In the recent update to the Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL), Smith Optics Elite Division’s Outside The Wire (OTW) Goggle, Aegis Eyeshield, and Individual Rx System were selected for inclusion. The OTW Goggle is available in Black, Foliage and Desert Tan while the Aegis and Individual Rx System are both offered in Black. Protective Eyewear on the APEL undergo a rigorous testing regime and are approved for use by Army as well as Air Force personnel.
Soldier Systems Daily sponsor Revision Eyewear is giving away the Wolfspider Tactical Goggle System to a lucky reader. Remember, you have to enter to win. No purchase is necessary. Just simply provide your valid email address to enter. The winner will be notified via email.
While the Wolfspider is manufactured to exceed stringent military ballistic impact requirements for goggles: MIL-DTL-43511D clause 3.5.10 and EN 166 as well as exceeding ANSI Z87.1 optical and ballistic requirements, it is important to note that it is not currently on the US Army Approved Protective Eyewear List. This makes it great for Law Enforcement duty, the recreational shooter, or for that matter anyone who requires an optically clear ballistic goggle. Lenses are available in Black, Smoke, Clear, and High Contrast Yellow providing 100% UV-A-B-C protection.
You must enter by 1200 Eastern time 7 May, 2010 to be eligible to win the Wolfspider.
By submitting your e-mail address you are also opting in to receive special offers from Revision.
According to an article in Advanced Materials, DARPA funded research at the U. of Florida has adapted technology regularly found in flat-screen OLED televisions to create a thin film that turns any infrared signal into visible light. This is exciting news for the consumer base is that such cheap night vision could be integrated into everything from car windshields to plate glass windows to cell phone cameras as well eyewear. For the warfighter, this could also be a boon, as eye pro could pull double duty as night vision and be even more widely available.
Traditional night vision systems rely on a vacuum but new thin-film night vision requires no vacuum but instead use several layers of energy-efficient OLEDs to convert infrared light to the visible spectrum. In this case it is seven separate layers of OLEDs that detect IR light as it enters, generating a charge of three to five volts then amplifies the signal as it passes through the additional layers. This process converts the light to the visible spectrum, producing a green-lit picture similar to that of existing night vision tech. What makes this new technology so special is that a night vision device might weigh less than a quarter of a pound, with the actual working bits being only a few microns thick.
The proof of concept for the technology is only about one square centimeter, but researchers think they could scale the concept to a usable device like a car windshield or cell phone camera within just 18 months.
Truthfully, these are the things that keep me up at night. Sure, the technology can easily be applied to both mil and commercially items to improve night vision at a lower cost but ultimately that’s the problem isn’t it? If everyone can afford night vision and it is built-in to common everyday items then it isn’t special anymore and it chips away at that “Owning the Night” edge we have prided ourselves on for the last 30 years or so. We want technologies like this to be special. Our enemies purchase any technology from the open market that they can use to close the gap between them and us. Fortunately, our tech base is hard at work fielding and improving on new systems that fuse night vision and IR sensors (see photo). For example, the AN/PSQ-20 Enhanced Night Vision Goggle is a helmet-mounted passive Image Intensification (I2) and thermal device and it’s developments like this that are critical to ensuring the US military maintains its warfighting edge.
Revision Eyewear is offering a generous 30% discount for up to five items purchased through their website from now until 1 May 2010. Choose from glasses, goggles, and accessories including the popular Sawfly.
Visit Revision Eyewear and enter discount code “SOLSYS“.
Also, look for a giveaway of a set of Wolfspider glasses here next week.
This one however, says a few more.
Fortunately, Marine Sgt William Bee was uninjured in this close call from a Taliban sniper firing a Dragunov but the sentiment captured here is priceless. Protect yourself.
Zeal Optics and Recon Instruments have teamed up to release the new Head Up Display equipped Transcend ski goggle in the fall. The design has already received the 2010-2011 ISPO Boardsports Award for the top product.
The goggles have integrated hardware to measure speed, altitude, vertical odometer, stopwatch/chronos mode, temperature, time, GPS derived coordinates. Data transfer as well as recharges can be accomplished through USB. It will be available in two lens options; SPX polarized and SPPX Polarized + Photochromatic.
While this is a ski goggle, the concept is pretty exciting if you consider the possibilities of integrating Recon’s GPS data to a goggle-based HUD.
Available Fall 2010 from www.reconinstruments.com and www.zealoptics.com.
If you are thinking that Wiley X has boring styles you are thinking wrong. They are launching the new Black Ops line at SHOT Show (booth #20220) and this is nothing like they have done before. The lineup features 8 new frame styles. I was able to preview 3 of those styles and the wrap around Revolvrs are not only comfortable and good looking, they have become my daily wear sunglasses. Check out www.wileyx.com/blackops for information as it becomes available.
This is the final of three giveaways by Soldier Systems Daily sponsor Revision Eyewear. The first was for a Sawfly Military Eyewear System, the second for a Desert Locust goggle set and both have already been awarded. Names will be announced soon. This is your last chance, but you have to enter to win. No purchase is necessary. Just simply provide your valid email address to enter. Winners will be notified via email.
The Hellfly Ballistic Sunglasses feature wrap around styling and offer not only ballistic protection* but also 100% protection from UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C rays. Additionally, they are available with photochromic change as well as prescription lenses. These things are awesome. I used to wear a pair as safety glasses when I was working on armored vehicle development. They feature an adjustable nose piece, good looks, and a wide field of view. Plus they are extremely lightweight.
You must enter by 1200 Eastern time Friday, 15 January, 2010 to be eligible to win the Hellfly.
By submitting your e-mail address you are also opting in to receive special offers from Revision.
*ANSI Z87.1 and Military Requirements (MIL-V-43511C clause 3.5.10 and MIL-PRF-31013 clause 3.5.1.1)
