The ARD: Invention through necessity

in Outdoors and more4 years ago

If you've ever had a hobby you'll know that often many elements combine to make sure one is able to engage with it effectively and efficiently; Sure, it's not always the case, however if there's a technical aspect to the hobby or task then there's like to be a few different elements involved.

This is certainly the case in some of the hobbies I engage in and definitely in respect of long range shooting which I have done for many years. It's a skill that requires discipline and constant effort plus a lot of stuff

Many skills have to combine to be an effective long range shooter and there's a lot of equipment required also. Of course one simply needs a rifle and ammunition to shoot in its most basic form. However to impact targets at ever-greater distances with higher percentage of hit-probability modern long range shooters develop and employ specific equipment to increase effectiveness; As you can imagine much of this equipment is developed for military and law enforcement use then filters into the civilian world. It is one such item I'll talk about today - It won't be technical and I'll keep it simple as always.

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Invention through need

It's not often I talk about the military aspect of long range shooting and very rare for me to use the word sniper in print although in this post it will be relevant. Snipers have played a vital role in military operations for many years and effectiveness has improved with technology as one would expect. But what drives that development? Well, need does.

With the advent of the rifle scope snipers quickly became brutally efficient and incredibly deadly; Shots became more accurate, hit-probability increased as did the range at which a sniper could operate. The scope brought the target closer and provided adaptable reticles which, at present, do more than simply give an aim-point. There is a downside however as the optics, the glass lenses, permit reflection, usually called glint, which could give away the sniper's position and offer an aim-point for their opposing number. It also means an opposing force could call an artillery, mortar or air strike on an area to eliminate the sniper-threat. This is bad for the guy laying under a shrub in his ghillie suit of course.

A great example of this is the battle between two snipers being Soviet sniper Vasily Zaytsev and German sniper Major König during the Battle of Stalingrad. There is much conjecture about the actual course of events but essentially it is claimed König was slain by Zaytsev after the former was spotted due to the glint from his rifle scope during a three-day-long sniper-duel in an industrial area of the destroyed city. The Major was killed and Zaytsev's place in history was secure; The movie Enemy at the Gates starring Jude Law, depicts this battle. The point being though...Glint from the rifle scope is not good.

There are other examples such as Carlos Hathcock, one of the United States' most deadly and accomplished snipers. He actually shot and killed an opposing sniper in the Vietnam War through the snipers own scope after seeing glint off the objective lens. The kill was confirmed and Hathcock claimed the snipers rifle as a trophy. Fair enough too.

So, glint from a rifle scope can prove fatal to a sniper and measures must be taken to mitigate its occurrence whilst still permitting the sniper to operate effectively.

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There's a few ways to do this including using a long tube, a sun-shade, that screws onto threaded end of the rifle scope at the objective lens end. It's similar to those used on camera lenses and simply blocks the sunlight from hitting the objective lens. Some drape camouflage mesh or some similar type of fabric over the lens but there's a better choice in my opinion.

The ARD - Anti reflection device

This remarkably simple device builds on the sun-shade concept but is more than a simple tube to keep the sun from reflecting off the objective lens; It screws onto the scope in the same manner however rather than just being a hollow tube it's inner area is filled with many small tubes set out in a honeycomb pattern as pictured above and below. The honeycomb pattern means the ARD can be greatly shortened as the length-to-width ratio required to eliminate glint is minimised through the design.

The KillFlash ARD by Tenebraex Corp. [as shown] is only about three or so inches in length and once screwed onto the threaded end of the scope the shooter doesn't even notice it is attached; It performs its job perfectly allowing no glint off the objective lens as the sunlight cannot penetrate the honeycomb system of tubes.

The ARD also shields the interior-optics from the sun which reduces internal glare leaving the shooter with a clearer view if shooting in up-sun conditions. They can also be used on other equipment like night-vision and binoculars.

Fitting the ARD will bring a slight light-reduction of some 12-15 percent however that is not too much of a problem in most applications and when more light is required, very dim days or operating at dusk or dawn, the device can simply be unscrewed and stowed - Most will just leave it on if the shot can still be made though.

Importantly the optical system will suffer no loss of resolution, or any loss is imperceptible, so very long shots where target-identification is critical are still possible. There is literally no distortion or shadowing either. It's a great system.

I fitted this device to my Kahles 624i(6-24x56) rifle scope and did a number of tests in varying light conditions and couldn't tell the difference except in very low-light conditions. I also tested it out on several other shooters and the same conclusion was reached - No visible difference.

I tried the same set of tests on my Nightforce ATACR scope and whilst the available light seemed just a little dimmer that's due to the optics on the NF scope not being as good as that on the high-end Kahles scope. Sorry if you're a Nightforce lover, it's just a fact.

Obviously the primary function of the device is to prevent glint which could, quite literally, be fatal to the sniper but the ARD has a secondary purpose also which is that it protects the objective lens from foreign objects.

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High-end rifle scopes are precision instruments that cost a lot of money; Many thousands of dollars in fact. They are often very rugged being made for military applications however they have weaknesses too.

Several years ago I had to have Nightforce replace the objective lens on one of my scopes due to damage it sustained in the field. It is still open to conjecture as to how the damage happened however the objective lens was quite pitted and I was not in a good mood about it. Fortunately Nightforce stepped up and replaced it at no cost to me so yeah, it pays to have mates in the business; From that moment on I made sure I had ARD's fitted to all of my scopes.

Snipers are always looking for an edge; Better accuracy, hit-probability, a faster stalk, more effective ghillie suit, more accurate data, ammunition with a lower standard deviation, better scopes and reticles, bipods, ballistic-solvers and so on...One of the most critical edges a sniper can have is to be stealthy and remain concealed which is why devices like the ARD exist. Invention through necessity.


Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind

Discord: galenkp#9209

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Ahh so that's what that's for.

yes this is a thing I could have looked up but that would have required having an idea how to search given that I didn't know what it was called or why it was there ^_^;

Even the best things have weaknesses. And sniper duels sound particularly terrifying x_x

I'd say that searching for something that you didn't know anything about, what it is or what it's used for, could be quite problematic. I'm pleased that now you'll not have to deal with that situation. 😉

At least this one would have been a relatively safe search XD

Yeah, you'll not get on a government watch-list for it. I think.

I am working on a solar heat collector, that looks this honeycomb; constructed from pop csns.

These are nice, first I need a better scope (my best is a Leopold), then one of these!

I may make the first one of these, just to see if I can. The idea of single pointing an ID thread this fine, is intriguing. I have some stainless tube that is relatively small, but not hexagonal; for the actual light filter element. :-)

The scope on my 300 win Mag has calibrated external adjustments and astigmatism correction, but it is not a proper long range scope! It is 8 to 24 power, and 50mm, but just not the same quality as your toys.

But I do like this solution to the glint problem, and have placed it on my must have list.

This is the downside to long range shooting...All the available goodies that one can buy, or possibly make in your case. Still, to make those impacts down range stuff has to be right and so we spend the money and make it happen.

Your 300WM scope at 8-24 will work...The 50mm isn't ideal though. You'd probably be better off with 56mm but you could make it work I guess. Did you ever do that box test thing I blogged about a while back? I'd be interested to see how it tracks as you dial through the elevation and windage.

Add the ARD to the list...It's only money. Lol.

I have had limited range time with Debbie so sick, but I want to try that box test! I want to add the level to the assembly first. ..it's only time, LOL!

But I did get the pad leveled at the homestead yesterday!

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I planned a trip to the range today, but maybe a week now. I want to test fire that barrel with the electronic initiator!

:)>

Incredible and interesting hobby, you have a good quality equipment

Hi there and thanks for your comment.

With long range shooting there's so many elements that make it possible and a lot to know...A lot of science goes into it I guess one could say, and therefore specific equipment is often required. This is one such piece of equipment.

Interesting the anti reflection device.

Yeah, it's a new spin on older technology and they seem to work really well.

It looks like a fine rifle, that pretty thing you showed there. This is fantastic. I was thinking about this and always forgot to ask. I guess this are basically shades for the lens. Undoubtedly, it is a triumph of science to be able to make something like this without hindering the effectiveness of the shooter. And of course, less glare through the lens makes it possible. It also amazes me that they come with other perks. You have some nice toys, mate.

It's such a great solution to what can be a big issue; Sun glare in the internal optics and of course the stealth/concealment issue that could be compromised through glint off the objective lens. Simple but effective, is how I'd describe it.

Yeah I have some pretty neat toys to play around with I guess, years of hard work and effort pay off sometimes. I am very fortunate to be able to shoot accurately at the distances I do also - Not many can although everybody, or most, could with the right training. It's teachable. Anyway, I enjoy it and like the feeling of confidence it brings me.

Thanks for commenting.

It looks awesome. I'd like to learn about that. Also, on how to fire a bow. But those are rich Aussie hobbies 😋. Maybe if I ever get out of this hole, I could start doing some shooting and see how it goes.

I'll take you shooting if you ever make it down here...I'm only rich in personality though, I hope that's ok.

I'd love to go to Australia. It was my favorite country to talk about in English Conversational Classes. Well, G-dog, you and me both. That's the only rich thing I own. So, it's more than ok.

Personality-rich! We might not drive Lambo's and wear designer labels but we're gtg. ✅

We need a sign saying "Proceed with caution, this being has too rich a personality!" ⚠️

Very cool device!!

Enemy at the gates is one of my favorite movies! I’ve watched it dozens of times, even though it’s holly wood depiction of Stalingrad it was still an intense movie. Using the little kid to get info, the tricky Russian.

The ARD here looks pretty damn smart and the need is always the mother of invention. I love having a need and trying to figure out what will satisfy that need. It doesn’t always work but it can and did in this!

The device works well and I'm glad some smart cookie came up with it.