FirstSpear

Archive for the ‘Lights’ Category

Check Out the New Stuff from SureFire

Sunday, July 24th, 2011

Tactical Fanboy ran a series of three articles last week with previews of coming attractions from SureFire. One of the items already released is the new UB3T Invictus. The aluminum CombatGrip body features a rotary dial switch just behind the head selects to intensity as well as strobe and SOS modes. It uses 3 x CR123s to produce 800 lumens for 1.7 hours variable down to 2 lumens for 150 hours via 8 different settings. In addition to the light settings switch, the UB3T also features a tailcap. Press the switch for momentary-on light at the selected output setting, press further, at any light output setting, and get all 800 lumens. SureFire calls this their MaxBlastâ„¢ tailcap feature. You can also twist for constant-on light at the selected output setting or twist further for max output. Naturally, it also incorporates a TIR lens combined with an LED lamp. Other features include a fuel gauge that indicates battery charge level and weatherproof O-ring and gasket seal. We’ve had one for a few weeks and the versatility is amazing. This is definitely a light that you need to practice with to master. It isn’t something you want to pick up for the first time and have to use in a real world situation.

Check the rest of SureFire’s new products out:

Part I
Part II
Part III

Strobe Warning from SureFire
Exposure to strobing lights may cause dizziness, disorientation, and nausea. A very small percentage of people suffer from photosensitive epilepsy—approximately .00025 % of the population—and may experience seizures or blackouts triggered by strobing lights. Visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org for more information about this rare form of epilepsy. Anyone who has had symptoms linked to this condition should consult a doctor before using this product.

All Purpose Adhesive Light Strip

Sunday, July 24th, 2011

Brite-Strike® has just introduced their new All Purpose Adhesive Light Strip (APALS™). For such applications as marking for Close Air Support to MEDEVAC to MOUT, APALS is easy to use and helps prevent fratricide. It features 3 modes: On, Fast Strobe & Slow Strobe. APALS is self-adhesive, disposable, and boasts a 35 hour run time. Available in White, Red, Blue, Amber, Green, and IR, APALS comes in packs of 100.

www.brite-strike.com/APALS

Another Great Use for Strobe Function

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

More and more tactical flashlights are incorporating a strobe function to help confuse suspects. However, a completely different use for this function is illustrated here by Elzetta. Based on a true story, our hero, “SGT Elzetta” uses the strobe function on his light to do something very familiar to military personnel, mark his position for MEDEVAC. It’s definitely another trick in the bag to consider for LE folks.

www.elzetta.com

MPLS Charge Sneak Peek

Friday, July 15th, 2011

The new MPLS Charge from Princeton Tec combines 4 LEDs in various combinations. However, one constant is the 50 lumens white light. It is designed to be mounted on the left or right side of an ARC rail due to the ingenious design. Additionally, it comes with a MOLLE compatible clip to attach it to your gear. Available 1 August in several light combinations from www.princetontec.com.

Energizer MOLLE Light

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Also known as the Romeo, the Energizer® Hard Case® Tactical® Military Compact Vest Light is PALS compatible and relies on a single cell AA battery to produce 47 Lumens for up to 8 hours. As you can see from the photo below, the light comes with 2 removable filters (Red and Blue) that screw on in front of the lamp. Additionally, the clip will accommodate PALS webbing or similar and features magnets so that it can easily be attached to a steel pole or structural member. These lights are manufactured at Energizer’s plant in St Albans, Vermont. Additionally, Energizer guarantees that your light will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the entire life of the light.

email: hardcasetactical@energizer.com
phone- 877-654-2303
website: www.hardcasetactical.com
buy now: www.EnergizerMilstore.com

The Energizer Mil Store is a new feature set up specifically for individual sales to Mil/LE. Registration is required.

Spectrum from ZERO POINT

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

Aptly named due to its adaptability across the light spectrum, the Spectrum from Zero Point is an illumination toolkit. It comes packaged in a custom molded case and looks like a pen light. But it’s so much more.

The waterproof case features a purge valve and has a foam liner with cut outs for all of the components including batteries.

I have had the pleasure of having one available to use and it is fantastic. Each end of the Spectrum features a swappable light head which is powered by independently by a single AAA battery. This allows you to configure the Spectrum based on mission requirements although it can quickly be reconfigured. The heads integrate tightly spaced threads and O rings to keep the water out.

As you can see above, the optional High Density Rubber Light Shield prevents to light from going anywhere but where you direct it. This can come in handy for a variety of reasons. Additionally, the rubber construction of the Light Shield allows you to further control the beam by pinching it closed. Two are included with the Spectrum so that you can configure both heads simultaneously.

In addition to the UV and White light heads already mentioned, Infrared, Blue, and Red also come with the Spectrum. All lamps are LED.

For more information visit www.zeropointusa.com.

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

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