Smoke 'em with mirrors

[KahrMan]

Pretty cool blind.

Smoke 'em with mirrors - ESPN

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The words "revolutionary" and "groundbreaking" are probably used a bit too freely by outdoor product developers. There are lots of great new products every year, but to be honest, few have the potential to completely change the way we hunt or fish.

This year, there is one product that meets even the strictest definition of both words.

It's called Ghostblind, and it's truly unlike any other hunting blind ever made. Though it has been available through the Internet for the past year, Ghostblind's big introduction happened at the 2010 Archery Trade Association show in Columbus, Ohio.

Ohio residents, Chet Burdette and Kevin Pottmeyer are the geniuses behind Ghostblind, which they appropriately call "adaptive camo."

"Ghostblind instantly changes to perfectly match any landscape," Burdette said. "It's like having thousands of camo patterns in one blind. "

Ghostblind achieves its chameleon-like ability through the use of very specialized mirrors. The mirrored panels fold out to conceal the hunter and reflect anything in front of them.

Shooting ports between the panels allow a hunter to expose only a gun barrel or arrow to approaching game. The mirrors are slightly angled downward, which does a surprisingly effective job of eliminating any glare from the sun.

Like most great inventions, Ghostblind was the result of an "ahaa!" moment for Burdette.

"I was shaving one morning and got to thinking about the portable little mirror I was using. I took it outside and immediately knew it could make a person invisible if it were big enough," he said.

After talking to Kevin Pottmeyer, who has engineering experience, they came up with the first prototype. Both men agreed it was too heavy, not portable enough and needed to have round edges.

"We determined that square edges were unnatural in nature and spooked game," Burdette said. "We also knew it had to be portable, provide instantaneous setup and be a safe alternative to a tree stand for hunters to use it."

There are two current models available, with a third option ready for production in 2010.

The Phantom has two panels, only weighs seven pounds and retails for $189. The Predator has four panels, weighs 13 pounds and retails for $289. Both models have comfortable, attached backpack straps for easy transport to and from the field.

Despite the Ghostblind only being available on the Internet, Burdette and Pottmeyer were surprised recently when Cabela's approached them with interest in it.

"Unfortunately, we had to turn them away," Burdette said.

As a start up company, they were already getting more Internet orders than they could handle. The inquiry from Cabela's came a lot sooner than they planned on.

"To agree to a deal with Cabela's right now would make us like the dog that chases cars every day until he finally catches one and has no idea what to do with it," he said.

Which is not to say the Ohio entrepreneurs aren't hoping to someday snag a big box store or two.

Plans for Ghostblind in 2010 include quickly gearing up to accommodate stores like Cabela's and selling at least 20,000 blinds to hunters across America.

But those sales might just be the tip of the iceberg for this innovative product.

The makers have also been in talks with the U.S. military, which believe with a few changes, the Ghostblind might become an important tool for soldiers.

The military connection was an easy one for Burdette who has professional military experience on his resume.

"We are introducing a new model called The Sniper this spring that will only be 24-inches tall. It will be great for turkey and other hunters who like to sit directly on the ground," Burdette said. "It will also be the prototype for a blind made for military application."

At only nine pounds, the sniper fulfills the military's requirement that it be lightweight, small and portable. Burdette and Pottmeyer also added a bulletproof, Kevlar backing to the Sniper for obvious reasons.

The result is a product that will prove

[nightrunner]

that looks COOL and very innovative

[ShaunM]

I would love to have one.

http://www.ghostblind.com/Our-Products.html

[iyaoyas98]

Just goes to show how many of us are asleep at the wheel. Good for them, it looks like a great product.

[Guest ADAM]

:drool:that is awesome, genius idea.

[Chief07]

Saw it on the sportsman channel. Way too cool.

Can you use it in the livingroom so your wife won't see you

in front of the TV?

Just a thought.................

[Rightwinger]

The species "woman" is way to cagey and wiley to fall for this. I once painted myself in the "sheet and blanket" pattern and she immediately found me in the bed with no effort. I also tried the "couch and love seat" pattern but she was able to detect me there quickly as well.

I have found the only thing to protect you is a cover scent...yes, the scent of "money" that allows them to go to their hunting grounds, the "mall" is your only hope of remaining free of them attacking you with the dreaded "honey do" list.

Live free men, use your cover scent sparingly though.

[DaveS]

I tried the camo trick on my wife too. BUSTED! I did find that fox urine and a little "essence of pole cat" (skunk scent) worked very well to give me the room to myself. Only downfall was my little dog kept wanting to hike his leg on me. Wonder what the dangers are of being attacked by an animal that sees his reflection in that mirror blind. I'm really thinking about getting one.

[Tobashadow]

I bet you would get plenty of WTF moments from game you didn't want.

[memphismason]

The species "woman" is way to cagey and wiley to fall for this. I once painted myself in the "sheet and blanket" pattern and she immediately found me in the bed with no effort. I also tried the "couch and love seat" pattern but she was able to detect me there quickly as well.

I have found the only thing to protect you is a cover scent...yes, the scent of "money" that allows them to go to their hunting grounds, the "mall" is your only hope of remaining free of them attacking you with the dreaded "honey do" list.

Live free men, use your cover scent sparingly though.

That was great.

[Guest walkingdeadman]

I'm pretty sure that I could make one of these of my own for about thirty bucks.I work with some reflective material that we use to put on automobiles rocker panels that would work perfect for this. I don't think I could fork out thr 200 bucks for it. But yes, this is a very creative invention. I'm sure someone will buy it.

[Timberdoodle]

looks to me like you could probably land a plane with the light reflections that would be coming off of that thing!

If my scope lense will refect enough light without a filter to spook a coyote/wary buck/spotter then i'm sure that I would get busted pretty soon with that thing.

Not impressed. Give me a good asat leafy suit any day!!

Oh yeah, and camo that rifle!!

[Smith]

I bet you would get plenty of WTF moments from game you didn't want.

Unless you get some stupid squirrel that decides to bark and attack his reflection! That would be great for hunting! Man I hate tree rats!