At Shot Show 2022, Envision Technology brought out their Miniature Advanced Rangefinder System – Light, or MARS-L. Not to be confused with the LMT MARS-L rifle, this ballistics calculator brings huge capability directly to the civilian market. While high-end ballistic calculators have traditionally only been sold to MIL-LEO, Envision Technologies will also be selling this unit directly to civilians.
Right off the bat, I noticed the MARS-L comes with an exceptionally small form factor. While spec sheets are not yet listed on the Envision website, the size and weight of this unit were very impressive and it supposedly weighs under 7 ounces.
Including an integrated ballistic computer, Bluetooth, manual interface, and visible laser pointer, the MARS-L provides quick data when one needs it most. The Bluetooth feature will allow users to interface with Kestrels or other external devices to get precise and local variables for calculations. However, speaking with the Envision rep, the MARS-L also incorporates onboard pressure, temperature, and altitude sensors onboard.
I was able to spend a few minutes behind the MARS-L being attached to an MD11 from Maxim Defense Industries out at the Shot Show Range Day.
Even though the unit had not been zeroed, I was still able to range different berms downrange. From pressing the range-finding button, the unit seemed to take less than 2 seconds to read off the holdover needed to get hits with the rounds I was using.
While the distance from the 970-yard berm to the next mountain was miles, the representative said that the unit should be able to range man-sized targets out to 1,500 meters. The OLED display was beautiful and easy to read quickly.
Filling a void in the civilian market, and improving upon the RAPTOR, I believe Envision has knocked this out of the park. Utilizing a long-range eye-safe 1550nm LRF beam, the FDA can’t stop civilians from getting in on the action.
My first impressions were great, and hopefully, I will be able to get my hands on one to do a full review in the near future. While there’s not much information posted on the website, you can read Envision Technology’s blurb about the MARS-L HERE.
Price??? Probably so high they don’t have a number for it.
I think they just needed something with a Picatinny rail for display at the Show.
1,500 yards out of an AR platform, who are you trying to BS? If it had been mounted on a bolt action 338 it might make sense.
Yeah, everyone knows that bullets coming out of an AR hit a wall at 124 yards. Incapable after that of even breaking glass.
It ain’t the 1980’s anymore, there are plenty of purpose built AR platforms shooting sub MOA groups that are capable past 1,000 yards. This can also be mounted to bolt guns…. lol
I missed the part in the article that says it cannot be mounted on a .338LM bolt gun!