TYR Tactical

Archive for the ‘Lights’ Category

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HEL-STAR 5 from Core Survival

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

The requirement for the HEL-STAR came from tragedy. In 1998, a USAF PJ was killed in a parachute accident over the ocean off of Japan. His parachute was caught in a strobe light zip tied to his pro-tec helmet. This accident caused the joint parachuting community to begin the search for a more conformal light specifically for freefall parachuting. Over the ensuing years, several solutions were used until they started working with Core Survival and adopted the original HEL-STAR 4.

The HEL-STAR 5 is a flexible lighting solution designed to be velcroed to a parachutist helmet offering a smooth, low profile mount. One of the big enhancements over the HEL-STAR 4 is at the junction between the control module and the light strip. It was strengthened in order to alleviate concerns over cable wear due to repeated flexion. Additionally, the controls were altered slightly to enhance tactile verification of operating mode.

Three distinct operating modes are provided with a choice of White, Green or IR signals, either flashing or steady. The light is bright enough for jumpers to identify one another in freefall or under canopy. The O-ring sealed design is waterproof to at least 16 feet and the unit is powered by a single CR123 battery.

Below is a short video of the HEL-STAR 5 blinking in strobe mode between white and green lights (mode 1).

The HEL-STAR 5 boasts three operating modes:

HS-501 M-1: White/Green (Alt. Flash)
M-2: Green (Steady)
M-3: IR (Flash)

Naturally, once the troops got a hold of the marker they came up with additional applications for it including vehicles, outer wear, and equipment. Based on user feedback, additional capability is being developed for this family of lights. Core Survival products are Made in USA.

www.coresurvival.com

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Posted in Lights, Parachuting | 5 Comments »

SureFire Rail Adapter for 1911

Friday, May 13th, 2011

Although SureFire’s MR07 Adapter Mount has been around for some time, the M1911’s Centennial has brought a renewed interest in the firearm as well as several new models introduced that retain the original design characteristics. With these models, in order to utilize a weapon light, you need a rail adapter and the MR07 fits the bill

One of the big advantages to the MR07 is that it does not require any permanent changes to the pistol and it can be restored to its original condition at any time. The mount is made from 7000 series aluminum and is low profile enough to fit most GI-style holsters.

The MR07 attaches via a modified slide stop and pin assembly machined from pre-hardened chrome-molybdenum steel. The pin fit is match-grade. The trigger guard locking wedge is energy absorbent polyurethane, avoiding metal-to-metal contact, and can be tightened with a cartridge rim meaning no hex wrench is necessary. Additionally, a spacer shim is provided to accommodate manufacturing variations in the trigger guard thickness. Finally, it features an anti-chafing pad to prevent scoring of the dust cover.

www.SureFire.com

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Posted in Lights, weapons | Comments Off on SureFire Rail Adapter for 1911

SureFire HellFighter 4

Friday, April 29th, 2011

SureFire will be exhibiting the new HellFighter 4 (HF4) weapon light next week at Warrior Expo West. Intended as a weaponlight / searchlight / IR illuminator, the HF4 features two settings; High: 3,000 lumens and Low: 1,000 lumens and also offers a strobe setting.

The biggest improvement is the internal rechargeable lithium ion battery pack that will run the HF4 at full output for 30 minutes which is in addition to the 12v vehicle or BA-5590 power adapters. Additionally, the HF4 features a dual swing-open filter/cover system, allowing white light, filtered infrared, or an opaque protective cover. Finally, the HF4’s reflector has also been modified to improve beam reach and offer wider peripheral light for situational awareness.

SureFire has ingeniously integrated the carrying handle for dismounted use into the weapon mount. The mount itself has also been modified to include both the original heavy-duty T-rail clamp as well as an intermediary adapter mount that permits attaching the HF4 to a Picatinny rail. The HF4 kit includes mounting hardware and tools as well as power cables. For a full list of features and tech data check out this product brochure.

HellFighter 4 by SureFire

www.adsinc.com/surefire

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Posted in ADS, Lights, weapons | 1 Comment »

SureFire Sets the Record Straight

Monday, March 21st, 2011

This letter went out on Friday to SureFire customers as well as the press. It is a direct rebuttal to an article published by the Force Science Institute in their Force Science News declaring that grip-activated pistol-light switches are unsafe. Due to the length of the letter we ask you to (more…)

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Posted in Lights | 10 Comments »

TacPad from c2rfast

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Late last year, Level Peaks Associates was gracious enough to let us check out a couple of products from c2rfast.

We shot this quick look video of the TacPad Chest in order to give you an idea of how the technology works. We’ve seen other products in the past that rely on chemlights or even powered light but they don’t illuminate the entire surface like this. Powered by a CR123 battery, it provides a back lit writing surface for tactical applications. c2rfast has taken great care to develop multiple products to accommodate various applications of the technology.

To learn more follow the jump. (more…)

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Posted in Digitization, Gadgets, Lights, Recce | Comments Off on TacPad from c2rfast

First-Light NV and TC3 Kits ADS

Monday, February 28th, 2011

First-Light USA makes a great medic light and this video does a great job of explaining its various points. One of our favorite features is the swappable Tomahawk Task Light for medics that can be configured as a Blue light for Fluorescein eye stain tests or UV light fluoresce certain fungal and bacterial infections. The rest of these light’s stats are nothing to sneeze at either.

For example, the Tomahawk TC3 features a proprietary mix of Red and Green LEDs that “highlight” blood. After much experimentation First-Light found the perfect mix of lights to make blood stand out from other colored fluids like petroleum which can mimic blood under blue light.

Additionally, the main white light is a 120 lumen LED that also has 3 brightness settings. It also features six IR LEDs that have 3 brightness settings and operate in a separate mode than any of the visible lights.

For more info visit www.adsinc.com/first-light.

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Posted in ADS, Lights | Comments Off on First-Light NV and TC3 Kits ADS

Phantom Lights Vulture Series

Sunday, February 27th, 2011

Ever wanted to be able to scavenge the rest of the power from your partially depleted BA-5590s? If you’re deployed forward you probably have stacks of the things that have come back from patrol but you won’t send back out since they don’t have a full charge. But what to do with them? Some have crafted amazing Rube Goldberg contraptions to harvest whatever they can from the used cells. But now there is a dedicated solution. Phantom Lights has developed the Phantom Vulture, an LED light mounted on a flexible neck that attaches directly to a BA-5590. It straps into place and can run for weeks or months depending on the residual charge in the battery. Simple in design yet ingenious in inspiration. Well done! Now, come up with a way to power other 12v electronics from a 5590.

www.phantomlights.com

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Posted in Gadgets, Lights | 1 Comment »

USMC Delayed Green Lasers for Iraq

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Wired online recently published a story based on a DoD IG report on the Marine Corps’ delay in fielding lasers for use at vehicle checkpoints in Iraq. Lasers work. It’s just too bad that bureaucracy reared its head. You will note that the Wired online article blames the Pentagon, when in fact the blame lay at the feet of the Marine Corps. And while this story isn’t exactly new, it is worth reading. Unfortunately, the writer didn’t do a good job of explaining the “why” as in “why troops might need green lasers”. When you are writing for a civilian readership that lives fat, dumb, and happy under the protective umbrella of the military yet at the same time abhors it, you have to lead them by the nose since they have zero frame of reference. The author says it in a roundabout way, but he doesn’t beat the readers over the head with it. So you get comments by the uninformed who think that green lasers are being used as weapons when in fact they are used to save lives as a nonlethal alternative to warning shots. In fact, they are now used by ALL services as part of their Escalation of Force Kits. But, probably the real tragedy in this story is that as the request languished in someone’s inbox, leaning forward in the foxhole I MEF purchased systems off-the-shelf. Of course, once the systems got to Iraq, someone in a position to do so directed I MEF to cease use of the systems. To add insult to injury, the recently released IG report recommends that the Marines investigate the purchase and “if appropriate, initiate administrative action.”

Visit www.wired.com for the story and read the comments. These will give you an idea of why we don’t open up ours.

Posted in Lights, MARCORSYSCOM | Comments Off on USMC Delayed Green Lasers for Iraq

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