Will ya look at humongous thing hanging off the end of that guy’s rifle? No wonder it needs a bipod! Nope. It’s not a radar gun. It’s a SAFESHOOT device “driven by an array of dynamic-calibrated long-range MEMS sensors, onboard GPS and RF communication.” Well no one communicated this to me . . .
Until their email arrived in my inbox. My first reaction: it’s a joke, right? Apparently not. They’ve got a video and everything.
“By attaching a shooter device that fits most rifles, shooters will be automatically alerted when another SAFESHOOT device holder [or a dog wearing an RF collar] is downrange and in their line of fire,” their honest-to-God website proclaims.
A website that offers the following pic of hunters not carrying the device. Anyway, here’s their pre-SHOT Show launch party presser:
U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Not long ago, I published a couple articles about a product called SAFESHOOT. In both instances I shared concerned and real-life experiences purposed in demonstrating the important role such system can play in hunting; of course, SAFESHOOT also delivers big on invaluable reassurance for law enforcement and military operators.
I could continue with another true story here but I’ll digress – another experience saved for another time. This bit of writing is in response to a simple request, “Tell us about the product.”
SAFESHOOT doesn’t eliminate your role of responsibility, rather it simply adds a layer of peace-of-mind to your foundational commitment to safety. In short, it emphasizes your desire to make good decisions at all times. I’ve spent more than enough time immersed in our outdoor heritage to see or hear how quickly things can happen, even when everyone considers safety paramount.
So what is SAFESHOOT and how does it work?
SAFESHOOT devices take two forms, Shooter and Dog Defender. While the devices could be installed on countless items, they are designed, as their names imply, for shooters and hunting dogs. SAFESHOOT devices are driven by an array of dynamic-calibrated long-range MEMS sensors, onboard GPS and RF communication.
The Shooter also employs green-, yellow- and red-colored LED illumination as well as an audible buzzer to alert the user.
A green LED-blinking signals operation mode. Yellow LED-on signals the user to check the system. The red LED-on warning means someone… or a four-legged friend is in the area of your muzzle direction.
When no illumination is present, conditions are safe, or at least, another SAFESHOOT device is not in the danger zone.
While each SAFESHOOT system includes the device and batteries, the Dog Defender also comes with a harness. SAFESHOOT products mount easily to Picatinny and Weaver rails (Shooter), or a harness (Dog Defender) and are powered by two CR123 batteries for up to 30 hours.
Designed for rugged reliability as well as comfortable carry or wear, SAFESHOOT devices are lightweight (about 6 oz.), compact (Shooter dimensions: 2.17-in. wide x 2.76-in. tall x 3.94-in. long) and feature a durable, waterproof body.
SAFESHOOT’s purpose resonates with me. If a lightweight system can add one more level of safety, why not? Once again, using SAFESHOOT doesn’t eliminate or become a substitute for responsibility; it also doesn’t mean a hunter is lazy or incapable of being safe.
The cold hard truth is that things happen on rare occasions, especially when we get comfortable. In my opinion, adding one more layer of safety is not only appreciated, it’s quite a noble effort.
Looking back at decades of hunting and shooting, as well as eight years of military service, I see SAFESHOOT as the invaluable tool it was meant to be. Each year, as safe as we hunters are or claim to be, accidents still happen.
Like you, I would love to achieve a level of safety within our hunting ranks, on both public and private ground, where there are no stats to consider. We simply aren’t there.
To learn more about SAFESHOOT visit www.safe-shoot.com
About Kevin Reese:
Kevin is an award-winning outdoor writer, photographer, videographer, speaker, host of Global Outfitters TV Show’s GO Tips and a Marine Corps veteran. He owns and administers www.mainbeammedia.com and Main Beam Blog at blog.mainbeammedia.com. The Main Beam Blog offers great articles, press releases, outdoor industry news and reviews.
I see the good idea fairy is still gainfully employed.
“I see the good idea fairy is still gainfully employed.”
I see the idea fairy is still gainfully employed.
Fix’d it for ya… 😉
If one was really thinking, one could write an app to solve this “problem”.
I doubt that there will be any sales at all of this latest goofy appendage. But, a GPS driven app on a cell phone? That has a chance – especially as a $5 download.
I honestly think this may be worse than nothing at all. If you can’t positively identify what you’re shooting at and what’s behind it anyway, the fact that you can positively say that there’s no safeshoot device within the line of fire adds nothing except a false sense of safety.
It may be billed as the answer to cops shooting each other, but to me it just looks like another excuse for cops to shoot their employers.
Beyond all that, they will never sell enough to actually do anything. I doubt more than one percent of hunters would ever buy it, so those that do will never likely encounter each other in the woods. They will be buying a product that will have the end result of making them feel like there are fewer hunters around them which will make them more complacent than they were before.
“Oh, my cool new thing says no one’s around, and it’s so cool I’m sure everyone would have bought one so there must be no one around.”
Pretty sure it’s intended for members of a hunting party who, in theory, can cooperate with each other while hunting in close proximity. Like the poor sap who is chosen to drive the deer to the spot where all the “hunters” are waiting.
And their dogs.
Still, I’m not seeing much practical utility.
Dick Cheney and his pal might have wished this thing existed a few years ago. $hit happens – I would prefer that it continue to happen to other people and not to me.
🤠
I can see the apeal of something like this. However, if hunters use this to much they will rely on it and forget and not even look for that pesky shooting rule. You know the rule: Know what you are shooting at AND what’s BEHIND it!
I guess it would be a good idea for hunting dogs and your buddies to wear it innawoods, but if they ever try to mandate something like this it’ll be time to start hunting politicians and bureaucrats.
It just seems like a product that gets released in the hopes that some state legislature will mandate there use.
What could possibly go wrong if you only had this device?
No thanks.
GPS huh. Being paranoid of any device that can track were I am, I see a possibility that these, after improved, will be mandatory on all newly purchased firearms. Just like this spy device I am calling a cell phone, we are giving BIG BROTHER all the tools it needs.
Dafuq I just read?
I think it could find a niche use in dog clubs where you have a ton of people and dogs moving around in an area.
My first thought was mass guided pheasant hunts. Wasn’t that where a guy got out of position and Dick Cheney shot him?
So it’s for virtue-signalling. I’ll pass.
A non-functional device looks a lot like a device saying it’s safe to shoot. Reliance on this thing could, ironically, make you more prone to having an accident.
Honestly, I like the idea. Yes, relying on technology can be bad, however with that being said, it’s not false security, it’s just an extra level of security. How many times have hunters accidently shot someone and said Gee whiz, I thought Joe was a deer” It reduces buck fever which is a good thing.
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