The Surveillance Engineer Who Gave Visually Impaired Hunters Their Sights Back

NATIONWIDE - AUGUST 2025 - (USAnews.com) — Henry Johns, the founder of Digital FOV, LLC, was not always a pioneer in adaptive hunting technology. In fact, his journey to creating the life-changing Digital Crosshairs 1000SA began far from the world of outdoor sports—amidst the tools and wires of video surveillance installations. Today, Digital FOV’s products are helping individuals with visual impairments and mobility challenges rediscover the joy of hunting and shooting sports, but the story of how this vision became a reality is nothing short of remarkable.

The Genesis: From Surveillance to Innovation

In 2012, Henry Johns spent his days installing video surveillance systems for homes, churches, and small businesses. Yet, when the workday ended, his thoughts would often turn to his passion for hog hunting. One problem, however, loomed large: night vision scopes, essential for hunting at night, were prohibitively expensive—costing thousands of dollars. Intrigued by the  night vision technology of his day job, Henry began to wonder: could the same  technology he used in surveillance work for hunting at night?

Determined to find an answer, Henry mounted one of the cameras to a rifle scope, added a small display screen, and tested it out. The result was better than he could have imagined—it worked. This simple idea sparked the birth of what would eventually become Digital FOV, and in 2013, Henry began selling his prototype at gun shows and outdoor expos across Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. These shows were more than just a way to sell his product—they became his testing grounds. Henry gathered feedback from hunters about what they liked and what needed to be improved, and with every trip, the product evolved.

Building the Product: Persistence and Refined Innovation

By 2019, Henry’s commitment to perfecting his product took him to the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His booth sat near the biggest name in night vision clip-ons, and a salesman from that company took a look at Henry’s unit. He scoffed, claiming it looked like something “made in a garage.” But the customers who visited Henry’s booth were not so quick to dismiss it. In fact, sales began to surge. Hunters recognized that Digital FOV’s technology was exactly what they needed—affordable, durable , and most importantly, it worked.

However, as the world changed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Henry’s business faced a new challenge. Gun shows were canceled, and the crowds disappeared. Rather than giving up, Henry pivoted and focused on online sales. This shift brought an unexpected turn of events. Orders from people with low vision, assisted blind, and those with mobility impairments surged. What was even more touching was that these orders were often placed by loved ones—not the shooter themselves, but sons, daughters, spouses, and friends looking for a way to bring someone they loved back into the field.

Many of these customers reached out to Henry after their loved ones experienced their first trips to the range or returned to the woods. The feedback was emotional. While the product wasn’t free, the independence it restored felt priceless.

A Life-Changing Moment: The Blind Marine and a Return to the Hunt

One story that encapsulates the transformative impact of Digital FOV’s products is that of Chuck, a blind Marine in Texas who had lost his vision fourteen years earlier. While Chuck still joined his friends and family on hunting trips, he would wait in the lodge while the others went out to hunt. He helped process meat and cook, but hunting itself had become an activity he could only watch from the sidelines.

Chuck’s life changed when his friends discovered Digital Crosshairs online and bought it for him. At the range, Chuck was soon ringing targets at 100 yards. On his next hunting trip, he harvested his first deer in fourteen years. The camp erupted in celebration, and Chuck called Henry to share the moment. “You changed my life,” Chuck said, a sentiment echoed by many others who were finding new independence through this adaptive  technology.

Chuck’s story was a pivotal moment in the growth of Digital FOV. He introduced Henry to the VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers (BRC) and the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA). Henry quickly got to work, learning about how the VA system operated and how adaptive technology could fit into it. After receiving feedback and approval from the VA Blind Rehabilitation Center in Augusta, Henry began attending conventions where he presented the idea that blind and low vision veterans could use adaptive equipment to enable  recreational hunting and shooting sports. At first, many VA recreational therapists  were cautious, given the association with firearms, but Henry’s persistence paid off.

The Breakthrough: A Partnership with the VA and a National Impact

Persistence and dedication to his mission led to a breakthrough for Digital FOV in November 2022. The VA Blind Rehabilitation Center in Puget Sound issued its first purchase order for Digital FOV’s flagship product, the Digital Crosshairs 1000SA. This marked the first of many significant milestones. Today, Digital FOV is a registered vendor at nine VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers nationwide, with the Digital Crosshairs 1000SA providing low vision and assisted blind veterans the opportunity to more independently continue to enjoy their passion for recreational hunting and shooting sports. 

The Digital Crosshairs 1000SA embodies everything Henry has learned from years of hands-on testing, user feedback, and working closely with therapists. The product is simple, rugged, and adaptable, presenting the scope’s field of view and crosshairs on a screen so that a family member or clinician can provide coaching while the shooter maintains control. It’s a breakthrough for adaptive technology, ensuring that users with visual impairments can participate in hunting and shooting sports without needing to rely on traditional scopes that require direct eye alignment.

For Henry, giving people back a part of their lives which they thought a disability had stolen from them forever has been the most rewarding part of his journey. While many assume that a relative’s disability led him to this mission, Henry believes that he was led here to create a product that helps people enjoy life to the fullest. For many of Digital FOV’s customers, that means getting back into the woods with friends and family.

What Sets Digital FOV Apart?

Digital FOV’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion is what truly sets it apart from its competitors. While many companies offer general hunting gear, Digital FOV specializes in adaptive technology designed for individuals with visual impairments and mobility challenges. The Digital Crosshairs 1000SA isn’t just a piece of equipment; it’s a gateway to renewed independence for those who thought hunting and shooting sports were no longer possible for them.

The product's unique feature is its ability to display the scope’s recticle  on a screen rather than requiring users to look directly through the rifle scope. This is a game-changer for those with visual impairments. The device is also rugged enough to handle various levels of recoil, and its night vision capabilities make it suitable for low-light and nighttime hunting conditions. It’s a versatile, reliable solution for individuals with disabilities who want to stay engaged in the outdoors.

Looking to the Future: Continuing the Mission of Empowerment

As Digital FOV moves forward, its future is grounded in the same values that have propelled its success: accessibility, innovation, and empowerment. Henry’s mission is clear: to help people with visual impairments and mobility limitations enjoy life to the fullest by providing them with the tools to engage in hunting and shooting sports. With continued innovation and a commitment to customer feedback, Digital FOV is poised to further expand its reach and impact.

The work Henry and his team are doing is not just about selling products—it’s about restoring dignity, independence, and joy to individuals who have been sidelined by disability. For Henry, the greatest reward comes not from the financial success of Digital FOV but from the countless stories of people reclaiming their lives and passions.

Join the Movement: Empowering Independence Through Technology

To learn more about how Digital FOV can help you or a loved one rediscover the thrill of hunting and shooting sports, visit www.digitalcrosshairs.net. Digital FOV’s products are more than just tools—they’re pathways to independence and freedom, offering a chance to get back into the woods, onto the range, and back to what matters most: shared experiences with friends and family.

Links to Learn More:

Adaptive Hunters
Digital FOV Facebook
Instagram
YouTube Channel