Merit sighting device versus black electric tape

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

I ordered one of those Merit devices and it came in the mail this weekend. I promptly ran to my shop to try it with my favorite rifle. I stuck it on my shooting glasses and thought it was a great improvement. But I felt it was a little wobbly and had a feeling that the suction cup would release and drop off at the most inconvenient time. I spoke with a guy at my club recently that had black electric tape with a hole in it on his glasses. Any I thought I'd try that. So I replaced the Merit with the tape. Just my opinion the Merit is overrated and overpriced. I think the tape with a 1/16" hole punched in it is perfect, maybe because it's closer to the eye. It doesn't move and I think the sight picture is much better than the Merit.

I'll probably keep the Merit but won't likely use it.

With all this being said, Black tape works great. Cheap, easy to make, very low tech, and a small roll of tape is a lifetime supply of optics for you and all your good shooting buddies.

[PPatch]

Hello Micah;

I have heard others remark that the Merit suction cup mount is sub par. Tape sounds good...

dave

[Kermit]

Yup, black tape. Melt the hole with a straightened paper clip heated with my micro torch. Very fast and clean hole.

[Robby]

Mica, I have used the Meret system and the only thing about it that I don't like is that blob of obstruction the suction cup makes on my lens. I have also used electrical tape and still do sometimes. It can be placed in such a way that it is not distracting but the hole diameter can be a problem in changing lighting conditions and maybe its just me, but if the hole has any ragged edge or isn't round it seems to distort things.
Pictured is a device like the Meret piece that I mounted into a jewelers loop, It swings in and out of the way and the peep hole is adjustable for changing light conditions. I used this during hunting season last year to great success.

There is no real substitute for young eyes but where there is a will, there is a way!
Good Shooting!!!
Robby

[doulos]

I have a Merit. I dont think its worth the money. It doesent stick that well sometimes.  Its made well and does have an adjustable aperture.  But I wish I saw this first-----http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/sights/hawkeye.php

[Standing Bear]

Been using a Merit 30+ yrs. had to replace the suction cup a couple of years ago as it got too hard to work. Biggest advantage is being able to change the size of hole if/when the light changes. Also easy to relocate when changing from rifle to pistol. If I loose this one. Will order a new one immediately.
Tc

[Crossed Arrows]

Why not just use a simple peep sight on your rifle, like the peep sight shown recently in Muzzleloader magazine?  Is that really more hi-tech modern than a Merit?

This great shooting sport has an ageing problem.  We are all growing older and our eyesight is worsening and it is time to accept that in the shooting sport itself.  We all want to be historically correct, but the brutal fact is that there were very few old !@#$% like us still shooting "back in the day."  Our eyesight starts deteriorating at age 40.  I'm now 65 and my eyesight is at the point where I either use some help or I just don't shoot.

[deertracker]

I also like like peep sights. I use them for hunting exclusively, and match shooting where they're allowed. Most of the matches I shoot require open sights, however.

[Crossed Arrows]

Rick - Thats my point.  There are too many matches that require open sights and too many of us older fellas just cannot see well enough to use those open sights anymore even though we would dearly love to.

[bonron]

The black tape is a excellent idea. For the past 30 years I have used a simple device an old friend gave me. It's just a piece of shim stock drilled with a 1/16" hole and bent over my glasses in an appropriate manner and position to line up the sights.
I'm near 81 and it really works. ............Ron

[Roger Fisher]

The black tape is a excellent idea. For the past 30 years I have used a simple device an old friend gave me. It's just a piece of shim stock drilled with a 1/16" hole and bent over my glasses in an appropriate manner and position to line up the sights.
I'm near 81 and it really works. ............Ron

Works with cataracts

[LH]

I use Knobloch glasses with a lens ground for me by a feller who understands gunsights and optometry and I also use the Knobloch adjustable iris.   Wouldn't shoot without it.  I bought one of those suction cup things a  long time ago and tried to use it for awhile but gave up pretty quick.  Used black vinyl tape for awhile and liked it better than the suction cup deal,  but the adjustable iris is waaay better than either one.  Champions choice shows an adjustable iris that clips onto regular frames.  I think its about $75. 

[satwel]

I have two Merit optical devices; one I bought and one I found on the ground just in back of the firing line. It had been stepped on, but I carefully bent it back into alignment. It had been on the ground for a while because the shutters were a little rusty. WD40 freed them up. That told me that the suction cup was unreliable. I put a thin film of chapstick on the suction cup and it holds all day, no problem. Too much and you end up with a mess on your lens. I've used the one I found for at least 10 years and keep the one I bought as a spare. I'm not thrilled with its performance, but I haven't found anything that works better. Maybe I'll give the tape idea a try -- I'm a big proponent of KISS.

[Kermit]

LH--how does one get away with Knobloch "glasses" where shooters are required to wear "protective" glasses? Doesn't seem these would keep me on the range.

[dagner]

  lot of guys i know  use merits  .quite a few have fishing line tied to merit and glasses during matches. stupid yes loose $70 merit no

[LH]

Kermit,   I use a fold down blinder on the non shooting eye so I guess that qualifies as "protective".  I've shot at Friendship and several states some who follow NMLRA rules and some who have their own and its never been an issue.  I guess it all depends on the match director wherever you happen to be shooting.  I would argue that the blinder offers just as much protection as a clear lense. 

[dagner]

use knoblock shooting glasses ad have ground glass safety lense for both eyes.,use 38 mm lens rings. real easy to pass safetey requirements that way.cheap no but if that is the ony way can can see the sights it is priceless