From Ckye Thomas, Founder of OBi:
I was in my early 20s, guiding hunters through the Sand Hills of Nebraska, when I first realized how deep my passion for the outdoors really ran. I watched a group of seasoned shooters, legends from “Best of the West”, stretch the limits of what I thought was possible. Their precision, their confidence, and their connection to the land lit a fire in me I didn’t yet have words for.
I went home after that trip and immediately built my first “long‑range” rifle, a 6.5‑284. Not long after, a buddy talked me into my first local precision rifle match. The next day, my dirt bikes had For Sale signs on them. I was all in.
For the next six years, I poured myself into the craft, hours on the phone, hours in the reloading room, hours chasing the details that separate good from exceptional. The truth is, it wasn’t just about firearms. It was about the obsession behind them, the drive to build, refine, and create tools that make people better at what they love.
That obsession eventually led to innovations like the Ckye‑Pod and other precision rifle accessories, later acquired by Modular Driven Technologies. But the mission didn’t stop there.
Today, Obsession-Based Inventions, formerly known as Old Balls Inc., is built on the same foundation of curiosity, craftsmanship, and relentless improvement. Only now, our vision reaches far beyond the shooting world. We design and build gear for anyone who pushes deeper into their craft. Hunters who rely on dependable, lightweight tools in the backcountry. Outdoor adventurers who need rugged, adaptable equipment that won’t quit. Photographers and filmmakers who demand stability, modularity, and precision in the field. Shooters and competitors who continue to push the limits of long‑range performance.
Whether it’s connecting your rifle, your camera, or your water bottle… whether you’re chasing elk, chasing light, or chasing steel on the clock… OBi exists to build the tools that help you go farther.
We’re here to innovate. To solve real problems. To create gear that earns its place in your kit. And to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, one obsession‑driven invention at a time.
— Ckye Thomas Founder, OBi.
