Everyone wants to be unique and have their equipment standout. But style, design or color should never be more important than performance. Those things that make tools look different should be considered only after the best performance is achieved. Purchasing products based primarily on looks will eventually or potentially lead to disappointment. Focus on the function first and if those products offer style enhancement you have made the right choice.
Beware of wind flags that offer multiple tail shapes and sizes they can’t all work the same. Where on the tail fin will the wind have its maximum influence? Size and shape of the tail fin will react differently to the overall flag length and pivot location. These all are minor things, but so is .001 of an inch at a bench rest match.
Over the years, I saw tails shaped like spears or other pointed objects. Most were pointing into the wind direction and not toward the actual direction of the wind. Some did have contrasting colored arrows pointing toward the correct wind direction. Many had a Daisy wheel or propeller, some had long streamers. These were the least accurate and seemed to have difficulty making up their mind. It was interesting that many with the Daisy wheels or propellers and long streamers were inconsistent as many had only one or the other moving, but rarely both. Only when the wind increased in velocity did the flag attachments begin to function together. Most of the flags were made of materials that did not contrast well with the background. They were white, shiny black or bright aluminum. Viewing through a scope these materials were as obvious as and distracting as anything on the flag. Some of the older flags made from PVC or composites were beginning to show dark color changes where they were exposed to direct sunlight.
MTC products were developed and tested for performance before any styling or colors were considered. Once a design configuration proved it’s effectiveness only then was the appearance enhanced. Colors are based upon application and nothing else. Main bodies are hard anodized in a deep gunmetal gray, bubble level inserts are white and black or light green and black. Tails are covered with bright red and bright yellow vinyl, arrows are from the same material. The adjustable balance weight is bright red anodized aluminum with a white dot indexing mark. Hardware is left to its natural color.
These colors are calculated to emphasize the tail and its ability to identify wind direction. Main body colors are selected to blend into the background without distracting from the flags primary purpose. The front attached direction indicator is black and white to eliminate any confusion about incoming or outgoing wind. It is thin aluminum for minimal side wind resistance to not compete with the tail for control. Color selection was based on high visibility and recognition at any distance.
Poles and stands are not offered by MTC as it is not our intent to improve these, they work well as designed. Our emphasis is focused on the tools that contribute to accurate results. Mounting of most ( I leave this open because I may offer alternative mounting in the future) MTC products utilize the standard or common camera 1/4-20 female (internal) thread. This was chosen because it is not unique and many applications are available. Poles may not be universal mounting.
MTC has included a tightening hole in the base portion of our Trackers. This feature allows the use of a 1/4″ diameter tool to tighten to the stand or post. Realizing that this now provided another opportunity for an independent streamer. One that and has no physical connection or impact on the tail and the performance of the flag. Users can decide to use this feature or not.
My statements above may be controversial and critical but aren’t performance and control what it’s all about. MTC may be limiting its selection offering to potential customers. But MTC is only concerned with providing the best performing products and why would we offer anything else? MTC wants you to shoot and score better and look good doing it.