2008 SHOT Show Product Review

Okay, before I get deep into this I want to make something perfectly clear and up front.   I’m not a big gun guy…by saying that I mean I don’t have the intense interest in or familiarity with shotguns, rifles and pistols that many of the SHOT Show attendees do.   With that said, most of my interest at SHOT is captured by the myriad of other products being offered up at the industry show.   Therefore, if you are looking for a thorough review of new gun products you need to also check out this, this and this.

In many respects SHOT Show 2008 held no fabulous product surprises as compared with the typical year.   Yet, there were some very unique ideas that captured my attention.   Whether or not they will be practical for everyone is quite another story…but, you can be the judge.   Consider some of these new products that you will find on the shelves during the weeks and months to come:

1.  EZ Towel.   Okay, this might be one of those products not entirely new, but the SHOT Show was the first place I have ever seen this item.   In fact, it was one of the products that impressed me the most as being practical for sportsmen, as well as in everyday use.   It works like this…place what looks like a peppermint lozenge in your hand.   Next, pour a small amount of water directly onto the little disk.   Viola!   You have an expanding, durable towel that’s sized about 9” x 12.”   Think of the possibilities when in the field for clean-up.   But here’s something else to think about…the guy in the booth said these towels are a lot softer than Charmin.   Best of all these towels weigh nothing and take up virtually no room in your pack.   At about 10 cents per towel how can you beat this all-around value?   Check it out here.

2. Spot Satellite Messenger.   Here’s a nifty device about the size of a cell phone that could be your safety life line.   Retailing for about $170 with a $99/year subscription fee, this little device will send an emergency signal to authorities by just pressing a single button.   Not only does it warn you are in trouble, but the device also tells those authorities your GPS coordinates to assist in the rescue operation.   But this little device has three other buttons to press if the need is not a dire emergency.   Including a button you can press just to check in with your family to let them know everything is okay.   Imagine that…you can be hunting elk in the mountains of Colorado…press a single button on the unit…and back at home your family can use Google Maps to pinpoint your precise location giving them greater peace of mind.   I certainly don’t recommend hunting alone, but if you must, this device could easily be considered essential gear.   Best of all, you can carry it in your vehicle year-round as it has applications other than just in the sporting world.   Check it out here.

3. Hitch Safe Key Vault.   While I would put this product somewhat into the novelty category of “where did they dream this up,” I have to admit there could be some applications for this product when in the field.   Particularly if you didn’t want to lose your keys while hunting.   Check it out here.

4. Little Sportsman Books.   If you have young children in your household or even if you have grandchildren, these books belong in their first library.   These excellent books help build a better generation of sportsmen.   In fact, these are the sort of books that deserve to be in every doctor or dentist’s waiting room to better expose the non-hunting public to the fact that hunting is an okay activity.   Check them out here.   Although this series of books was not seen at the show, another good series of children’s books you must also check out is shown here called Kampp Tales.

5. Leupold MX Modular Flashlight.   Those who know me realize that no new product review would be complete without mentioning a flashlight.   And wow…what a flashlight.   We all know the dependable quality the Leupold has built into their good-looking line of scopes and binoculars, but now you can get this same performance and feel in a flashlight.   Check them out here.

6. SunRayz Heater.   So, here I was standing in the Ameristep booth looking at blinds and tree stands when I began sweating.   Where the heck is this intense heat coming from.   I look up…and lo and behold is a heater mounted to the tree (above the hunter).   Now I’m not totally convinced this unit has applications for the hunter in the woods (most trees I’ve seen don’t have electrical outlets), but consider the possibilities for the dog kennel, the hunting shack, out buildings or other places you might need an infrared radiant heat source.   Check it out here.

7. SteriPen.   This germicidal UV light pen will effectively and safely purify unsafe water.   If you travel into the back country or even to third-world countries, this pen could prove to be a life-saver.   If you’ve ever gotten sick from drinking bad water you will consider a product like this worth its weight in gold.   Check it out here.

8. RTV Camper.   If you’re looking for a new way to camp and carry your supplies while in the back-country this new unit might just be the way to go.   This off-road trailer converts to a base camp living system that combines convenience and practical design.   I know if I was planning to invest in new equipment for the portable hunting camp this system would definitely be given a hard look.   Check it out here.

9. Figure 9 Rope Tightener.   Speaking of camping, I took one look at this new product from Nite Ize and new instantly this unit had lots of practicality in the sportsman’s pack.   From tightening guy ropes on wall tents, to use in the deer stand, or even securing big game to the meat pole…these units just make good sense.   Available in several different sizes, check out more on this innovative new product by clicking here.

10. Jet Scream Whistle.   Okay, I admit this is not a glamorous new product…but one of the things I was shopping for at SHOT was for items to put into a survival kit.   And what survival kit would be complete without a good, pea-less whistle?   Well, I think I have found one.   This little unit is so loud when I blow it my ears ring afterwards.   Whether you are assembling a survival kit or not, every sportsman who ventures into the outdoors should include a whistle (at a minimum) in their gear bag or pocket if they need to signal another person.   Check it out here.

Okay, and now for a couple of products from the SHOT Show that made me shake my head in amazement they are actually trying to sell this piece of equipment:

 1. Easy Doe Deer Decoy.   I’m sorry, but I just can’t believe someone thinks other sportsmen would actually buy this product.   Imagine an inflatable deer decoy with a remote control tail flicker just to add realistic motion.   No doubt it probably works to some degree…but let me say this.   If my hunting ability has stooped to such a level that I need to rely on cheesy equipment such as this to score on a trophy buck…then please let me hang my gun up on the rack for the very last time.   Products such as this are a joke, in my opinion, and make a mockery of the long-standing traditions of our sport (more on this in my next blog).   Click here to check it out further.

 2. The Off Road Commode.   I’ll probably get some flack on this one, but the thought of sitting on the back of your trailer hitch and $@*&ing not only make me laugh, but it just goes to show that nearly anything will sell to the right sportsman.   Personally, I’d like to think if you are out in the woods and the bodily urge comes over you that placement of any waste would not be near a vehicle.   What’s next…little warning placards informing your hunting partners to be careful so they don’t step in IT?   Sure, it makes a great gag gift and sure I can see where the fairer sex might appreciate this more than males…but how can you look at this item without cracking a smile?   Check it out here.

Okay, did anyone else attend the 2008 SHOT Show and see some products that they feel I should have included in my product rundown?   If so, please leave a comment to let me know.

2008 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Tags: SHOT+Show+Products

Comments

[Brett Wehner – Co-Owner, AMERISTEP]

Jim,

We wanted to extend a heartfelt "Thank You" for highlighting the SUNRAYZ product line on the Sportsman’s Blog. We are honored to have made it to your top ten. We appreciate the wonderful description of your first experience with SUNRAYZ where "Feeling is believing". Your comments on the wide variety of applications are right on! Although we would love to see outlets on trees, we understand that is just not practical, but all of the other applications you mentioned are exactly where SUNRAYZ works best.

Look for some new innovations from SUNRAYZ and AMERISTEP in the near future!!

Thank you again!
Brett Wehner
Co-Owner, AMERISTEP

[Attin]

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