FirstSpear TV

Archive for the ‘Digitization’ Category

New Garmin 401 Kit from 215 Gear

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

215 Gear is offering a great deal on a kit consisting of the Garmin Foretrex 401 GPS and their updated carrying pouch.

The waterproof Foretrex 401 is a big improvement over the original 101 boasting the addition of an electronic compass and barometric altimeter. The pouch is available in MultiCam and Coyote and can be worn on the forearm or attached to your stock. Additionally, it features a removable flap to protect from damage and guard against a light AD from your GPS.

215gearstore.com/gpspouchand401kit

Looxcie

Monday, December 19th, 2011

This is pretty amazing. Looxcie is a video camera that you wear on your ear like a bluetooth headset earphone. Once turned on it records everything in a POV (Point of View) format. It can store data in its buffer, send clips to your email and social media, or stream it live through a wireless connection to viewers of your choice. The possibilities are pretty exciting. In fact, Looxcie is already in use with Kenya’s Rangers who protect wildlife from poachers.

To share clips with your friends using Flashbax, “When something cool happens, simply press the instant clip button to get the last 30 seconds. Press the button longer and the instant clip is immediately shared to your social network.

Looxcie Live is your opportunity to broadcast what you see discreetly with those you choose via different smartphone app. The broadcast is also available on the Looxcie Live server for up to 24 hours for review with full archiving coming soon. Additional features include text chat and Push-to-talk voice cues to provide feedback to the broadcaster.

This isn’t science fiction or government-only, TLA tech. It’s available now.

looxcie.com

Open Warfare

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

OpenWarfare.org describes themselves as “an attempt to build a clearinghouse for open source warfare information.” In addition to showcasing disruptive technologies, much of the information they provide is in the same vein as the “Improvised Everything” briefing we showcased awhile back.

OpenWarfare.org

SOFEX – Collaborate Directly With App Developers

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Operators can interface directly with Special Operations Apps at SOFEX located 1 & 2 November at Ft Bragg to suggest new apps.

“SOA is attending SOFEX to allow SF Operators and SF leaders to let us know exactly which Apps they need — immediately,” said K. Dominic Cincotti,president and founder of Special Operations Apps. “No other company in existence produces Apps specifically with SF Operators in mind,” Cincotti said.

“The SOA Apps process works this way: Former Operators like David Mullins, an SF Operator on four continents throughout his career, translates needs into task orders for the SOA development team,” Cincotti said. “That team includes Dr. Craig Hunter — who has already won Best App honors in the Apple Store — and Samuel Thompson, who worked on NASA’s unmanned Mars exploration, before working on SOA concepts and solutions.

Among the SOA apps on display at SOFEX are CamoScience HD — the application that now integrates the high-definition video of the Apple iPhone 4S for camouflage on demand, executed direct to garment and for next-generation adaptive concealment, known as GEOINT Camouflage.

SOF Operators will then be able to purchase and use the Apps they suggest through the SFAppStore.com beginning in 2012.

www.specialoperationsapps.com

Norwegians Choose Thales for NORMANS Soldier System

Friday, October 14th, 2011

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has selected Thales to provide their commercialized version of the NORMANS Soldier Digitization effort. Over the next five years Thales will lead a team to produce the systems which are built to the specifications produced by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and and tested by the Telemark Battalion (TmBn).

The 2 NORMANS devices provide blue force tracking, navigation, target hand-off, and text messaging. NORMANS Light is worn by the individual Soldier member of a Dismounted Close Combat (DCC) squad and NORMANS Advanced is used by small unit leaders. As you can see NORMANS Advanced offers a full color display and will deliver more data rich information.

“NORMANS digitised soldier system will provide Norwegian soldiers with improved situational awareness, improved ability to navigate and will provide effective mission planning. As a result of this soldiers will have increased effectiveness and safety in operations”, says Secretary of State in the MoD, Roger Ingebrigtsen.

www.Thales.no

Arc’teryx Launches Smartphone Optimized Site

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

If you’re using a smartphone, be sure to check the new Arc’teryx website optimized for your viewing pleasure. They say it’s great for iPad as well. Of course, LEAF had to be different. Theirs is l.arcteryx.com.

m.arcteryx.com

Still Free After Two Years – The SureFire Shot Timer for iOS

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

Not very often you can say you get something for free. The SureFire ShotTimer does exactly what the name implies. Designed as an iPhone app, it displays elapsed time and split time for every shot fired and even allows you to email results for later analysis. It also offers a start delay mode for training on your own and has a Par Time mode so you can try to beat the clock.

www.SureFire.com

Vuzix Delivers Sunlight Readable See-Through HMD Systems to the Army

Monday, October 10th, 2011

When the big, heavy, cable-laden Nett Warrior went away it took the Helmet Mounted Display along with it. But, with technologies like this new Sunlight Readable See-Through HMD from Vuzix they may remain an option in the future. Vuzix just delivered two different sets of the technology to the Army’s Natick Soldier RD&E Center (NSRDEC). Unlike previously used HMDs these are see-through. The monocular design clips on to ballistic glasses or helmets and are compatible with any device featuring a VGA or composite video out capability. They use a Liquid Crystal light shutter as a means to control the level of translucency.

According to a press release from Vuzix:

Each of Vuzix’ waveguide and quantum beamsplitter optical systems delivered to NSRDEC demonstrate various performance characteristics. The first design affords a smaller form factor, and the second, a super high brightness system achieving a display screen outputting 2400 nits for use in direct sunlight.

www.vuzix.com