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Iridium Go! Hotspot Offers Internet Access In The Backcountry

Friday, February 7th, 2014

Although it offers data transfer speeds out of the 90s, the Iridium Go! hotspot’s 2.4 kbps beats what you’ve got right now in the back country which is generally bupkiss. And by back country, I don’t just mean the American wilderness; Iridium is used worldwide. For many years the military and other specialized users have relied on data transfer via Iridium satellite phones but the company has not offered a purpose built, commercialized hotspot until now. Granted, there’s a Thuraya device out there that some of you may be familiar with but coverage is limited, whereas Iridium is worldwide (land and sea). Go! will allow you to connect up to 5 wireless devices to a 30.5-meter (100 foot) radius hotspot. While internet access might seem painfully slow, that text and email functionality you’ve never had will be great. Sending photos will be possible but you’ll have to learn to live with low res chips and not high def panoramas. You can also use it to make calls and the Go! has built-in SOS and GPS modes. Even better? It’s forward compatible with Iridium Next, a satellite based network they are rolling out to increase speeds to near 3G/4G levels so web browsing you’re used to at home is coming.

Measuring 114 x 83 x 32 mm (4.5 x 3.25 x 1.25 in) and weighing in at 295 g (10.4 oz) the Go! charges via microUSB, and can connect to up to five mobile devices at a time. To turn it on, flip up the antenna and connect your device via the Iridium Go app on your smartphone or tablet available for both iOS and Android. The Go! also boasts MIL-STD 810F ruggedness.

Coming fall, 2014.

www.iridium.com

Tags: Iridium
Posted in Comms, Digitization | 5 Comments »

Silynx Communications Announces Millbrook Tactical as Exclusive Canadian Dealer

Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

Silynx Communications and Millbrook Tactical have announced an exclusive partnership for Canada. Designed by operators for operators, Silynx products have been developed hand in hand with the Special Forces community and deployed in combat regions for the past seven years. These innovative communication systems are in use by the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), USASOC, NSW, MARSOC, AFSOC, FBI SWAT and first tier NATO Special Forces.

Silynx is committed to constant innovation and improvement of products and ideas to meet the continually changing requirements of operators.

Tags: Millbrook Tactical, Silynx Communications
Posted in Comms, Industry, International | Comments Off on Silynx Communications Announces Millbrook Tactical as Exclusive Canadian Dealer

TEA Headsets Sees Overall Growth Of In-Ear Headset Market Share With The Expansion Of TCAPS Program

Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

Back in 2000, TEA introduced a completely new type of tactical headset, the INVISIO® in-ear headset, which uses a patented in-ear bone conduction microphone. Special Operations Forces and SWAT Teams quickly adopted this exciting new in-ear headset technology for certain applications, but the trade off at the time was that these in-ear headsets didn’t provide hearing protection or electronic hear-through.

Soon after releasing the INVISIO® headset line TEA was awarded the MICH MARITIME program. This program was a break through in the communications industry because it was the first universal push-to-talk solution with modular cable down leads. TEA’s solution provided Special Operations Teams within the US Navy and US Marine Corps the ability to interface with an extremely broad range of radios and intercom systems. Because of the need to have hearing protection and electronic hear-thru programs like MICH MARITIME and the tactical headset market in general continued to be dominated with over-the-ear style headsets.

It wasn’t until 2008 that TEA released the INVISIO® X50 system, which closed the gap between in-ear bone conduction headsets and over-the-ear headsets with hearing protection and electronic hear-thru. For the next five years the tactical headset market share steadily began to shift away from traditional over-the-ear headsets to sleeker and smaller in-ear versions.

In 2013, TEA was awarded the Tactical Communication and Protective System (TCAPS) program for their INVISIO® X50 system.

The TCAPS X50 System consists of 2 main products. The INVISIO® X5 dual in-ear communication headset, which provides certified hearing protection and enhanced electronic hear-thru and the INVISIO® X50, which is a push-to-talk/control unit that interfaces with the new NETT Warrior radios/devices as well ground vehicle and aircraft intercom systems via modular radio cables.

The primary objective of the TCAPS program is to ensure all soldiers have the highest level of hearing protection and communications on the battlefield. As this program continues to expand into more brigades TEA also sees the rapid growth of in-ear headsets in to overall tactical headset market.

TEA Capabilities:
Outside of TCAPS, TEA continues to make major advancements in their interface capabilities with the new dual and multi-talk group radios as well as portable smart devices. They also offer a full line of advanced communication headset systems such as their INVISIO® V60 system, which also includes the INVISIO® X5 dual in-ear headset. TEA offers a no obligation 30-day evaluation program for qualified military and law enforcement teams/units to try out their products. “Hear for yourself” the difference in quality of TEA headsets!

For more information visit www.TEAheadsets.com.

Tags: TEA Headsets
Posted in Comms | Comments Off on TEA Headsets Sees Overall Growth Of In-Ear Headset Market Share With The Expansion Of TCAPS Program

Silynx At SHOT Show 2014

Friday, January 10th, 2014

Silynx will be at SHOT Show 2014, booth #7307. They’ll be giving away a GoPro at the show. Attendees simply have to stop by the booth, check out the new CLARUS system, and register. The drawing will be Friday morning. Need not be present to win.

silynxcom.com

Tags: Silynx Communications
Posted in Comms, Contest, SHOT Show | Comments Off on Silynx At SHOT Show 2014

Silynx CLARUS Promo

Friday, December 6th, 2013

ATTENTION! End of Year Special Offer!!

Order your new CLARUS tactical headset system by 12/31/2013 and receive a FREE Smart Phone adapter cable! Connect the CLARUS to an iPod, iPhone, or other smart phone device to enjoy your tunes or make calls using your headset.

Contact info@silynxcom.com for more information.

silynxcom.com/

Tags: Silynx
Posted in Comms, Sales | 5 Comments »

INVISIO V30 Specs from TEA Headsets

Monday, November 4th, 2013

We had a chance to see the new INVISIO® V30 at AUSA. It is simple, all-in-one headset system utilizing the utilizes the INVISIO® X5 dual in-ear headset for high noise environments. It is plug and play requiring no calibrating.

The INVISIO® X5 headset features the patented and proven bone conduction microphone. Speech is captured in the ear via vibrations from the user’s jawbone. These vibrations are converted into sound, delivering crystal clear communication under extreme and noisy conditions, even when whispering or worn under a gas mask.

TEA Headsets has created this ebrochure for their new INVISIO V30 that includes technical specifications, diagrams, configurations, etc.

(Click on image to view .pdf)

Note: Currently available for select military radios only (PRC 148/152)

teaheadsets.com

Tags: Invisio, TEA Headsets
Posted in Comms | 3 Comments »

Ops-Core Unveils RAC at AUSA

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013

I’ve been following the development of the Rail Attached Communications (RAC) headset for some time now and I’m glad to see it out there. Ops-Core has worked hard with their customers to offer something unlike any other head set on the market. First off, it was designed from the outset to work with the Ops-Core helmet and integrates seamlessly with other helmet system components such as the ARC Rail. The RAC headset works with FAST and Sentry helmet models.

While the outward appearance hasn’t changed much throughout development, lots has been done to refine the ergonomics and improve performance. For example, the team went through multiple iterations to offer an ergonomic earcup with contoured cushions. With almost every headset out there, the part of the earcup that sits against the ear is flat. Unfortunately, the human head is far from flat and everyone’s is slightly different. Not only is the shape of the RAC earcup not flat, it’s also not the typical oblong found with other earcups but rather an asymmetric shape.

They combines this ergonomic earcup with a gimbal mount so that it can fit as close to the head as possible in order to maximize protection.

This gimbal and mount system has a stop that holds the earcup just off the ear.

That ran articulation/latch also allows the RAC to be rotated back out of the way on the helmet (either one side or both) for storage.

Here is an older photo of a developmental system that will show you how the stowage function works.

The RAC also offers 3D hearing technology (3D HT) for natural hearing restoration and reproduction of ambient sounds with a high degree of directional accuracy. It’s done through their sound processing software. In fact, it’s unlike any other headset I’ve seen.

There’s something else here that is new to me. The RAC utilizes in-the-ear plugs. Now you might see this and go, “So what?”, but this is different. These optional inductance receiver ear plugs are wireless and use magnets to produce sound and increase hearing protection above conventional ANR levels.

It turns itself off after 2 hours in order to conserve batteries but only after an audible warning tone. Auto shutdown can be averted by touching either one of the on/off/balance/volume control buttons. The RAC includes a noise canceling boom microphone but can also be connected to a pro-mask microphone if needed. Finally, the RAC is IP-68 submersible to 6m and available in a Black or Tan.

Click to view .pdf

Make sure you stop by the Gentex booth at 3:30 PM today for the launch party. See you there!

www.Ops-Core.com

Tags: Ops-Core
Posted in AUSA, Comms, Helmets | 6 Comments »

AUSA – Silynx Clarus and Maximus

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013

Silynx Communications launched two new products at AUSA. Both feature voice prompt feedback, are dual radio capable and submersible to 20m.

First up is the Clarus smart tactical headset system. It is a hear through system with a dual PTT controller that integrates the AA battery. This system comes complete with headset at under $800.

Second is the Maximus. It combines a slim main electronic unit with their new miniaturized control box. It provides passive and active noise reduction as well as intercom compatibility and sound localization. It can accept an internal AA battery or accept power from the radio.

Below, you can see the main electronic unit and its thin shape.

silynxcom.com

Tags: Silynx Communications
Posted in AUSA, Comms | Comments Off on AUSA – Silynx Clarus and Maximus