30 mm blinder question

RandomShotz · Post by **RandomShotz** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:33 pm

I just found out that the off-eye blinder is limited by the ISSF to 30 mm width. I'm not slow - I just don't know anyone else in this area who is interested in FP or 10 m AP so this forum has been my teacher and coach.

In any case, I have been using an older pair of Knobloch glasses with a couple of the old style blinders. I cut one down to 30 mm wide and tried it out and noticed that if the blinder is at the same distance from my eye as the lens on the other side it covers a very small area. However, if the blinder is swiveled in until it nearly touches my eyelashes, then the coverage is very extensive.

Rule 6.4.10.3 just specifies the width of the blinder and not how it may be worn. I shoot at the indoor range at Bud's Gun Shop and there is often someone there who seems to enjoy shuttling the targets back and forth as much as shooting at them. When I first tried shooting without a blinder and with both eyes open, which I actually find more comfortable, every time a target in another lane moved my off eye was drawn inevitably to it. If I swivel the blinder in close, the distraction is effectively blocked. Is this legal?

And if so, doesn't that make the rule about the blinder width moot?

Roger

Richard H · Post by **Richard H** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:55 pm

Doesn't matter where it's worn the rule was about exposing the face for tv cameras so they could capture all the expressions from the competitors face.

Spencer · Post by **Spencer** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:15 pm

If it is a metal occluder (blinders are the side bits) proceed to Step 2.

Step 2 - replace metal occluder with a translucent, non-coloured piece of plastic. This enables the amount of light reaching each eye to be (almost) the same - reduces eye strain.

Richard H · Post by **Richard H** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:42 pm

If you are distracted from things from the side you might want to try side blinders. For those there are position rules, they can't come past your forehead or nose. There are all sorts of rules regarding the size as well.

Some call the front an Occluder, it also goes by blinder.

RandomShotz · Post by **RandomShotz** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 9:43 pm

Thank's for the replies.

I meant the bit in front, so that would be the occluder. Champion's Choice calls it a "cover disc" which adds to the confusion since no part of the device is actually disc shaped.

http://www.champchoice.com/SearchResult ... s=knobloch

The distraction from moving targets is more or less in front - the range has dividers between the lanes, so there are no distractions along the sides. I've cut a white plastic occluder/cover disc/blinder/thingie down to 30 mm wide and since it may be brought close to my eye, I don't think the moving targets will be an issue. Which is good, since the side blinder that was attached to it no longer has an attachment point and I don't want to by another cheap piece of plastic for too much money plus shipping. If a side shield really is necessary, I suppose it will be fairly easy to cobble one up. However, most of the patrons of Bud's range are just there to blast away at the "standing thug" silhouette so what I'm doing gets attention and I would rather be noticed for being different, not dorky.

My key concern was that I wasn't going to go from one illegitimate configuration to another and you've settled that for me. Every time I change something in my gear, it takes me a while to get used to it so I'd like to get it right the first time. Or at least the second.

Roger

peterz · Post by **peterz** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:34 pm

May the occluder run horizontally, and be clipped to the back of the iris disk of the rear sight? I have such a blinder (probably 15 years old); it's very big covering most of the face, but I could easily cut it to size, so long as I can continue mounting it to the back of the iris.

pz

David Levene · Post by **David Levene** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:51 pm

peterz wrote:May the occluder run horizontally, and be clipped to the back of the iris disk of the rear sight?

I presume you are talking about rifle; the OP was about pistol.

For rifle rule 7.4.1.3.4 applies:-
A blinder may be attached to the rifle or to the rear sight. The blinder must not be more than 30 mm deep (A) nor extend further than 100 mm (B) from the center of the rear sight aperture on the side of the non aiming eye. A blinder must not be used on the side of the aiming eye.

Rule 7.4.1.3.4.1 is a drawing explaining this if you need it, but I think it is probably self-explanatory.

SEAMaster1 · Post by **SEAMaster1** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:45 am

front occluder could be tilted just slightly off horizontal and cover the target sight only. Or it could be turned down completely to cover most of the left eye sight.

I like to turn it only 45 degrees, so I can look down and load pellet, without have to turn occluder up and down with each shot.