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Friday, April 24th, 2020Seek Thermal Introduces Two New Series of Low Cost, High-Resolution OEM Thermal Cameras
Wednesday, December 18th, 2019Integration of high-end thermal imaging technology made easier and more affordable with thenew Micro Core™ and Mosaic Core™ series
Santa Barbara, CA – December 10, 2019 – Seek Thermal, the company behind some of the most groundbreaking thermal imaging technology and products, today announced the introduction of its Micro Core and Mosaic Core series – a new range of OEM thermal cameras that can be integrated into products and services across several industries, delivering optimal performance in applications such as Test & Measurement, Security Surveillance, Public Safety, Outdoor Recreation, IoT and beyond.
The Micro Core, an unmatched price-per-pixel thermal sensor in a market-leading size footprint, is designed for small form factor, low power and lightweight applications. Its high-resolution (200 x 150) and shutterless design allows for uninterrupted, accurate and reliable thermal imaging.Designed for performance and versatility, the Mosaic Core series is customizable for specific application and project needs, including different options for resolution (200 x 150 or 320 x 240), field of view, frame rate and more.
Key features of the new offerings include:
•High-Resolution Thermal Sensors – Choose a thermal camera with 30,000 or 76,800 temperature pixels for excellent image clarity and sensitivity
•Low Power & Lightweight – Engineered to optimize performance with low power consumption, packaged in a small, lightweight design
•Dual-Gain Smart Pixels – Each pixel automatically adjusts gain states to maximize resolution contrast when viewing hot and cold objects in the same scene
•12 Micron Pixels – More resolution and temperature data packed into a physically tiny array enables small form factor applications and lower cost
•Visible Light Camera Add-On – Software available for integrating a visible light camera to fuse thermal and visible images together for additional context
“We’re excited to bring the experience we’ve developed by manufacturing hundreds of thousands of thermal cameras, including OEM cores used by leading companies in a variety of industries, to this new family of products,” says Mike Muench, President & CEO, Seek Thermal. “Now, companies of any size can integrate high-end, high-resolution thermal imaging at competitive price points. This opens doors for the development of many new – and potentially revolutionary – applications and products.”
Development Starter Kits are available, which can be connected for simple, plug-and-play thermal imaging for a quick and easy start. Additionally, customers receive access to a Developer Portal with SDKs, APIs, support documentation and other important tools to ensure the success of any project.
Seek Thermal products and thermal cores are designed and manufactured in Santa Barbara, California with Global Components. For more information, visit: www.thermal.com/oem
Neo-Retro: The 21st Century AR-180
Monday, December 16th, 2019Neo-Retro, via Brownells, Inc., Geissele Automatics, LLC, NoDak Spud, Law Tactical LLC, and Magpul Industries Corp.
Thanks to Brownells introducing an AR-180 upper receiver and Nodak offering the Spud NDS-1815 lower receiver, you can build your own AR-180 clone. This one was built by Frank Woods.
Components:
Brownells BRN-180 18.5″ barrel URG
Nodak Spud NDS-1815 lower receiver
LAW Tactical Gen 3-M folding stock adapter
Troy Micro height M4 style BUIS
Tried to get it as close to the AR-180 I could in looks while also taking the newer architecture into account. I already had the stock and it looks damn near close enough to the original AR-180 stock while also being aesthetically in line with the M-LOK rail. The BUIS were chosen because they closest resembled the AR-180 iron sights in both height and appearance (yes, I know they’re backwards.)
I didn’t give it the Tiger Stripe layout treatment because I’m convinced Brownells has an AR-180 style AR15 grip (along the same lines as their AR10 and Retro A1 grips) in the works that they’re staying tight lipped about until SHOT. That’ll be the finishing touch on this otherwise quick turnaround of a Black Friday project.
-Frank Woods
80 Percent Arms Introduces GST-9 Ghost: First Truly Modular 80% Pistol Frame System
Friday, November 15th, 2019Garden Grove, CA., (November 15, 2019) – 80 PERCENT ARMS, Inc., the nation’s largest manufacturer of 80% firearms, is proud of our history in challenging the status quo by releasing new products that have revolutionized the 80% lower industry. Today, we are continuing the tradition with the release of our new GST-9 Ghost: the world’s first truly modular 80% pistol frame system compatible with Glock® 19 platform components, as well as our patent-pending modular grips allow for easy conversion between compact and full size. We started by taking a close look at the famously reliable Glock® platform, diligently researched what was missing on the market today, then used our years of expertise manufacturing 80% firearms to develop the most shootable 80% pistol system from the ground up.
Based on extensive research and focus group testing, we also improved ergonomics by designing a contoured grip that improves comfort and helps tame recoil. The undercut trigger guard gives you a higher grip on the frame, thus lowering the bore-axis and reducing muzzle flip for faster, more accurate follow-up shots.
The GST-9 Ghost features several improvements over the time-tested Glock® platform, starting with the mating surface between the slide and frame. Frame rails have been extended three times their normal length for more repeatability, better accuracy, and controlled recoil impulse. Nickel plating improves reliability by reducing friction between moving parts in the harshest conditions, even after liquid lubricants have long since cooked off.
The GST-9 is centered around one thing: you. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to your mission. That’s why we designed the GST-9 to allow every shooter to build a frame that is tailor-made for them. Whether it’s a compact or full-size grip, a streamlined magwell for carry or a flared magwell for competition, we give you options. Build the frame you want for your mission with the 80 Percent Arms GST-9 Ghost.
Homebrew Blood Diamond Carbine by Frank Woods
Sunday, October 6th, 2019I’ve been wanting to do a Blood Diamond CAR-15/XM177/GAU-5/whatever you’d call it for a long time now, and with Brownells, Inc. putting a bunch of parts I needed for it within reach via their Retro line, I was finally able to get to it.
There are some obvious inconsistencies between mine and the movie version (pics included for comparison,) primarily the light (I had extra M600Us laying around and didn’t feel like paying extra money for the lesser Surefire 660 light,) and the Teal Blue Bravo PDQ ambi bolt catch/release (because it’s 2019 and none of my USGI forged lowers don’t have one, for sake of consistency.)
I used Fulton Armory receivers since they make the A2 upper receiver with M4 feed ramps, and went with one of their lowers to have a matched set. Barrel is a Brownell’s Retro Series 10.3″ 1/7 twist, and the stock and A1 grip come from the Retro line also. I had the faux moderator laying in the parts bin for YEARS waiting for the other parts to come along, well before the Brownell’s Retro line existed.
Aimpoint is a PRO 2MOA that didn’t have a rifle to sit on, but since it looks externally the same as the OG Aimpoint CompM2, fuck it, why not. It sits on an ARMS #2 carry handle rail mount, in an Aimpoint SRW-L mount I procured with help from a friend.
I guess I can call this one the “Danny Archer.” Yah yah ?
How to Install a SureFire Warcomp
Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019For those of you who’ve asked, SureFire answers.
The IKEA Day Pack
Friday, August 9th, 2019My friend Dan Matsuda has been a gear designer for decades. He recently whipped up this day pack using an Ikea tote.
He previously created a pack from a rice bag. Check out the video.
Black Collar Announces Bolt Action Pistol Builder Kits
Wednesday, March 27th, 2019Austin, TX (March 20, 2019) — Black Collar Arms is in production! Our Remington 700 short action-compatible Pork Sword Chassis will be shipping to customers next month. In the meantime we’re taking pre-orders (which, for a couple more weeks only, will come with a free Warfighter Tobacco cigar!) and have now made it even easier for our customers:
Announcing the Pork Sword Chassis Builder Kit!
Intended to provide most of the critical components for your pistol build project, we’ve bundled our 7075 aluminum chassis and 4-slot FARend with an SB Tactical FS1913 pistol brace and the pistol-length barrel of your choice. Then we’ve thrown in one of the best grips available for this size firearm, the ERGO Swift Grip, at no charge.
With factory stripped actions starting at around $300 and magazines around $28, a complete Pork Sword Chassis pistol is possible for just under a thousand dollars.
blackcollararms.com/product/pistol-build-kit
