Some new, high end phones have really decent optical zoom built-in to the phone but I don’t own one of those $1500+ ultra phones.

I wanted a way to get high-quality video of my rifles in action at the range without lugging a spotting scope setup every time. I reached out to Gravel Agency here in Canada, and they sent me a Magview B1 Binocular Adapter. Unlike the systems that use clunky plastic clamps, the Magview system relies on magnets to align your phone cameras to a binocular lens.

How it Works

The B1 system is dead simple in theory, consisting of two main parts:

1. The Eyepiece Adapter: A semi-permanent ring that mounts directly onto one of your binocular eyepieces.
2. The Phone Plate: A thin metal plate that sticks to the back of your phone (or phone case).

Once installed, you slap the phone onto the bino and align the camera you want to the eyepiece. There’s a bit of fiddling around to get it aligned perfectly but the magnets are strong enough that the phone won’t shift once you have it in place.

Specifications

• Compatibility: B1 fits eyepieces from 1.5-1.7″ (38.5-43mm), while the B1 Max fits 1.73-1.89″ (44-48mm)
• Material: Lightweight, high-strength aluminum.
• Connection: Magnets, how do they work?

Usability

In the field or at the range the B1 shines because of its compactness.

• At the Range: I used this to record impacts at long distances. Once you have it in the right spot on the bino, you’re good to go.
• The Magnet Strength: The magnets are surprisingly strong. You don’t have to worry about your phone sliding off if you bump the tripod, yet it’s easy enough to “break” the magnetic seal when you need to take a call or put your phone away.
• Form Factor: One of the best parts is that the adapter is unobtrusive. You can still use your binos normally without the phone attached, and it doesn’t get in the way of the twist-up eyecups.

Aftermarket and Potential Modifications

The system comes with a metal plate for your phone. If you switch phones or cases, you’ll need to grab a new adhesive plate.

Note: If you use a heavy phone, make sure your tripod head and bino holders are tensioned correctly. The added weight of the phone on one side of the binoculars can cause a cheap tripod head or the bino holder to “creep” or tilt.

Competitors

The main competition comes from “universal” adapters like the PhoneSkope or various plastic clamps found on Amazon.

• Universal Clamps: Usually cheaper, faster to align, but way bulkier.

Conclusion

The Magview B1 is a low profile, unobtrusive way to get magnified video/photos. It’s built like a piece of hunting gear—tough, streamlined, and functional—rather than a fragile tech accessory. If you’re tired of fiddling with plastic brackets while the animal is walking out of the frame, check out the Magview.

The post Magview B1 Binocular Adapter Review: Digiscoping Made Fast appeared first on The Hunting Gear Guy.

Specifications

• Material: High-strength polymer blend with steel internals.
• Weight: Approximately 12.5 oz or 354 grams(Sling Stud version), less for the mlok version
• Height: 7.2″ to 10″.
• Colours: Comes in different accent colours to match your rifle. This one is in ODG.
• Cant: 50° total.
• Attachment: Sling Swivel Stud or M-LOK.

Usability: Hunting and The Range

The “Cam adjustment” (cant) is standard on the Oryx, and in my opinion, it’s the only way to fly. If you’re hunting in the Rockies or even just shooting on a slightly sloped range, you need to be able to level your reticle without fiddling with individual leg heights.

• One-Handed Operation: The Oryx allows you to deploy the legs and adjust the cant tension with one hand. This is critical when you’re trying to keep your eyes on a buck while getting your rifle steady or when you’re fiddling with leveling the rifle at a range with non-level shooting benches.
• The Feet: The rubber feet have a aggressive, cleat-like texture. They grab onto dirt and wood much better than the smoother rubber found on many budget bipods.

Comparison: MDT Oryx vs Harris-Style Bipods

While the Harris is legendary, it’s a product of its time. Here is how the modern Oryx compares:

• Deployment Speed: Harris bipods use external springs that “snap” the legs out. It’s loud and can pinch your fingers if you aren’t careful. The Oryx uses a much quieter, smoother internal mechanism that won’t spook game when you’re setting up a shot in a quiet valley.
• The “Clutter” Factor: A Harris bipod is a mess of exposed springs and adjustment knobs that love to snag on brush, tall grass, and even the inside of your soft gun case. The Oryx is sleek and “snag-free,” with almost all the moving parts tucked inside the polymer housing.
• Cant Adjustment: To get a “Swivel” (cant) feature on a Harris, you have to specifically buy the “S” models, which usually jump up in price and add bulk. The Oryx includes 50° of built-in cant adjustment as a standard feature, and the tension is much easier to tune with a single hand while you’re behind the glass.
• Leg Notches: Most hunting-grade Harris bipods use a spring-loaded leg extension that can be jumpy. The Oryx legs extend with a deliberate, tactile feel that stays put once you set your height.

The Verdict: If you’re building a “retro” rifle or want something purely made of steel and springs, the Harris is fine. But for a modern hunting rig where weight, noise, and snag-reduction matter, the Oryx makes the Harris feel like a tool from a different century.

Comparison: MDT Oryx vs. Magpul Bipod

This is the real question: Why buy the MDT over the Magpul?

The MDT Oryx uses a faster sling stud attachment that I found much easier to swap between rifles in a hurry.

Value: At $149 CAD, the Oryx is significantly cheaper than the $189-219 Magpul Sling Stud QD. You’re saving $70—essentially the price of a couple of boxes of ammo—without sacrificing the features that actually matter in the field. If you don’t want cant in your bipod, you can get the cheaper Magpul MOE for around $129 (but I think the cant+improved mount are worth it for the Oryx)

Aftermarket and Potential Modifications

The Oryx doesn’t have a sling stud on the bottom so you lose 1 sling stud by using this bipod. Some guns come with 2 sling studs but if yours doesn’t, you lose your ability to use a sling.

Conclusion

If you want a lightweight, durable bipod that won’t break the bank, the MDT Oryx is the new king of the hill. It’s faster to attach than the Magpul, comes standard with the cant adjustment every hunter needs, and leaves enough money in your pocket for a tank of gas to get to the trailhead.

The post MDT Oryx Bipod Review appeared first on The Hunting Gear Guy.

For the hunter or the mechanic, the appeal here is the slim profile. It sits flat in a pocket or a tool pouch, meaning it doesn’t create that uncomfortable “bulge” that traditional round lights do. Note: if you don’t want UV or lasers, Nitecore also has a double light EDC23 (review here).

Specifications

• Max Output: 1500 Lumens
• Beam Distance: 230 Meters
• Battery: Built-in 1500mAh (USB-C Rechargeable)
• Material: PVD-coated Stainless Steel
• Weight: 106g (3.74 oz)
• Special Outputs: Green Laser (Class 3R), 365nm UV Light
• IP Rating: IPX7 (Waterproof to 1 meter)

Usability

The standout feature of the EDC17 is the control scheme. It uses a slider switch that feels very similar to an “Out-the-Front” (OTF) automatic knife.

• Simplified Controls: You slide the switch forward to turn it on and use the “M” button to cycle modes. It’s intuitive enough that you can operate it with heavy gloves or while lying on your back under a truck.
• As a Mechanic: Having UV close by is nice for looking for AC or coolant leaks while the green laser is a game-changer when you’re trying to show a buddy what’s leaking. Since the light is flat, you can set it down on a flat surface without it rolling into the abyss of the shop floor.
• For Hunting: It fits perfectly in the side webbing of a bino harness. The 1500-lumen burst is plenty for tracking a blood trail, though you’ll likely spend most of your time in the “Low” or “Mid” settings to preserve the 1500mAh battery.

Pro Tip: If you want to see what this UV light can really do, shine it on a Canadian passport. There is some wild, multi-colored hidden artwork in there that only pops under a proper 365nm wavelength.

Aftermarket and Potential Modifications

Nitecore includes a “Tail Replacement Module” in the box. The light comes standard with a glass-breaker bead at the base. It’s great for emergencies, but if you don’t want a glass breaker on your person, you can remove it and replace it with the included plain, flush end.

Competitors: Nitecore EDC17 vs. Olight Arkfeld Pro

The Olight Arkfeld Pro is the most direct competitor.

• The Build: The Olight feels more “premium” and sleek with its aluminum body, while the Nitecore feels more “industrial” and rugged with its steel construction.
• The Interface: Olight uses a circular selector dial; Nitecore uses the OTF slider. The slider is arguably easier to use one-handed without looking.
• Charging: Olight uses their proprietary magnetic charging, which is convenient but means you need their cable. Nitecore uses a standard USB-C port, so you can likely use the same cord that charges your phone or tablet.
• Price/size: About the same

Conclusion

The Nitecore EDC17 is a rugged, multi-functional tool that manages to pack a lot of utility into a very thin package. Whether you are pointing out a cracked manifold in an engine bay or checking your tags in the pre-dawn woods, the simplified controls and high-visibility laser make it a solid choice. It’s a practical alternative to the more “lifestyle” oriented flat lights on the market.

The post Nitecore EDC17 appeared first on The Hunting Gear Guy.

Savage B22 review

Savage Mk II review

At a Glance: The Differences

Ergonomics and Safety

This is where the B22 takes a massive lead. The stock on the B22 was designed for modern shooters who use scopes; the comb is higher, the grip is more vertical, but to be honest: neither stock feels very premium.

More importantly, the Top-Tang Safety on the B22 is a huge win for field use. It is perfectly ambidextrous and can be operated with your thumb without moving your hand from the firing position. The Mark II’s side safety is functional, but it feels dated and a bit clunky by comparison.

The Magazine Debate: Sticks vs. Rotary

This is the most polarizing part of the comparison.

• The B22 uses a 10-round rotary magazine designed to sit flush with the stock. While it looks better and doesn’t snag on your gear, as I’ve noted before, they are a pain to load. They feel cheap, and the tension can be finicky.
• The Mark II uses the old-school metal stick magazines. They are ugly, they stick out of the bottom of the gun, and the edges can be sharp. However, they are dead-simple to load and generally very reliable.

The Verdict: If you value ease of loading, the Mark II wins. If you value a sleek rifle that doesn’t snag in the brush, the B22 wins.

Mounting Optics

The B22 wins here on practicality. It comes from the factory with Weaver bases already installed. This allows you to use standard, high-quality rings. Most Mark II models still ship with the old 3/8 inch rimfire dovetail. While it works for cheap plinking scopes, it is notorious for allowing scopes to slide under recoil (yes, even .22 LR recoil) and limits your ring choices unless you spend extra money on an aftermarket Picatinny rail.

Accuracy

In my experience, this is a wash. Both rifles use essentially the same barrel technology. Whether you buy an FV (heavy barrel) in a Mark II or a B22, you are getting a rifle capable of sub-inch groups at 50 yards with the right ammo. The AccuTrigger is available on both, so the trigger pull won’t be the deciding factor.

Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?

Buy the Savage Mark II if: You are on a stricter budget, you prefer the simplicity of metal stick magazines, or you plan on replacing the stock anyway (where the Mark II has a much larger aftermarket).

Buy the Savage B22 if: You want a modern-feeling rifle, you value a tang safety, you want bigger capacity mags, and you don’t mind a bit of a struggle at the bench when it comes time to reload your magazines. It is the better “out of the box” experience for scope mounting.

The post Savage B22 vs. Savage Mark II: Is Modern Always Better? appeared first on The Hunting Gear Guy.

Overview

The Mark II family is massive, ranging from the basic “F” (synthetic) to the “G” (wood) and the tactical “FV-SR” (threaded, short heavy barrel). Regardless of the model, the core remains the same: a simple, reliable bolt action paired with a barrel that usually outshoots the person behind the trigger.

Specifications

• Action: Bolt Action
• Caliber: .22 LR, .17 HM2
• Capacity: 5 or 10-round detachable stick magazines
• Trigger: Standard or AccuTrigger (depending on model)
• Weight: 5 to 6 lbs depending on barrel profile
• Barrel Length: Varies

Usability

The Mark II shows its age in the ergonomics department. Unlike the B22’s ambidextrous tang safety, the Mark II uses a side-mounted thumb safety. It’s functional but harder to use.

Takedown for cleaning is easy enough but a full detail strip is a bit of a pain.

Mags

One of the most frequent debates among Savage owners is the stick magazine.

• The Good: They are much easier to load than the B22 rotary mags. You can see your round count easily, and they feed very reliably.
• The Bad: Side pressure on the mag while you’re running the bolt can cause misfeeds. They are made of stamped metal with surprisingly sharp edges. They also protrude from the bottom of the rifle which can stop you from holding the rifle comfortably at the balance point. If you use the 10-round versions, they tend to wobble all loosey goosey in the magwell.

Aftermarket and Potential Modifications

Because the Mark II has been around so long, the aftermarket is robust:

• Stocks: Lots of choices here from Boyd’s to MDT.
• Trigger: Rifle Basix is popular but there’s also JARD

Competitors

• Ruger American Rimfire: More modern features, but often more expensive.
• Savage B22: The Mark II’s younger brother. Better stock and safety, but many people (myself included) actually prefer the Mark II’s stick mags over the B22’s rotary ones.
• Marlin XT-22: Very similar in price and performance, though Marlin’s availability has fluctuated over the years.

Conclusion

The Savage Mark II is the definition of “utility.” It isn’t the prettiest rifle at the range, and the magazines can be literal “finger-biters” if you aren’t careful, but it puts lead exactly where you point it. For a budget-friendly small game hunter or a dedicated target trainer, it remains one of the best values on the market.

The post Savage Mark II Review: The Old Reliable of the Rimfire World appeared first on The Hunting Gear Guy.

Specifications

• Caliber: .22 LR (Also available in 22 WMR and 17 HMR)
• Barrel: Varies
• Capacity: 10-round rotary magazine, can also take the 25 round mags
• Trigger: Savage AccuTrigger
• Weight: Approximately 6 lbs

Usability

The ergonomics of the B22 FV are a significant step up from previous generations. The top-tang safety is a highlight; it is naturally ambidextrous and easy to engage or disengage without breaking your grip.

For many, the AccuTrigger remains a much liked upgrade over factory rimfire triggers. It is crisp, safe, and easily adjustable to a light pull weight. Another massive practical win is the inclusion of Weaver bases. Most rimfire rifles in this price range still use the flimsy 3/8 inch dovetail rails that are prone to scope rings creeping back from firing. Having actual bases installed from the factory makes mounting a high-quality optic much more secure.

The Magazine Issue

While the rifle excels in accuracy and controls, the 10-round rotary magazine is a point of frustration. Compared to the industry-standard Ruger 10/22 rotary mags, the Savage versions feel cheap and are more difficult to load. The combination of cheap pot metal and plastic feels terrible. If you are out in the cold with numb fingers, loading these can become a genuine chore.

It does take the bigger 25 round Butler creek mags that the A22 also shares.

Aftermarket and Potential Modifications

The B22 has a decent following but it does not have nearly the aftermarket parts availability of more popular rimfire rifles.

Competitors

The B22 FV sits in a crowded market:

1. Ruger American Rimfire: Better magazines and similar pricing, but usually lacks the heavy barrel at this price point.
2. CZ 457: The go-to for rimfire precision shooters. Accurate and generally considered a higher tier of fit and finish, though more expensive.
3. Savage Mark II FV: The older brother. It’s cheaper and uses stick mags, but the ergonomics are much worse.

Conclusion

The Savage B22 FV is a highly accurate tool for the price. If you want a heavy-barreled rimfire that can punch tiny groups at 50 yards and comes with a decent trigger out of the box, this is it. However, you have to decide if you can live with the finicky rotary magazines. If you can get past the crap mags, the rifle’s performance in the field is hard to beat for the money.

I think for someone who owns an A22, the B22 might be a fun gun to add that shares mags with.

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