Tracking Point - A good idea or a crutch

cypherslock

cypherslock

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So I saw this: http://tracking-point.com/ in my Facebook feed through Kotaku and checked it out. Cool tech but I'm wondering if this would take away some of the skill you'd need and thus perhaps be a crutch. I'm interested in precision shooting (rifles too) and I'm lurking a bit soaking things up. But while the geek in me loves this (especially the "video game" like commercial they recently put out), I'd be interested in seeing what everyone else thinks. :cool:

EDIT: Here's the commercial I mentioned: http://youtu.be/OsxON4T3o-M
 
If you have that kinda disposable income, why not!?! But even the commercial puts emphasis on basics... Which you will still need. All the tracking point system does is account for range and scope adjustments.
 
The optic can live feed and record your shots via IPad. The idea being you can record your shots for future viewing or a spotter can watch what you see in real time on the iPad. This would be useful for military and law enforcement as well. Higher ups can see the live feed and review later at a debrief or review for intel the shooter may not be looking for. If you have an extra 20000 for one I am pretty sure they even throw in the iPad with the app for free.
 
The entire system is linked to a custom trigger mechanism that allows you to "mark" a target. You then push the trigger and the rifle does not go off until you exactly lined up with your marked target. This would require major modification to an existing rifle. You may be able to send in a rifle to be fitted with the trigger mechanism. Not sure what the net savings would be. From what I read they are using surgeon actions, quality barrels and I have seen one in an aics stock and one in an A5. You can likely request these things on order. I doubt you would save much by retrofitting an existing rifle. As the trigger mechanism is a a major feature to the functionality of the system I don't see the point of having one without it.
 
For $20K, shoot up that many barrels and you will be miles ahead in skill. I bet after $500 of ACTUAL shooting, you will see what a silly idea this is.

for $20K, I will put you behind a quality rifle, match ammo, a great scope and dial the turrents for you. After 4 days, you will know a heck of a lot.

For $20K, it cannot read the air thus cannot offer a complete firing solution. That is a real expensive range finder. But don't dispair, the IDF IS working on one that will.

As a nanny device, it ensures, the aiming point and the target coincide before it will allow the gun to discharge. BAD IDEA for one. A firearm discharging whenever it decides it should - that'll prove very interesting.

Worst part, if I need to compensate for the wind, I MUST aim off target. Now the system locks up and you have a complete mission failure.

Hooking up to an IPAD... I know social media is all the rage and MANY under 30 thrive in a world of many opinions and electronic friends.

Sorry, the last thing I need nor want is a decision by committee when pulling the trigger (IF I am allowed to pull the trigger).

Shooting by nature is a solitary sport. Learn the skills.... MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS.

YMMV.

Jerry
 
Thanks Saitek, you've gone deeper into the site than I've had time for today and I appreciate it. Jerry, totally agree with you. The geek in me thinks this is cool, but realistically it's better to do it your way. Electronics fail. But skill like what you're talking about is with you forever. Too bad you're in BC and I'm here. As a newbie (aka someone just working on getting the extra together to take the course, pay for the license and pay for the [apparently rising] club fees) and one interested primarily in long range, you could teach me a lot. I appreciate the detailed answer without the usual "meh you suck for looking at this" attitude I sometimes see.
 
saitek11 said:
Totally agree with mystic, better off buying ammo.
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I'll second that. The whole journey with any shooting discipline is in the learning. It boils down to experience in knowing how the bullet is going to act with the elements present at the moment, and where and when to send it. While someday computers may very well come close to perfecting the process it will only take the fun out of it, might as well play a video game at that point.
 
cypherslock said:
Too bad you're in BC and I'm here. As a newbie (aka someone just working on getting the extra together to take the course, pay for the license and pay for the [apparently rising] club fees) and one interested primarily in long range, you could teach me a lot.
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There are several folks on here who, like Jerry, will go out of their way to ensure new shooters get started on the right foot. Let us know where you're located and chances are someone would be more than happy to have you out and show you the ropes.

Scott
 
I'm in Kitchener Ontario. A senior member and good guy, bradofcanada did take me out and I've shot a .45 (1911).22lr .308, and have held a Glock (I think for comfort I prefer this but haven't shot it yet)enough to know that I like it and find myself more drawn to this end of things (haven't fired a shotgun though). I guess for me it's laying back taking your time and getting it just right, just fits with my steady personality (Mom calls it "slow" I call it "relaxed"). :)
 
Gunslinger said:
I'll second that. The whole journey with any shooting discipline is in the learning. It boils down to experience in knowing how the bullet is going to act with the elements present at the moment, and where and when to send it. While someday computers may very well come close to perfecting the process it will only take the fun out of it, might as well play a video game at that point.
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they have had big guns with complete firing solution computers for decades. From the tanks to anti aircraft cannons to missile defense on ships.

I think the first computer aided set up was on the P38 Lightning. Certainly by the time the little Korean dispute was in full force, jet jockeys had computer assisted "reticles".

See target, track target, adjust/create a firing solution, send the hurt, track hurt, adjust for next batch of hurt. Repeat until irritant goes away.

But this requires a few more bells and whistles then a rangefinder, barometer, thermometer, a few LCD screens and bluetooth. Oh, and you need a USB port to download all sorts of fancy numbers someone has told you, you need to use.

The barrett BOFOS (or something like that) is the same thing.

Something as simple as the error in the effective BC of the bullet and muzzle velocity can't be accounted for in these scopes. SO all that wonderful computation may be exactly wrong on any given day. And since you have no idea what to do, you have become a nice spectator who can't shoot again cause the rifle will not let you.

Can something like this, minus wind calls, be set up? Absolutely. You need a gun that shoots accurately, ammo that is consistently reliably, scope that tracks with consistent adjustments, reliable rangefinder, basic ballistics program and a bit of time in the field.

Essentially what all those shooter who actually shoot LR figure out. Called a drop chart.

This product is another example of the instant gratification, too lasy to put in actual effort, take a pill type society that seems to thrive on "reality" TV, and telling their "friends" what they ate for lunch.

I know that millions of people think me odd (still don't know how to send a text message) but then, they wouldn't understand dropping a 185gr Berger on a coffee cup at 1000yds.

And likely, it is a much better thing they don't understand that....

Jerry
 
There is a review in a hunting mag on the new stands now. Author commented on low grade of optics (manf has assured that version 2 would be better). Difficulty aiming at stuff AND actually tagging it (static targets). He couldn't get on target beyond 400yds.

Showed some concern about the rifle not going bang when he pulled the trigger. Only way it would fire was if you made the reticle touch the aiming point and the computer released the sear.

He did like how, when viewing on an iPad, it was just like his video game.....

The targets were 3ft gongs at each range. He did hit said gong twice in a row at 400yds...

Spectacular.

Jerry
 
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