

A bill was sent to the House floor Friday that will create a special type of hunting permit specifically for blind and visually impaired sportsmen.

The House Judiciary Committee passed House Bill 2597, which would allow legally blind people to hunt with the assistance of a sighted, permitted guide. It would also allow for the use of certain adaptive equipment, which is currently illegal.

“So in effect, we have the assistant acquiring the target … selecting t…

Source: New Bill Allows Blind Sportsmen to Hunt with Illegal Adaptive Equipment – COOL BLIND TECH

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Adaptive Shooting Clip-on System

Digital Crosshairs 1000A
Adaptive LCD Targeting Display for Standard Scope!

Digital FOV’s adaptive shooting device helps physically and visually challenged sports men and women enjoy hunting and shooting sports.

Digital Crosshairs 1000A, an easy to install rail mounted video display that puts the view of a rifle, crossbow, or pistol scope’s crosshairs on an LCD display that is easy to see from any angle.

https://www.digitalcrosshairs.net/product/adaptive-hunting-devices

Or Call 404-590-6513

 

 

 

 

Hunting? For the Visually Impaired? | MacularDegeneration.net

Many years ago, before my home area became a suburb for a big city, it was country. Since I grew up there, that makes me a country girl. Or more accurately, I was a backwoods girl. An only child of a hunter, trapper, and fisherman, I learned the rudimentary skills involved in tracking and shooting. I helped build tree stands, put up trespass signs, and put out salt licks. I ran a beagle that could bring a rabbit back and practically have it jump over my feet. It was only my soft-hearted, animal-loving nature that kept me from hunting for real.

Source: Hunting? For the Visually Impaired? | MacularDegeneration.net

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Digital Crosshairs 1000A Rifle Scope Clip-on For Visually Impaired

 

Adaptive Shooting Clip-on System

Digital Crosshairs 1000A
Adaptive LCD Targeting Display for Standard Scope!

Digital FOV’s adaptive shooting device helps physically and visually challenged sports men and women enjoy hunting and shooting sports.

Digital Crosshairs 1000A, an easy to install rail mounted video display that puts the view of a rifle, crossbow, or pistol scope’s crosshairs on an LCD display that is easy to see from any angle.

https://www.digitalcrosshairs.net/product/adaptive-hunting-devices

Or call 404-590-6513

Karl’s Story – Black River Search and Rescue

Karl at Black River Search and Rescue uses Digital Crosshairs 1000
Karl at Black River Search and Rescue uses Digital Crosshairs 1000

As a former Police Officer, Sheriff’s Deputy, Training Officer, SWAT Operator, and Canine Officer. He is a trained and certified SAR Tech with numerous SAR operations conducted with multiple different police agencies. …

source: Karl’s Story – Black River Search and Rescue

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Digital Crosshairs 1000 Night Vision Clip-on
Digital Crosshairs 1000 Night Vision Clip-on

Digital Crosshairs 1000 Night Vision Clip-on Review

“Purchased the DC 1000 system for night hog and coyote hunting as well as for night operations for search and rescue (Black River Search and Rescue). The system is awesome – works well and provides a clear picture out to 200 yards! I’m hard on equipment and almost immediately broke the post that supports the video screen. 1 call, and I had a new post for free, AND an upgraded tightening key! Then I lost my battery pack charger. Another call, and 3 days later I had a free replacement!
The equipment works awesome, and Henry Johns’ customer service is extraordinary! I HIGHLY recommend the Digital Crosshair products!”
Karl Allen
Black River Search and Rescue Inc

https://www.facebook.com/karl.l.allen.1/posts/10215098794417194

 

Digital Crosshairs 1000 night vision clip-on

www.digitalcrosshairs.net

call 404-590-6513

R Connolly – YouTube coyote hunts with Digital Crosshairs night vision

Source: R Connolly – YouTube – YouTube

View lots of night vision coyote hunts by R. Connolly using Digital Crosshairs 1000R  night vision clip-on at the link above.

Digital Crosshairs night vision clip-on on Savage .17 HMR

Digital Crosshairs turns any rifle scope into a digital IR night vision scope in less than one minute with no re-sighting required.

Digital Crosshairs 1000

Order or learn more at   www.digitalcrosshairs.net or call 404-590-6513

Night Vision Surveillance with Digital Crosshairs 1000R

Night vision technology can let you see who is on your property from hundreds of yards away.  Don’t wonder what that sound is in the darkess when you can easily look and see.  What are the dogs barking at in the middle of the night?  Now you can know.

Digital Crosshairs Night Vision Clip-on  $600

Turn any standard day scope into an IR night vision scope.

www.digitalcrosshairs.net or call 404-590-6513

Digital Night Vision, Intensifier Tube, and Thermal Scope Comparison

Generally Speaking

We think Digital Crosshairs 1000 night vision clip-on is a great choice but here is some general information to think about when deciding on a night vision product.

Night Vision Clip-on - Digital Crosshairs
Night Vision Clip-on – Digital Crosshairs

It don’t have to cost thousands of dollars to kill a few hogs in the dark!

About Night Hunting-

  • All dedicated night vision and thermal scopes will cause temporary night blindness after looking through them in the dark. Your eye pupils will shrink from the light in the scope and will take a few seconds to re-open and adjust to the darkness. Only exception are Digital Crosshairs and NiteSite products that use LCD displays.
  • It is very hard to judge distance when you are in the dark and your only field of view is through your night vision device.
  • No night vision scope is as clear as a high quality day vision scope.  It is the best of both world using a clip-on.
  • Check with your night vision manufacturer about maximum caliber weapons they support.

Digital Night Vision

Pros Cons
Gen 2 or better equivalent at lower Cost. More natural image, easier to identify target than thermal IR reflects off leave & brush affecting visibility
Use Day or Night Smoke and fog decrease visibility
Tougher, more rugged Requires IR illuminator for optimal use
Cost less than thermal and Intensifier tube technology IR illuminator has faint glow that may give your position away
Clear target identification at 50 to 150+  yards Optics do not compare with high quality day scopes
Many have video output and/or record capabilities Some have programmable features may not be practical in fast pace hunting situation
Fast startup time, sometime instant on Camouflage is often still effective.
Can see through windows
Better visibility in rain than thermal
High contrast black and white night vision image
CMOS night vision sensors do not have limited life span like intensifier tubes and thermal

 

Intensifier Tube (I2) Night Vision

Pros Cons
More natural image, easier to identify target than thermal Fog, smoke and dust obscures the image
Gen 3 on has longer range than most digital night vision Larger/Heavier
Cheaper than thermal optics Worthless during the day or in lighted rooms
Benefits from IR illuminator but Gen 2-4 intensify light without IR Camouflage is often still effective.
Sensitive can be damaged if exposed to bright light
Bright lights and fire stacks will cause them to shut off for protections
Limited lifespan
More expensive than digital night vision
Cannot handle large caliber weapons
 Optics do not compare with high quality day scopes

 

Thermal Night Vision

The major difference with thermal-IR is that thermal-IR is emitted by an object instead of reflected off it. No light source is required with thermal.

Pros Cons
See in any lighting conditions – Day and Night Nearly impossible to positively ID person except with most expensive equipment
See through smoke/fog/dust/sand Image requires some training to interpret
See through leaves, brush and thin materials Hot objects like rocks and hot building in urban areas will wash out human and animal heat signatures
Track residual heat (handprints, footprints) Long startup/warm up time
Works in absolute darkness Thermal optics cannot see through windows
Give off no light, will not give your position away Extreme cold can affect the quality of a thermal image
Long range target acquisition Generally more expensive
Many have video out capabilities Larger and heavier
Fast target acquisition Does not work in rain, misty, very humid conditions
Durable solid state technology Optics do not compare with high quality day scopes

Closing thoughts

To some extent, buying night vision is like buying a car.  There are some really good choices out there and a few lemons.  One thing to remember, you can’t see in the dark so if you plan to move around stalking none of these will help you get around.

Digital Crosshairs night vision clip-on has an LCD display that give off just enough light that you can see where you are stepping, but not so much as to alert the animals you are hunting.

Check out our video at: https://youtu.be/Ayu8AYZApJQ