SMITH BRAND 2015 from smith optics on Vimeo.
Celebrating 50 years, Smith has updated their logo but remain true to their core.
SMITH BRAND 2015 from smith optics on Vimeo.
Celebrating 50 years, Smith has updated their logo but remain true to their core.
The SI Ballistic Det Cord Sunglasses are the latest in Oakley’s line of SI ballistic eyepro. Designed with a low-profile look which is intended to work equally well on and off the field, the Ballistic Det Cord meets or exceeds impact and optical requirements per ANSI Z87.1 2003/2010, as well as ballistic requirements per MIL PRF 32432. The full release can be read below:
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. – Oakley Standard Issue (SI), a division of Oakley, Inc., today announced they have expanded their line of ballistic eyewear to include the new SI Ballistic Det Cord ® – covert in appearance, but built for aggressive environments.
Oakley’s history of working with the U.S. Armed Forces, Law Enforcement and government agencies to develop products that prove critical in the field goes back more than 20 years. Specifically, Oakley SI has 29 items currently listed on the Special Operations Eyewear Program (SOEP), and numerous eyewear platforms listed on the APEL product list. With the introduction of the SI Ballistic Det Cord, Oakley has developed another model that meets the impact fragmentation requirements of MIL PRF 32432 and ANSI Z87.1-2010.
The Det Cord is engineered to meet the needs of Military, Law Enforcement, and Shooting Sports. The eyewear comes with a rubberized Unobtanium ® nose piece for a secure fit, comms compatible ear stems, and scratch resistant outer and anti-fog inner coatings. Oakley also added Prizm lens technology to the SI Ballistic Det Cord, which delivers increased contrast, reduced eye fatigue and faster target acquisition in the shooting environment. All of these features make them one of the most “combat equipped” daily-wear glasses made.
“The Det Cord was developed in response to a rapidly changing Military environment,” says Drew Wallace, Oakley’s Military Product Manager. “Today’s Special Operation Forces are no longer simply concerned with the finish. It is the gathering of intelligence in a clandestine environment, while prepared for worst case scenarios, that will define success.”
With a restrained look, the SI Ballistic Det Cord has a low profile that will allow users to work within a variety of situations, while knowing they have the best in impact protection.
In order for the SI Ballistic Det Cord to meet the MIL PRF 32432 ballistic impact requirement, the glasses are hit with a 0.15 caliber, 5.85 grain, T37 shaped projectile at approximately 640-660 feet per second. The eyewear must remain intact throughout the test, without experiencing any dislodged components or fracture to the lens. This test is reflective of the hazardous conditions the user might experience when exposed to ballistic fragmentation.
Oakley SI Ballistic Det Cord sunglasses:
You can check out the SI Ballistic Det Cord Tech Sheet here.
The SI Ballistic Det Cord is available starting today, November 18th, on OakleySI.com.
New from Oakley, the Global War on Terrorism eyewear line was released in recognition of the Military service members who have served, or continue to serve in the Global War on Terrorism. The line consists of several popular models of SI Oakley eyewear, incorporated with design features unique to the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal created by an executive order of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003.
This particular model is the SI Flak Jacket XLJ GWOT. Flak Jacket XLJ is impact resistant to all ANSI Z87.1 standards for high-mass and high-velocity impact, and features Plutonite lenses which filter out 100% of UVA/UVB/UVC and harmful blue light up to 400 nm. The frame is constructed of O Matter frame material, for lightweight, durability, and comfort. Additional features include three-point fit, interchangeable Unobtainium nose pad options, and Iridium lens coating. The SI Flak Jacket XLJ GWOT comes with a protective carry bag which also incorporates the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal design feature.
Pit Vipers are adjustable, Military designed sunglasses currently up for funding on Kickstarter. Pit Vipers started when the founder began custom-painting Military surplus sunglasses. Pit Vipers are Z87 safety rated, offer 100% UV protection, and are adjustable at three points: lense tilt, ear piece spot, and the nose piece.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/pitviper/the-pit-viper-revolution
The Special Operations Eyewear Program has been around for more than a decade but no new products have been added since 2005; until now. SOEP is a procurement vehicle supporting SOF personnel with approved eye protection. This is not a push fielding where the SOF program office purchases a large quantity of teh google and sends them out to individual units on a one-per-operator BOIP. Rather, the Boogie goggle has been certified, assigned an NSN and added to an existing list of eyepro available for issue to units via SOEP. The unit has to request the goggle.
Basically, if you’re a jumper or in a mobility billet that finds you atop ATVs or driving vehicles, then these are for you. They also work very well under NVGs as they are low profile and vent pretty well thanks to the patented ventilator as well as their anti-fog coating. It meets US MIL-DTL-43511D goggle protection levels, protects the eyes from 100% of UV-A and B protection and also incorporates scratch resistant coating. Additionally, Smith Elite offers several mounting options which are compatible with the issue Maritime FAST Helmet.
If you’re assigned to a SOF unit supported by SPEAR and are interested in getting a Smith Elite Boogie Goggle, contact your supply section. It has been assigned NSNs based on lens color and can be requisitioned through SOEP along with other styles also on the program.
Recently, SSD visited the Oakley HQ where they showed us the background on their Ultrablend Camo pattern created using Cerakote firearms coating. At the time, the SI Fuel Cell was only available in Ultrablend Desert Sage but they showed us the Black variant as well. Now, they’re available.
LENS:
• Dual lens POLARIC ELLIPSOID™ geometry (two lenses cut from single toric shield)
• UV protection of Plutonite® lens material that filters out 100% of UVA / UVB / UVC & harmful blue light up to 400 nm
• Optical precision and performance that meets or exceeds ANSI Z87.1 standards
• Impact protection based upon ANSI Z87.1 test methods for High Mass and High Velocity impact resistance
FRAME:
• Durability and all-day comfort of lightweight, stress-resistant O Matter® frame material
• Carefully painted and cured with Cerakote ™ Generation II Firearm Coatings
• Enhanced durability, wear and corrosion resistance, and reduced Near-Infared (NIR) management.
• Comfort and Performance of Three-Point Fit that holds lenses in precise optical alignment
• Gun Metal Icon Accents
Last week, we visited Oakley’s Headquarters in Southern California. In addition to a great tour, we had a look behind the curtain at some emerging technologies, and then we sat down and had a discussion about the Ultrablend Camo pattern.
After a tour of the five football field long building, we headed back into the Standard Issue team’s lair. I hadn’t been there since 2004 and it was awesome to see where they had moved to, and how much OakDef had grown (for more photos visit our Instagram feed).
The discussion turned to Ultrablend when I mentioned that some readers felt it had a resemblance to the Kryptek family of camouflage. Turns out, it really doesn’t. But you may recognize the geometry, after all.
You may recall the painted Camo patterns that Rangers (and others) were applying to their helmets several years back. One of the OakDef team members, Drew Wallace, is a former Ranger and he brought the technique to the brand. Oakley had just started experimenting with Cerakote and he put together a couple of examples (shown above with a TC2001 high cut helmet he wore in Iraq as a contractor). The glasses are the Wiretap (top) and Blender (bottom) and these were the prototypes that proved the concept.
Ultrablend is more of a concealment methodology than an exact pattern. Specifically, it’s based on the camouflage techniques taught in Army FM 21-75 Ch 1. A base color is applied and then subsequent layers of Cerakote are over sprayed using a mesh screen like used in helmets.
In this photo you can see the SI Fuel Cell in the Desert and Black patterns. Ultrablend eyeglasses are individually airbrushed, utilizing two different patterns of netting and three different colors of Cerakote Gen II Firearm Coating. This offers the glasses added aspects of durability, abrasion resistance, and lower NIR reflectivity, along with a unique camouflage pattern.
The Ultrablend pattern is currently available on the SI Fuel Cell in Desert Sage although they’ve also created a Black version of the pattern. These are limited editions so if you’re interested, don’t wait around.
The Gray Man ballistic aviators were developed by Smith Optics with direct input from Special Operators. The idea was for MilSpec sunglasses that would allow them to blend in during low-vis operations i.e. as “Gray Men”. Created over a year ago, they’re now available for the civilian market.
The frame can be ordered in either Matte Black or Matte Gunmetal with Gray Mil-Spec lenses. The Gray Man meets ANSI Z87.1 and MIL-PRF-31013 clause 3.5.1.1.
www.smithoptics.com/elite/Root/Elite/Sunglass/GRAY-MAN-TACTICAL/p/GMTPCGYBK2