Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to selectively measure one or more conditions, such as temperature, wind speed, and angle of inclination, that may assist a golfer in making a play. If it is not permissible to present to the golfer additional information (e.g., an adjusted distance, temperature, wind speed, or a suggested club) that may assist a golfer in making a play, only a line-of-sight distance to a target on a golf course may be displayed. Modular rangefinders are also provided in which a dongle is coupled to a rangefinder to provide unique functionality. For example, a TGR™ dongle may provide golf specific functionality, such as calculating an adjusted distance that the golfer may use to play an inclined shot and a TBR® dongle may provide hunting specific functionality, such as calculating an equivalent horizontal distance that a hunter may use for precise shooting on an incline.

Abstract: A method for aiming a projectile weapon may utilize an aiming device having a primary aiming mark adapted to be sighted-in at a first selected range and one or more secondary aiming marks spaced below the primary aiming mark, and includes identifying, from at least two different groups of projectiles, a projectile group corresponding to a selected projectile. An aiming adjustment for the projectile weapon is determined and effected based on the range to the target and the nominal ballistic characteristics of the identified projectile group corresponding to the selected projectile. Other methods of aiming include identifying one projectile group from two or more predetermined projectile groups based on a selected projectile. Each predetermined projectile group preferably includes two or more different projectiles, preferably of different calibers, and a projectile having ballistic characteristics that are approximately median for each such projectile group.

Abstract: According an embodiment, a projectile weapon aiming system includes a computer-controllable reticle with crosshairs or other aiming marks having a color and/or illumination that can be selectively changed to provide feedback to a shooter to indicate when the projectile weapon aiming system (and hence the projectile weapon itself) is accurately aimed to compensate for a particular range, inclination, crosswind, and/or other ballistic conditions.

Abstract: A method for aiming a projectile weapon involves identifying a projectile group corresponding to a selected projectile and its nominal initial velocity from at least two different predetermined groups of projectiles, determining a range to a target, and automatically determining an aiming adjustment for aiming the projectile weapon based on the range to the target and a nominal ballistic characteristic of the projectile group. The nominal ballistic characteristic of the projectile group may be characteristic of a ballistic coefficient of the selected projectile and the nominal initial velocity of the selected projectile. Also disclosed are systems and methods for determining hold over aiming data and equivalent horizontal range data, for aiming projectile weapons at inclined targets.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein comprise a scope for a firearm having a large range of zoom. The scope comprising a movable zoom selector for adjusting magnification of an image viewed through the scope. The scope further comprises an objective, an ocular, and an erector assembly positioned between the objective and ocular. The erector assembly comprises at least three optical elements movable relative to one another in response to operation of the zoom selector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept are directed to a rangefinder that can be aligned to a fixed sight on a shooting device so that a range can be accurately taken that corresponds to a fixed sight that is used to align the shooting device to a target. Other embodiments of this concept provide methods of aligning the rangefinder to the fixed sight of the shooting device.

Abstract: A locking turret knob includes an adjustment member, a first member, and a second member. The adjustment member is adjustably positionable about an axis of rotation. The first member is disposed in proximity to the adjustment member and has at least one engagement member. The second member is disposed in proximity to the adjustment member and has at least one engagement surface. The adjustment member is adjustably positionable about the axis of rotation when each engagement member does not engage an engagement surface. The adjustment member is locked in a selected position about the axis of rotation when at least one engagement member engages an engagement surface. The adjustment member can be coupled to an adjuster of an optical enhancement device, such as a telescopic sight, a telescope or a microscope.

Abstract: An optical sighting device having a compound zoom system preferably includes two or more lens erector assemblies that are each adjustable to modify the optical power of the optical sighting device. A prism erector assembly may also be included. An odd number of erector assemblies preferably creates a viewable image that has the same orientation as the real object being viewed through the optical sighting device.

Abstract: A dial for adjusting an adjustable portion of a device includes an actuator that moves substantially transverse to an axis of rotation to unlock the dial for rotation. When the actuator is released, the dial automatically locks in place.

Abstract: Adjustment mechanisms that may be employed for making operational adjustments to sighting mechanisms such as riflescopes, telescopes, binoculars, monoculars or other types of viewing devices. One configuration being directed to a pop-up cap that is retained and remains connected to the adjustment mechanism, the pop-up cap translating between a first position (typically the closed position) where rotation of the cap does not engage the adjustment mechanism to a second (typically the extended position) where rotation of the cap engages the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A method and system to record a note regarding a target observed by an observer, determine a location of at least one of the observer or the target, and associate and store the note and the location. Optionally, the method and system further measure a distance between the observer and the target, measure a direction relating the observer and the target, and calculate, based on the location of the observer, the measured distance, and the measured direction a location of the target.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein comprise a scope for a firearm having a large range of zoom. The scope comprising a movable zoom selector for adjusting magnification of an image viewed through the scope. The scope further comprises an objective, an ocular, and an erector assembly positioned between the objective and ocular. The erector assembly comprises at least three optical elements movable relative to one another in response to operation of the zoom selector.

Abstract: A riflescope includes an objective lens component slidably supported on a guide track oriented perpendicular to an optic axis of the objective lens component for lateral, non-pivoting movement of the objective lens component in or along a plane perpendicular to the optic axis. Movement of the objective lens component shifts an image of a target in the field of view relative to an aiming mark displayed in the riflescope. In a preferred embodiment, a transparent optical window is fixedly mounted forwardly of the objective lens element and sealed to the riflescope housing.

Abstract: Measuring the size of a distant object using a gauge sized according to a range to the object is provided. A user may select an initial target scale size and use an aiming mark to align a rangefinder with the object before determining the range. Indicia may be associated with the gauge, both of which could be displayed in a field of view of an optical sighting device, such as a rangefinder, riflescope, or spotting scope. In addition, the gauge or the indicia, or both may be alterable in response to the determined range. While looking through an eyepiece of the optical sighting device, the user may align the gauge with the object and estimate its size by visually comparing the gauge and object with reference to the indicia. The gauge may be geometrically shaped and may contain a series of spaced apart measuring marks having a logarithmic spacing.

Abstract: A lens cover includes a cap adapted to be pivotably supported on an optical device. A stop may be positioned to interfere with spring-driven movement of the cap and to brake the cap at an intermediate position between closed and open positions thereof, and to allow the cap to be manually moved to the fully open position. An optional detent structure is disclosed for releasably retaining the cap in its open position. A mounting ring assembly of the lens cover may include a first threaded ring member for attachment to the optical device and a second ring member rotatably coupled to the first ring member for positioning a hinge that pivotably attaches the cap to the second ring member. Magnets may be included to retain the cap in the closed position. The mounting ring assembly, the cap, or both may be formed of a metal such as aluminum.

Abstract: A compact spotting scope includes a housing with an outer surface having a grasping region sized and shaped to fit in a user's hand. An optical element positioned within the housing is adjusted by manually rotating a side-mounted adjustment knob that extends laterally from the outer surface of the housing opposite the grasping region. The side-mounted position of the adjustment knob allows the arm and wrist of the focusing hand to be maintained in an ergonomic position during manipulation of the adjustment knob, thereby further facilitating steady support. An internal support member of the spotting scope includes a frame portion and a generally tubular portion, which are preferably formed together of unitary one-piece construction for aligning optical elements of the spotting scope.

Abstract: A method for shooting a projectile weapon involves determining the inclination of a line of sight from a vantage point to a target and a line-of-sight range to the target, then predicting a trajectory parameter at the line-of-sight range, for a preselected projectile. Using the trajectory parameter, an equivalent horizontal range may then be determined, wherein the equivalent horizontal range is the range at which the trajectory parameter would be expected to occur if the projectile were shot from the vantage point toward a theoretical target located in a horizontal plane intersecting the vantage point. The equivalent horizontal range may be utilized to compensate for ballistic drop when shooting the projectile weapon. The method may be embodied in a handheld laser rangefinder including a memory for storing ballistic data. Systems for automatic hold over adjustment in a weapon aiming device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein include a scope for a firearm having a large range of zoom. The scope comprising a movable zoom selector for adjusting magnification of an image viewed through the scope. The scope further includes an objective, an ocular, and an erector assembly positioned between the objective and ocular. The erector assembly includes at least three optical elements movable relative to one another in response to operation of the zoom selector.