What the Tracking point Scope should have been

[Beiruty]

Recently, I finally had a change to see the Remington version of the tracking point scope. The system concept is excellent but the first-generation implementation is a mess.

The designer decided to use an optical sensor and do digital zoom and rely on 2" display to present the shooter with a "ballistic solution". Of course, with small processing core and array of sensors, the solution is possible.

As as Principal Design Verification engineer, this implementation is mess. No one would pay a $25K for such a system when $1K-2K scope is 100X better in visual clarity and IDing the target.

Here is my Patent-pending application:

What the system implementation should have been:
1) A rifle scope of your choice: day-time, night-time, Swarovski, Nighthwak rifle scope what ever you like.
2) An ocular adapter that hooks to a DSLR Camera like optic system that capture what the shooter would see.
3) Like in decent the DSLR the shooter can see on 4"-5" LCD/OLED a view of the target with On-Screen overlay of the HUD info.
4) The compute solution and array of sensors is as in the Tracking point.

Be warned this is my invention. Patent-application is pending.

[jsenner]

Recently, I finally had a change to see the Remington version of the tracking point scope. The system concept is excellent but the first-generation implementation is a mess.

The designer decided to use an optical sensor and do digital zoom and rely on 2" display to present the shooter with a "ballistic solution". Of course, with small processing core and array of sensors, the solution is possible.

As as Principal Design Verification engineer, this implementation is mess. No one would pay a $25K for such a system when $1K-2K scope is 100X better in visual clarity and IDing the target.

I would ask, have you used one in the field? if not, your position holds little weight - and I say that respectfully - not trying to be a jerk.

1) the Remington 2020 is a scaled back version for the consumer market and priced at $5,500, not $25k.
2) the XS series are the $25k rifles, and have several significant differences.

The digital display is more than sufficient to easily identify your target as well as place a marker on it at long range. Holding up visual clarity as the measure by which the two systems would be compared makes no sense. If I can see my target, identify it, and mark it correctly with the digital display, what would having the image bring more clarity buy me? nothing. Also keep in mind that this company is young and their products are in the early adopter phase. That will change and prices will come down given time. Do you remember how much VCR's were when they first came out? Or DVD players?

So while your statements are correct in that your scope with good glass will bring a better image, that has nothing to do with the whole point of these rifles. Your glass scope does not calculate the amount of holdover you need. It doesn't account for inclination. It doesn't account for cant, temperature, pressure, humidity, and so on. The goal they are going for is to get a good, solid, on-target hit the first time. So while I can't make out exactly where the brown fur and white fur meet on that antelope 900 yards away, I can hit it - accurately - at 900 yards away.

[jsenner]

3) Like in decent the DSLR the shooter can see on 4"-5" LCD/OLED a view of the target with On-Screen overlay of the HUD info.

And worth mentioning, the XS series come with an iPad mini, which functions as the monitor for the scope (in addition to the scope's built in display). You can also use your smartphone if you like. you can literally sit next to the rifle and accurately take down an animal at 1000 yards without ever putting your face on the stock.

I think you're going to have some patent arguments from Tracking Point on your invention

[Beiruty]

Joking aside about the patent.

I would say if Tracking Point implemented their invention with mechanical control to a traditional scope like in the BORS system. Then, add laser-range finder,and ocular side image sensor, top-mounted computing elements and the array of sensors. Then, provide back-mounted 300-400 lpi 4"-5" display, you would get a very tempting system.

Tracking point are commended about their efforts and I would love to follow their 2nd and 3rd generation and I long to the day when I can see 1000 yrd rifle-system at $10,000 or less.

[Chemist45]

I had the opportunity to play with the Remington system at the NRA meeting.
The image was clear and the 2" display was more than sufficient - Remember you're putting it up to your eye.
At $5500 it is not an option for me right now, but if I were going on a "Once in a lifetime" hunt or an extended safari, then I would pay for it.