Ninj Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 After being pointed out that I have central vision - I feel the best way forward is to tape the lens on my left eye. So that I don't introduce a seperate problem (like forcing the off eye to try and peek around the tape) whats the best way to place tape? Vertically, horizontally or just the smallest dot of it to prevent my left eye from focussing on the bead. I know several shooters on here have the same problem so interested to see how they get round it. Thanks in advance Rich (standing by with the scotch tape......) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Ah, that confused me... I could have sworn I replied to your other thread then remembered it was on the bbs! I have fairly central eyesight too. You can go down the patch/tape route... OR, as I did, train yourself to overcome it. Your other thread was about gun fit - this is key, and so is absolutely consistent mounting, swinging and timing. If you think about it, shotgun marksmanship should ideally place as little emphasis on a visual 'aim' as possible, hence the importance of your eye 'seeing' the rib should be minimal. It should be there in your peripheral vision as a visual check to mounting and a perception of lead, but that is it. By definition you should always be focussed on the clay, therefore the rib should never be more than a blur in the foreground anyway! Hang a clay pigeon somewhere in your house and practice mounting the gun to it. Keep both your eyes open focussed on the clay and you will be aware of two sets of barrels (even people with normal dominant eye will see two). Pick the left hand one and practice mounting the gun so it is pointing spot on the clay each and every time. If you have to, close your left eye after mounting just to check you are on line. Mount to the clay slowly and then gradually work up speed, eventually swinging and mounting onto the clay from various angles. Build up muscle memory, remember the exact feel of the stock on your face and the butt in your shoulder. The better and more instinctual your mount becomes the less and less you will rely on your visual reference until eventually you won't even notice it at all. You should be able to look at the clay, close both eyes and mount the gun to it. The blurring/obscuring your left eye may give you better immediate results, but if you play the long game and perfect your mount as above you will end up a stronger shot in the long term in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninj Posted May 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 (edited) Hi, yeh decided there was more discussion of central vision on PW so the thread was better placed here. Yep, all noted, I understand that dry mounting can only help, but I would like to see some results to prove this as an issue. Not entirely sure I'd be happy with picking one sight picture to go with, just for now. Prime concern though is not introducing another fault which may mask any benefit - hence the question for how to properly tape an eye. Cheers RC Edited May 9, 2009 by Ninj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Ok, here's another suggestion... Are you able to close or squint your left eye? If so then, as an alternative to tape, consider trying this as you mount onto the target. You will then get the benefit of both eyes until the final second. Sorry I'm haven't answered your question directly but I can't help feeling that taping up your glasses is a last resort because depending on how much you tape up you will be losing perception of speed and depth and also encouraging yourself to place too much emphasis on 'aiming' the gun with your remaining eye. I guess what I am saying is that if you are shooting clays by looking at the clay, mounting the gun, then looking at the rib and back at the clay again (even subconsciously) then you will end up limiting yourself in the long run. It will work, to an extent, but you will eventually hit a brick wall in terms of improvement. That's my experience anyway. Sermon ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninj Posted May 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Hi alex, Not sure why you get the impression I'm looking back at the rib?? Any reference to "seeing too much of the rib" in my previous thread was purely dry mounting and closing my left eye to ***** what is going on. I wouldnt think of focussing back to the barrels whilst shooting. Backed up by a 'smith today looking down the other end, my mount is shall we say "sufficiently" accurate to place the bead directly in the middle of my right pupil. Naturally though, it could be improved and certainly become more natural as I have a tendancy to move my head down to meet the stock as opposed to mounting it to my cheek, but the issue I'd like to resolve is the fact I have/have developed (who knows) central vision. Having shot for a fair few years (albeit with a lengthy lay off in between) I have realised slowly that there was something else wrong which was hindering progress. Ruling things out one by one has led me to this new discovery. Perhaps the decision to tape an eye is a last resort to some but I know the likes of Todd Bender place closing the off eye as a last resort; he himself had to use tape for a period [******** if I can find the article] Cheers again, like I say, I'd much prefer to make sure my right eye is doing the work without the need to blink/close my left, for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninj Posted May 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 From what I recall and have read - the name of the game with using opaque tape is only to remove the bead from focus in the off eye. This allows peripheral vision to be maintained but prevents it from taking over. Which got me thinking why you see some shooters with vertically placed, horizontally placed or dots of varying sizes on their specs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 (edited) Hi alex,Not sure why you get the impression I'm looking back at the rib?? Any reference to "seeing too much of the rib" in my previous thread was purely dry mounting and closing my left eye to ***** what is going on. I wouldnt think of focussing back to the barrels whilst shooting. Yes, it was your other thread. You said the gun was shooting high and that you were seeing too much rib, implying that your eye was too far above the stock. Now you are saying someone has checked your mount and your eye is in the right place. To me this sounds like you were mismounting before. You had someone watch you shoulder the gun in the the gunshop and your eye was in the right place, suggesting the gun isn't too bad a fit. It just sounded to me like you were using the rib as a visual check to mount the gun which shouldn't be needed with a good mounting technique. If you can work on mounting such that your eye is in the right place each time you should notice an improvement. I think probably the best advice under the circumstances would be to go and see a good coach who can watch you mount and shoot and suggest as appropriate. Edited May 9, 2009 by alexm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninj Posted May 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 (edited) Presumably you missed the bit where I said I had swapped to a much thicker recoil pad hence now, my eye is on the bead. Formerly I was seeing too much rib, presumably the reason for some consistent misses over the top. Sorry old fella, having had several coaches, gunsmiths and well accredited shots watch me shoot, I would really like to address the issue of my vision. Yes of course we could all benefit from more practise to hone the mount, but all I really want to do right now is try the suggestion of someone who has shot for his country for 25 years Edited May 9, 2009 by Ninj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 I know several shooters on here have the same problem so interested to see how they get round it. Well you did ask! It looks like your mind is made up on the tape though so good luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicW Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 (edited) Ninj, It's a two handed job,you need someones help to get the tape in the right place.Cut out a piece of tape and with your glasses on and gun mounted get the assistant to place the tape on the lense in the area you wish to obscure. A far better idea is to use 'Browning Magic Dots' but I don't know where you can get them from. Vic. Edited May 11, 2009 by VicW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninj Posted May 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 Thanks Vic, all sorted. Used a 5p sized bit of tape, aptly placed by an able assistant Cheers Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 I have the same problem with central vision, and I just close my left eye. Not ideal, but it works... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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