(T) Tag, You’re It!

November 24, 2012

“TrackingPoint is a manufacturer of ‘Intelligent Digital Tracking Scopes’ and ‘Precision Guided Firearms’ for hunting and tactical shooting,” thefirearmblog.com reports. “Their impressive technology allows a shooter to designate a target using the digital scope and the rifle will automatically fire only when the rifle is correctly lined up to the target. The demonstration of thier prototype looks more like a sci-fi movie than real life!” After suffering some major AK-marksmanship related humiliation at Tyler’s ranch, I’m not entirely averse to a “set and forget” rifle. Still, the concept seems about as sporting as Bar Refaeli entering a wet T-shirt contest. In Fall River. OK, I’ve confused myself. Other than “what do you do if it doesn’t work,” what’s your take on the technology? [Click here for the video.]

20 COMMENTS

Rabbi November 24, 2012 At 20:08

“will automatically fire only when the rifle is correctly lined up to the target.”

Lining up the rifle to the target is usually not the problem. The problem is the ability, or lack there-of, to pull the trigger without disturbing the alignment and controlling the recoil consistently while the bullet is still in the barrel (follow through).

You still need to know how to do it the old fashion way if the “system” breaks.
SD3 November 24, 2012 At 20:25

Thank God. I was wondering what to do with all that damn cash clogging up my wallet. Now I know.
beanfield November 24, 2012 At 20:57

Bot!
- Gyufygy November 24, 2012 At 22:01
  
  Hax. Only nubs use aimbot.
  - Joe Grine November 24, 2012 At 23:05
    
    You guys must be speaking computer geek.
    - Splashman November 25, 2012 At 06:01
      
      Not exactly. They’re speaking “Gamer Geek”.
Splashman November 24, 2012 At 21:02

1. I’m assuming this product can’t handle moving targets, otherwise they’d be advertising the ability. Question (since I’m not a hunter or sniper): How many hunters (or snipers) deal primarily with stationary targets?

2. How about compensation for environmental factors? Or is this a 2nd-shot system?
Lance November 24, 2012 At 21:21

Skynet replaces shooter so were all obsolete now LOL!
Skyler November 24, 2012 At 21:22

Pilots have been dropping bombs with a similar system (CCIP, continuously computed impact point) for more than twenty years. It’s about time it has been sufficiently miniaturized for rifles.

Don’t pooh pooh this technology. It will be reliable. I fear the day our enemies get it.
- Brad November 25, 2012 At 07:38
  
  No it won’t. Having used all sorts of technologies for all sorts of things, including firearms, I can attest that it will fail at the most critical time, aka “Murphy”. It will work 95% of the time, but not when you most need it. It’s why we still teach land navigation with a map an compass.
  
  I am not saying don’t use or embrace it. You should learn about it and practice with it. If you can afford it, buy it. But whatever you do, don’t rely on it.
In Memphis November 24, 2012 At 21:23

Well unless it automaticaly adjusts for wind and elevation its kind of useless isnt it?

Still, it is pretty cool.
Jon November 24, 2012 At 21:28

What, don’t you have a laser designating scope with fire-and-forget gyroscopic steerable ammunition yet? I put one on all my zombie killing firearms. Cost of ammunition sucks tho.
Hinshelworld November 25, 2012 At 00:15

I had stuff like this in the military… Gyro stabilized auto tracking M2HB. Lock on the target and let the gun do the work.
Sanchanim November 25, 2012 At 00:29

This is pretty cool technology. It is in it’s infancy, but just wait. It will get better, and then it will be a deadly addition.
- Lance November 25, 2012 At 00:52
  
  A respectful question you have on other post made good points but do you really want machines and computers to replacing riflemen and men in general in combat?
  
  I would really be against such a move.
  - In Memphis November 25, 2012 At 14:29
    
    It worked pretty well for Skynet didnt it?
Joseph November 25, 2012 At 01:23

Good Grief……..why not just hunt with a drone.
- Rambeast November 25, 2012 At 02:24
  
  Be careful what you wish for…
AaronW November 25, 2012 At 06:57

I would certainly like to give it a try one day, but I don’t particularly want something like this. I relish the challenge of constantly striving to improve my iron-sighted shooting.
That said, I’m only putting holes in paper, ringing steel or nailing soda cans, and I’m sure that more than a few purists would agree.
Now, I’m sure there are legions of our fighting men and women who would be quite glad to get that extra edge over an enemy gradually drawing a bead on them.
styrgwillidar November 25, 2012 At 11:51

Well, in aviation they’ve seen that as technology increased, basic flying skills deteriorated— because they were no longer routinely practiced.

This technology is great, but you’d still have to have the discipline to maintain basic marksmanship skills so when Murphy intervenes you’re still proficient enough to be accurate.

There is also the issue of being responsible for every round coming out of the firearm. This kind of technology needs to have a built in diagnostic auto-shutdown feature to ensure if anything’s not right it disables itself.