TargetTalk

Oscar Swahn won the gold medal in his 70s. Joshua Millner won his at age 61. You are too young ;-)

Has anyone tried the MicroSight in smallbore? I use one in Service Rifle and it is as close to a miracle as I can Imagine. Front sight and target in focus at the same time.

I'm 58 years old with less than perfect vision and the Microsight enabled me to start shooting iron sights again.

I cannot find any reference to this neat little peice of glass in smallbore discussions, but having just picked up a Anschutz 1913 I'd like to start with irons if possible.

Mike
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tactserv wrote:Has anyone tried the MicroSight in smallbore? I use one in Service Rifle and it is as close to a miracle as I can Imagine. Front sight and target in focus at the same time.

I'm 58 years old with less than perfect vision and the Microsight enabled me to start shooting iron sights again.

I cannot find any reference to this neat little peice of glass in smallbore discussions, but having just picked up a Anschutz 1913 I'd like to start with irons if possible.

Mike
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

If it fits on the rifle and contains anything other than a plain light absorbing or Polarising filter then it would be illegal under ISSF rules. However if you have no intention of shooting under ISSF rules, either internationally or domestically you will probably be OK. Corrective lenses and also the "Eagle Eye" lenses fitted in the foresight are allowed in domestic competitions run under NRA rules in the US as well as NSRA rules here in the UK. I have to say I haven't heard of the MicroSight, have you got a link?

Alan

Alan,

it's a lens that isn't a lens. Technically it's a Fresnal zone plate (put that into wikipedia). It effectively allows you to see both target and foresight in the same focal plane.

Some people love them, others seem to have given up on them very quickly. IIRC, reviews concluded that eye relief and sight radius seem critical.

They do add about 1/2in to the back of the rearsight.

Tim, so it's effectively two different focal length lenses built as Fresnels and alternated. Clever use of technology. I can see why they could be problematic in use. Although I would think that most peoples vision would accept the output of the system without too much trouble, as long as you can build it fine enough that they eye can integrate both images correctly. So definitely not ISSF legal then.

Alan

From what I remember about the MicroSight, it does not conform to the definition of a lens - it works on diffraction around many fine concentric circles enscribed on the flat surface of the plate.

Surprisingly, when I last looked, it hadn't been disallowed by the ISSF...

The reported downside is that it reduces the light level you get through the iris.

K.

Hi Kenny
You say not disallowed under ISSF, but is that just not named as that item disallowed? If it works like a lens then surely its a lens and disallowed as such, do you know if any one has passed EC at any level with one?

That said I think the ISSF attitude to "corrective" len's is bordereing on ageism, it merely limits older shooters competing on equal terms, they see everything as an attempt to cheat, make you wonder what those making the rules now got up to in their day!
I see no reason why they could not permit such things, including eagle eyes, but subject to an eyesight prescription level to stop sharp young shooters with good eyes using them. My shooting collapsed with age but an eagle eye has helped me shoot at my old level, its not unfair, its a correction, I'd far rather have my eyesight of 30 years ago back!

Hi Robin, all I remember is that when this came up a couple of years ago, I was quite surprised at the ISSF NOT banning the MicroSight - maybe it was deemed a "filter" as it didn't use refraction to achieve a focus.
Whether that has changed since, I don't know.

The only person I am aware of who got one for target shooting doesn't use it as they didn't get enough benefit to make up for the loss of light through it.

K.