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Archive for the ‘Gadgets’ Category

TACSOP Battle Book Covers

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

CPGear offers covers for your TACSOP. The TACSOP Battle Book Covers are designed to fit the 3″ x 5″ or 4″ x 6″ Rite in the Rain Field Notebooks. Additionally, they have external pockets for writing instruments as well as a large pile panel across the back to facilitate attachment to CPGear’s leg panel. Made in Canada from 420D Cordura, the covers are available in UCP, Coyote, MultiCam, and CADPAT TW.

Don’t forget to take a look at the page protectors as well. Available in 3″ x 5″ and 4″ x 6″ the Noteguard Sheet Protector Pocket accept writing from permanent markers, staedler markers, sharpies, standard and mechanical pencils but the markings won’t be absorbed by the vinyl meaning you can use them over and over. Additionally, toner from photocopies will not stick to the Noteguard Pockets.

EmFX Pouches from NEMO Equipment Now Available ADS

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

The EmFX Pouches from NEMO Equipment that we wrote about back in July are finally available both for unit orders through ADS and individual purchase with Tactical Distributors. Essentially, the pouch creates a mini Faraday Cage blocking all incoming and outgoing Radio Frequency signals. This means, you can’t pocket dial someone and no one can remotely query the data stored on your cell phone. Unfortunately, bad guys can query this data, so as you stroll along on business or vacation, criminals (or worse) can collect your info, all without your knowledge. The only way to protect this data is to store it in a safe place. If you are someone who travels frequently overseas this pouch is a good investment.

Interestingly, in Chapter 4 of William Gibson‘s new book, “Zero History” the story mentions a Faraday Cage pouch for passports and what nastiness can happen to unsuspecting passport holders. In case you didn’t realize it, new passports include a Radio Frequency ID tag that contains information on you and allows customs to more quickly process you. NEMO Equipment is currently working on just such a model for passports.

Stuff We Didn’t Write About

Saturday, October 9th, 2010

The Secret World of Extreme MilitiasNow you’ll understand the rant on “clips”

10 Best iPhone Apps for the Outdoors

Combat Boots for Your Kids

EMDOM-MM Hippie Panel

“Shadow Knights”: The real inglourious basterds

Now We’re One Step Closer To A Real-Life Rocketeer

Saturday, October 9th, 2010

Among the many futuristic pursuits we were promised as kids but never got, like food pills, flying cars, and death rays, comes an actual jetpack, courtesy of the Martin Aircraft Company of New Zealand. Featuring a gasoline powered V4, 2 liter engine, the Martin Jetpack can fly at a maximum regulated speed of 63mph with a maximum ceiling of 8000 feet. The current focus of the company is for governmental purchase, with 500 jetpacks to be used by emergency services and four unnamed defense companies. However, Martin is looking to secure additional funding to build a factory for the purpose of making jetpacks for commercial purchase. Although manned flight trials won’t be until 2012 at the earliest, at least we have something to look forward to as an alternate to that painful commute to work.

– Tactical FanBoy

Moleskine Unveils iOS Device Covers

Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

We have written about the legendary Moleskine notebooks in the past, and we also rely on both an iPhone as well as an iPad. So were were quite pleased to find out that Moleskine will be releasing what they are referring to as new hybrid tools. These include a Tablet Cover for iPad and a Smartphone Cover for the iPhone 3G and 3GS. Naturally, the covers will include a built-in blank page notebook. Fortunately, the notebooks are replaceable since they fill up fast and we prefer the gridded paper versions.

The new covers resemble Moleskine notebooks, featuring rounded corners and the classic elastic band to keep the smooth black cover secured. Additionally, the inside is lined with suede to prevent to prevent screen damage. Pre-order now from www.moleskine.com.

ANVIS Arm from Wilcox Industries

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Wilcox Industries displayed their new purpose built arm for the ANVIS family (AN/AVS-9(V) (F4949) and AN/PVS-23 (F5050) Aviator’s Night-Vision Imaging System) of night vision devices at Modern Day Marine. Previously, mounts designed for use with flight helmets have been adapted with varying degrees of success to bump and ballistic helmets. Now, there is an arm that fits the standard one-hole NVG mount found on many helmets.

Additionally, a battery compartment has been integrated into the design so that the battery box does not need to be attached to the back of the helmet. You can see it in the photo above located just below the adjustment lever. A single DL123 battery will provide up to 32 hours of operation. Elimination of the battery box decreases both cost and weight and eliminates the cable that usually runs along the side of the helmet and can catch when in confined spaces. Although, that same box can still be used for those that use it as a counterweight.

Unlike aviation use mounts and arms, the new Wilcox item is machined from Aluminum and while the NVG will pop out from its ball and detent as designed, it won’t do it accidentally. You have to depress both sides simultaneously to get it out.

www.wilcoxind.com

Escalation of Force Kits ADS

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Ever wanted to learn about Escalation of Force Kits but didn’t know where to look? Well you do now. ADS has just published a good primer on what goes into the kits. (No TTPs were injured in the preparation of this article)

www.adsinc.com

Soldier Worn Integrated Power Equipment System

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

Electric Fuel Battery has developed the Soldier Worn Integrated Power Equipment System (SWIPES) which has caught the interest of the US Army’s Research Development Engineering Command. SWIPES provides Soldier worn Communications and Electronic devices a “trickle charge” from a Zinc-Air battery (provided with each SWIPES), which keeps the equipment’s charge consistently above 80%.

The SWIPES system uses a Hub and wiring system which is routed through the Soldier’s gear to its source (radio, DAGR or other application). The Hub is the brains of the system and automatically allows the correct amperage and voltage access to each application, thus taking the burden off of the Soldier. The Soldier simply drops his radio into the Multicam charging station and the Hub takes over the recharging responsibilities.

Each SWIPES Hub charges up to four devices and comes with:
– Two recharging stations. Currently the MBITR/JEM radio, the Motorola XTS Series radios and the FALCON 152 radio is supported.
– One DAGR recharging cord.
– One Zinc-Air BA-8140S battery with a Multicam carrying pouch.
– One Conformal 8140 battery to be worn in your rear body armor pouch.
– One extra wire is open and available on the SWIPES wiring harness for a future application.

Blackheart International is the sole distributor of the SWIPES system. And don’t forget, Blackheart will be available to support end of year purchases until 2400 on September 29th and 30th. In addition to the website, you can also call them at (304) 457-1280, or (877) 244-8166.