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Archive for the ‘Eyepro’ Category

Revision Releases ExoShield

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Revision has just released the ExoShield goggle to the general public. Previously in limited release to specialized customers, the ExoShield was developed initially to satisfy a requirement for a skydiving goggle. However, the low-cost design proved so effective it quickly began to be used for other applications.

â€œThe Revision Exoshield is an ultra compact hybrid solution designed by special operators for special operations,â€ explains Dan Packard, Sr. VP of Military Sales for Revision. â€œThis end-user driven product, the Exoshield, provides unequivocal night vision gear compatibility, ballistic protection and environmental shielding for use in high-speed, dynamic operations.â€

I have had a pair for a couple of months and they are fantastic. The design protects the eyes and keeps out dust due to the comfort foam which actually lives up to its name. Additionally, I have not noted any fogging but admittedly have not used them under particularly strenuous or high humidity conditions. The headstrap is a two piece design that Velcroes together and can be used with a variety of helmets. For Pro-Tec and Gentex Parachutist helmets the ExoShield is to be worn beneath the helmet with the straps extending out the back through the slits and attached on the outside.

If I would ask for one change at this point it would be to change the headstrap to a Foliage Green or Tan color. However, since the ExoShield was originally envisioned as eyepro for airborne operations I understand why it is currently Black.

Revision provided this quote form an unnamed PJ that echoes my sentiment, “The eyewear is great, keeps out the dust (even under freefall) and is comfortable even for extended periods. I think this is â€˜the productâ€™ for the guys that need a multipurpose goggle.â€ While he doesn’t mention it, they are extremely low profile and can be worn with NODs. The lenses meet or exceed military ballistic certification standards.

The Exoshield Extreme Low-Profile Eyewear Kit consists of a goggle with comfort foam in either clear or solar (as in dark) lens versions, Black headstrap, microfiber cleaning cloth, and storage case. It retails for $49.99 MSRP.

www.revisioneyewear.com

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Switch Vision

Sunday, June 5th, 2011

Extreme Outfitters just added Switch Vision to their lineup. They use earth magnets on the lens and in the frame to switch out lenses, making lens changes a snap.

For a limited time, Extreme Outfitters is offering them at 25% OFF retail plus a free pair of low light lenses in Yellow. This is an exceptional deal considering Switch glasses already come with Polarized Non-Mirror lenses as well as an extra pair of Rose Amber Lenses. That’s free sets of lenses as well as a matte Black frame.

To order yours visit www.extremeoutfitters.us.

Tags: Extreme Outfitters, Switch Vision
Posted in Eyepro, Off-Duty | 1 Comment »

Desert Locust Goggles Now in Tan 499

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

Tan 499 was chosen by the US Army as the accessory color for MultiCam (OCP). Revision got way out in front on this one, making the Desert Locust Goggle the first and only MultiCam eyewear on the US Army Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL). The goggle exceeds ANSI Z87.1-2010 and military ballistic impact requirements (MIL-DTL-43511D, clause 3.5.10).

â€œRevision is committed to meeting the specific needs of soldiers through innovative, custom eyewear solutions,â€ says Dan Packard, Senior Vice President of Military Sales for Revision. â€œThatâ€™s why weâ€™re proud to deliver the Tan 499 Desert Locust Goggle Kit. This new kit has all the same ballistic features of the original Desert Locust Goggle, but with the added benefit of better camouflage â€“ something that soldiers in todayâ€™s hostile environments require and deserve.â€

The Tan 499 Desert Locust U.S. Military Kit includes the Tan 499 frame and headstrap with MultiCam anti-reflective sleeve, clear and smoke interchangeable lenses, microfiber cleaning cloth, Multicam case and reusable anti-fog cloth.

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Enter to Win an iPad 2 and Get a Free T-Shirt from Vuzix at SOFIC

Monday, May 16th, 2011

There are lots of reasons to love Vuzix. Aside from building some amazing displays they are sponsoring an iPad 2 giveaway. In order to enter go to www.vuzix.com/sofic. Additionally, they are offering free t-shirts to this week’s SOFIC attendees. Stop by Booth #1345 to get a free t-shirt and check out their latest technologies like the holographic glasses we recently wrote about.

Also, don’t forget to Like them on Facebook.

Tags: Vuzix
Posted in Contest, Digitization, Eyepro | 1 Comment »

Vuzix Develops Holographic Glasses

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Under various programs Vuzix has long been working on the next generation of holographic goggles and glasses. Based on their patented Blade Optical system, the Vuzix Tactical Display Group will develop “Next Generation Display Technology” for the Joint Terminal Attack Contoller’s Battlefield Air Operations Kit under DARPA’s Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) program. The holographic displays will join other enabling technologies; manned/unmanned airborne platforms, next generation graphical user interfaces, data links, digital guidance and control, and advanced targeting and visualization tools working together as a “system of systems” to digitally task a CAS platform from the ground as well as reduce collateral damage and potential fratricide to friendly forces.

Development of these devices is essential for the next leap of Soldier digitization to take place. Currently, Soldiers rely on a monocle view screen that, due to its close proximity to the eye looks larger than its true size. However, even the smallest screen blocks a portion of the Soldier’s vision and while he is looking at the screen it may mask a threat from his line of sight. This is what makes holographic eyewear so desirable. The Soldier continues to have an unobstructed, full field of view of the battle space but can augment his vision and reality perception by overlaying various types of data onto the scene. For example, an icon could float over the objective and point out enemy emplacements based on a feed from a drone overhead.

Vuzix already has a great deal of experience in Augmented Reality. We look forward to seeing additional functionality built in to similar systems.

To learn more visit www.vuzix.com.

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Posted in Digitization, Eyepro | 3 Comments »

Rudy Project Tactical Eyewear

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Rudy Project has updated their website to place all of their Tactical / Ballistic eyewear on one page. Rudy project is very well known in the cycling world for their optically perfect lenses and has been producing tactical models for the Italian military for several years. They are now available here in the US and have become very popular in shooting sports.

www.rudyprojectusa.com

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Vipertail – New from Revision

Friday, March 25th, 2011

Built the same exacting standards of their duty protective eyewear, the Vipertail introduces some civilian styling to the Revision line. We got to check them out last week at the NAVEXFOR. They are really cool and unlike anything else currently offered by Revision. If you like Revision and want to wear them during your free time, then these are a good option. Rumor has it they will be joined by a couple of other styles later this year.

The Vipertail is available exclusively from www.revisioneyewear.com/vipertail.html.

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ONR Introduces Fast-Tint Protective Eyewear

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Named Fast-Tint Protective Eyewear (FTPE), this new LCD-based technology introduced by the office of Naval Research for the Naval Special Warfare community is designed to dynamically change from dark to clear in half a second according to Stephanie Everett, ONR’s TechSolutions program manager. The technology is based on work designing laser eyeshields for aircrewmen who risk being dazzled or blinded by lasers.

“Currently, warfighters are using a set of interchangeable lenses that require them to stop and manually switch lenses to adjust the goggles to a particular light environment,” Everett said. “But they can’t take the time to stop and remove and replace the lenses.” According to information provided by ONR, the glasses meet the American National Standards Institute’s ballistic impact safety requirements.

The goal is obviously to get the wearer to keep his eyepro on whether inside or outside. However, as was pointed out to me by an industry insider, thereâ€™s a big difference between passing ANSI and the MILPRF 31013 milspec ballistic requirement. Thus far, LCDs haven’t been able to do it.

ONR’s TechSolutions department has already delivered the first 30 sets with promises of 100 more. The actual technology comes from Ohio-based AlphaMicron’s e-tint.

The photo came from jamesvaughanphoto.blogspot.com who shot it for AlphaMicron.