Sidewinder Compact III

Solio Chargers

July 20th, 2008

Solio

Keeping your electronic gadgets charged, especially when deployed can be a serious challenge. While you can be out of practically everything else, one thing is in abundance; sunlight. Consequently, solar chargers are a great option but many require large, unwieldy, and expensive panels. Then came Solio chargers and in particular the Magnesium Edition.

Solio Magnesium Edition

New this season, the Magnesium Edition is lightweight, durable and takes up little space. Capable of accepting a charge from its internal solar panels or from shore power via a standard plug (international adapters available), the rechargeable ME stores its internal charge up to one year (80% of charge at one year). When used as a solar collector the device stores the power and when in use as a battery regulates its output as though coming from shore power. A full Solio ME will charge a typical mobile phone more than twice or give over 20 hours of MP3 music – just 1 hour of sunshine = 20 minutes talk time or 50 minutes of MP3 music.

Solio Magnesium Edition

Technical Specs:

* Nominal DC Output: 3V 3A
* Maximum Wattage: 9 Watts
* Battery: Rechargeable Lithium Ion 3.7V 1.8A cell
* DC Input: 5-6V 0.4Ah
* Dimensions (LxHxW): 4.72 x 1.34 x 2.56 in (120 x 34 x 63.5 mm)
* Weight: 6.38 oz. (179g)
* Temperature Range: -4F to 131F (-20C to 55C)

What’s more, the ME charger now comes with iGo adapters. Anyone familiar with the iGo system knows that they have an adapter for virtually anything. Solio offers a wide range of iGo adapters but click here if you need more information on iGo.

Included in each charger:

o Charging Cable for iGo® tip system
o Female USB Cable (powers iPhone, iPod, MP3s)
o iGo Motorola Razor tip
o iGo LG Chocolate tip
o iGo Nokia tip
o iGo Samsung tip
o iGo Blackberry tip
o Pencil
o Solio Draw String Hemp Pouch*
o Universal Wall Adapter

* We recommend DoD users dump the Hemp Pouch.

The Magnesium edition is the top of the Solio range, so be sure to check out all of their offerings. While Solio is a UK-based company, we have found the best place to get them Stateside is TAD Gear. TADGear really supports the troops and often has products on special discounts.

Photos property of Solio.

Ghetto FastMag

July 19th, 2008

The guys at ITW Nexus told me about this…

MARS is Alive and Well

July 19th, 2008

In 2004 Patagonia developed a turnkey environmental clothing system called the Military Advanced Regulator System or MARS. Based on their commercial Regulator line, slight modifications were made to designs and the color was changed to Alpha Green. Since its initial inception Patagonia has also added base layers in coyote.

Patagonia has recently changed distributors so many have sent us questions as to the availability of MARS. Rest assured, it is available in all sizes through their new distributor ADS as well as direct from Patagonia.

Look for a full article on MARS soon.

Updated to correct Ranger Green to Alpha Green. Alpha Green came first and was adopted for use by the Rangers after a slight name change to Ranger Green.

Strider Knives Exclusive

July 18th, 2008

Strider

The special operations medical community recently approached Strider Knives to produce an edged tool to perform cricothyrotomies. Apparently, the current issue item just doesn’t stand up to the rigors of field use. In true Strider fashion they came up with something that doesn’t just accomplish the mission, it does it with style. To give you an idea of scale, the scalpel is just over three inches long.

Strider

Available soon from Strider Knives.

Navy Adopts Blackhawk Uniforms

July 18th, 2008

Blackhawk Products Group unveiled a new family of high concept uniforms at SHOT Show 08 in Vegas. Less than six months later one of the variants has been adopted and the Navy will begin deliveries today.

The desert digital uniforms will be issued to a small user community and feature Blackhawk’s patented Integrated Tourniquet System at key areas on the arms and legs of the four component uniform system. Dubbed the High Performance Fighting Uniform, the system consists of an FR athletic cut combat shirt, a lightweight zippered vest for wear over the combat shirt in garrison, a BDU style blouse and combat trousers.

Commercial variants may be available in as soon as 60 days.

Look for a more comprehensive article soon.

McNett Gruntline

July 17th, 2008

McNett

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′ 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 a large tent so I could stake out some “me” space.

McNett Gruntline

Available from McNett.

Photos courtesy McNett

Becoming Batman

July 17th, 2008

Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero

Batman is the ultimate Badass. A science hero, Batman is the product of dumb luck and a very strong will. He has tapped the very pinnacle of human potential and has access to Gucciest of kit. He is so popular because of all super heroes, he is the most plausible. Its easy to consider yourself in his situation. A new book entitled, “Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero” from The Johns Hopkins University Press by E. Paul Zehr is poised to be released in October. Zehr is an associate professor of kinesiology and neuroscience at the University of Victoria in British Columbia and long time practitioner of Chito-Ryu karate-do. In his book Zehr examines what it would take to become the “Bat”.

Scientific American has a great interview with Zehr on the subject.

Available from The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Contacting Soldier Systems Blog

July 17th, 2008

We often get queries from aspiring writers wondering if we accept guest authors. We do. Contact the Editor with your article idea. However, as this is a non-wealth generating pursuit there will be no payment.

Interested parties can contact Soldier Systems Blog at admin@soldiersystems.net.

The admin stuff:

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