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EP 276 - Kite APC 60 ED: World’s First Image Stabilized Spotting Scope – Game Changer or Gimmick?
Sale on hunts with Mindful Hunter Outfitting. Get up to $750 off per person. Email https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ and get automatically entered to win a Sig Oscar 6 Image-Stabilising Spotting Scope! In this deep dive, we put the Kite Optics APC 60 through a rigorous field test to see if it lives up to the hype. With built-in image stabilization, compact form factor, and claims of premium optics, this scope targets serious backcountry hunters and wildlife spotters looking for performance without the bulk. But does it deliver? We break down real-world performance across vibration control, handheld use, optical clarity, and mirage resistance—plus we’ve got TWO gear giveaways including a Swaro ATX and the Sig Sauer Zulu 10 15x binoculars! 📌 Chapters 0:00 – Intro: What is the Kite APC 60 & why it matters 2:10 – Caveats: Honest thoughts before you buy 4:31 – Vibration Test: Does the stabilization actually work? 6:35 – Handheld Test: Can you glass steady without a tripod? 8:02 – Optical Quality Test: Contrast, color, edge-to-edge sharpness 8:58 – Mirage Test: Can the APC 60 cut through atmospheric distortion? 10:58 – Recap: What stood out and what didn’t 12:29 – Swaro ATX Giveaway: How to enter 13:16 – Conclusion & Recommendations: Who is this scope for? 14:59 – Sig Sauer Zulu 10 15x Binocular Giveaway: Second prize details 🔥 Whether you’re hunting high-alpine mule deer or scouting elk from windy ridgelines, this review will help you decide if the APC 60 belongs in your pack—or if you’re better off saving your cash. 📢 LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for more honest, no-BS reviews of the best optics and gear in the hunting world. #KiteOptics #APC60 #SpottingScopeReview #BackcountryHunting #ImageStabilizedOptics #HuntingGearReview #LongRangeGlass #SwarovskiATX #SigSauerZulu #OpticsShootout #MindfulHunter 🎯 GIVEAWAY ALERT! Every $5 you spend on merch at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ gets you 1 entry to win a Swarovski 85mm Spotting Scope. 0:00 – Intro 2:10 – Caveats 4:31 – Vibration Test 6:35 – Handheld Test 8:02 – Optical Quality Test 8:58 – Mirage Test 10:58 – Recap 12:29 – Swaro ATX Giveaway 13:16 – Conclusion & Recommendations 14:59 – Sig Sauer Zule 10 15x Binocular Giveaway Jay Nichol [email protected] https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools No purchase required. Contest begins on February 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on April 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PST. There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) 1 previously owned Swarovski ATX 85mm Spotting Scope (approximate retail value $5,900.00 CAD). Skill testing question required. This Contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, France and Switzerland, who are legal age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence (19 in AL and NE, 21 in MS, and 18 in all remaining U.S. states, The District of Columbia and Canada, 16 in United Kingdom, 20 in New Zealand, 16 in Finland, 15 in France, and 18 in Switzerland), who are age of majority in their province or territory of residence at time of entry. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes. No entry limit. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/swarovski-atx-85mm-spotting-scope-giveaway💥 Plus, I’m giving away a Swarovski TAX 85mm! Stay tuned for details!
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EP 275 – Killing Elk And Building Badass Cook Systems with Chris Neville
This week, I sit down with Chris Neville, one of the cofounders of Roughridge Stove Co. He is also a stud of an elk hunter. Chris Neville https://roughridgestove.com/ https://www.instagram.com/roughridgestove/ https://www.instagram.com/cjneville23/ Jay Nichol [email protected] https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
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EP 274 – Solocast Q&A
Time for another Q&A episode! Jay Nichol [email protected] https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
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EP 273 - Ultralight iPhone Filmmaking Setup for the Backcountry (Shoots RAW!)
If you’re looking to film high-quality, cinematic content deep in the backcountry without lugging around a heavy camera rig — this iPhone setup is for you. In this video, I walk through my ultralight iPhone 15 Pro Max filmmaking rig, designed for shooting Apple ProRAW / ProRes, capturing clean wireless audio, and storing footage directly to an external SSD. This setup is perfect for backcountry hunters, adventure filmmakers, mobile content creators, or anyone trying to travel light without compromising on quality. Let’s break it down! 🎥 Gear I Use: iPhone 15 Pro Max (or newer) Samsung T7 SSD (external storage for ProRes/RAW footage) SmallRig SSD Mount (keeps SSD secure + compact) Newer Cold Shoe Mount (modular & lightweight) Rode Magnetic Smartphone Mount (quick attachment on the go) 40Gbps Flexible USB-C Cable (no dropouts, high-speed transfers) DJI Mic 2 (Bluetooth audio, no receiver needed) 💡 What You’ll Learn: How to shoot RAW video on iPhone using an SSD Lightweight audio setup with DJI Mic 2 via Bluetooth Best gear for filming in remote or rugged locations Color grading workflow using LUTs in post-production How to keep your pack light without sacrificing image quality 0:00 – Intro 3:00 – Mindful Hunter Outfitting 3:52 – Gear Required 8:59 – Swarovski ATX 85mm Giveaway 9:58 – Apps Required 12:48 – Digiscoping Mode 14:22 – Storage and Access Jay Nichol [email protected] https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
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EP 272 – After-Action Hunt Report: Jay & Ben Debrief Montana Archery Elk
In this new series, I am going to focus on walking through a single hunt from this past season with a hunter and breaking down their success, lessons learned, gear failures and much more. On this episode, I sit down with my friend Ben, and we break down our archery elk hunt in Montana this year. Jay Nichol [email protected] https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools
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