B5 Systems Retro Line

Archive for February, 2012

FirstSpear FAST Helmet Covers

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Ops-Core FAST Helmets are showing up all over the place, but up until now there haven’t been any covers for them. Time was, guys didn’t think they needed a cover and were more than satisfied with just painting them. Now, they’ve come to the realization that covers aid with camouflage (particularly when wet) as well as noise discipline. Additionally, as FAST helmets can be had in a variety of finishes, a helmet cover is a low cost way to modify the helmet’s camouflage without destroying the finish or purchasing an additional helmet.

FirstSpear currently offers two styles of helmet covers for the Ops-Core family of FAST Helmets. In both cases, the design is the same and it’s more a matter of material choices.

The Helmet Cover was introduced at SHOT Show and already units are ordering them. It’s made from four-way stretch material to conform to the helmet’s lines.

FirstSpear has also just introduced the Helmet Cover – Hybrid. This cover utilizes a combination of mesh and four-way stretch material. This gives a different look and is more accommodating for those who want to add garnish or local vegetation to enhance camouflage.

FirstSpear covers are manufactured from Mil-Spec materials in Black, Ranger Green, Coyote, MultiCam and White. They incorporate color matched Velcro strips across the crown and around the rear of the helmet to attach strobes, ID and other IFF systems. Additionally, the covers are cut high enough to accommodate the Accessory Rail Connector and also feature cutout for NVG mounts. The covers are easy to attach and work in a similar manner to the ACH cover via dual-sided Velcro strips that are trapped in between the helmet and pads.

FirstSpear offers these covers to accommodate both FAST Ballistic and Maritime cut helmets. Covers for other helmets can be custom created. Contact FirstSpear for details.

www.First-Spear.com

Ase Utra Sound Suppressors

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Remember this kick ass photo of a Mayflower customer?

Turns out, he is Finnish and works for Ase Utra Oy, a sound suppressor manufacturer. They’ve recently updated their website.

Check it out! www.aseutra.fi

Help Build a National Monument to US Military Working Dog Teams

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Military Working Dogs and their Handlers have served in all branches of the United States Armed Services since World War II. By US law (Public Law 110-181, Section 2877), there is a move to create a National Monument to these teams of men and dog. The tentative location is Lackland AFB TX home of the DOD MWD Training Center.

Our favorite way to support a great cause is when you get something for your efforts that can be used or worn. Generally, others see it and want to help as well. I mean sure, it feels good to help out with something of this magnitude but Garrett Container Systems has sweetened the pot with their Benchmade 375 Adamas knife promotion.

The knife is engraved with the Monument logo as well as Garrett’s Top Dawg logo. When you purchase this knife, GCS will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument. But this gets even better because Benchmade will donate a portion of funds from Adamas sales to the Ranger Assistance Foundation.

To get your knife visit www.gcswarrior.com

Regardless of whether you purchase a knife, your tax free donation will help build a National Monument that will forever honor service and sacrifice of our K9 teams to save American lives.

For more information on the National Monument to US Military Working Dog Teams visit www.jbmf.us.

Core Survival HEL-STAR 6

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012


Previously we wrote about the Core Survival HEL-STAR 5 which you can see in the photo above. It was designed specifically to work with the Gentex PM HALO helmet. It’s been used by a wide variety of military units. One of those DoD customers asked Core Survival to develop a new model that would increase lateral visibility. The result is the HEL-STAR 6.

For Core Survival HEL-STAR 6 is a natural progression of the HEL-STAR family, starting with HEL-STAR 4 and later evolving to the HEL-STAR 5. All three product lines were designed and built around user input, addressing user requirements.

It offers any combination of white, green, blue, red, and IR lights (either flashing or steady). Additionally, they offer variable flash rates and coded signals for IFF.

It can be turned on, while mounted and while wearing gloves. According to Core Survival the light also features, “Positive visual and tactile confirmation of ON/OFF and operating status with no guesswork.” Additionally, it is powered by a CR123 battery and Made in USA!

There are four models with different functions based on various user profiles.
HEL-STAR 6 Models
610 – Two Function
620 – Four Functions (Two Secure Firewalled, Two Overt Firewalled)
630 – Three Functions with secure lock out mode
640 – Four Functions (All for available with switches)

The button at the top of the light is either a nose plug or switch, depending on the model. It is used to change operating modes (e.g., overt/covert). The units are preprogrammed at the plant.

www.coresurvival.com/hel-star-6

Smokin’ Deal on Water Bottles

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

Extreme Outfitters has just introduced a new 32 oz Wide Mouth water bottle. These BPA Free bottles are Grey with Black lids and made from Eastman Tritan, a material that offers clarity, toughness, heat resistance and chemical resistance. The coolest thing about these is that they come with the spillguard insert. Ok, maybe this is the coolest thing; they are only $4.99 through the end of this month.

www.extremeoutfitters.us/32ozwidemouthbottlegrayblack

Army Preparing to Produce Baseline Camo Gear for Testing

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

Natick has released a Special Notice making known their intent to “negotiate on a sole source basis with Beyond Clothing, LLC” to produce 310 sets of “AOR 1/2 Fabric (50/50 Nyco), Helmet Covers, Pants and Blouses. These uniforms are among the baseline uniforms required for camouflage testing and evaluation.”

Army-style uniforms and OCIE do not exist in the AOR 1 & 2 patterns. What’s more, the patterns are restricted, so any gear must be manufactured by a company already certified to handle the fabric. OCP, or as it is commercially known, MultiCam is the other baseline pattern for the upcoming field trial phase of the US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort. Due to its use in Afghanistan, there is already an ample supply of the equipment available.

One interesting note. Currently, OCP is only issued as the FR ACU and not the standard FR ACU. While much work has been done to color match dyed TenCate’s Defender-M fabric used to manufacture the FR ACU, the pattern may look differently than it would when printed on 50/50 NYCO. This is a variance that will have to be considered in performance unless the Army also pursues the acquisition of an adequate number of OCP NYCO test uniforms. If they are commercially sourced, further care will need to be taken that such uniforms are not in the so-called MultiCam VS print which does not provide NIR protection.

These ‘baseline’ Government issue patterns will be pitted against four commercial families of patterns to determine the best performer and possible new Army issue camouflage.

The commercial finalists are:
ADS Inc as Prime, partnered with Guy Cramer
Brookwood Companies
Crye Precision
Kryptek

Magnum Intrepid HPi

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

We’ve mentioned the Magnum Intrepid HPi running shoe a couple of times, but it’s been the MultiCam variant. Today, we want to show you their Black model that most of us would wear while PTing. One of the things we like about the shoe is the incorporation of Magnum’s ion-mask technology. It’s a nano-technology waterproof surface treatment that keeps the shoe itself from absorbing water. It also features a dual-density midsole with a 3D counterbalance for stability even on trails and a Seamless Upper Zone Engineering (SUZE) upper design that mixes weave patterns to mold to the contours of your foot. Available in US sizes 7-12 and 13.

www.magnumboots.com

TacHacker – ‘Make’ Issue 29

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

‘Make” magazine number 29 (DIY Superhuman) is out on newsstands and focuses on one of our favorite TacHacker subjects; the Body. For us, one of the coolest articles is ‘Tacit: A Haptic Wrist Rangefinder.’ The concept is a wrist mounted rangefinder that gives feedback that you can feel in your hand. The closer the object you are ranging, the greater the pressure on your wrist. Projects like this may well inspire someone to develop the next ‘must have.’ Whether you are a part or full time tinkerer or just have a passing interest in DIY, ‘Make’ magazine is a must read.

makezine.com/magazine