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Archive for the ‘Optics’ Category

Tactacam Introduces Revolutionary Scope Viewing Technology

Thursday, January 31st, 2019

Tactacam has long set the standard for high definition recording of live action in the field. Whether hunting whitetail from a tree stand with a bow or flushing upland birds with your shotgun, Tactacam has been there to record those ultimate moments in the lives of hunters. And now, Tactacam is introducing new scope viewing technology with the Tactacam FTS.

The Tactacam FTS combines the high definition video from your Tactacam camera with the high-power zoom of a rifle scope giving you the ability to remotely view and record live footage from your rifle on your smart phone. Simply couple your scope and your camera together with the Tactacam FTS components and sync the camera to the Tactacam APP on your smart phone for live viewing. The FTS maintains all functionality of your riflescope and your firearm. By offsetting the FTS camera mount, shooters are able to safely operate their firearm as they traditionally would, viewing through a live feed to their smart phone. After setup, the unique design of the Tactacam FTS allows the riflescope to operate as normal without additional adjustment or modification.

The Tactacam Difference

Tactacam’s innovative camera systems offer the complete package for infield recording of your favorite past times. With the powerful Tactacam 5.0 users can enjoy 4k resolution and high power magnification with resolution and picture quality that competitive products can’t touch. Wi-fi and APP viewing options, remote control activation, slow motion and live streaming capabilities are all standard features of the new Tactacam 5.0.

With endless mounting options, your Tactacam cameras can attach to any weapon and enjoy hours of record time regardless the conditions. The introduction of the Tactacam FTS now expands the capabilities of these cameras even further by offering scope viewing technology. This revolutionary technology incorporates the great features of Tactacam cameras with the high-power magnification of rifle scopes.

No matter what you’re chasing, Share Your Hunt.

www.tactacam.com

Posted in Optics, Press Release | 3 Comments »

SHOT Show 19 – Rex Specs K9 Vision System

Wednesday, January 30th, 2019

The makers of the popular Rex Specs K9 goggles are introducing a new variant with integrated cameras.

Below you can see some detail. There is a wide angle dog vision camera under the lens. Additionally, there are lights, microphone. and a rear camera embedded in the frame, above the lens.

In addition to onboard recording, video and audio feeds can be transmitted up to 300m.

Like Rex Specs, the K9 Vision System features a padded harness for comfort during long-term wear.

www.rexspecs.com

Posted in Eyepro, K9, Optics, SHOT Show | 13 Comments »

Mod Dos by The MUB

Wednesday, January 30th, 2019

The Mod Dos which means MOD two was actually The MUB’s first design back in early 2017. After handing it out and playing with it guys told them it was too heavy so they came out with the wing design which became the Multi Use Block.

They ended up going back to that design once they saw how much an optics hub-style platform was actually necessary.

It has all the functionality of the original WING, plus they added 16 1/4-20 mounting platforms and eight total 2 slot MLOK channels, creating a larger surface area but only weighing in at 10oz.

This new design is equipped with a machined-in Arca Swiss plate, while maintaining the ability to convert to Manfrotto, Picatinny, or the ultra light Outdoorsman.

Competitive shooters are already using it as an alternative solution. Mounting it under your rifle creates a larger footprint for gaming scenarios and it’s large enough to use as a table.

Mod Dos is Made in the USA.

www.themub.com

Posted in Optics | 2 Comments »

Soldiers Test Squad Designated Marksman Rifle At Fort Bliss

Wednesday, January 30th, 2019

Manufacturer of the new Squad Designated Marksman Rifle, Heckler & Koch began delivering weapons last fall. This rifle is based on the HK 417 (German Army designation G28) which was selected by the US Army in 2016 as the M110A1 Compact Semi Auto Sniper System. It fires the 7.62mm NATO cartridge.

Last week, 16 Soldiers assigned to Alpha Company, 4-17 Infantry Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, took to the ranges on Fort Bliss, Texas to provide feedback to Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO Soldier). This information will be analyzed and used to make any changes to the SDM-R, accessories and ammunition before full fielding commences.

While the maximum effective distance of the new optic (SIG Optics TANGO6T) hasn’t been fully verified yet, Soldiers were able to positively engage targets at a distance of 800 meters. Other than the optic, both CSASS and SDM-R are the same configuration. The SDM-R also includes a Suppressor by OSS and an Image Intensifier Night Vision Sight (AN/PVS-3) and bipod. The rail is MLOK compatible.

Eventually, over 6000 SDM-Rs are expected to be fielded as part of the Directed Requirement, validated last year. This is a separate purchase than the M110A1 CSASS buy and this is an important distinction as this version is sometimes referred to as the M110A1 DMR.

Photos by US Army SSG Kimberly Jenkins and SGT Brian Micheliche, 1st Stryker Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Public Affairs.

Posted in Optics, PEO-Soldier, weapons | 13 Comments »

KLEE Industries – DTNVD Preview

Monday, January 28th, 2019

Featuring a wider FOV, reinforced joints and dovetail, improved submersibility, upgraded power management system, dedicated lanyard solution and most importantly, a made in USA, in the heart of Arizona, Phoenix. Those are only a few of the integrated upgrades when compared to our older outdated design.

The DTNVD came into existence by carefully listening to our most demanding customers, those whose lives depend on being equipped with the very best tools available. This invaluable feedback has been crafted directly into this next generation design. Eliminating weak points, ruggedizing the design while maintaining its lightweightness by making use of modern carbon fiber reinforced polymer. The DTNVD comes standard with our signature wide field of view lens system, featuring a system distortion of less than 2%, meeting aviation specs. The DTNVD will also be available with the popular PVS-14 and ANVIS type optical systems.

KLEE Industries Inc. is an agile innovator and manufacturer of opto-electronic systems for military and law enforcement customers. With headquarters in Phoenix, KLEE develops advanced defense technologies in night vision and EO/IR, weapons and maritime systems.

The Founders of KLEE are known for their designs of the DTNVG, Lunox and many other successful night vision products on the market today.

To learn more about KLEE and the DTNVD, please visit the company’s website at www.klee-ind.com and get in touch. KLEE uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information.

Posted in Optics, Press Release | 4 Comments »

FLIR Launches Scion Thermal Monocular for Public Safety Professionals

Monday, January 28th, 2019

New Scion Professional Thermal Monocular Features Connectivity with FLIR TruWITNESS Platform

WILSONVILLE, Ore. – January 22, 2019 – FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced today the launch of the FLIR Scion™ Professional Thermal Monocular (PTM) for public safety professionals. The Scion PTM is powered by FLIR’s high-performance Boson® thermal core for greater image quality and features connectivity with FLIR TruWITNESS® to allow real-time encrypted thermal video streaming to provide professionals with greater situational awareness.

The rugged Scion PTM features FLIR’s most advanced thermal imaging core, which allows users to quickly detect objects with greater detail and offer clear vision in low visibility conditions. Available in a 60 hertz refresh rate, the Scion PTM features 2 gigabytes of internal storage and a microSD™ card slot to record both geotagged video or still images for later playback. Additional features include, picture-in-picture zoom, global positioning system (GPS) functionality, and both Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi capabilities to allow simple file transfer between devices.

When linked with the FLIR TruWITNESS wearable sensor platform built for city-level security and public safety operations, Scion PTM combines video, audio, and location data to allow organizations to stream thermal footage of any pursuit, evidence recovery, or search and rescue effort to the command center via wireless network.

“The FLIR Scion is FLIR’s most feature rich commercial thermal handheld monocular available, bringing a new level of technology to public safety agencies,” said Jim Cannon, President and CEO for FLIR Systems. “Additionally, the Scion PTM’s integration with FLIR TruWITNESS makes this an invaluable tool that will help provide public safety professionals with more information for real-time decision making in the field.”

The Scion PTM, which replaces FLIR’s H series monocular thermal cameras, is available now in the United States starting at $3,295 MSRP through established FLIR dealers. For more information, visit www.flir.com/scion.

Posted in Optics, Press Release | Comments Off on FLIR Launches Scion Thermal Monocular for Public Safety Professionals

Marine Rifle Squads Get Upgraded Night Vision Devices

Monday, January 28th, 2019

An updated helmet-mounted night vision system is beginning to make its way to infantry units. Marine Corps Systems Command accelerated the acquisition of about 1,300 Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggles using existing Defense Logistics Agency contracts.

“We have employed a bridge capability to give Marines the best gear right now available in the commercial marketplace,” said Lt. Col. Tim Hough, program manager for Infantry Weapons. “A final procurement solution will allow a larger pool of our industry partners to bid on the program.”

A Marine peers through the lens of the Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggles during new equipment training in December 2018 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The move to the SNBVG is expected to enhance the infantry’s lethality and situational awareness in reduced visibility (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Joseph Neigh)

Army/Navy Portable Visual Search devices, or AN/PVS, have been employed by the military since at least the 1990’s and upgraded with next-generation systems as funding and technology became available.

The move to the SNBVG is expected to enhance the infantry’s lethality and situational awareness in reduced visibility. It combines two systems: a binocular night vision device and an enhanced clip-on thermal imager.

“It’s a little bit lighter than the current system, and gives Marines better depth perception when they are performing movements,” said Joe Blackstone, Optics team lead at MCSC.

Marines took delivery of the Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggles during new equipment training in December 2018 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The move to the SNBVG is expected to enhance the infantry’s lethality and situational awareness in reduced visibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Joseph Neigh)

Marines took delivery of the equipment and learned how to use them last month at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Known as NET, the new equipment training entails teaching Marines about the operations, characteristics, maintenance and use of the new devices.

“The lethality that it’ll bring is exponential [sic],” said Cpl. Zachary Zapata, a Marine who participated in the training. “With these new [BNVGs], having the ability to not only use thermal optics along with it, but just the entire depth perception and speed that we can operate in is going to significantly increase, as opposed to what we were able to do in the past.”

The initial buy and follow-on procurement is being funded with Marine Corps dollars as prioritized by the Department of Defense Close Combat Lethality Task Force, which concentrates on the squad-level infantry and is aimed at ensuring close combat overmatch against pacing threats. The SBNVG acquisition strategy is to procure the devices incrementally and concurrently as the Corps looks toward future technologies.

“Right now, we are participating with the Army on their next generation night vision systems, both the Enhanced Night Vision Device-Binocular and Integrated Visual Augmentation System Programs,” Hough said. “We are eager to see the maturation of these capabilities for adoption to improve the effectiveness of our Marines.”

The program office plans on releasing a final request for proposals to procure an estimated 16,000 additional systems on the basis of full and open competition. According to program officials, a draft request for proposals was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website in mid-November, and closed on Dec. 19, 2018. The Government is currently adjudicating comments and anticipates release of a final RFP in the near future.

Additional fielding of the systems is planned for September 2019. While the devices may eventually make their way to the entire Ground Combat Element, for now the first priority is given to the Marine Rifle Squad, program officials said.

“This program office is committed to bolstering the combat lethality, survivability, resilience and readiness of the GCE,” said Hough.

Story by Barbara Hamby, Marine Corps Systems Command

Posted in Guest Post, Optics, USMC | 19 Comments »

SHOT Show 19 – Quantico Tactical Exhibits Laser Early Warning Detection System

Thursday, January 24th, 2019

The Laser Early Warning Detection System is one of those technologies that is going to save lives. In fact, it was developed by Attollo Engineering from their OMNir technology at the direction of Air Force Research Labs because of a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan where a US aircraft mistakenly bombed US troops.

LEWDS is lightweight and mounts to the top of the helmet or other equipment. It uses a common CR123A battery.

It offers a haptic alert (user programmable) if it is lased with 1064 & 1550nm energy which is generated by:

– Low Eye-safe military laser rangefinders (LRFs) used for precision target locating

– Low frequency gimbal-mounted LRFs

– High frequency handheld LRFs

– PRF-coded Laser Target Markers (LTMs) used for handoff to laser designator systems

– PRF-coded Laser Target Designators
(LTDs) used for guiding laser guided bombs

In addition to direct targeting LEWDS also detects “Danger Close” illumination and is designed to reject false alarms.

LEWDS does not need to be fielded to all. Because it detects Laser energy generated from above, Terminal Attack Controllers and small unit leaders are the best use of the device as they are most likely to have contact with Close Air Support aircraft to alert them they are placing friendly troops in danger.

LEWDS is available from www.quanticotactical.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Air Force, Battlefield Airman, Optics | 6 Comments »