Since before civilization began, the eyes have allowed people to hunt, gather and survive. Thanks to modern technology, we have gadgets to take our vision to a whole new level.
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Seeing things
In hunting, the ability to spot your target accurately in varying light is key. The ATN Binox-HD Digital Nightvision Binoculars give you clear views in both daytime and pre-dawn dark, providing the edge hunters need. $479. (800) 237-4444; cabelas.com.
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Night vision
Need to see in the dark? Advanced digital technology in the Armasight Prime DC 7x Digital Color Night Vision Monocular brings the nighttime world to life. View in color or black and white, and use the built-in video output to connect to other devices. $253. (888) 959-2259; armasight.com.
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Spy games
For kids who love nighttime adventures, the Spy Net Eye Clops Ultra Vision Goggles add a fun way to see up to 50 feet in complete darkness, as well as record video. Games of hide and seek, capture the flag and kick the can will never be the same. $100. (888) 280-4331; amazon.com.
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Range master
You’re here. Your target is way over there. A cold rain is falling. Not a problem with the Vortex Viper HD 20-60x80 Straight Spotting Scope. Waterproof, fog proof and durable to boot, this handy tool can zero in on targets up to 1,000 yards away. $899. (800) 606-6969; bhphotovideo.com.
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On target
Whether you’re stalking your next trophy in the field or aiming for bull’s-eyes at the range, make the hard shots look easy with Nightforce’s NXS 8-32x56 ZeroStop riflescope. Based on a military design, this scope’s crystal-clear optics offer up to 32x magnification to help you place shots with precision. $2,125. (800) 741-0015; brownells.com.
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Bow master
Bow hunters are a special breed of close-up shooters, and their range needs are different from those of rifle hunters. The Halo Ballistix 600 Rangefinder is designed to account for slope to the target; the laser rangefinder has a maximum range of 600 yards. $113. (800) 966-6546; walmart.com.
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Universal appeal
Telescopes altered mankind’s view of the universe, but we’ve come a long way from those early curved glass lenses in tubes. The computerized Celestron NexStar 130 SLT is a lightweight and portable telescope that automatically tracks thousands of celestial objects, so wannabe astronomers can find exactly what they’re looking for in the night sky. $400. (800) 303-5873; telescopes.com.
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Zoom view
It’s one thing to see that bear in the distance at Yellowstone; it’s another thing entirely to record it clearly. Why not do both with these Bushnell 8x30 ImageView Digital Camera Binoculars? You can capture still images or immediately record the HD video you see on a 1.5-inch display. $144. (800) 606-6969; bhpvideo.com.
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On the slopes
Ski goggles are those unwieldy barriers to vision that make a difficult sport even more challenging. OK, maybe that’s just me. But if you can handle eyewear that does more than just cover your eyes, look at Oakley’s Airwave goggles featuring a built-in “mobile dashboard” that tracks altitude, speed, navigation and more, all while letting you play music and take phone calls. Because that definitely makes skiing easier. $649. (800) 403-7449; oakley.com.
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Fun in the Sun
Sure, your sunglasses shield your eyes from the sun. But what else can they do? The 720p Interceptor Plus sunglasses from AVIwear include a high-definition video camera-recorder, built into the bridge of the frame, an onboard MP3 audio player and a USB port. $200. (855) 428-4932; aviwear.com.
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Golfers' edge
Golfers are forever trying to lower their scores, and knowing the precise distance to the target or what obstacles block the way is a great way to decrease strokes. The Breaking 80 golf laser rangefinder offers models with ranges up to 880 yards, so you’ll have nothing to blame but your clubs. $110–170. (888) 280-4331; amazon.com.