Category Archives: Product review

Products and equipment

Rokstad Tauron Carbon Fiber Tripod

November 16, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewcarbon fiber, rokstad, shooting tripod, tauron, Tripod, vector opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

Tripods have become a big part of shooting activities. Whether it is for building a support position for your rifle, or positioning support optics, tripods are a fantastic accessory. I have had the good fortune to use a variety of different tripods of various types and situations. This has opened my eyes to the value of a good tripod, in the right situation. Today I am bringing you a review of another tripod, built specifically for shooting sports. This tripod comes from the folks at Vector Optics, but it is a sub-brand. The Rokstad Tauron carbon fiber tripod is of heavy duty construction, with extendable carbon fiber locking legs. Using the tripod together with Rokstad’s 56mm ball-head gives you impressive mounting and manipulation.

Having arrived right before hunting season would give me a great opportunity to put this tripod to work. Using the Rokstad tripod to support both firearms, spotting scopes, and other items. Over the next couple months, I would use the tripod on the range, out in the deserts and in the high frozen country of the Rocky Mountains.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, Nikon Monarch 82ED-A Fieldscope — my **Nikon Monarch 82m Fieldscope** mounted in the Rokstad tripod

Rokstad Tauron Specifications

Leg Sections	4
Leg Locks	Twist
Folded Length	56 cm / 22.05 in
Maximum Height	169 cm / 66.54 in
Main Tube Diameter	34 mm
Max Load	35 kg / 77 lbs
Tube Material	Carbon Fiber
Angle Adjustments	Yes
Feet Tripod Spike	Yes
Weight	2.12 kg / 74.78 oz
Items in the Package	Storage Bag and Hex Keys

Much thought went into the design of this tripod, adding some clever features. And at the exact same time, the tripod is a simple device. With four extendable sectioned legs, it is a very tall tripod, one could put a sheet around it and use it as a rain shelter.

Attaching a ball head or other device on top of the tripod is done using either a 1/4 threaded stud, or a 3/8 threaded stud. The cunning design has a spring loaded stud, that allows you to pull out the one you want to use, while the other stud collapses inside.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head,

The lightweight carbon fiber legs are very stiff and strong, the rubberized twist-locking rings allow fast deployment. At the bottom end of the legs there are rubber feet, the feet can be twisted up revealing steel spikes for better traction. Additionally, the legs lock in three different angles, allowing you many options for configuring the tripod.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, feet, spike,

With its robust construction, the Tauron Tripod can hold up to 77lbs on top. Which is more than I would ever plan on putting there. Rokstad offers a 38mm and 56mm ball head to mount on the Tauron tripod, I selected the 56mm.

Rokstad 56mm Ball Head

The ball head itself is also built well, with a nice finish and look all around. The ball head features 360 degree rotation, and also includes the typical 90 degree drop notch that allows you to hit extreme angles.

On top of the ball, there is a dual clamp that is tightened by a thumb-screw. The clamp itself is designed to hold both ARCA rail systems as well as picatinny rail systems. This will allow you to mount a variety of firearms and other items to the tripod.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, nikon, fieldscope,

Controls on the ball head are very easy to operate. There is a smaller tension knob that controls the resistance when panning the ball head. And the larger knob adjusts the clamping resistance on the ball itself, the knob has various numbers showing the resistance setting. Interestingly, these controls typically add resistance as you tighten the knob. But on this ball head, the resistance as you tighten the knob doesn’t seem to increase with commensurate resistance on the ball. This allow easy manipulation of the ball head with less effort.

The ball head comes with a small rubberized section of ARCA that can be used to attach a rifle, spotting scope or other device to quickly attach to the tripod.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, custom 10/22, primary arms, glx, 22lr, .22lr, suppressed, spectre 2, — shooting from the Tauron tripod was steady and comfortable, seen here my custom 10/22 with the **Primary Arms GLx 3-18 scope** and **Silencerco Spectre 22 suppresso**r

In the Field with the Rokstad Tauron Tripod

Whether on the range, out in the desert, or high in the Rocky Mountains chasing mule deer, this tripod was a fantastic tool. I used it for supporting my spotting optics, my camera, rifles and other items.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, sig sauer, kilo 10k, — the Rokstad Tauron is extremely stable for glassing with these **Sig Sauer Kilo 10k Binos**

I found the controls of the tripod and ball head to be very easy and intuitive to operate. While the tripod is very light compared to non-carbon fiber options, but I didn’t often choose to pack it along during hunts. This size of tripod is great for short walks and or range operations. It isn’t often I would take this or any comparable tripod on long hikes through rough country.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, maven optics, spotting scope, compact, CS 1A 15-45x,

Using both the rubber feet and the spike s underneath the tripod made a very sturdy structure. Making an excellent platform to shoot from, as well as watching target animals. I did notice occasionally the rubber feet would rattle loose, which would expose the spikes. This isn’t a big deal, as the rubber feet are captured and cannot fall off when loose, but it was a slight inconvenience at times.

Locking the legs in their various positions was quick and easy using the locking lugs, I did find that I like other designs slightly better. Because the locks can be pulled from the front or pushed out from the back. The Rokstad design can only be pulled from the front, this is a minor issue that you likely would miss unless you were used the something else.

Quality

One of the concerns many folks have about foreign built products is the level of quality in construction. I have been quite impressed with the quality of other Vector Optics products, so it came as no surprise that I was also pleased with the Rokstad sub-brand as well. The finish on this tripod is great, the carbon fiber has an excellent build. All the machine work is done well, and there is even a touch of style to it.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, desert tech, srs m2, continental, — if that rifle looks familiar its because my **Desert Tech SRS M2** is wearing the Vector Optics 6-36×56 scope, its mounted in an **Area 419 scope mount**, and on top you can see the **US Optics RISE red dot**.

The controls are crisp and strong, you definitely feel like you can push against this tripod. By that I mean both physically and against its stops. The leg extension locks are very tight, and don’t require heavy torquing to lock the extensions in place. Same with the leg angle locks. And the ball head controls are very tactile allowing sharp control of friction settings.

Usability

I found the Tauron tripod to be every bit as comfortable to use as other tripods I’ve used. The rubberized leg extension locks are quick and easy to use, and deploying the legs of the tripod is quick and smooth. The articulation of the legs allows me to get into most any setup with this tripod, giving excellent support.

Articulating the ball head took a moment to get used to, but once I’d figured it out I quite liked it. Being able to lock both ARCA rails and picatinny rails was a great benefit. Two of the three legs have a foam grip area for comfortably carrying the tripod. Which is especially nice in extreme cold weather.

Value

Rokstad’s Tauron tripod is definitely less expensive than some of the competition. Even compared to some other tripods built overseas, it is still much more affordable. There is obviously good reason behind this, we all know there is no free lunch. While it is lighter than some comparable tripods, it is far from the lightest. It has great features and controls despite others having some better options. But all this should come as no surprise for a tripod that cost only four hundred and fifty dollars (at time of publication). Many of the comparable tripods cost double or triple what this one costs. I am sure I am not the only one who often will take the affordability over a slight advantage in performance.

Pros and Cons

I found very few things to hate on the Rokstad Tauron tripod. It was comfortable and easy to operate, and the controls were intuitive and easy to figure out. The product is well-built giving great stability for either observation optics or firearms. All the control surfaces have textured grip, and the sticky rubber grip areas make short work of extending the legs.

If I had to change something about this tripod, it would probably be the following; I’d love to put it on a diet. It’s not like a boat anchor or anything, but it could be lighter. That could be said for most comparable tripods as well, so keep that in mind. I’d also like it if they vented the legs, the air pressure built when extending or collapsing the legs does create some resistance that could be neutralized by venting the interior of the legs.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, desert tech, srs m2, — Here you can see the extended leg-locks that allows a hard stop for each leg

Also, I really like the dual clamp on the ball head, but I wish it had a lever to tension the clamp instead of a thumbscrew. Thumbscrews are a little less tactile for tensioning such a clamp, especially in the cold. And lastly, the tripod came with a very handy and well made carry bag, complete with a shoulder strap and such. Unfortunately they made the bag too small to use with the ball head installed, which is a massive drawback. I will likely never use the bag now, as I’m not likely ever going to be removing the ball head while transporting the Tauron.

Final Thoughts

Overall I think the Tauron is a great little tripod, meaning I think most folks out there would at minimum find it adequate if not better. If you are new to carbon fiber shooting tripods, I think this will work great for you. And if you have a collection of them as I do, this will fit in to it just fine.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, remington 700, .260 remington, us optics, — here you can see CBM Junior’s rifle mounted in the tripod via the pic rail up front

Rokstad’s Tauron tripod gives great quality and features at a price well below much of the competition. Like it or not, the price is likely due to its overseas construction. If you are looking for a great little tripod to put in your shooting gear, this one is worth looking at.

-CBM

Testing the Olight Ark Pro Lite Flashlight

November 15, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewark, ark pro, flashlight, Laser, LED, light, olightcoldboremiracle

Intro

Flashlight technology continues to improve, LED technology and batteries made from lithium and various electrode types have greatly improved many product lines. The days of oversized lights running on alkaline cells are long gone, replaced by ever smaller and brighter options. Today we are looking at one of those products, the Olight Ark Pro Lite flashlight. The Ark pro is a very compact multi-purpose light with various features making it very handy for a daily use tool. With rechargeable battery that comes with multiple charging options, and shift-on-the-fly controls giving the user a focused beam, a flooding beam, and even a UV option. Additionally there is a green laser pointer built into the unit. All his in a handsome little light you can have delivered on your Amazon Prime account for $100.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, charging port — here you can see the USB-C charging port open, as well as the coltrol panel

Unboxing the Ark Pro Flashlight

As I opened the Olight Ark Pro, it was a little reminiscent of Apple products. Nice packaging with intuitive directions built-in as the packaging opened further. As is typical with Lithium powered products, there are various warning stickers on the product. As well as others that indicate operational features. A charging cable is also included that uses the typical Olight magnet affixed charging port. As well as a card listing the various models of Ark Pro and the functions of the controls and how you can customize them.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, — the laser pointer located centrally

The light itself feels very robust, its heavier than I anticipated which often gives the feeling of added value. The controls are very simple, and tactile with clicks and smooth movements. I hate to bring it back to Apple product’s but it almost feels similar to the older ipod’s before touch screens were incorporated.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, gun belt, safariland, holster, — the Olight Ark Pro fits nicely on a gun belt without cluttering things up too much between my **Safariland holster** and **CRKT Knife**

Olight Ark Pro Features

The solid construction of the Ark Pro gives a strong feeling of rugged quality. The construction also includes a strong dual belt-clip for carrying the light a variety of ways. And the compact slender size makes it easy to carry all the time, much like a pocket knife. And the dual-charging options give you a variety of choices to keep it powered up. And the magnet base that attaches one of the two charging methods also doubles as a hands-free mounting option.

Adjusting the brightness is done by holding down the power button. The Ark Pro cycles through different brightness levels until the button is released.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, mechanic, engine, — as one who frequents the underside of automotive hoods, I find the Ark Pro very handy for quick and easy lighting. Its magnetic base holds it tightly against the hood of vehicles

This light would be a great tool for maintenance and auto technicians, its quick operation and go-everywhere size is great for small places. The Ark Pro includes both a flood-style LED light, and a sharper spot-style LED light. And the UV light is great for identifying leaking systems like coolant or refrigerant dyes. And the laser pointer would also come in handy for pointing out locations to others without needing to get hands-on.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, flood, spot, — showing the two different LED’s emittance, above is the flood light, and below is the spot light. Both seen in pure darkness approximately 10 feet from wall

Real Use

This is not necessarily a light to take the place of a high lumen light you might need in a defensive situation. Though it is way better than no flashlight, it is more useful at distances inside 15-20 feet. On its highest setting it can be useful a bit further. Its comfortable to carry, making it easy to have with you anytime and anywhere.

It is fantastic during camping trips, easily keeping small areas lit. As well as intense light in small areas. It would be a great tool to keep on a tool or gun-belt, as a general all-purpose flashlight.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, EDC, EDC Dump, shadow systems, dr920, ruko, — the Ark Pro fits in perfectly with other EDC items like my **Shadow Systems DR920**

I’ve heard plenty of community lore about Olight products. Often what I hear is negative, but this is my first experience with any of their products. So I can only comment on what I have experience with. I have used other branded lights from popular manufacturers, and up to this point I’ve never had any issues with any of them. I look forward to keeping this Olight Ark Pro in my daily use to see how it stands up against its competition.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, belt, gun belt, — the Ark Pro Lite fits perfectly onto a gun-belt

Conclusion

I think the Olight Ark Pro will fill a great spot in my tool collection. Whether it be working on my car in the driveway, or searching for blood in the dark forest as the sun sets. It has a great set of features, and the simple operation make it a slam dunk for a general purpose flashlight. You can order yours direct through your Amazon account here.

-CBM

Nightstick TCM-10-GL Laser Weapon Light

November 14, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewccw, nightstick, pistol light, tcm-10-gl, weapon light, weaponlightcoldboremiracle

Preface

Sometimes you can’t get enough of some things, good weapon lights are definitely one of those. And today I am bringing you another weapon light option, this one also incorporates a green aiming laser. The Nightstick TCM-10-GL is a pistol mounted 650 lumen weapon light that runs on a single CR123 battery. This compact unit is optimal for mounting to your CCW pistol due to its small size and narrow footprint. Let’s get into the beam of this product and see if its worth the price.

the TCM-10-GL has been at home on my **Ruger RXM** for several months now

Nightstick Lighting

I’ve gotten other Nightstick Lighting products before, and you can read about them here. The Texas based company bring a wide variety of lighting products, often at a great price when compared to other brands.

Part of the reason Nightstick products are more affordable I expect, is because of the old made in China sticker on the box. But despite some folks disliking that, there are definitely some advantages to the brand worth looking at. Nightstick seems to incorporate more modern controls on their products, with digital control buttons and advanced features. They also seem to fit into the places of more popular brands, with compatibility into holsters and such.

A limited lifetime warranty is included with this product, which covers defects on things like the housing, lenses and LED’s. Other parts like batteries, control buttons and other electrical components are covered for a period of two years by the warranty.

Unboxing the Nightstick TCM-10-GL

nightstick, weapon light, TCM-10, TCM-10-GL, laser, light,

Specifications

High Lumens: 650
High Beam Distance (m): 136
High Candela: 4,612
Drop Rating: 2 m
Water Rating: IP-X7 Waterproof
High Runtime (h): 2.0
Strobe: Yes
Laser Color: Green
Switch Function: Momentary or constant-on
Light Source: LED
Serialized: Y
Case Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
Body Color: Black
Quantity of Batteries: 1
Power Source: CR123
Package Contents: Light, five modular rail inserts, 2 spare Allen screws, 1.5mm Allen wrench, (1) CR123 battery
US Patent(s) : 9713217
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Dimensions

Length: 2.5 in (63.5 mm)
Width: 1.1 in (30 mm)
Depth: 1.6 in (42 mm)
Weight: 2.5 oz (70 g)

Mounting and Shooting with the TCM-10-GL

Like other Nightstick weapon lights, the TCM-10 comes with a selection of indexable recoil lugs to engage a variety of host weapons. These recoil lugs engage the picatinny rail under the muzzle of your handgun, and the ability to interchange them for proper alignment is great. Not only is it nice to be able to change them, but the manner in which they are affixed by screws is also very nice. The process allows you to align the weapon light to best fit your taste and holster selection.

Shooting is much more comfortable with my **Safariland Liberator** ear protection

The thumbwheel allows you to use fingers to attach the light, but you will likely need a small coin or screwdriver to tighten the clamp that holds the light to the pistol. Once attached, you can adjust the laser aim to co-witness with other sights or in my case with the Vortex Defender red dot. The laser aim point is adjusted using windage and elevation screws on the housing.

nightstick, weapon light, TCM-10, TCM-10-GL, laser, light, Ruger, Ruger RXM, RXM, 9mm, — adjusting the laser aimpoint after installing the TCM-10-GL on the **Ruger RXM pistol**

With the light mounted and laser zeroed, it was time to head to the range. The added weight of a weapon light up front does help with keeping muzzle’s down, but the added light and laser aiming aid would be be even more valuable.

here you can see the red dot of the **Defender** and the green dot of the laser stacked on the aimpoint, nicely illuminated by the 650 Lumen TCM-10

Controls

Using just the two control button on the TCM-10, you can change up the operation. You can select one of three options, light only, laser only, and light and laser together. Users can also lockout the light, by holding both buttons down for three seconds. This will put the unit in battery lockout mode until you undo it.

the textured buttons sit on either side of the trigger guard

I really like the controls on these Nightstick weapon lights. The momentary buttons give better control than even some of the more popular units from more well known manufacturers. If momentary operation is desired, you simply push and hold one of the buttons, and when you release it the unit shuts off. But if you are anticipating a longer need for light, you can tap the button and it will stay on until shut off by the user.

Quality

Like other Nightstick weapon lights I’ve used, the TCM-10-GL is well made. Almost all construction is of metal, save for the rubberized buttons. Quality fasteners with Allen screws are far superior to older designs. And the clamp is far better than many of the camming style clamps typically used by lower cost weapon light units.

Bright white light from the LED makes for a very nice view, and the high intensity laser is very sharp. The two beams together make a fantastic combination for engaging shots in low light.

Value

Nightstick’s TCM-10-GL is more affordable than some of the more popular branded items like the TLR-8. I have both and like them both, but if money was dictating my purchase, the Nightstick would win at roughly 50$ less. There are even cheaper units available from other brands, but their reputation is far from stellar.

Final Thoughts

Once again, I feel that the Nightstick TCM-10-GL is a fantastic option for a more affordable light laser combo for your CCW. Its compact size will fit into most CCW holster options, and is less likely to snag with its soft edges. It gives great lighting and targeting with its beams, and the quality controls give you customization. All this with common battery usage, and deliverable next day with your Amazon account. All this sounds like a win to me, and I look forward to piercing the dark with this light into the future. I will update this in the future as more experience with the product develops.

-CBM

nightstick, weapon light, TCM-10, TCM-10-GL, laser, light, CZ, CZ P10, p10s, CZ P10S, — the TCM-10-GL was also a perfect fit for the CZ P10S

Arken Optics EPL-4 6-24×50 Riflescope

October 22, 2025Optics, Product review6-24x50, arken, Arken Optics, epl-4, riflescope, scopecoldboremiracle

Preface

Among the many brands of optics available to you now, Arken Optics is one of the more affordable options. Toting their Japanese made lenses and other great features, Arken is well known for happy customers. We’ve seen some of their other scopes before like the EP5 model, which led me to get into this Arken Optics EPL-4 6-24×50 riflescope. I was looking for a good scope that wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, it would be going on a custom rifle for a family member. It wouldn’t take long to figure out if I’d made the right selection.

Arken Optics, EPL-4, 6-24x50, riflescope, scope, unboxing, NIB, Arken

Unboxing the Arken Optics EPL-4

In my experience, Arken Optics come with a pretty no nonsense kind of packaging. Everything you need and nothing you don’t. The scope included a thread-on sunshade, which I really like. As well as an inexpensive bikini lens cover. Adequate instructions and a battery for the illuminated reticle were all there. There was little needed other than a pair of rings to get this scope mounted and on the range.

For that I chose a simple pair or Warne 30mm medium rings. They set the scope close to the bore, and allowed proper eye relief for the scope. They also offer some custom flip caps for this model that I will have to get later.

remington 700, 25-06, 25-06 remington, two vets tripod, cole tac, carbon fiber, arken optics, epl-4

A Rifle to Match

This scope would be married to a custom Remington 700 chambered in 25-06. Together I hoped they’d sing a beautiful and accurate song. Using the above mentioned rings, I mounted the scope to the picatinny rail, and adjusted it for level and eye relief. Once that was done, I torqued everything down evenly.

Then it was time to boresight the scope at the range. I centered the target in the bore of the supported rifle. And carefully adjusted the reticle to the same location. You can read more about how its done here.

It only took a few shots to get the rifle zeroed, and I was quite happy with the consistency. After shooting several groups to confirm, I set to zero the turrets of the EPL-4. This was easy following the directions. I loosened the turret set-screw, and turned the turret to zero carefully paying attention that no clicks were felt or heard. Once on zero, I retightened the set screws. The windage turret uses a hand tightened cap, that doesn’t need any tools. And it can be either capped or used openly.

Zero-stop

After checking everything for proper function, it was time to set the very easy zero stop. The stop functions using a screw that when set in place hits an internal stop, preventing the turret from being turned past zero in the down direction. The hex-bit screw is in the top of the turret, and it is secured by a second set screw that goes in the side of the turret.

You loosen the set -screw, then you can tighten the zero-stop screw in from the top until it stops. It should engage when you dial the turret down to zero, and should stop hard on zero. Once you’ve got that done, tighten the set-screw, and you are ready to go.

mule deer, deer hunting, remington 700, 25-06, arken optics, dead air, nomad, suppressor,

Field Shooting with the EPL-4

As with other Arken scopes I’ve used, I found the optical performance to be great. Considering the price of these scopes I think they punch above their weight. Using the scope in the big country of the Rocky Mountains gave ample opportunity to evaluate the scopes performance. Later, we would take the rifle on a deer hunt in the deserts of Southern Utah.

Quality

I would say this, you can tell Arken Optics are made to meet a lower price point. I think they are going after a portion of the shooting market where people want a great performing scope for under 500 dollars or even less.

Focus adjustment, as well as parallax was smooth and precise. Tension and clicks of the controls were exactly what I’d want. The illumination and its control was easy on the eyes, and having an off setting between brightness.

remington 700, 25-06, arken optics, dead air, nomad, suppressor, Arken EPL-4, 6-24,

That’s not to say the scopes aren’t built well, you can just see that they focused hard on making the features most shooters want. And they did it without spending an exorbitant amount on many of the components, keeping price reasonable. All that said, I believe your average shooting enthusiast upon unboxing and looking through an Arken scope, would be happy with their purchase.

Durability

While this particular scope is just getting started (and its off to a great start), I have several friends who have been running this and similar Arken scopes for some time. I look forward to seeing how this scope continues to stand up to our use, and I will update this as we build history with it. But based on my experience and those I trust, I expect this scope will far outlast my expectations.

Value

Value seems to be a massive part of Arken Optics operation. It wasn’t that long ago that I would have expected to pay well over a thousand dollars for a scope with these features. The optical performance is even comparable to scopes that cost triple the price as little as 10-15 years ago. When I first got started in this game decades ago, a three to four-hundred dollar scope for a precision rifle would have been taboo. Most would have considered it junk at that price, but today I find myself quite happy with them.

Last Thoughts

Once again, I find myself impressed with how well a relatively inexpensive rifle scope performs. Like other Arken Optics I’ve used before, this one seems to be a great buy. There are scopes with much more bells and whistles. But if you are looking for a quality scope with most of the features like FFP, Milling reticle, 8 MRAD turrets, zero-stop, and so on, these scopes are a great option.

-CBM

Check out more optics reviews here

Nightstick TWM-30-T Weaponlight

September 9, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewnightstick, pistol, pistol light, twm-30-T, weapon light, x300coldboremiracle

Introduction

I love a good pistol and light combination, especially matched with a good red dot. Such being the case I am always looking for additional light options. Several of my full size pistols use the popular SF X300, but when I spotted today’s subject I expected it would drop right in place of the X300. Today we are looking at another weapon light from Nightstick, this one is the Nightstick TWM-30-T weaponlight for handguns.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol, shadow systems, dr920,

The TWM-30-T has a very similar presentation, with two CR123 batteries side by side. Mounted by a picatinny clamp to the accessory rail of most handguns, it comes with multiple spaced anchor plates to adjust where the light rides on the pistol. Adding features to the controls also gives the Nightstick unit a leg up over competitors.

Specifications

66,000 candela
Enhanced single-motion switches
User-selectable battery safe and strobe modes
Momentary or constant-on flashlight
Sharp focused beam for distance illumination
Aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum housing
Type III hard anodized finish
Beam distance rated at 514 meters
IP-67 Waterproof
Impact & chemical resistant
Serialized for personal identification
2 CR123 batteries (included)
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Multi-Function: Yes
High Lumens: 900
High Beam Distance (m): 514
High Candela: 66,000
Drop Rating: 2 m
Water Rating: IP-67 Dustproof/Waterproof
High Runtime (h): 1
Strobe: Yes
Light Source: LED
Serialized: Y
Case Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
Body Color: Black
Quantity of Batteries: 2
Power Source: CR123
Package Contents: Light, 4 cross-rail inserts, 2 cross-rail mounting cap head screws, Allen wrench, 2 CR123 Lithium batteries
US Patent(s) : 9713217
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
Length: 3.5 in (89 mm)
Width: 1.5 in (38 mm)
Depth: 1.5 in (38 mm)
Weight: 4.5 oz (127 g)
Head Diameter: 1.2 in (30 mm)

In the Box

When you receive the Nightstick TWM-30-T, everything you need is in the box. There are batteries, tools, and a couple mounting solutions to customize how it rides on your pistol. An owners manual also comes tucked in so you can read up on it.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol,

I really appreciated the fasteners that hold everything in place. Part of me dislikes having life saving equipment “snap on” or snap closed for example. I like that the battery compartment is secured by a screw, as is the the picatinny anchor. The light comes with four different options that you can change out to see where the light best fits on your pic-rail. I found it very convenient to remove the screw and just sit the various anchor plates in place until one of them lines up where you want it.

Programming Controls

The controls of this light are very handy, and easy to remember and understand. I found them to be way ahead of the competition I mentioned earlier. Most lights have a temporary illumination option as well as a full-on setting. The Nightstick TWM-30-T control module gives those settings and more.

Using both buttons in unison, you can press and hold to code in functions like a complete lockout to conserve battery. Or you can engage a strobe feature allowing the user to have a steady beam on command, or a strobe function to blind an opponent.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol, surefire, x300t, — As you can see, the TWM-30-T is a touch shorter than the X-300 Turbo

Perhaps my favorite function is the temporary-on feature. If you push and hold either button, the light will stay on until you release it. Whereas if you simply push and release either button the light stays on. Once you’ve figured our all the functions its very easy to cycle through the functions and get the performance you want.

Compatibility

I found it was very easy to fit the TWM-30-T to a variety of handguns, using the different anchor plate wasn’t always necessary but it was helpful now and then. It seemed perfectly compatible with all my Glock clones, as well as my X5 Legion P320, as well as my Staccato XC.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol, glock, ruger, rxm, staccato XC, shadow systems dr920, sig sauer, p320 X5, Legion, — Here you can see how the Nightstick fit on several popular pistols (clockwise from top left) the **Shadow Systems** DR920, the **Staccato XC**, the **Sig Sauer P320 X5 Legion**, and the Ruger RXM

Aside from fitting all the pistols (which was expected) the TWM-30-T also fit easily into all of my holsters. This was an incredibly welcome convenience, as I love my holsters. The Nightstick is also a little more compact than other popular competitor’s lights, which might be helpful in some scenarios.

Shooting in the Dark

Thankfully I don’t need to shoot in the dark often, but it’s always something to be prepared for. More than anything I spent a lot of time shooting at dusk as the sun went down. To see how the controls functioned in real time while drawing my pistols.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol, surefire, x300, turbo, — for comparison, here are the two beams seen at approximately 15-yards

In the interest of comparison, I did put the beam of the TWM-30-T against others to see how it looks at night time in pure darkness. The 900 lumens of the Nightstick looked great in the darkness.

Pros and Cons

In favor of the Nightstick TWM-30-T, there is much to say. Being able to order it directly off of Amazon for the price of $139 is almost reason enough in my opinion to get one. The fantastic programmable control makes it a smarter choice than some others. And the final blow that would make this a slam dunk is its compatibility with so many guns and holsters. With so many great things going for it, the fact that it is produced in Texas by Americans is simply icing on the cake. (Edit: it would seem they are manufactured overseas for the Texas based company)

I really couldn’t come up with something about this light that was bad. It mounts better than many others, its controls are better and can all be done with a single finger. I guess the only thing that would make it better would be to incorporate a laser without changing the external dimensions. But I guess I’m reaching there.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol, Vortex defender XL, sig sauer, p320, x5, legion, — the Nightstick made a perfect companion to the X5 with it’s **Vortex Defender XL**

Conclusion

I was very happy to find another weapon light with such great compatibility. Something I could use across various pistol and holster combination. Even more pleasing was finding how much I liked about this light in particular. Whether you are simply looking for a light for your CCW, or something for a duty pistol this is a great option. I suppose if the National Tactical Officer Association endorses and recommends these lights, they are good enough for me. If you also fall in that category with me, then give one of these a try. You can order the Nightstick TWM-30-T right here and have it shipped right to your door.

-CBM

Winchester Supreme Optics 10×50 Binoculars

September 8, 2025Optics, Product review10x50, binoculars, binos, winchester, winchester supreme opticscoldboremiracle

Preface

In another time of my life, it seemed popular for big outdoor names to offer everything from knives to cufflinks. Even as a child I figured out that some of these items were just rebranded Chinese junk. It seems many of the mighty have fallen these days, and their names sold time and again. Our subject today is the Winchester Supreme Optics 10×50 Binoculars, a competitively priced and quality built binocular. If your’e not sure what that has to do with my intro, let me clarify.

Sadly, the great Winchester name lost its place some time ago. The name suffered various changes of hands and its product lines were sold to different interests. Having once been a dominant firearms company, I was very sad to see this happen over the course of my life. But, Americans are good at comebacks…

Winchester Supreme Optics

Winchester Supreme Optics looks to bring back the quality and standard of the Winchester name. Our first look at these binoculars proved to impress me, so I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of their products perform.

Besides the binoculars tested here today, Winchester Supreme Optics also makes other binocular models as well as several rifle scopes, thermal optics as well as spotting scopes. I can assure you based on the binos in-hand, these are not some rebranded trash. It seems the new management at Winchester Supreme Optics has their eye on higher quality and more modern products.

Supreme 10×50 Binoculars

These Supreme binoculars are built on a robust thermoplastic body, with fully coated lenses and tactile grip exterior. The HD glass makes for sharp viewing with edge to edge clarity and brightening low-light images. The internal silver coated prism transmit light better and add contrast to the image. Of course it is nitrogen filled to prevent fogging and sealed to be impervious to the elements.

winchester supreme optics, binoculars, 10x50, winchester, bino, eye cups,

It also has the standard things you’d expect; tripod mounting lug, lens covers, lens cloth, sling attachments etc. It comes with a padded case and the typical padded sling to hang from your neck. As you might expect like with most binoculars, the sling and case would be set aside in favor of something more comfortable.

Specifications

MAGNIFICATION	10x
OBJECTIVE LENS DIAMETER	50 mm
OCULAR LENS DIAMETER	23.5 mm
TYPE OF PRISM	Roof / BaK4
PRISM COATING	Silver
LENS COATING	WINcoat™ full multicoat
FOCUS SYSTEM	Central focus
EXIT PUPIL DIAMETER	4.88 mm
EXIT PUPIL DISTANCE	17 mm
FIELD OF VIEW (FOV)	6.1°
FOV 1000 YARDS	321 ft
FOV 1000 METERS	107 m
CLOSE FOCUS MINIMUM	3m / 10ft
DIOPTER SYSTEM	Right diopter ring
DIOPTER COMPENSATION	±3
INTERPUPILLARY DISTANCE	57~72 mm
WEATHER PROOF	Yes
WATER PROOF	Yes
SUBMERSIBLE	1m/15 minutes
NITROGEN FILLED	Yes
EYECUPS SYSTEM	Twist-up
CHASSIS MATERIAL	PPS
IP RATING	IPX7 (1m/30min)

Fielding the Winchester Supreme Binoculars

Immediately after receiving the 10×50 binoculars, I went outside to begin evaluating them. I was greeted with a bright image, with clean edges and great contrast. Me and the boys in the office spend every fall hunting in these Rocky Mountains, all took turns looking around the neighborhood. My very first impression was very good, and the others also offered a positive impression.

One of my pet peeves about binoculars is the need to focus each individual barrel of the bino. I understand it is normal especially since not everyone’s eyes are the same. However I found that with these Supreme 10×50’s we spent very little time adjusting between users. It seemed as though the sweet spot focal-length was far more forgiving than other binoculars I’ve used. Even models that cost four or five times more than these.

Into the Mountains

With fall upon us, we took the Winchester Supreme binoculars into the mountains to do our typical scouting trips for mule deer and elk. The clean air at 9,000 feet looked spectacular through these binoculars. We glassed for hours inspecting every thicket and rock formation. I was impressed with how well these binoculars gave sharp focus at any realistic range.

Even in the early predawn light, I found the contrast of these binoculars to be great. Like those moments right at shooting light where you need to identify a shooter versus a non-shooter. The large 50mm objective does well at compressing the available light into a clean image with good depth. This allows you to properly identify your quarry.

Desert Heat

As summer nears its close, my son and I spent some time in the dry desert of the Great Basin. We would soon be chasing Pronghorn Antelope out here, and using the Supreme binoculars to inspect potential bucks would come in handy.

The yellowing landscape makes it feel warmer than it really is, and there is plenty of mirage to perceive. Again, the clear contrast of these binoculars made it an excellent tool as we scoured the desert looking for antelope.

Pros and Cons

I’ll start out with the positive aspects of these binoculars. First off I must say that for the price these are a great deal. Sub $200 binoculars are often trash-tier, like something you’d give your sticky fingered nephew for his birthday. I must say that for the $219 price of these binoculars they are fantastic. They also look sharp, avoiding the often cheesy look of lower priced products. The binos fit perfectly in both of my binocular harness’.

I already mentioned how I really like the ease of which they are focused, and the adjustable eye-cups make it quick to customize for each user. The optical performance is for sure the star of the show. Had I not been able to see the binoculars prior to looking through them, I would have expected them to cost double or more.

If I had to give these binoculars a demerit, it could only be their foreign manufacture. It’s a painful line to walk between inexpensive great products built overseas and more expensive ones made here at home. I must say, despite foreign manufacturing, they have upped their game significantly.

Final Thoughts

I have been very impressed with these Winchester Supreme Optics 10×50 binoculars over the last few weeks of glassing. And I would not have expected to so pleased with a pair of binoculars priced at only $219. My family and I look forward to putting these to some hard use during this hunting season. And I am pleased to see the Winchester name get back where it belongs, bringing quality products to American outdoorsmen. Stay tuned for more, as this wont be the last we hear of Winchester Supreme.

-CBM

Gritr Gear Tactical Range Bag

September 7, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewbag, gear bag, gritr, gritr gear, gritr gear tacitcal range bag, range bagcoldboremiracle

Introduction

We all love little items that make our hobby easier to practice, and today I am bringing you another one. Gritr Gear makes a variety of shooting accessories that are both affordable and high quality. Today I am sharing my experience with Gritr Gear’s Tactical Range Bag, a sure way to better organize and transport your shooting accessories. The Tactical range bag has a variety of features that will help you keep your range gear clean and organized with durable construction built to last.

gritr gear, gritr tactical range bag, range bag,

Construction

Gritr Gear’s range bag is made from 500D nylon material that is durable and light. The bag is stitched and reinforced where it counts and uses heavy duty dual zippers for closure. Aside from the exterior of the bag, the interior uses various materials to optimise its use. The pouches are lined with a soft fleece like material to protect your pistols and other accessories from scratches.

Apart from the various pouches and pockets for organizing your stuff, the bag also features various Molle panels within to allow you to add or change the internal design. I was very pleased to find a removable hard panel that you can either use or remove to add strength and rigidity to the main bag compartment.

Bag in a Bag?

The Tactical Range Bag also features various sub-assemblies. you will find inside the main compartment a smaller tote that can be used to carry and quickly remove everything from the main compartment. The inner tote has two zippered pockets on each side, again lined with fleece to protect your gear. Zippers use reinforced pull-tethers making it easy to use with gloves.

And if that wasn’t enough, there is also an even smaller bag within, like a set of nesting dolls. The smaller bag is lined inside with pockets and a zippered mesh pouch. One could use it as a tool pouch or safety gear like hearing protection and such, though it is labeled as a QD IFAK.

gritr gear, gritr tactical range bag, range bag, IFAK — the interior of the IFAK pouch

Aside from the diverse pocket offerings, there is an impressive amount of velcro surfaces on nearly every side of the bags. This comes in handy for folks who love to spice up their presentation with patches and logos.

Exterior

The bag is available in various colors, I chose M81 Woodland camo for obvious reasons. Other colors like black, FDE, Green as well as a retro 80’s pastel on black pattern in case you want to make a statement.

Covering the top of the main compartment is a large velcro lined dual zipper lid. Strong zippers slide easily making it quick to open and close the bag sigle-handedly.

Carrying the bag is easy using the large nylon loop carrying handles, or you can use the large padded shoulder strap that clips onto each end. Gritr even went as far putting hard rubber feet on the bottom of the bag, to prevent the bottom of the bag from wearing out. This would come in handy riding in the bed of my pickup for miles up bumpy dirt roads.

Quality

My very first impression and one that has stuck with this bag is the overall quality. Within minutes of opening the bag I was impressed with how well it was made. All the different materials feel strong and durable. The stitching and material connections are very nice, a stark contrast from the cheap discount bags you’ll often find on the accessory shelf at retailers.

I have other range bags that while useful, have quickly degraded. Loosing their rigidity and quality feel. I am hard on gear, likely using it more often than most, and typically with little care. That’s not to gloat, simply an explanation on how gear gets used around here. This Gritr Bag looks like it will be here for a long time, and I have already made it my main range bag due to its great construction.

Get Your Own Gritr Gear Range Bag

Not only does this great bag bring value and order to your shooting, but you can get it for as little as $114 currently with your Amazon Prime account. Delivered faster than some people can draw. Not only that, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

There is more to see about this bag than there is to say. I can imagine if you are like me, you’d rather just get your hands on it and start digging through to see if it fits your needs. That being the case, I’m going to give you my best virtual scrutiny with a variety of pictures. Hopefully this will help you decide if it meets you standards.

Conclusion

I’ll leave you with a few more images in hopes that you can evaluate the bag. But I can confidently say this; it is an excellent buy, and surely the best range bag I have. I can’t imagine someone regretting having purchased it.

Thanks for following along, I hope you’ve found something useful here. let me know if you have any questions or recommendations.

-CBM

Steiner MX5i 5-25×56

September 6, 2025Optics, Product review5-25, MX5i, rifle scope, scope, steiner, steiner opticscoldboremiracle

Preface

Steiner Optics has a long and distinguished history of making professional grade shooting tools. I have always been a fan of the brand and I’ve reviewed several products here. Today we are looking at another one of Steiner’s popular rifle scopes, the Steiner MX5i 5-25×56. The MX5i has been a popular riflescope for law enforcement and military use during the last decade or so. Today I wanted to see how this popular scope stands up to the other scopes I have used.

The Mx5i Riflescope

The Steiner MX5i is a purpose built tactical scope made with precision shooters in mind. It has all the features a long-range precision rifle would need. The large 34mm tube allow for a full 26 MRAD of elevation adjustment, and houses the large erector housing with fully adjustable turrets. The Duoscale elevation turret has 15 MRAD per rotation, and allows you to reset at zero easily.

Steiner, M5X, desert tech, HTI, 50bmg, — the Steiner MX5i mounted in a **Contessa 34mm Scope Mount**

Inside the MX5i you’ll find the MSR2 illuminated reticle, which I have used in several scopes with success. The FFP reticle is very useful without being too obtrusive, and the ability to illuminate it in low light conditions is also quite helpful.

Included with the scope are some nice flip-open caps to protect the lenses, as well as the typical accessories. As well as the Steiner Heritage Warranty to give you peace of mind. Steiner has moved some of their production to the US which is comforting. In my opinion, the second best place to have a scope built is Germany, and that is where the MX5i comes from.

Specifications

Steiner Optics MX5i Riflescope
Magnification	5-25X
Reticle	MSR2
Finish	Matte Black
Objective Diameter	56MM
Reticle Focal Plane	First
Tube Diameter	34 MM
Field of View	4.6 – 23.6 ft at 100 yds
Eye Relief	3.5 – 4.3 in
Exit Pupil	2.2 – 9.8 mm
Length	16.6 Inches
Weight	36.3 Ounces
Illumination	Rotary Rheostat with off settings between
Turret Design	Duoscale with resettable zero
Turret Values	0.1 MRAD per click
Elevation Range	26 MRAD
Parallax Focus	Side focus adjust
Battery	CR2450
MSRP	$3679.99

Shooting the Steiner MX5i

I’ve had the good luck to use this scope quite a bit, which is not always the case when reviewing some products. Having been able to travel the world a bit with the scope has given me some additional insight into its durability. From shooting 50 BMG rifles in the arid deserts of the west, to sub-freezing temps shooting down abandoned Soviet airstrips.

My first experience shooting the scope was on my Desert Tech SRS M2 chambered in 338 lapua magnum. A strong rifle that would show failures in a scope that isn’t up to the task. Zeroing the rifle was easy using the MX5’s turrets. With a simple slip of the turrets I zeroed the elevation and windage.

First Shots

On the first trip out, we stretched the rifle all the way out to 1600 yards. I must say that I was impressed with both the repeatability of the scope, and the optical sharpness. As it happens, after picking out a target at 1600, every shooters dream occured…

Steiner, M5X, desert tech, SRS, srs m2, 338lm,

A lone coyote wandered out of the cedar trees just behind my target zone just as I settled in for a shot. I watched him as he picked his way between the trees hoping for him to pause. After he seemed to show no sign of stopping, I decide to lead him. Having made a dozen or so shots all ready at that distance, I had a pretty good idea of the flight time anticipated. With my lead held I pressed the trigger, sending the 250 grain Swiss P bullet on its way.

My luck with coyotes held true that day, as just after I pulled the trigger he must have sensed a disturbance in his aura or something and he stopped. A moment later and just a foot or two ahead of him, my shot landed right where he should have been. It would have been an amazing shot.

Shooting Abroad

A few weeks later I found myself laying in deep snow looking down a cut in a sea of coniferous forest in northern Europe. My breath would condense and freeze to the side of my rifle, making it somewhat challenging to focus. But looking through the MX5 I could clearly see my targets downrange a kilometer away. The target hangers contrasted clearly against the white blanket of snow.

Over the course of several days we shot targets in the icy breeze, with and without snow falling. It was a great test of the clarity of this scope, never fogging up. It also required me to rely on its accurate tracking, as I was shooting soft targets through falling snow. It was impossible to see impacts.

In Tandem

I also shot the MX5i in tandem with the Andres Industries TigIR thermal sight. This brought another level of perception, looking through both optics together I was able to see my bullet holes appear in the snow even 600 meters away.

Steiner, M5X, desert tech, SRS, srs m2, 338lm, Andres Industries, TigIR, thermal,

You can read more about the Thermal here, but I must say that the Steiner MX5i worked fantastic together with it.

Parallax Adjustment

I love a scope with good focus, and the MX5 does a great job focusing the image properly. The adjustable parallax also allows you to remove parallax from your view across great distance. This was very helpful both on the rifle range, and the desert.

Adjusting the scope in general was smooth and predictable. The clicks of the turrets felt clean and audible. The Duoscale elevation turret is pretty interesting, as you cross the 15 MIL point to the second rotation, the numbers slide up and change to 15 and up.

The MSR2 reticle is a fantastic reticle for this kind of shooting. It gives you plenty of tools for measuring targets and ranging distance if thats your thing. And at the same time it doesn’t obscure your target area. I like the open center dot, it allows for very precise placement.

you can see here how little the reticle obscures your target area

Durability

After having shot this scope over a long period of time across various rifles and calibers, I am quite confident in its quality. Neither my 338 nor 50 BMG managed to knock it out of place. Traveling across the world in hot and freezing climates haven’t seen to do it any harm. It’s never lost zero, and the tracking has never missed. I suppose this should come as no surprise as the MX5i is built on a one-piece tube, with a history of hard military service.

Pros and Cons

Of the many positive aspects of this scope I must say my favorites are these; The robust reliability, the precise tracking and repeatability, and the clear reticle that is easily focused at any distance. These features make this scope an easy choice if you find yourself heading into the unknown. Whether it be against cunning animals or an opposing force.

The only thing I would take away from the Steiner MX5i would be that it seems to suffer in clarity a tiny bit at full power. This seems to be the case for most every scope I use, so its not particularly a jab at this Steiner in particular. But I did find myself often using the scope at 21-22 power for optimal clarity at long-range.

The MSRP from Steiner of nearly $3700 might be a tough pill to swallow for some folks. Even the going street price hovers around $3000 from places like Euro Optic. But if you want military quality optics like this, you can expect to pay for them.

Conclusion

It comes as no surprise to me that this scope performed so well for me. With a reputation like that of Steiner Optics, you can expect great performance. With the MX5i you can expect years of reliable and repeatable shooting with sharp images. Like many others, I can strongly recommend this scope for those interested. If you are looking for something a little more affordable, check out my reviews of the Steiner T6Xi scopes as well.