New technology for snipers

I think this rifle/optic combo is meant more for a robot or drone. It's not quite there yet, but it is the future. I will however, save some cash and continue to shoot for fun and the challenge.
 
This will be the way of the future, no doubt. This particular system, maybe not, but this is another step in the evolution towards computerized personal weapons systems.

Costs were previously far too high to make this feasible for every sniper but at $20k, it is not out of line when compared to an AI AW topped with an S&B. Keep in mind that training usually far exceeds the cost of the weapon system itself.

And yes, technology can and will fail. However, I will assume that anything provided to the Military or LE will be built with this in mind. Training will be done with this in mind. Perhaps Sniper/Scout teams will carry one computerized and one conventional weapon system, or what have you. If this is worth pursuing, and by all accounts it appears to be, the end user will adapt.

What should really have people worried is not whether our guys will use such a system but rather whether our enemies will. Put a few dozen of these into the hands of the wrong hands and things will get very interesting. Even at that, rest assured that we will adapt to their use against us.
 
http ://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2013/06/12/exp-nr-trackpoint-gun.cnn?iref=allsearch
 
dizzy said:
For the naysayers, how many of these has remington ordered? Do scouts paint targets with lasers now? Has smart bomb technology improved accuracy? You guys who are bashing this are the very same guys touting the merits of great optics, which is merely improved aiming system that replaced irons, and now a technology that improves the optic aiming system and you lambaste it????? brilliant, just brilliant.

It really demonstrates the lack of understanding of what a aiming system is designed to do, which is increase the odds for a greater number of users, while minimizing training costs. This is change, get used to it, or get left behind.

Sure it takes the human element out of shooting straight, but that's EXACTLY what you want to do, unless of course you shoot for bragging rights.

This is GREAT technology!!!! for those who wish to increase the odds of hitting the target.
Click to expand...

Take a step back and really look at what this system can and can't do. If you do any LR shooting, the flaws and shortcoming will become very obvious. This system cannot account for the most fundemental needs of LR shooting.

Is a sniper rifle with a firing solution aid the future? ABSOLUTELY. There are many such systems all with varying degrees of success.

Do any of them offer a complete firing solution and overcome the very simple and basic needs of LR accurate fire? NO but things are moving very rapidly to resolve this

Review the few points I have indicated on the shortcoming for the Trackpoint vs how it is sold and marketed.

Can cars go fast? YES Will cars go faster? YES.

Can you buy ANY super fast car, jump in with no high speed driving experience and drive to the potential of the car? Not in your life (which will become very brief).

This is where Trackpoint is being criticised. See their promotional videos. See what they suggest. Then see how far off target their product can actually meet their suggested performance.

If a shooter is looking for a multi media, play with your friends on line experience, sure. Will they be successful on a regular basis? NO.

So let's separate between where tech is actually moving to aid our men and women in uniform vs another product trying to make you the most "potent" dude on the block.

There is a difference....

Jerry
 
gorky said:
This will be the way of the future, no doubt. This particular system, maybe not, but this is another step in the evolution towards computerized personal weapons systems.

Costs were previously far too high to make this feasible for every sniper but at $20k, it is not out of line when compared to an AI AW topped with an S&B. Keep in mind that training usually far exceeds the cost of the weapon system itself.

And yes, technology can and will fail. However, I will assume that anything provided to the Military or LE will be built with this in mind. Training will be done with this in mind. Perhaps Sniper/Scout teams will carry one computerized and one conventional weapon system, or what have you. If this is worth pursuing, and by all accounts it appears to be, the end user will adapt.

What should really have people worried is not whether our guys will use such a system but rather whether our enemies will. Put a few dozen of these into the hands of the wrong hands and things will get very interesting. Even at that, rest assured that we will adapt to their use against us.
Click to expand...

My suspicion is that the gathering of the firing solution will be separated from the rifle. This makes things far more durable and functional.

The scout is there to support the shooter and offer a firing solution so having the gear to aid that task makes sense. The shooter will have gear that allows him to adjust for the conditions and deliver on target as desired.

combining both might happen but that level of nano tech might be cost prohib?

Lots of smart people working on this very problem as engagement distances go beyond 1000yds. We will see operating systems in the next decade for sure.

Jerry

PS now that there are guided munitions, this tech may get sidelined?????
 
If it can't read the wind it's less than useless IMO.
hold over isn't that hard to figure out, range finders are cheap.
Laser range finding scopes are everywhere...
But wind is a huge variable at distance.
But I understand that most police sniper shots are well within 100 yards, by a high percentage.
So the recording capability would be the key selling point to a police force and the fact that only the suspect is a potential target
This might sound good but would a sniper want every shot that scrutinized?
What happens to the shooter when the world with 20/20 hindsight gets the tape?
 
The fact it uses Apple products or other smartphones screams nothing but a marketing ploy to me. Could have created a proprietary screen but instead, make various models for the latest phones and keep releasing "new and improved" models or adapters for the next model phones. Too commercialized. So no, this particular device would not be adopted by any serious unit out there; Especially one on a budget. Computerized precision scopes, though, are definitely going to be the future.
 
Future systems will offer a suggested solution, that will help the shooter make his final decision. It will be like SatNav, where you sometimes say "you must be joking" and use your own brain.
If you followed SatNav mindlessly, you would one day end up in somebody's basement. The SatNav is useful confirmation when you are 90% sure, and most useful when you are completely lost. Back to sniping, if you are completely lost and taking the computer's advice blindly you must be desperate, which may not be what your boss wants to encourage.
 
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One shot, one kill!

th


I played with tracking point at Shot Shot. It basically pulls the trigger for you when the crosshairs are on target (in addition to the range setting ability). One thing that struck me was that they don't do any demo of groups, just individual hits. Kind of makes sense since this isn't going to do anything for poor hold and/or follow through...

Their demo seemed a bit canned.
 
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This notion the media keeps putting out that this will turn people with no/little training into competent snipers is laughable! The military is never going to send someone out who doesn't have the training to operate the equipment manually, without the technology. The police are never going to put someone in sharpshooter role who doesn't have the necessary training because it would be a defense lawyer's dream.

I agree with Mystic, the more practical solution is a separate handheld one used by the spotter. Tiny drones that go out and read the wind at a few locations would be the obvious solution to the wind. I wouldn't be surprised if they already have that (at an experimental level).
 
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