4 Days of Innovation, Community, and Breakthrough Optics in Las Vegas

 

Introduction

Back on January 6th, we invited you to join us at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas — and you showed up in full force. Over 4 incredible days (January 20-23, 2026) at Venetian Expo Level 1, Booth #41310, we welcomed thousands of fellow hunters, precision shooters, industry partners, and long-time DiscoveryOpt fans through our doors.

SHOT Show is always the highlight of our year: it’s our chance to meet the people who use our optics in the field every day, show off our most anticipated new releases, and hear directly from you about what you need from your hunting and precision shooting gear. This year’s show exceeded every expectation, from the non-stop traffic at our booth to the incredible feedback on our brand-new innovations.

In this full recap, we’re breaking down all the biggest highlights from SHOT Show 2026: our two headline new releases, the best moments from the show floor, real feedback from the shooters and hunters who tested our gear, and what’s next for DiscoveryOpt.

 

Our 2026 SHOT Show Headline New Releases

The star of our booth this year was our lineup of never-before-seen innovations, built exclusively to solve the real pain points of hunters and precision shooters. Here’s a full breakdown of the two biggest launches from the show:

1. Gen III ED 5-25x56: With Integrated Electronic Level Indicator

The most talked-about product at our booth, and the star of our SHOT Show prototype preview, was the brand-new Gen III ED 5-25x56 FFP scope with integrated Electronic Level Indicator — the next evolution of our flagship ED-PRS long-range lineup.

Building on the industry-leading ED glass performance that our Gen II lineup is known for, this new flagship adds a game-changing integrated anti-cant system that eliminates guesswork from every shot:

• An intuitive green indicator system that alerts you instantly when rifle cant is detected

• Left/right dedicated indicators to show exactly which direction your rifle is tilted

• Fully selectable sensitivity, so you can customize how precise the alert is for PRS competition, long-range hunting, or casual shooting

• Instant, real-time feedback to keep your rifle perfectly level, even in high-pressure match scenarios or last-second backcountry hunting shots

For years, shooters have relied on bulky external anti-cant devices that add weight and complexity to their setup. With the Gen III ED 5-25x56, we’ve built that precision directly into the scope’s optical system — no extra gear, no second-guessing, just consistent, accurate hits on target, every single time.

We had this prototype on hand for hands-on testing at the booth, and it was non-stop: shooters lined up to test the electronic leveling system, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We even shared a full first-look reveal on our YouTube channel, breaking down every feature of this game-changing new scope.

2. All-New DiscoveryOpt Thermal Optics Lineup

The second massive launch from SHOT Show 2026 was our brand-new thermal optics series, built to be your dependable eyes in the dark for night hunting, predator control, and low-light scouting.

We designed this lineup to solve the biggest frustrations hunters have with thermal optics: blurry low-light imaging, slow target tracking, and fragile builds that can’t hold up to backcountry use. Our new thermal optics deliver:

• Crystal-clear thermal imaging for reliable target identification, even in complete darkness

• Blazing-fast target tracking for moving predators and game

• Rugged, weatherproof construction built to last through years of hard hunting use

• Intuitive, easy-to-use controls that work with gloves on, perfect for cold-weather night hunts

We had full working prototypes on display at the booth, with live demos running non-stop throughout the show. Hunters were able to test the thermal imaging for themselves, and we shared a full first-look video on YouTube to give fans at home a close-up view of this new lineup.

 

Show Floor Highlights: Community, Connections, and Hands-On Demos

Beyond the new releases, the heart of SHOT Show 2026 was the chance to connect with all of you. Over 4 days, we had the absolute pleasure of:

• Reconnecting with hundreds of familiar faces: long-time DiscoveryOpt users who shared their hunting and shooting stories with our team, from 1000-yard mule deer harvests to PRS match wins with our ED series scopes

• Meeting new partners and industry peers: we connected with dozens of new retailers, shooting influencers, and hunting outfitters who are as passionate about reliable, high-value optics as we are

• Running non-stop hands-on demos: every day, our team walked shooters through our full lineup, from our classic ED series scopes to our brand-new thermal optics and Gen III prototype. We helped shooters test the electronic leveling system, adjust the thermal imaging settings, and find the perfect optic for their 2026 hunting season

• Hosting live demos and one-on-one walkthroughs: our product team was on hand the entire show to answer every question, break down the tech behind our new releases, and hear directly from you about what features you want to see next

It was an incredible feeling to see our booth packed from open to close every single day, and to hear how many of you have trusted our optics for your hunts and competitions. Whether you stopped by for 5 minutes to test the new Gen III scope, or sat down for a full 30-minute walkthrough of our thermal lineup, we loved every second of connecting with you.

 

Real Feedback From the Show Floor

The best part of SHOT Show is hearing directly from the people who use our gear in the field. Here’s just a small sample of the feedback we received at Booth #41310:

• “I’ve been using the Gen II ED-PRS 5-25x56 for 2 years for PRS matches. This new Gen III with the integrated electronic level? It’s a game-changer. No more fumbling with an external level when I’m on a barricade. I’m first in line when this launches.”

• “I hunt coyotes at night in the Midwest, and I’ve gone through 3 different thermal scopes that just don’t hold up. The demo of your new thermal optic was night and day — the clarity and tracking are way better than anything I’ve used. Can’t wait to get my hands on one.”

• “I drove 6 hours just to come see your booth. I’ve been watching your ED scope reviews online, and getting to test them in person? They’re even clearer than the videos show. I walked out with a new ED 3-12x44 for my whitetail rifle this season.”

• “The electronic leveling on the Gen III is genius. I hunt mule deer in the mountains, and I can’t tell you how many shots I’ve missed because of slight cant that I didn’t notice. This will fix that instantly.”

 

What’s Next For DiscoveryOpt

SHOT Show 2026 was just the start of an incredible year for DiscoveryOpt. Here’s what you can look forward to in the coming months:

• The full launch of the Gen III ED 5-25x56 with integrated Electronic Level Indicator, with full specs, pricing, and pre-order details coming soon

• The official release of our brand-new thermal optics lineup, with more in-depth reviews, field tests, and hunting demos

• More in-depth blog content, YouTube reviews, and field tests for all our new releases, plus step-by-step guides to help you get the most out of your DiscoveryOpt optics

• More chances to connect with us in person, at shooting events and hunting expos across the US throughout 2026

If you stopped by our booth at SHOT Show, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your feedback, your stories, and your support are why we do what we do. If you couldn’t make it to the show this year, we’ll be sharing all the details on our new releases right here on the blog, on our Facebook page, and on our YouTube channel.

 

Closing

SHOT Show 2026 was our biggest and best show yet, and it’s all thanks to you. We’re more excited than ever to bring these new innovations to the field, and to keep building reliable, high-performance optics that help you hit your mark, every single time.

Be sure to follow our Facebook page and subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest updates on our SHOT Show new releases, and check out the rest of our blog for our full ED series scope guides, hunting tips, and more.