Canada-based Revision Military has just captured a sole-source, multi-service contract to supply the German military with over 256,000 sets of a modified version of the Sawfly Military Eyewear System through 2013. The competition included a rigorous bid process and extensive in-service user trials including in-theater use in Afghanistan.
According to a press release from Revision Military:
“To have been selected as the standard issue brand following one of most rigorous bidding processes we’ve seen to date, is a testament to the people, processes and technologies that we employ to advance the science and performance of this vital piece of soldier equipment. We are proud to be the German military’s protective eyewear supplier of choice,†said Alex Hooper, Vice President, International Sales.
Revision developed a new lens shape and two specialty lens tints for this contract. One is for a specific-wavelength laser and the second for high altitude mountain operations. The 256,000 kits are available in three sizes – small, medium and large, will include clear, solar and vermillion lenses. Additional quantities of laser protective lenses and Prescription (Rx) Carriers are also included in the contract award.
Tags: Revision Military
Go Canada! 🙂
Revision Sawfly is also issued in the Danish army. Almost everyone buys Oakley M frame instead because its way better in almost any way.
The Oakley M Frame has been used by Danish soldier for many years. When the Danish army then needed new Eye-pro, they ignored any advice from soldiers (after in-theater testing where Oakley M Frame was the favorite) and bought the Sawfly because it was cheaper. Result: Danish soldiers use a lot of money (from their own pocket) to buy better protection. Not talking ballistic rating, but coverage of the eye. The Sawfly lacks protection under the eyes and is not good at keeping dust out, which the M Frame does much better.
But good for Revision! Not so good for German soldiers though. At the price I would rather wear the ESS ICE.
(Of cause there a people who like them, since not everyone has the same head-shape etc.)
Birk, Danish Army
Birk AK: I hear your frustration and I’m sorry that your experience with the Sawfly wasn’t a favorable one. You bring up a good point that the Sawfly you were issued has ventilation room around the lenses. The German military actually selected a different lens shape for their needs. It offers greater coverage and a closer fit so there’s less room for dust to enter.
So far, feedback from German soldiers has been very positive and we look forward to listening to their feedback through the duration of the contract. We’re proud to say that the German military underwent extensive in-theater user trials with various manufacturers before selecting the Revision Sawfly. We hope they’ll continue to like it.
Anyhow, we’d like to find a way to make you a happy customer. Here’s my email: evals@revisionmilitary.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Jenn Zimmerman
@ Revision Military. Thank you for posting a reply. Im glad to hear that you have made changes to the shape of the glasses, for the German Army. Do me/Us a favor and suggest the same to the Danish Army. 🙂 So far I’ve seen about 3 to 4 different shapes. Thats a sign of you improving, and I like that!
What I wrote was my own opinion. But to give you a few humble suggestions: make the frame more low-profile, so that it wont in any way conflict with the helmet-straps. I can see that the frame for the German Army does not look exactly as the one the Danish Army uses. This may be to accommodating different head-shapes? This is also one of the reasons I now use Oakley M Frame (I have used the Sawfly for about 2 years earlier).
Also I hope you have made the nose-piece a bit softer than previous models. Walking foot-patrols for several hours in Afghanistan with 40+ C is exhausting, one the last think you need is your eye-pro to annoy you.
I hope the German soldiers will be happy with their new eye-pro!
A good thing (which is an important “plus”) is that the Sawfly models I have tried have been very fog-resistant. This maybe due to the ‘ventilation room around the lenses’ as you describe.
I’ll send you an E-mail. 🙂
Best regards, Birk
Which lens is meant for mountain conditions, the vermillion?
Or is that the laser protective one?
Cheers
I