Polish manufacturer SPECOPS has introduced zipper pulls in Black, Coyote and Olive which will not only blend with most any base color or pattern, but will also help to make the product even more distinct by incorporating their logo.
Polish manufacturer SPECOPS has introduced zipper pulls in Black, Coyote and Olive which will not only blend with most any base color or pattern, but will also help to make the product even more distinct by incorporating their logo.
We just found out about Echo Niner and their Camera Strap. It was designed by a professional photographer and incorporates a couple of interesting features. For example, the strap is lined with a non-slip material to keep it in place even when moving. Additionally, the single point of adjustment allows the photographer to quickly configure the strap to best suit conditions. The strap can even be set up as a hand strap.
The Camera Strap is available in Urban Black, Coyote, and MultiCam. Echo Niner products are Made in USA from mil-spec materials.
The most remarkable thing about this photo of Navy SEALs undergoing cold weather training at Det-Kodiak in Alaska is the expression on their faces. Or, better yet, their lack of expression. The reason is simple. In addition to training they are wearing garments insulated with PrimaLoft. In fact, PrimaLoft is used in cold weather loft layers used by all four services as well as SOCOM. If you’ve deployed in the past few years, chances are good you’ve relied on PrimaLoft.
Originally developed during the 1980s, the US Army commissioned Albany International to work on a water resistant synthetic alternative to down. What they came up with is PrimaLoft, used for military as well as commercial applications. However, in the meantime, they hardly been sitting around resting on their laurels. For instance, they’ve recently improved the performance of PrimaLoft Sport with their Convection Technology to offer 15% more loft than previous versions.
One of several things that PrimaLoft has going for it is a waterproof treatment that is cured into its fibers. This process results in PrimaLoft fibers adsorb only about 100 to 250% weight in water while many other polyester fibers will absorb up 400% to 1000% of their weight in water. Take a look at the diagram above. As you can see, PrimaLoft Sport does a pretty good job of retaining its CLO value* whether wet or dry. Additionally, PrimaLoft uses fibers that are less than one denier (a single strand of silk is essentially one denier) in thickness. This translates to increased compressibility.
If you’ve been using clothing insulated with PrimaLoft while deployed, you might want to know that numerous manufacturers also rely on it for their commercial products. For instance, you might be interested in this Spindrift Jacket from KUIU for use while hunting. You’d be amazed to see who’s using it. What’s more, you can even get bedding featuring PrimaLoft. To learn more, visit www.primaloft.com.
*One Clo represents the amount of insulation required to keep a resting person warm in an indoor room at 70°F (21.1°C). Clo ratings in oz/sq yd allow you to compare relative thermal performance of one insulation versus another.
At the beginning of the month, we let you know about the new commercial Tactical Flight Duty Uniforms (TFDU) authorized for wear by USAF C130 and HH60 crews in the CENTCOM AOR. This is the Eagle TFDU specified in the AFCENT instruction which has actually been available for several years and has seen service with other organizations. It is currently available in Tan and Sage Green. Reading through AFCENT 36-2903, it never specifies what color is required but implies Tan in para.3.7.3.3. Desert patrol cap or desert floppy hat, “boonie” is authorized for wear.
From the Instruction:
3.7.2. Procurement: Through rigorous AFE testing and flight testing, three sets of TFDUs have been approved for wear. The TFDU will be purchased with unit funds. Manufacturers who have met ACC requirements and styles authorized are:
Company: DriFire
Style(s):
1) Phoenix (sic) II (S)
2) Phoenix (sic) II (W)
Company: Eagle Industries
Style(s):
3) Tactical Aircrew Flight Suit Jacket
3) Tactical Aircrew Flight Suit Pants
The 2011 National Tactical Operations Conference & Vendor Show will be held 18-23 September in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to a show featuring 175 vendors showcasing their latest wares, attendees may also choose from 16-, 24- or 32-hour practical tracks including Advanced Tactics, HRT and HRW. Additionally, NTOA is offering a variety of 4- and 8-hour seminar tracks on such topics as SWAT supervision, crisis negotiations and gunfight medicine.
To sign up visit NTOA.org.
Photos courtesy of Sam Perry Photography: spsquared.com
Tactical Fanboy ran a series of three articles last week with previews of coming attractions from SureFire. One of the items already released is the new UB3T Invictus. The aluminum CombatGrip body features a rotary dial switch just behind the head selects to intensity as well as strobe and SOS modes. It uses 3 x CR123s to produce 800 lumens for 1.7 hours variable down to 2 lumens for 150 hours via 8 different settings. In addition to the light settings switch, the UB3T also features a tailcap. Press the switch for momentary-on light at the selected output setting, press further, at any light output setting, and get all 800 lumens. SureFire calls this their MaxBlastâ„¢ tailcap feature. You can also twist for constant-on light at the selected output setting or twist further for max output. Naturally, it also incorporates a TIR lens combined with an LED lamp. Other features include a fuel gauge that indicates battery charge level and weatherproof O-ring and gasket seal. We’ve had one for a few weeks and the versatility is amazing. This is definitely a light that you need to practice with to master. It isn’t something you want to pick up for the first time and have to use in a real world situation.
Check the rest of SureFire’s new products out:
Strobe Warning from SureFire
Exposure to strobing lights may cause dizziness, disorientation, and nausea. A very small percentage of people suffer from photosensitive epilepsy—approximately .00025 % of the population—and may experience seizures or blackouts triggered by strobing lights. Visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org for more information about this rare form of epilepsy. Anyone who has had symptoms linked to this condition should consult a doctor before using this product.
Silynx has just added a new feature to their website designed specifically for mobile users. Now, you can now build and customize your own C4OPS headset. It works just like the full-featured website and allows you to add headsets, cables, accessories, as well as the C4Grip to your C4OPS or Micro C4OPS config and submit for a quote. Then, you can upload it for a quote.
www.silynxcom.com
Brite-Strike® has just introduced their new All Purpose Adhesive Light Strip (APALS™). For such applications as marking for Close Air Support to MEDEVAC to MOUT, APALS is easy to use and helps prevent fratricide. It features 3 modes: On, Fast Strobe & Slow Strobe. APALS is self-adhesive, disposable, and boasts a 35 hour run time. Available in White, Red, Blue, Amber, Green, and IR, APALS comes in packs of 100.