Spring is prime turkey hunting in several states and typically the first hunt of the year for avid outdoorsmen. But it’s also the time of year when hunters take inventory on equipment and make upgrades and additions when necessary.
5 Must-Have Hunting Accessories:
Technology has made hunting accessible to more people and streamlined several processes that used to require a lot of time and effort. These five items are sure to enhance your 2015 hunting experiences.
1. Magellan eXplorist 350H GPS System
Magellan tested the eXplorist 350H in the most remote parts of Alaska to ensure functionality and accuracy regardless of terrain and location. The eXplorist 350H, in conjunction with a subscription to satellite imagery service DigitalGlobe, allows you to scout your hunting grounds prior to arrival. There are more than 30 pre-programmed waypoints for plotting trails, landmarks, animal tracks, and other observable land features.
The eXplorist 350H is waterproof, gets 18 hours of power on two AA batteries, and is durable enough to survive being dropped on hard surfaces. Your next hunt will be more enjoyable and productive with the eXplorist 350H at your fingertips.
2. Brunton Hydrogen Reactor Charger
Long days of sitting in a blind waiting for that perfect shot mean your smartphone, tablet, and other devices are going to need a charge at some point. While portable solar chargers are great during the daytime, they are useless after sunset. But the power of hydrogen can be utilized 24/7.
The hydrogen cores of the Brunton Reactor Charger combine with oxygen in the air to produce enough power to charge any USB-compatible device. Granted, at five watts the Brunton Reactor Charger provides less punch than the typical 12-watt iPhone charger. It will take about twice as long to fully charge an iPhone, but it can be accomplished under any conditions, any time of day.
3. Nikon ProStaff 7i Rangefinder
The ProStaff 7i was first introduced in 2012 and has continued to gain popularity with hunters. It has two settings for determining shot depth: Distant Target Priority and First Target Priority modes. The previous is ideal for densely-wooded areas, whereas the latter tells you the distance of the target closest to you.
The ProStaff 7i Rangefinder features a 7.5-degree field of view, LED display for easy nighttime usage, and cold temperature functionality down to -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit). It’s also water-resistant and fog-proof thanks to its O-ring seals.
4. Replacement Sunglass Lenses
It’s typically around May when Midwesterners can be confident there will be no more snow until autumn. Sunlight and fresh snow lead to blinding reflections that can impede your ability to shoot accurately.
Replacement lenses for your sunglasses can provide total UV and glare protection without sacrificing style. Make certain to purchase impact-resistant lenses and those that repel dirt and moisture.
5. Mud River Blind for Dogs
There’s no better way to keep your hunting companion concealed until it’s time to strike, than a blind. Waterfowl dog blinds by Mud River feature enough space for an average-sized dog to move around inside, while also providing both front and rear entrances. Its pop-up design makes it easy to both setup and take down at the end of the day.
Would love to have a Nikon rangefinder, but the old one I have still works so I’ll keep it till it don’t.
As far as the Hydrogen reactor goes, really? I looked at the thing, the replacement cores are $50 for 4 on Amazon, that’s $12.50 per core. It says one core will charge an I-phone up-to 6 times, a bit over $2 per charge, really.. I paid about $50 for my Anker solar charger and it works for free. Ya, I know, it has to have the sun to work, but the sun comes round every day. If they get the unit with core down to about $50 and the core last for years (like the solar charger), I might think about it.
I have always used Garmin GPS units, Garmin units have always worked for me and they are (IMHO) easier to use, maybe it’s because I am used to them. My brother bought a Magellan for his first unit, he came to my house to “brag”, we compared his to the Garmin unit I had at the time, he took his back the next day and bought a Garmin. I’m not saying the Magellan is a bad unit, I just think the Garmin is easier to use, apparently my brother agrees, he still uses them too. Opinions vary.
I know it sounds like I’m picking on your recommendations, but I’m not. As a buyer of many many many and some more gimmickry ( sometimes useless) things, I just try to get my monies worth, and these are the things that work for me. You know what they say, “Opinions are like a$$holes, every bodies got at least one.
You know I love your opinions ;)
Great tips here!
Thanks John!