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CamelBak’s Advanced Chemical and Biological Resistant Reservoir Receives US Army Approval

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

CamelBak Products, LLC, announced earlier this week that its Chem Bio Reservoir Xâ„¢ (CBR X), the next-generation of hydration safety equipment, meets the US Armyâ€™s stringent requirements for a Multi-Purpose Personal Hydration System and is able to withstand 6 hours of chemical challenge after the rigors of 30 days of use, making it easier and safer to stay hydrated in a CBRN threat environment. This means CamelBak is offering a single reservoir that can be used everyday yet meets the rigors of a slimed environment. It seems as though we have been in the COIN fight for so long we have forgotten the old days of the 20th century where we trained exhaustively to fight and win in a CBRN environment.

Camelbak combined their DuraFlex Barrierâ„¢ material, HydroGuardâ„¢ technology and HydroLinkâ„¢ modular attachment systems to create the new CBR X reservoir. “We design, test and manufacture our hydration systems to perform in the most challenging and lethal environments in the world,” said Sally McCoy, CEO of CamelBak. They introduced their first chemical and biological resistant reservoir in 2000 and while they were issued to several units, CamelBak had never received certification from the Army.

CamelBak has been working with the Army on this for YEARS. They stuck with it through all of the technical challenges and kept up with evolving threats to stay at the cutting edge of Chem-Bio protection technology. Thanks guys.

Unit and agency orders can be supported by ADS.

www.CamelBak.com

Tags: ADS Inc, Camelbak
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Powertraveller Portable Chargers

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Powertraveller is a European company that produces a full line of charging devices. While they aren’t a “tactical” company, you are going to find products that are perfect for use in the field whether on duty or just having fun. Each one of their chargers is intended for a slightly different application but can be used in conjunction with other powertraveller devices to increase versatility.

The powermonkey-eXplorer can power most cell phones (96 hours), iPods (40 hours) and other mp3/mp4 players (6 hours), PDAs (48 hours), as well as portable game devices (5 hours). Versatility is it’s middle name and can be recharged via its integral solar panel, AC, or USB. Additionally, it comes with multiple tips called monkey nuts to accommodate various devices as well as adapters for use in 150 countries.

The MiniGorilla is designed to be used with the latest netbooks, but can also charge an iPad when used with the gorilla-pad connector. It also has use with camcorders, e-readers, and even many cell phones. It can be charged via AC or with the separate solargorilla charger. Think of the solargorilla as a big brother to the powermonkey.

The powergorilla can charge any device up to 24 volts, but the real draw is the extra 2-5 hours of power that it can add to your laptop or Macbook as well as its ability to charge multiple devices. It can be charged via AC or with the separate solargorilla charger, and like the minigorilla requires the gorilla-pad connector to charge an iPad.

You can pick up the powertraveller products at Extreme Outfitters.

Tags: Extreme Outfitters, powertraveller
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Light My Fire Sporks

Monday, October 25th, 2010

The Light My Fire Spork isn’t that crappy spork your daddy used to get at KFC. Instead of a spoon with a forked edge, the Spork is a spoon on one side and a fork on the other, with a serrated edge, making it a knife as well. There are even different kinds of Sporks available, like the extra-medium, made to better reach into larger freeze-dried food pouches, as well as the large, which is used for cooking. Light My Fire also offers Plexiglass tubes, which hold Sporks in bulk, and can be ordered to hold pre-arranged color combinations, including our favorite, Combat. You can find Light My Fire Sporks at many outdoor retailers.

www.lightmyfire.com

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Field Gourmet: Dutch Rations

Monday, October 25th, 2010

An intrepid Dutch reader sent us this report on their issue ration packs.

It consists of one of the boxes shown in the photos plus two meals in a can or sachet which can be eaten both hot or cold. These main meals are based on standard Dutch meals like cooked potatoes, veggies and some meat to lasagna, stews and special meals like halal-prepared.

The contents inside the box have varied over the years. Studies showed that Soldiers are attracted to ‘branded’ items so there was a transition to items like the Mentos bar and chewing gun. A little while back the dark chocolate bar was replaced by a Mars bar. But luckily they changed it back to this delicious chocolate! Our reader also commented that he also likes the recent addition of toothpicks.

Dutch Soldiers are taught to make a snack pack from ration items like a packet of biscuits, the chocolate bar, Mento’s and the dextrose. They keep it in their smocks so they can always grab a quick snack.

What is most telling is that our reader reports that the Dutch troops deployed to “derka-derka-stan” don’t use these rations much since the heat makes them go bad quickly. The tend to rely on US issue MRE’s or would make a meal from what their wives/moms would send.

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Field Gourmet – French Rations

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

Here are some photos of French rations from one of our dedicated readers. Keep them coming!

This example is for gourmands of MREs. The RCFIR (Reheatable Field rations) are great if you can “stomach” luxury meals such as tinned Rabbit stew and other French provincial meals. They also have Italian and Moroccan meals in their list of options as well as tinned fish, cocoa powder, potato soup and good crackers.

However, according to our reader, the candy selection is world class and he keeps their hard and fruit paste candies in his survival rations kit ALWAYS. He also related that the dark chocolate is delicious.

He did not get the boxed wine we all hear so much about but is continuing his search for issue Red wine. They also weigh a ton, about 1 pound and while purchasing them in Europe is easy, shipping to the USA is crazy expensive. He closed out his report by relating that the absolute best part is the small pocket Esbit heater in each box with six heat tabs and 12 matches.

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McNett Gruntline

Monday, October 18th, 2010

Sometimes the simplest things make life better. For guys who can’t rely on KBR laundry, washing your clothes on a washboard and hanging them out to dry is a reality of life. Manufactured from braided rubber tubing the Gruntline stretches up to 7 feet and has clips on each end to attach it for use as a clothes line or as a tie down strap. Although its been around for awhile, its a classic. I carried one with me for years and it got lots of use as intended as well as to suspend ponchos in large tents so I could stake out some “me” space.

Available from McNett.

Photos courtesy McNett

Tags: McNett, Oldie But Goody
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United Spirit of America – High-Tech Hygiene Products

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

United Spirit of America has launched a new line of hygiene products specifically for the troops. Two things really make these Made in USA products stick out, they are manufactured with 100% biodegradable content and are packaged in convenient TSA approved sizes.

The product line-up includes several kits. For example, the Basic Edition features 3-in-1 products, such as the shampoo + body wash + shaving lather, anti-bacterial formulas that kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria (including the H1N1 virus), deodorants and more.

There is also a Outpost Edition with unscented products specifically designed for water restricted environments. They are aimed to provide protection against the harmful effects of the sun, wind, biting insects, bacterial and fungal infections.

The D-Day Portable 24 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit is designed for one-day travel.

Packaged in a reflective, waterproof and floatable package, the OK Personal Care Emergency Kit is meant to provide essential products for up to 72 hours in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Finally, the customer can customize his own kit, by picking and choosing from different lines to best suit his needs.

www.usa-spirit.com

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Klymit Inertia X Frame

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Looking for an ultralightweight sleeping pad? Then check out the Inertia X Frame sleeping pad from Klymit which weighs in at a scant 9.1 ounces. We’ve written about Klymit before, innovators in the use of Argon gas as insulation. The secret to the pad’s weight is that it is a frame design. Klymit used body mapping to arrive at the unique shape which puts padding and insulation where it’s needed. Additionally, it rolls up to the size of a soda can so it won’t take up much room in a pack. While typically, Klymit uses Argon gas to inflate their products, the X Frame relies on good old breath, but the innovative design only requires 2-4 breaths.

www.klymit.com

Tags: Klymit
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