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Archive for the ‘Gadgets’ Category

Camo – Creating a Mirage

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

Researchers at University of Dallas in Texas have figured out how to use transparent carbon nanotubes to create photothermal deflection, or as it is more commonly known, a Mirage. In their paper, “Mirage effect from thermally modulated transparent carbon nanotube sheet” they lay out the science. It seems to look pretty good in water but I’m not too sure how it would look for all aspects of observation. Additionally, I’m not too sure how it would be done on land or if it would be as effective. But, for certain underwater applications, it might be just the ticket. Like hiding the entrance to a secret underwater lair for instance.

Via Wired’s Danger Room.

Posted in Camo, Gadgets, Optics, WTF? | 5 Comments »

Extreme Outfitters Now Carries THULS

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

We are big fans of the THULS (Tactical Handbook, Unit Leader, Small) line of products from Mission Information Resources and are happy to see that they are now available from Extreme Outfitters.

Basically, if you’ve been building homegrown battle books or leader books, then THULS is for you. They’ve taken information directly from military doctrinal publications and printed it on their Multiple Environment Rewrite System material. MERS feels like plastic. You can write on it with a Staedtler marker and the writing can be erased with an alcohol pen but it won’t wash off in the rain or smear. Additionally, it is completely water proof and can be paired with a standard graphite pencil for use as an underwater slate. This also means that it won’t get mushy and fall apart when it gets wet like standard leader books.

There are a variety of products available

Visit www.extremeoutfitters.us.

Tags: Extreme Outfitters, Mission Information Resources, THULS
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Improvised Everything

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

We’re big fans of outsourcing but some of the ideas in this briefing prepared by Booz Allen Hamilton for the Army are extreme versions of the concept. The point of this briefing, first published by “Wired’s Danger Room” is that you can leverage technology without having to invest in huge infrastructure. This means that our adversaries can become niche competitors relatively easily.

Improvised Everything

If sort of thing is your cup of tea, then check out the article we published about a year ago on Disruptive Technologies.

Tags: Booz Allen Hamilton
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Delorme inReach

Friday, August 26th, 2011

The DeLormeÂ® inReachâ„¢ is the first Iridium-based satellite communicator to enable two-way text messaging, SOS capabilities and remote tracking, anywhere in the world. Use it by itself for sending pre-loaded or SOS message, or pair it with an Android smartphone or a DeLorme PN-60w GPS for full-featured two-way text messaging. Over 90% of the earth’s surface does not have cellular or landline coverage. No need to rely on a non-existent communications infrastructure.

Check out the DeLormeÂ® inReachâ„¢ at next week’s Soldier Equipment & Technology Expo & Conference at Fort Bragg.

Tags: Delorme, Soldier Equipment & Technology Expo & Conference
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OR – eno Twilights

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

We’ve got a few items left from our OR coverage we want to wrap up this week. One of them is Twilights from Eagles Nest Outfitters. No matter where you deploy to, chances are good your tent, hootch, or whatever you call home is as dark as a crack den in the middle of the day due to folks sleeping off the night shift. Twilights consists of a string of 23 LED bulbs powered by 2 x AA batteries. It’s a very simple, effective, lightweight and low volume answer to the problem of lighting your rack so you can find stuff or lay there and read before you fall asleep.

eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/twilight

Tags: Eagles Nest Outfitters
Posted in Gadgets, Lights, Outdoor Retailer | 3 Comments »

Magpul Releases iPhone 4 Fieldcase

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

If you an iPhone 4 user and a reader of SSD, then you are most likely aware that Magpul had previously released an Executive Field Case for the phone. As stylish as it might be, this case lacked the grip enhancing PMAG-style ribs found on the Field Case for the iPhone 3. This new version has rectified this and has incorporated them into the design.

Available in Black, Flat Dark Earth, Foliage, OD Green, and Orange from www.magpul.com

Tags: Magpul
Posted in Comms, Gadgets | 6 Comments »

OR – Powertraveller

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

There was lots of power storage and generation at OR. One company was outside in the sun, showing off their wares. Powertraveller’s Powermonkey-eXtreme utilizes their MPPT technology and just won the German Outdoor Red Dot Award.

Waterproof for up to 30 minutes in 1 m of water, the powermonkey-eXtreme boasts a 9000 mAh capacity Lithium Polymer battery making it capable of recharging most 5V devices, including an iPhone up to 6 times, a Garmin Edge 800 up to 6 times and standard mobiles up to 12 times.

The powermonkey-eXtreme has two output channels; one channel outputs 700mAh max (standard USB) as well as a DC port offering 2.1 Amps max to support Apple iPads and other tablet computers. It can be recharged in three ways; via the universal mains charger, via the solar panel, or via USB. It holds a charge for a long time meaning you can leave it for up to 1 year and it will still hold 75% of its charge.

Powertraveller CEO Jerry Ranger is a former Royal Marine Commando who served in the SBS so it was great to hear that
lots of military personnel were checking the Powermonkey-eXtreme out. Granite Gear is coming up with a dedicated mobile tactical carrying solution!

www.powertraveller.com. Powertraveller products are available now for sale in the US from www.tacticaledge.com. Their US Distributor is Outdoor Tactical.

Tags: Outdoor Tactical, powertraveller
Posted in Gadgets, Outdoor Retailer | Comments Off on OR – Powertraveller

OR – Suunto Quest

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

We’ve always been big fans of Suunto as they offer military versions of many of their models. The new Quest is a wristop training device and, since we assert that service members are athletes, it seems like a good fit.

Compatible with www.movescount.com, which not only offers workout programs but can store and analyze training data. Additionally, Moves Count allows you to customize what data you see on your Quest.

The Quest includes real-time heart rate monitoring, interval timers, and a stopwatch with laps, which can be recorded by tapping the touchscreen. It offers nine language options and a simple, three button interface. It is also compatible with other Suunto training tools including the Foot POD Mini for running cadence as well as speed and distance info as well as the Bike POD or Suunto GPS POD for accurate speed and distance measurement in a variety of sports.

Coming fall 2011 in Black or Orange.

www.suunto.com

Tags: Suunto
Posted in Gadgets, Outdoor Retailer, Training | 1 Comment »