Swarovski, the Austrian optics manufacturer, has risen to the challenge to produce a product to move the rifle scope market forward. It merges the company’s superb clarity of optics with digital processing, radio and laser technologies. This combination of know-how has eliminated the need for both elevation and windage turrets by incorporating a rangefinder, ballistic calculator and self-adjusting illuminated reticle, which Swarovski terms ‘a high-resolution head-up display’. All of this is achieved within a well-proportioned 40mm tube weighing just over 1Kg.

The motivations for reloading ammunition are broad. For some shooters, it is about cost savings, although that is increasingly being challenged as component costs have risen over the last few years. For precision shooters, being able to fine tune ammunition to each individual rifle can yield greater accuracy in competitions. Some are motivated by the availability of ammunition in their locale. However, for many, reloading is an enjoyable pastime which forms part of their rifle stewardship.

Swarovski started shipping the new EL Range TA (Tracking Assistant) binoculars in two versions 10x42 and 8x42. These new products have replaced the Company's popular EL Range binocular range, which has been in the market for the last decade. At first appearance, the two products look similar, but the functionality of the EL Range TA is a significant leap forward, not just for Swarovski but for the sport optics industry. Swarovski loyalists have been waiting for a new range-finding binocular with a built-in ballistic calculator feature to join existing offerings from vendors such as Zeiss and Leica. The wait is now over; not only has Swarovski delivered the missing ballistics capability the developers have added the ability to track back to your target with a built-in direction finder.

The tM 35 comes into its own on the front of a scope. In tests, the thermal provided excellent target resolution at up to 10x optical zoom. Most importantly, it has no affect on the point of impact of the scope.

The ATN Mars 4 640 4-40x version utilises a fourth-generation sensor operating at 60Hz, so movement is smooth and shows no latency. The sensor is capable of detecting heat out to 3300 meters, recognition of an image at 1450m and identification out to 800m.

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The sticks are lightweight, stable and fast to deploy. The real innovation is the inclusion of a rotational pistol grip which is set thoughtfully on the front support. It enables a user to smoothly adjust the lateral aim of the rifle without needing to change the position of the support legs. The rifle can be kept safely on target over a lateral range of 20 meters at a range of 100 meters