Maximum Monday Livestream 10FEB2020

Published on February 11, 2020
Duration: 93:29

Carl Erickson discusses the evolution of red dot sights, comparing early rifle optics like the C-More and Reflex sights to modern enclosed red dots. He explains how issues like snow and rain on exposed emitters led to the adoption of enclosed optics on combat rifles and predicts a similar shift for pistols. He also touches on the reasons behind FLIR's decision to stop selling thermal optics to civilians, attributing it to customer service demands from military contracts versus civilian returns.

Quick Summary

Enclosed red dot sights have become the standard for combat rifles due to their superior durability against environmental factors like snow and rain, which plagued earlier open-emitter designs. This trend is expected to extend to pistols within the next five years.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Livestream Start
  2. 00:08Welcome to Maximum Monday
  3. 00:25Tactical Rifleman Compound Update
  4. 00:49Travel Plans and Witness Testimony
  5. 01:36Mediator Chad and Comment Section Rules
  6. 01:57Sponsor Shoutouts: Sportsman's Guide, Big Daddy Unlimited, EDC Coffee
  7. 02:42Sponsor Shoutout: Birch Gold
  8. 03:15Becoming a Sponsor
  9. 03:30Call from Son, Nicholas Erickson
  10. 04:12Night Vision Guys and Civilian Sales
  11. 04:45Internet Speed Test Update
  12. 05:07Viewer Questions
  13. 05:21New Studio Setup and Lighting
  14. 05:44Microphone Check
  15. 05:53Nick on Speakerphone
  16. 06:24Storytime with Carl and Son's Transcription
  17. 07:28Upcoming Video: AK vs AR
  18. 08:02AK vs AR Close Quarters Battle Comparison
  19. 09:01Question: ARMOA vs. Enclosed Micro Red Dot
  20. 09:10History of Red Dot Sights on Rifles
  21. 09:24C-More and Reflex Sights
  22. 09:31Issues with Open Emitter Red Dots
  23. 10:14Enclosed Red Dots Become Standard for Rifles
  24. 10:52Prediction: Enclosed Optics for Pistols
  25. 11:38Super Chat and Comment Visibility
  26. 12:09Paul Shaffer's Super Chat
  27. 12:15Question: FN 20's vs. SR-25
  28. 12:32Opinion on SCAR Series Rifles
  29. 13:03AR Platform Barrel Swaps
  30. 13:30SCAR Piston vs. AR Direct Impingement
  31. 14:01Adams Arms Piston Conversion Kits
  32. 14:21Alpha Omega's Super Chat
  33. 14:24Question: What's going on with FLIR?
  34. 14:30Addressing Conspiracy Theories about Gun Bans
  35. 15:07Explanation of FLIR's Civilian Sales Decision
  36. 15:41Buying a Thermal Sight: Options and Considerations
  37. 16:11Germanium Lens in Thermal Optics
  38. 16:31Thermal Display Screen Technology
  39. 17:10Customer Service Burden on FLIR
  40. 18:13Military Contracts vs. Civilian Sales
  41. 19:23Personal View on FLIR's Decision
  42. 19:43Finding Alternative Night Vision and Thermal Equipment
  43. 19:51GM Global Vision as a Potential Alternative
  44. 20:09Ongoing Search for Quality Optics
  45. 20:26Instructor's Busy Schedule and Testing Process
  46. 21:01Room Full of Gear for Testing
  47. 21:16Request for Optics Testing Ideas
  48. 21:24Honest Reviews and No Favorites Policy
  49. 22:10Question: Tragic on IR Patrolmen
  50. 22:18Shot Show Experience and Salesman Knowledge
  51. 23:20Dan Ballmer's Super Chat
  52. 23:36Question for Chad: Rifle and Caliber Choice
  53. 24:05Chad's Rifle Build: Remington 700 in .308
  54. 24:25McRee Chassis and .308 Caliber
  55. 24:38Remington 700 Action for Building Rifles
  56. 25:05Military Sniper Rifle Platforms
  57. 25:18M24, M40, M40A3, M2010
  58. 25:54Tim Tams from Australia
  59. 26:39Thoughts and Prayers for 7th Group Soldiers
  60. 26:50Reflections on Joining the Military During Wartime
  61. 27:17Volunteering for Combat Deployment
  62. 27:51Special Forces Groups and Regional Responsibilities
  63. 28:041st Group (Orient), 10th Group (Europe), 5th Group (CENTCOM AOR)
  64. 28:557th Group's Role in Afghanistan
  65. 29:10Role of Green Berets: Teaching and Leading
  66. 30:23Question: One Optic for a Rifle - LPVO vs. Red Dot
  67. 30:50Recommendation: Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO)
  68. 30:55Recommended Magnification: 1-8x or 1-10x
  69. 31:01Vortex Optics and Marketing
  70. 31:41Primary Arms 1-8x Platinum Series with ACSS Raptor Reticle
  71. 32:22Primary Arms Silver Series 1-6x
  72. 32:28Importance of Reticle Design
  73. 33:07Christian Phipps' Super Chat
  74. 33:21Charles Colburn's Question: LaRue OBR Barrels
  75. 33:41Sweet Spot for OBR Barrels: 18-inch
  76. 33:4620-inch Barrel for Designated Marksman Rifle
  77. 34:08Suppressor Recommendation: .308 Suppressor
  78. 34:37Warning Against Quick-Change Caliber OBR Models
  79. 35:04Yeasty George's Super Chat
  80. 35:31Question: Sako TRG 22/42 or FN Ballista
  81. 36:00Experience with FN Ballista
  82. 36:12FN Ballista for Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) Contract
  83. 36:36PSR Contract Requirements
  84. 37:01Accuracy International AXMC and Remington PSR
  85. 37:14Barrett MRAD Wins PSR Contract
  86. 37:47Recommendation: Barrett MRAD
  87. 38:04Alpha Omega's Super Chat
  88. 38:10Search for FLIR Breach Equivalent
  89. 38:41FLIR Breach: Small Handheld Thermal
  90. 39:34Pat O'Connor's Super Chat
  91. 39:51Operation Valkyrie Participants: Pat O'Connor and Jerry
  92. 40:01Operation Valkyrie Mission Assignment
  93. 40:33One Slot Left for Operation Valkyrie
  94. 41:27Operation Valkyrie Support Staff
  95. 42:00Operation Valkyrie Weather Conditions
  96. 42:51Carl's Rain Dance Joke
  97. 43:13Operation Valkyrie Weather Challenges Last Year
  98. 43:36Perceived vs. Actual Danger
  99. 43:48Tim Tams and Susan Glenn
  100. 43:59Grunt Bear's Patches
  101. 44:17Yeasty George and Backside Support
  102. 44:55Renting Kayaks and Rifles for Operation Valkyrie
  103. 45:46Erica's Super Chat and Flamethrower Joke
  104. 46:21Hypothermia Bags and Medical Support
  105. 47:30Jerry's Super Chat
  106. 47:35Scuba Diving in the Operation Valkyrie River
  107. 47:47Military-Grade Coffee
  108. 47:52U-Boats in the River Joke
  109. 48:02Operation Valkyrie River Environment
  110. 48:13Origin of Operation Valkyrie Concept
  111. 49:10Appreciating America through Nature
  112. 49:32Yeasty George's Comment
  113. 49:46Joe Haynes' Super Chat
  114. 49:54International Participants for Operation Valkyrie
  115. 50:05Joe's Firearms Experience
  116. 50:26Welcome to International Clients
  117. 50:58Travel Restrictions and Viruses
  118. 51:11Contact Information for Operation Valkyrie Slot
  119. 51:27Tactical Rifleman Website for Classes
  120. 51:51How to Train with Tactical Rifleman
  121. 52:01Tactical Rifleman Website Navigation
  122. 52:25Website Limitations and Instructor's Background
  123. 52:38Class Sign-ups for the Year
  124. 52:52Upcoming Classes: Pistol, Carbine, Tactical Precision Rifle
  125. 53:16Tactical Precision Rifle 101 Moved to TN
  126. 53:53Question: SOF Guys Applying Military Skills Civically
  127. 54:13Struggles of Veterans Finding Work
  128. 54:23Retirement Pay Misconceptions
  129. 55:20Military Vets as Employees: Skills and Work Ethic
  130. 56:32Military Experience vs. College Degrees
  131. 57:33Critique of Modern College Curriculum
  132. 58:01Real-World Economic Experience of Vets
  133. 58:23Instructor's Credit Hours and Degree Status
  134. 58:38GI Bill Usage for Son's Education
  135. 59:04Doctorate in Jackassery and Combat Operations
  136. 59:29Professor Erickson Title
  137. 59:53Autograph Request: Micro Flushlight
  138. 60:05Rob's Super Chat
  139. 60:12Precision Rifle Class Location Change Confirmation
  140. 60:36Emailing Class Participants About Location Change
  141. 60:57George's Autograph Request
  142. 61:05Gun Owners of America Meeting
  143. 61:17Jerry's Accent Practice
  144. 61:48Language School: Egyptian vs. Czechoslovakian
  145. 62:02Dean of Destruction Title
  146. 62:21Seth Anderson's Super Chat
  147. 62:41Question: Randy Shooting from Horseback
  148. 63:09Gender Reveal and Basket Weaving Jokes
  149. 63:33Deleted Comment and Yeasty
  150. 63:46NRA Show and Security Concerns
  151. 64:26Knife Hand Thumbs Up Button
  152. 64:40Don Alexander Teaching a Class Request
  153. 65:10Story of Not Saluting Officers
  154. 65:37Salute to Don Alexander
  155. 66:13Don Alexander's Special Forces Era
  156. 67:16Subscriber Gift: Tequila
  157. 67:57Skipped Comment: Tim Rector
  158. 68:01Question: Grid Squares in Area J
  159. 68:13Inside Joke: Box of Grid Squares
  160. 69:03Private Sent to Seoul for Grid Squares
  161. 70:04Yeasty Playing
  162. 70:08Yeasty's Logo Tattoo Request
  163. 70:17Tim Wrecker's Comment
  164. 70:32US Air Force Dudes Laughter
  165. 70:42Engineers Concrete Stretchers Trailer Stretcher
  166. 70:47Bradley Shocks
  167. 70:53Alexander Flagger Designing Knives
  168. 71:02Knife Designers and Cracken Tactical
  169. 71:24Chad's Dagger from Cracken Tactical
  170. 71:32Patrick's Spool of Flightline
  171. 71:39Private Checking Body Armor for Soft Spots
  172. 71:44Ball Peen Hammer Joke
  173. 72:08Steven Baylor's Super Chat
  174. 72:12Question: Bad Company Tactical Holsters
  175. 72:33Supporting Local Holster Makers
  176. 73:02Safariland ALS Holster
  177. 73:20Surefire Holster for Suppressed Guns
  178. 73:53Honesty About Surefire Products
  179. 74:15Tactical Rifleman Training Center Location
  180. 74:23Tactical Rifleman Range Complex: 63 Acres
  181. 74:34Ranges: 220m Rifle, 100m Pistol
  182. 74:43No Classes Taught at the Range Complex
  183. 74:55Traveling to Teach Classes
  184. 75:05Class Locations: San Antonio, Pennsylvania, Detroit, Tennessee
  185. 75:24Requesting Tactical Rifleman Team for Training
  186. 75:39Training Capabilities: Vehicle Dynamics, TCCC, Survival, Pistol, Carbine, Precision Rifle
  187. 76:12Bringing in Subject Matter Experts
  188. 76:38Baptist Coalition Group: Church Security Class
  189. 77:00Gun Club Classes: Combat Pistol, Pistol Carbine
  190. 77:11Range Requirements for Mobile Classes
  191. 77:24Free Slot for Hosting a Class
  192. 77:31Contact for Class Inquiries
  193. 77:44Training in Indiana
  194. 78:25BLM Land
  195. 78:35Question: Tuition Cost
  196. 78:42Tuition Pricing: $350 per head per day
  197. 79:05Example: Pistol 101 Class Cost
  198. 79:14Class Perks: T-shirts, Patches, Handouts
  199. 79:53Private Class Pricing
  200. 80:20Yeasty George's Super Chat
  201. 80:41Rama's Super Chat
  202. 80:50Comment Section Activity
  203. 81:07Sean Alexander's Question: Health Status
  204. 81:09Feeling Great, Recovered from Flu
  205. 81:21Bud Light Flu from Vegas
  206. 81:31Scotch at Lunch
  207. 81:47Honesty About Drinking
  208. 81:54Drinking EDC Coffee
  209. 82:03EDC Slip Point Coffee
  210. 82:06Hanging Chad Hashtag
  211. 82:15Election Jokes and Hanging Chads
  212. 82:35Madison's Question: Desert Tech MDR for 3-Gun
  213. 82:44Desert Tech MDR Testing
  214. 83:09JJ from UK: Handgun Training Without Range Access
  215. 83:16Airsoft for Training
  216. 83:44Airsoft Glock 19 and Holster
  217. 84:03One-on-One Training with Airsoft Experience
  218. 84:13Dry Firing Practice
  219. 84:24Practicing Muscle Memory
  220. 84:51Deleted Comment and Yeasty Timeout
  221. 85:18Accidental Timeout
  222. 85:33Running Out of Coffee
  223. 85:41Sponsor Thanks: Sportsman's Guide
  224. 85:46Other Sponsors: Big Daddy Unlimited, EDC Coffee, Birch Gold
  225. 86:00Hydration Junkie Water Bottle
  226. 86:23Thanks to Patrons
  227. 86:30YouTube Monetization
  228. 86:51YouTube Wallet Pissing

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did FLIR stop selling thermal optics to civilians?

FLIR ceased civilian sales of thermal optics due to the high volume of customer service issues and returns from civilian users. This contrasts with military contracts, where equipment is typically maintained differently and returned less frequently, making those large contracts more appealing to FLIR.

What are the advantages of enclosed red dot sights over open-emitter designs?

Enclosed red dot sights offer superior durability and reliability in adverse conditions. Unlike open-emitter sights, their sealed design prevents environmental elements like snow, rain, or debris from obstructing the emitter or lens, ensuring a consistent aiming point.

What is the recommended magnification for a rifle optic if you can only have one?

If limited to a single optic for a rifle, a low-power variable optic (LPVO) with a magnification range of 1-8x or 1-10x is recommended. This provides versatility for both close-quarters engagement and engaging targets at longer distances.

What is the best barrel length for a LaRue OBR 308 rifle?

For the LaRue OBR 308, the 18-inch barrel is considered the sweet spot, offering a balance of performance and manageability. While a 20-inch barrel is suitable for a dedicated Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR), the 18-inch provides better all-around utility.

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