GORE-TEX Professional

Archive for the ‘Lights’ Category

Ryobi Tek4 4V Lithium-Ion Battery Technology

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

I know it seems odd that we would profile products from a tool manufacturer but several new products from Ryobi utilizing their Tek4 4V Lithium-Ion battery technology caught our eye. In addition to being handy around the house, several items might find a well deserved spot in either individual or small unit deployment kits.

Tek4 DuraShot 8MP Digital Camera from Ryobi

In particular, Ryobi is offering the Tek4 DuraShot 8MP Digital Camera. Designed to withstand the rigors of a construction site the 8 megapixel camera features 3x Optical Zoom, voice memo recording linking the memo to the photo, as well as impact resistance and water and dust proof body.

Ryobi 4V Lithium-Ion battery

Other products include the Tek4 Motion Sensing Alarm which has a remote control for arming and disarming and Infrared Motion Detection for larger protection coverage. There is also a flashlight, multimeter, and laser distance measure. All of these product rely on the new Ryobi 4V Lithium-Ion battery. It is equivalent to 3 AA batteries and has over 2,000 recharge cycles which eliminates 6,000 AA batteries.

Tek4 Portable Power Source by Ryobi

Still not convinced? That same battery also works as a universal power source when combined with the Portable Power Source adapter.

Visit www.ryobi.com for more information.

Phantom Products Wins Big, Well Sort Of

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

Phantom Products, Inc., of Rockledge, Florida has been awarded a maximum $31,250,000 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for flashlights, light kits, and transmitters by the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP). Their proposal was the winning bid in a field of 63 responses which is pretty impressive.

Sounds pretty awesome but what does this mean? Their medical and other lights will be available on the electronic catalog and over the period of performance which lasts until 1 November, 2014, they can sell up to the contract ceiling. Additionally, they have already set the price for their lights over the life of the contract. So Phantom Products has won the opportunity to sell a lot of lights and I think they will. They build a great product and I have been using one for over ten years. My experience with Phantom products began due to the unique characteristics of their lights.

Phantom Products FLASH45 Medical Flashlight

Phantom has been an industry leader for years in providing low signature NVG secure flashlights. Their lights combine LEDs of different colors to produce white light. This means that you can find blood on a casualty. Along the same vein, map features aren’t washed out under a colored light. In a tactical situation an NVG equipped foe cannot detect the light. They have also taken the technology and applied it in other directions including landing lights. All-in-all, it makes sense.

For more information on their line of lights, visit Phantom Products.

MiniScout Light Now Available

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

The SureFire M300A Mini Scout Light we recently wrote about is now available. It is an excellent option for those who want to reduce even more weight from their weapon and relies on a single CR123 battery combines with a shock-proof LED emitter and TIR lens to provide 110 lumens. Just like its big brother the mini scout comes with an integral Picatinny mount. The light is activated via the tailcap push button switch or by using a remote pressure-activated tape switch.

SureFire M300A

See all of the details at www.SureFire.com.

SureFire Sneak Peeks

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

We had an opportunity to see a few of the new products from SureFire at the ADS Warrior Expo and Outdoor Retailer shows. Below is just a sampling of what’s next in tactical illumination and cutlery.

Surefire X300 Prototype
M300 Mini Scout Light

At half the size of the M600 Scout Light (hence the name M300), the Mini Scout Light utilizes a single CR123 battery. It makes for a more compact and slightly lighter alternative to the full-size M600. Unfortunately, it also translates into about half of the performance of the M600. However, as more compact and specialized weapons continue to see use, such a light may well find its place.

Surefire Helmet Light
Surefire Helmet Lights

Now in its fourth generation, the Helmet Light has integrated several changes. Most notable is the new molded shrouds for the toggles. Instead of attaching an additional part to the light, the new shrouds are an integral part of the chassis which strengthens the design and reduces production time and material. Additionally, as you can see in the photo, the new light features a threaded battery cap with an integrated lock out switch. Rumor has it that an entirely new Helmet Light is under development and while no details have been released, features are being driven by user feedback and it won’t resemble the current model.

Surefire LX1 Lumamax
SureFire LX1 Lumamax

The LED LX1 is compact (4.1″ long) and features two brightness levels; 10 lumens low and 80 lumens high. Press lightly on the two stage tailcap switch for low and apply more pressure for high. Twist the tail switch for constant on in either of the brightness modes or to lockout the switch to avoid light ADs. Additionally, the pocket clip is reversible. There is also an LX2 model coming out that also features a two stage tailcap but goes to 200 lumens.

Edged Weapons
SureFire is also releasing two new folding knives; the Edge and Crank. As with their previous edged weapon designs, these are made in the U.S.A.

Surefire Folder
Surefire Crank

LENGTH CLOSED 3.97″
LENGTH OPEN 6.4″
BLADE LENGTH 2.56″
WEIGHT 3.2 oz.

SureFire Crank Coin Slot

The blade is manufactured from polished 154 CM steel. A single hexagonal opening machined into the aluminum frame accommodates 1/2″ nuts, and a slot extension holds a coin firmly in place for use as a field-expedient screwdriver. Additionally, there is a built-in cord cutter and a bottle opener.

Surefire Folder
SureFire Edge

LENGTH CLOSED 4.7″
LENGTH OPEN 8.1″
BLADE LENGTH 3.4″
WEIGHT 5.5 oz.

The modified spear-point blade is crafted from 154 CM steel and the the 7075 aluminum frame features a liner lock. Notice the prominent hex openings along the handle and set into the blade which can be used as wrenches (7/16″, 3/8″, 5/16″, 1/2″ nuts). It also features an integral finger guard/flip-open lever and a pocket clip.

With the exception of the prototype M300 all of the products will be released soon. For additional information visit www.surefire.com.

Vltor SM-OCG Light Mount on a Helmet

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Vltor’s unique low-profile light mount can be attached to a Ops-Core Accessory Rail Connector (ARC) via the Mil-Std 1913 adapter. ARCs are available in two styles; one is a component of the FAST family of helmets and the other is designed for the ACH and available directly from Ops-Core or MSA.

Vltor Helmet Mount

Vltor’s Scout Mount – Offset Classic G-series mount has been around for a couple of years but now that the ARC rails are seeing wider use we thought it was a good idea to remind our readers about this option.

NVG Mount Lights

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

According to Ops-Core, several companies are working on lights designed to attach directly to a helmet’s NVG mount. None of the lights are quite ready for prime-time but we were able to sneak a picture of one example at the recent ADS Warrior Expo.

NVG Mounted Light

Pelican 2360 Tactical LED Flashlight

Sunday, August 16th, 2009

Below is a review by an Army Lieutenant we received of the new 2360 LED Flashlight from Pelican.

Pelican 2360 LED Light

The Pelican 2360 is small and lightweight, weighing approximately four ounces and just over six inches in length. It replaces the need for lithium batteries with 2AA regular alkaline batteries yet it still works up to the performance of a lithium battery, giving it on average, up to two and a half hours of battery life. The brightness of the 2360 can emit from 95 to 100 lumens making it one of the brightest 2AA flashlights I have seen. The body is constructed of aerospace grade aluminum and boasts an impact resistant LED which makes it very durable. It possesses a non-slip design and easy to operate tail switch button so that you may operate it in even the most difficult weather conditions. The 2360 also comes with a two way removable pocket clip which can secure it in your pocket, or on the brim of your hat. In short the Pelican 2360 Tactical Flashlight is small, durable, and efficient.

That is an excellent summary of the light. For more info visit www.pelican.com.

New TAD Gear Website

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

TAD Gear launches their new website today. Over the next couple of days, DNS servers will update the new site. Lots of new images were shot and new products are being unveiled along with the new site.

visit tadgear.com.