Good day all.
I am done with the SHOT Show for this year.
There have been definite ups and downs. I have made more positive relationships with the nicest people in my industry than ever before, but I am very disappointed by the no-shows, inc, several optics companies I traveled here to meet with.
I did attempt to join the NSSF onsite. Two NSSF booths didn't know where I should go, when I did find it there were two ladies, both doing nothing but the one I spoke to said *only* her colleague could handle a membership application. Before I could step six feet sidways another gent showed up and occupied her at which point I gave up. I despair of bloated organizations representing our shooting industry. I have applied online, we'll see if they can figure it out.
I have been attending SHOT shows as a journalist and retailer since the 1980s. As I posted earlier this one is different. And although I've made some great connections, the show isn't different in a good way.
At the end of the day, I have a relatively small online business I'm trying to grow. Just getting here and staying here is a $1,000 hotel spend, 10 hours driving, plus food. FYI lunch for two at the show -- simple -- is $35. Domestic beers at the hotel are $10 a bottle. We are at the Mirage, it's convenient for the show, all but two restaurants are closed plus a snack bar. I *know* from coinversations I have had here that LV can't fill rooms in the week. Yet, we are asked close to $300 a night for rooms that next week I know they will sell me for $50-$80. It is time the NSSF flexed its muscles and ensured reduced costs, not elevated costs for it attendees just because we show up. I understand the bigger companies not showing up, their expenses for their employees must be horrible.
But of course, the Feral agencies like the ATF are here in full force on our dime. Let's go, Brandon.
Two products stood out for me: A Chinese gentleman from SC has a *really* nice borescope with a manual focus that gives the *sharpest* bore image I have ever seen, and yes I own a Hawkeye. Affordable too, IMO. I will be selling them. And completely off the wall, for those wanting to shoot a long way, I am very impressed by the Accuracy Solutions approach to bipod mounting. I'll be adding their stuff to my website and personal arsenal too.
There's a lot of movement in the optics space, which I'm going to post about separately in the optics section, but I'll say there is a lot of sorting out to come in the $1,800-$2,200 space in the next twelve months. We'll see who sinks or swims.
In closing, let's talk tripods. Some folk have tripods they're very proud of for $1,200 and up and which the assure me will support my weight (a brave boast at my current weigh-in). Well, I'm not planning on suspending a hammock from one, I just need it to support my rifle. Athlon had a very nice and more affordable line I'm looking at closely.
In closing, the last item worthy of mention is the Phone Skope. Use an Android or i-Phone on your scope or spotting scope. I want to try one to see how much of a replacement it might be for scope-based cameras. Pictures attached.
I am done with the SHOT Show for this year.
There have been definite ups and downs. I have made more positive relationships with the nicest people in my industry than ever before, but I am very disappointed by the no-shows, inc, several optics companies I traveled here to meet with.
I did attempt to join the NSSF onsite. Two NSSF booths didn't know where I should go, when I did find it there were two ladies, both doing nothing but the one I spoke to said *only* her colleague could handle a membership application. Before I could step six feet sidways another gent showed up and occupied her at which point I gave up. I despair of bloated organizations representing our shooting industry. I have applied online, we'll see if they can figure it out.
I have been attending SHOT shows as a journalist and retailer since the 1980s. As I posted earlier this one is different. And although I've made some great connections, the show isn't different in a good way.
At the end of the day, I have a relatively small online business I'm trying to grow. Just getting here and staying here is a $1,000 hotel spend, 10 hours driving, plus food. FYI lunch for two at the show -- simple -- is $35. Domestic beers at the hotel are $10 a bottle. We are at the Mirage, it's convenient for the show, all but two restaurants are closed plus a snack bar. I *know* from coinversations I have had here that LV can't fill rooms in the week. Yet, we are asked close to $300 a night for rooms that next week I know they will sell me for $50-$80. It is time the NSSF flexed its muscles and ensured reduced costs, not elevated costs for it attendees just because we show up. I understand the bigger companies not showing up, their expenses for their employees must be horrible.
But of course, the Feral agencies like the ATF are here in full force on our dime. Let's go, Brandon.
Two products stood out for me: A Chinese gentleman from SC has a *really* nice borescope with a manual focus that gives the *sharpest* bore image I have ever seen, and yes I own a Hawkeye. Affordable too, IMO. I will be selling them. And completely off the wall, for those wanting to shoot a long way, I am very impressed by the Accuracy Solutions approach to bipod mounting. I'll be adding their stuff to my website and personal arsenal too.
There's a lot of movement in the optics space, which I'm going to post about separately in the optics section, but I'll say there is a lot of sorting out to come in the $1,800-$2,200 space in the next twelve months. We'll see who sinks or swims.
In closing, let's talk tripods. Some folk have tripods they're very proud of for $1,200 and up and which the assure me will support my weight (a brave boast at my current weigh-in). Well, I'm not planning on suspending a hammock from one, I just need it to support my rifle. Athlon had a very nice and more affordable line I'm looking at closely.
In closing, the last item worthy of mention is the Phone Skope. Use an Android or i-Phone on your scope or spotting scope. I want to try one to see how much of a replacement it might be for scope-based cameras. Pictures attached.
