Introduction to Sport Optics
“Sport Optics” include a wide array of different products anywhere from rifle scopes to binoculars to even protective eye-wear. More specifically, these are instruments composed of specific photo-translucent or photo-reactive elements that interact with the light passing through them, are used “in the field” and are man transportable.
The specific purposes vary greatly but all come down to one basic principle: to provide the user with more visual information than what is perceived without said device. Or, to See what cannot be seen with one’s own eyes.
What are Sport Optics Exactly?
The phrase “sport optic” is most commonly used to reference a rifle scope for hunting or competitive shooting. While correct, this limited usage often overlooks binoculars, rangefinders, nature cameras, and spotting scopes and other use-cases like bird-observation, home defense, or even astronomy.
We at Sector Optics™ feel that a more inclusive definition would be: “Optical devices used in the field that improve a user’s environmental awareness, target acquisition and tracking.”
Why are Sport Optics Important?
Go no farther than asking your local birders why they need optics. For birders, they extend one’s visual range, clarify fine details, and help distinguish subtle color hues.
Even golfers are known for using sport optics. They mostly rely on handheld laser range finders that help them measure the distance of their next shot and calculate its ideal trajectory.
Sight is the principle sense that we humans use to perceive the world around us. Devices that improve this sense will always be useful. Sport Optics are much more than something you pick up, aim, and look through. A basic appreciation of optics allows one to engage and view the world through a lens before unseen.
For Hunters, Scopes vs Iron Sights?
Since there has been a choice people have been asking this question.
Iron sights limit the amount of visual information a hunter uses and create a kind of “tunnel vision” on the target. They are sighting devices used to estimate the point of impact based on the point of aim. If the target is close enough then this is no problem, but as the distance to target increases the object of interest may be difficult to align on and resolve. Our eyes can only focus on one depth at a time, and iron sights require focusing on the front sight (depicted below). This means that the target will always be out of focus, if iron sights are used properly.
On the other end, a scope gathers light and redirects it to the operator’s eyes. This means that a scope will gather more light than one’s eyes and allow a hunter to operate a little longer in the morning and at night. Because the most productive hunting occurs during dusk and dawn a few extra minutes can be the difference between returning home with a tag or empty handed.
We at Sector Optics prefer to use a rifle scope.