Merit optical aid

[Waveski]

I received an optical aid (Merit) for Christmas. Like most shooters in their 60's I do not see the gun sights as well as I used to.

It is a neat little device ; suction cup attachment to the lens of your shooting glasses , adjustable peep sight. The idea is to help the eye muscles focus on near vision.

Does anyone have experience with this device. Obvious question : Does it work?

 

[Steve CT]

I've had one for years. Yes it works, I use mine mostly for .22 lr 50' target shooting

 

[deadin]

Had one years ago.... the iris really helps but the suction cup was almost impossible to get it positioned on my glasses to where it was comfortable to see through the peep. (Especially the more modern lenses that are somewhat smaller.) Having to hold your head at a weird angle is not conducive to good shooting.
I ended up using basically the same type of iris but mounted on a dedicated frame that was fully adjustable.

http://www.champchoice.com/store/Main.aspx?p=ItemDetailOptions&item=5020125
and
http://www.champchoice.com/store/Main.aspx?p=ItemDetailOptions&item=25024

Added... GOOD LORD!! I just noticed the prices on these things.... . I don't remember paying that much, but I've had them for years..... I haven't shot Bullseye in a couple of years, maybe I should start again.....

WARNIING! Don't enlarge unless sitting down......

 

[springer99]

Just another satisfied customer here. Yes, it does work well and I've used one for bullseye and indoor airpistol for years. The only down-side is that you need to place special attention to putting on your glasses at the same location, or have a separate pair that you can leave it on. Actually, the suction cup does leave a ring(non-permanent) on the glass which helps positioning.

 

[MEHavey]

They work exceptionally well for us "more experienced" folks ( )

Since I have always worn flight glasses that tend to have larger lenses
(and would do so anyway on the range), I've not had an appreciable
problem with positioning the little suction cup.

Interesting aside: You will find that the cup position on the glasses is different
when shooting from the bench vs true off-hand.

 

[doctorjohn]

I've had good luck with mine.

 

[kBob]

Some of the old guys when I was not an old guy myself would put strip of black electrical tape on their shooting glasses with a tiny hole to serve as the apperature . Not adjustable for position or smaller peep, but very cheap.

Of course this was for bulls eye type shooting.

The peep gives increased focal length as you would want with a camera for sports pictures, but for your eye ball.

Once the eyes started to go for defense most old guys adopted point shoulder techneques just looking over the top of the gun like they were shotgun shooting.

-kBob

 

[cfullgraf]

I tried the Merit and was not thrilled with it. Lots of stuff hung off the glasses. The adjustable iris is nice though.

I use the EyePal. Same concept but uses vinyl discs that stick to the glasses lens for the aperture.

http://www.eyepalusa.com

 

[kBob]

I am reminded of some glasses I have seen in museums and on re-enactors that were supposed to be for Civil War era snipers and target shooters. These are typically yellow with one or both lenses frosted but for a rather large aperture.

Those stick-ons REALLY remind me of the electrical tape.

I wonder how big the area around the aperture needs to be to get the effect.

I wonder if going all Rolling Stones and painting one lens of your shooting glasses black, but leaving a host of "holes" might not work to allow one more lee way in head and eye placement without having to adjust the position of an add on device like those above.

Excuse me, I see a red door I have to go deal with.......

-kBob

 

[deadin]

Another thing to be aware of if using an iris. It completely blows your field of vision. This is fine if you are shooting at a non-moving target at a fixed location (i.e. Bullseye). If you have to acquire a moving target, multiple targets or targets at different ranges, forget it! (Especially if there is a time element involved)

 

[Japle]

‘Way back when I was heavy into metallic silhouette, I made something similar out of a thin strip of black sheet metal pop-riveted to a small alligator clip. I drilled a hole (3/16th”?) near the tip. I could position it on my glasses where it was needed for freestyle or standing. I could see the sights and the target in focus at the same time.
The thing was small enough that it didn’t block out the landscape.

 

[Waveski]

It seems I am barking up the right tree. Now to set aside some range time.

deadin - you look like Roy MacEvoy in Tin Cup!!!

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[stu1ritter]

When I started using a Merit I found my Bullseye scores declined a wee bit. Sure the sights were in fine focus but I was starting to pick up the target and the clarity was pulling my eye past the front sight to the target. No matter how I tried I could not maintain the front sight so the Merit came off. Scores went back to where they were. I work with my Ophthalmologist to have an exacting Rx for my shooting glasses (front sight sharp) and go no further.

Stu
Stu

 

[340PD]

When I was competitively shooting bullseye , I found it to be the best aftermarket accessory available to improve my target shooting.

 

[roval]

I've used mine primarily to adjust sights on my pistols but noted I didn't appreciate it as much when shooting off hand as I have a tendency to tilt my head forward differently from shot to shot so I would have to keep adjusting the pivoting arm.
I couldn't use it on my rifles iron sights as I can't place it in the right position.