Petzl has unveiled a completely new combat helmet mounted light. Versatility is the key with the STRIX. Offered in both IR and VL variants, it comes in a two-tone camouflage and black along with three adjustable band colors: black, tan and camo. It also incorporates big, gnarly knobs for use with gloves and controls are tactile so your fingers won’t slip and you can tell which button you are using.
The STRIX includes selectable blue, red and green lights in 1 lumen as well as .35 – 30 lumens in white light. With the IR version you also get 15 – 45 mW IR output as well as an IFF feature. Additionally, once you select IR, it locks out the controls for visible light. Battery is a single AA and run time is 65 hours with alkaline and double that with lithium batteries.
The STRIX integrates Petzl’s proprietary bi-axle rotation. This feature is amazing. It makes adjustment of the light’s beam simple and puts it where you want it without having to cant your head. On the vertical axis is 120 deg of adjustment and the horizontal you get 180 deg of adjustment.
In addition to the ability to mount to Ops-Core’s ARC Rail, the STRIX also incorporates a metal PALS compatible clip at the rear to allow mounting to armor vests and other platforms. There is also an adjustable headband that incorporates a buckle at the rear so that you can wear the light around your neck. Petzl didn’t forget the guys wearing the ACH and other combat helmets. They’ve introduced the Adapt STRIX which clamps onto the lower lip of the helmet edge.
Look for these being ready for sale in late Spring 2013. Looks like they’ve got a hit with this one.
ADS is shipping 87,000 Streamlight Sidewinder Compact II lights to USMC. The original Sidewinder was issued to USMC in 2008 for their HHFL requirement. Streamlight gets another bite at apple with the Sidewinder Compact II, also powered by AA (and CR123 and AAA and AAAA batteries) to fulfill USMC’s MCAL requirement. Looks like Petzl was in Streamlight’s vapor trail…again.