T H E
T A C T I C A L
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M A G A Z I N E
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GEARUP-MAG.COM
TA C T I C A L FOOTWEAR TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION BUSHCR AFT FIREARMS MEDICAL
THE BEST OF THE WEST MADE IN THE AMERICAS
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F I R S T
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G E A R
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P U B L I C AT I O N !
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GEAR UP THE TRADE TACTICAL GEAR MAGAZINE
GEAR UP MAGAZINE
TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING Gear Up Magazine is the worlds first business to business publication for the tactical gear industry, aiming to bring all of the relevant parties to the same table. With such a huge range of products on the market, knowing what to invest in, and more importantly, what to supply your customers with, can be a hard task. Gear Up Magazine aims to make this process easier, allowing you to enhance your understanding of the industry, allowing you to make smart purchases. With Gear Up Magazine, you’ll have a better understanding of the tactical gear and equipment on show, who buys it, and what they use it for. We’ll introduce you to the evolution of each of the ‘tools of the trade’, from ballistic helmets to boots, giving you the knowledge needed to traverse the tactical gear market with confidence.
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EBCON PUBLISHING
OVER A DECADE OF PUBLICATIONS Ebcon Publishing was launched in 2004 with one simple goal – to create a range of successful publications, which combined informative content with a high level of up to date design to match. Over the last 14 years, Ebcon Publishing has done exactly that, launching a number of publications that have won a number of awards in their respective sectors and continue to be dominant in their chosen area of operation. Ebcon Publishing has set up a fantastic portfolio and now the company’s next step is to further improve that portfolio by releasing Gear Up into the wild. All the staff at Ebcon Publishing work tirelessly to bring its readership a range of comprehensive editorial across its various magazine titles, providing thier readers with the best information available, along with high design values and inspiring imagery to suit.
how it works Broken into seven key sectors that drive the tactical gear market, Gear Up Magazine aims to bring you a selection of the finest products in each of our carefully deliberated sections. Whether you’re looking to procure items at a battalion level or are an individual in charge of bringing a plethora of tactical equipment to your customers, Gear Up Magazine aims to do the hard work, so you do not have to.
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TECHNOLOGY Due to various advances in technology, the ability to utilise said technology on the battlefield is imperative to the success rate of dangerous missions. Our technology section will look to those advances in tech, highlighting some of the most innovative items to hit the market.
tactical
PROTECTION
The tactical gear market is forever evolving, and with that evolution comes the necessity of adapting to it. Our ‘Tactical’ section aims to make that process as easy as possible, bringing you a number of key components, allowing you to equip the modern warfighter to the best of your ability.
Ensuring your customers can count on the protective equipment you supply them is of the utmost importance. Our ‘Protection’ section endeavours to provide you with numerous options, enabling you to best serve your clientele, allowing them to operate in the harshest environments known to man.
firearms
BUSHCRAFT
The firearms market is slowly becoming inundated with equipment that simply isn’t up to the task it was created for. With a plethora of optics and accessories on the market, Gear Up Magazine will ensure that you are providing your customers with products that will withstand the test of time.
The modern warfighter is often dropped in hostile locations, and ensuring the equipment they’re carrying is capable of dealing with the numerous areas of operation is key. Ranging from a variety of tools to sleeping bags, our ‘Bushcraft’ section aims to provide to cover the very best in outdoor equipment.
UK Based Kydex Holster and Equipment Manufacturer for Police and Military Personnel Around the World CAN BE MOUNTED ON A SINGLE ROW OF MOLLE
MADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
FIXED RETENTION
MADE OF GENUINE 2MM KYDEX
LOW PROFILE
VERTICAL + HORIZONTAL MOUNTING
KYDEX CAT TQ CARRIER Price from £29.99
FOOTWEAR
medical
It is no secret that military and law enforcement personnel spend long periods of time on their feet. Due to this, it is imperative that the options you have on offer provide unrivalled comfort, protection, and support, allowing them to fight harder, for longer, with no unwanted issues.
Medical equipment by design is created to save lives. Our ‘Medical’ section aims to look at a range of equipment that is best suited to this role; from full-blown medical kits through to Individual First-Aid Kits, making sure your clientele is amply prepared for a worst-case scenario.
Available from ‘kydexcustomsuk.com’ Trade/bulk prices available upon request Can be wrapped in 500D Cordura Fabric Molle or Belt mounting available
Email: Sales@kydexcustomsuk.com
kydexcustomsuk.com
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GEAR UP
ISSUE #27
EDITORIAL MEET THE TEAM PAUL MONAF
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR paul@ebcon.co.uk With a track record of launching a number of successful magazines and experience working within business-tobusiness sectors, Paul is the driving force behind Gear Up.
CONNOR JAMES EDITOR connor@ebcon.co.uk
Having worked within Ebcon Publishing for ten years, Connor brings a wealth of knowledge to Gear Up Magazine. If you need any information regarding editorial, he’s your guy.
CONTENTS INSIDE THIS ISSUE 009 FEATURE GALVION NERV CENTRE
017 TACTICAL S&S PRECISION PLATEFRAME MODULAR
021 TACTICAL SINGLE M4 POUCHES ON OUR RADAR
026 TACTICAL MAYFLOWER LLC’S INNOVATIVE SYSTEM ON SHOW
031 FOOTWEAR MERRELL MOAB 2
034 BEN DICKIE art DIRECTOR ben@ebcon.co.uk
Ben started working for Ebcon Publishing nearly a decade ago now and has been a vital member of the team since. The self-proclaimed Rambo of shapes and colours.
SHARON MONAF
FOOTWEAR DANNER PRONGHORN
037 PROTECTION PRODUCT FROM REVISION EYEWEAR
043 PROTECTION MISSION CAPABLE GLOVES
049 PROTECTION MASSIF’S INVERSION SYSTEM
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR sharon@ebcon.co.uk
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Beside every great man is a great woman, and Sharon is most certainly the Bonnie to Paul’s Clyde. Sharon looks after all of the administrative work within the company.
FIREARMS TRIJICON CCAS
056 FIREARMS VORTEX RAZOR HD GEN 2
061 FIREARMS EOTECH MODEL EXPS3
064 FIREARMS SUREFIRE BLANK FIRING ADAPTER
067 TECHNOLOGY SAFRAN OPTICS ECOTI AND ATAK
070 TECHNOLOGY THYRM CELLVAULT-18
072 TECHNOLOGY JUGGERNAUGHT CASES
ebcon publishing ltd.
Although the publisher has made every effort to ensure that the information in this magazine was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of articles in this magazine and the publisher accepts no responsibility for any errors contained in material from independent sources or authors. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustration in any form without permission from the publisher/editor is strictly prohibited. We welcome articles, photographs or artwork for submission through the appropriate channels. Gear Up Magazine cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to unsolicited material. Please enclose a SAE if you wish your for your goods or material to be returned.
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075 BUSHCRAFT WE TAKE A LOOK AT A RANGE OF MULTI-TOOLS
081 MEDICAL BLUE FORCE GEAR MICRO TRAUMA KIT NOW!
084 MEDICAL DARK ANGEL MEDIAL DIRECT ACTION RESPONSE KIT
086 MEDICAL EMERGENT RESCUE SYSTEMS AAJT-S
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GALVION ARE BY NO MEANS A NEW ENTITY WITHIN THE MILITARY SECTOR. IN FACT, GALVION’S PRODUCT RANGE ALREADY HAVE A RANGE OF ACTIVE USERS AND A NUMBER OF MILITARY CONTRACTS TIED UP. GALVION SPAWNED FROM THE RECENT PURCHASE OF REVISION’S EYEWEAR BRANCH – WITH THE BRAND NAME AND PRODUCT TRANSFERRING TO A NEW OWNER. THIS LEFT A NUMBER OF PRODUCTS IN LIMBO, WITHOUT A PARENT COMPANY TO BE ATTACHED TOO. DUE TO THIS, GALVION WAS BORN, AND A NUMBER OF PRODUCTS SUCH AS THE BATLSKIN PACKAGE AND THE NERV CENTR.
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WITH OFFICES AND FACILITIES IN THREE COUNTRIES, GALVION HAS A ROBUST INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT EVERY PHASE OF THE PRODUCT LIFECYCLE - FROM CONCEPTUALIZATION THROUGH DESIGN, PROTOTYPING AND TESTING, MANUFACTURING AND BEYOND. WITH SUPPORT FROM AN INDUSTRY-LEADING SALES TEAM, DEDICATED BRANDING AND MARKETING DEPARTMENT, AND FORWARD-THINKING STRATEGIC CAPTURE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, GALVION HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR BEING A TRUSTED PARTNER AND A PROVEN TRACK RECORD FOR EXCELLENCE.
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Galvion are dedicated to providing leading-edge solutions and equipment that enhance the overall ability of the modern warfighter and tactical operator – ensuring that their equipment is of the highest standard to alleviate any potential worries. All of Galvion’s products are made from start to finish in the United States, with their Newport, Vermont facility at the heart of their production cycle.
GALVION NERV CENTR
The weight and complexity of powering soldiers on the modern battlefield is something that we think about a lot at Galvion. In order to increase situational awareness, operators today are part of a mobile network of users and platforms – radios, NVGs, GPS, smart phones, laptops, drones – and although these devices have become more efficient, there are a greater number of them required during demanding operations. Along with that comes the associated challenge of powering all of these devices with multiple and numerous batteries, across long distances and for extended durations. Our Nerv Centr® power supply and management suite of products addresses the increasing need to store, deliver, harvest and share power in order to significantly reduce the physical weight that operators face on the wired battlefront.
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Galvion’s portfolio of power products enables users to treat power as a combat supply that can be found, harvested, stored, and used flexibly at the very lowest level. Taking a cue from lessons learned in managing ammunition and water at the individual or squad level, our products enable operators to do the same with power. This energy efficiency at the individual level not only ensures power is available when it is needed; it also has major impact on the energy consumption at the mission level, resulting in reduced logistics and lower costs. Nerv Centr products are battlefield proven, reducing weight and equipment volume at the same time as increasing energy redundancy.
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GALVION WIN CONTRACT TO SUPPLY US ARMY WITH EOD TOOLS GALVION’S SQUAD POWER MANAGER™ (SPM) KIT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE U.S. ARMY EOD TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT KIT (ETEK). BUILT AROUND A SUITE OF INTELLIGENT POWER MANAGEMENT ALGORITHMS, THE SQUAD POWER MANAGER (SPM-622) CAN POWER EQUIPMENT AND RECHARGE BATTERIES SIMULTANEOUSLY—SCAVENGING FROM ANY AVAILABLE SOURCE, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, AND AUTOMATICALLY CONVERTING THAT POWER TO RELIABLY RUN CRITICAL EQUIPMENT AND DEVICES. A $5.8 million contract from Program Manager Close Combat Systems (PM CCS) was awarded to supply an EOD-tailored SPM™ system to all active EOD units starting in December 2021. The Squad Power Manager is a core
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element of Galvion’s Nerv Centr® Active Systems range, which provides scalable power and data solutions to the dismounted soldier. Galvion will be exhibiting the SPM, along with their full range of active systems and their next generation head systems, in booth 3817 at the AUSA exhibition, taking place in Washington DC, 11-13 October 2021. EOD teams use specialized equipment that requires sustainable and lightweight power when off-grid. The US DoD were seeking to upgrade their entire EOD dismounted kit and needed a single, customizable solution that could recharge the batteries for EOD tools and scavenge power from multiple sources such as solar, vehicle power or AC mains. The SPM ETEK Kit includes multiple cables and accessories that offer operational flexibility, allowing EOD units to harvest, scavenge and provide power to mission-critical equipment. The SPM requires no special configuration or programming, converting and managing power as efficiently as possible depending on power sources and equipment needs. This allows teams to minimize weight and logistical burden by carrying fewer batteries, while increasing operational efficiency through active monitoring and management of power usage.
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Kristen Lomastro, President of Active Systems, said: “We are a company that is dedicated to delivering mission success by fully understanding not just the military requirement, but the environment, the conditions and the additional circumstances that the dismounted soldier may encounter. We pride ourselves on providing the very best technical and engineering solutions possible and by reducing the physical, cognitive and logistical burden for the warfighter, we increase their agility, lethality and survivability. Galvion is extremely pleased to announce this new contract for ETEK with US Army EOD units, and to continue in our mission to protect and support those who protect us.”
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GALVION’S MODULAR AND SCALABLE POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ARE BATTLE-READY, FLEXIBLE AND EASILY INTEGRATED WITH COMMONLY FIELDED EQUIPMENT. THE SQUAD POWER MANAGER IS A FIELD-PROVEN SYSTEM, WITH CUSTOMIZED KITS IN USE ACROSS ALL U.S. DOD BRANCHES, INCLUDING UNITS OF THE U.S. ARMY, NAVY, MARINES, AIR FORCE, AND SOCOM. IN ADDITION, GALVION’S POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ARE BEING USED BY ALLIED FORCES IN CANADA, THE UK, AUSTRALIA, FRANCE, DENMARK AND SWEDEN, AMONG OTHERS.
CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can inquire about the Galvion range of products through the following lines of contact. AMERICA ■ Contact Number: 1-866-713-0406. ■ Email: sales@galvion.com
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THE GEAR TO COMPLETE ANY MISSION. PERIOD. The Micro Trauma Kit Now!™ In the field, on duty, or totally off the grid, accidents happen everyday. You can’t predict where it’ll happen, but you can be ready when it does, with the Micro Trauma Kit Now! ™ Quick, one-handed deployment of critical first aid supplies means you’ll be there to provide life-saving care to yourself or anyone you come across. Things don’t always go according to plan. Be prepared for any situation with the Micro Trauma Kit Now!™ Get yours today at BlueForceGear.com/prepared. MADE IN USA
877.430.2583 • WWW.BLUEFORCEGEAR.COM
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International sales Contact: Doug Duggan Email: DDuggan@blueforcegear.com Phone: 1 (912) 225-1262
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INNOVATIONS IN THE REDUCTION OF WEIGHT IS RIFE ACROSS THE PLETHORA OF DIFFERENT SECTORS WITHIN THE TACTICAL GEAR INDUSTRY. BUT HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? S&S PUSH THE BOUNDARIES TO THE LIMIT WITH THEIR PLATEFRAME MODULAR - A CONTEMPORARY TAKE ON THE MODERN DAY PLATE CARRIER.
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S&S PLATEFRAME MODULAR
The war on weight is well and truly underway within the tactical gear market, with companies all looking towards innovative design ideals that allow them to provide a product that lightens the load on the modern warfighter. While the military itself is focusing its efforts on exoskeleton technology to increase the load on the modern warfighter, such as the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center’s program, tactical gear companies instead look towards the clever use of design and materials to instead lighten that load, allowing operators to fight harder, for longer. One company at the forefront of this is S&S Precision. A company founded on the principle of breaking the status quo of the tactical gear industry, S&S Precision focus on solving end users’ problems and developing gear that resolves those problems. Founded in 2007, S&S Precision have designed and manufactured a range of products that have brought real innovation to the market, operating under the motto “real innovation for real warriors -- we’ll innovate, you fight”.
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Continuing on from the original S&S PlateFrame, the PlateFrame Modular aims to do more with less. The PlateFrame’s patent pending, lightweight, semi rigid plastic design provides a rigid mounting platform unlike any other plate carrier on the market. Engineered to optimise comfort, performance and modularity, the PF-M™ delivers a Dynamic Thoracic Load Bearing Distribution System. This Patent Pending system aims to distribute the tactical load across/around the upper torso and not solely on the trapezius muscle, often leading to overexertion of muscles and in turn, injury. The benefits of the S&S PlateFrame Modular are endless. Zero load shift, consistent load management, reduced energy consumption, unrestricted locomotion mechanics and increased safety during climbing & dynamic movements make the S&S PlateFrame a real innovation within the world of plate carriers, and the PlateFrame Modular aims to bring this innovation to the military world, being a product that is sold exclusively to military and law enforcement detachments. Additionally, S&S Precision’s patent pending armour retention system allows users to configure the PF-M™ with armour plates of various sizes and thickness. Retention straps, in conjunction with flat camming locks, ensure a secure connection between the PF-M’s™ frames and ballistic plate.
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The S&S PlateFrame Modular makes use of an ‘Autofit Cummerbund’, which maintains consistent tension throughout the most demanding and dynamic movements.
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The PlateFrame Modular also makes use of integrated interior load bearing wings, allowing for the stowage of radios, side armour or additional accessory pouches
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The patent pending Dynamic Thoracic Load Bearing Distribution System helps to spread the load across the entire torso as opposed to isolating weight to the trapezius.
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The PlateFrame Modular is fully compatible with S&S Precision’s ‘Operator System Suite’ - a range of commonly used pouches and accessories for tactical operations.
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The PlateFrame uses some of the most cutting edge materials in its construction, including a hydrophobic polymer which is extremely lightweight.
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CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can inquire about S&S’s range of products via the following points of contact. AMERICA ■ Contact Number: 757.453.6695
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MAGAZINE POUCHES THE EVOLUTION OF THE MAGAZINE POUCH HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT INTERESTING IN THE FACT THAT IT HAS BEEN BOTH LINEAR AND CIRCULAR. LINEAR, IN THE EFFORT TO BECOME LIGHTER WHILE OFFERING BETTER RETENTION AND A LOWER PROFILE, WHILE CIRCULAR, IN THAT WE’VE SEEN THE RE-INTRODUCTION OF COMMON ELEMENTS ARISE AND RETURN TO VOGUE MANY A TIME. IN REALITY MAGAZINE POUCHES HAVE EVOLVED A LONG WAY SINCE THEIR ORIGINAL CREATION, WITH ONLY A HANDFUL OF COMPANIES ORIGINALLY LOOKING TOWARD INNOVATION.
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THERE ARE NOW DOZENS OF BRANDS THAT CREATE MAGAZINE POUCHES, ALL OF WHICH VARY DEPENDANT ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CRITERIA AS HIGHLIGHTED BELOW. IN REALITY, THE JOB OF A MAGAZINE POUCH IS SIMPLE - TO ALLOW FOR LOAD BARING CAPABILITIES OF MAGAZINES INTO COMBAT, HOWEVER, OVER THE PAST DECADE OR SO, A NUMBER OF COMPANIES HAVE UPPED THE ANTE IN REGARD TO WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD MAGAZINE POUCH, WITH ADVANCES IN MATERIALS AND RETENTION METHODS IMPROVING. When looking toward which magazines are the best on the market, we must first ask the question: where will the magazine pouch be mounted? n the last 20 years, we have seen the military trends move M4 mags from the belt to overstuffed plate carriers. Eventually, in the attitude of exploring the forbidden territory, mags belt-mounted mag pouches have trickled back through the ranks. Outside of the military, the belt is still the most common place to carry magazines, whether from 3-gun competitors, to law enforcement, and the range-goers in between. Some mags are limited to one style of mounting, such as the Safariland Mag caddies so commonly seen at competitions, while others are blessed and cursed by the proliferation of Molle gear, with options for both plate carrier or belt mounting. In reality, like so many other tactical products, we hold to the conviction that it is the end user’s responsibility to choose which options work best for their application. Definitively so, there is no one magazine pouch choice that will excel in all environments and events, and when the stakes are as high as life or a major match, there is no blame beyond one’s self. Choosing the right magazine pouch can often resemble sifting through holsters, where one works for a while but eventually is ousted by a rival, changed with wardrobe, replaced by something more suitable for the environment or application.
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WHAT MAKES A GOOD MAGAZINE POUCH? BUILD QUALITY
As with all tactical gear products, build quality tops our list of criteria. Too many times we’ve heard reports of soldiers deploying with sub-par equipment that falls apart within a couple of weeks of hard use. Ideally you want to ensure you’re making use of something made from a high-quality material that is double stitched to ensure it does not fall apart on you. We would suggest 500D Cordura to be the lowest grade material to look at.
WHAT IS 500D CORDURA?
500-denier Cordura is a nylon composite fabric that is specifically designed to have an incredibly strong tensile strength with a massive reduction in weight. 500-denier Cordura has shown to hold up against in the austere environments that our soldiers face in today’s warfare. 500-denier Cordura holds up against the fading from the sun and repels water better than most other mag pouch fabrics. Whether you’re stuck training or fighting in the rain, snow, or having to swim, 500-denier Cordura will dry quickly and prevent the degradation of the fabric from mildew or rot.
RETENTION
Following on from build quality, you want to ensure your magazine pouches actually hold, or retain, your magazine - and that it does so after periods of long use. Many magazine pouches are now open
topped, making use of an elastic-based material to retain your magazine, or a kydex insert to do so. One issue with elastic-based materials is they lose their elasticity after long use and could end up being much looser than when originally bought.
DRAW SPEED
In high-stress situations, you want to ensure your magazines are easily accessible, leading to quicker draw timings. You do not want to be left in a situation where it takes you that extra couple of seconds to reload while in a stressful environment - of which combat most certainly is. To facilitate this, many magazines come with as few additional motions as possible now, a far cry from the old flapped magazine ALICE pouches of the past.
MODULARITY
While not entirely necessary, being able to build upon your magazine pouches can be helpful to limit the amount of MOLLE space you are making use of. Many magazine pouches either offer MOLLE webbing on the front to allow you to attach another pouch to it, known as ‘stacking’. Furthermore, other pouches will come ready-built with another pouch attached, the most common example of this will be a primary magazine pouch with a pistol pouch attached to it.
BLUE FORCE GEAR TEN SPEED POUCHES
With every gram crucial to the modern warfighter, Blue Force Gear looked to eliminate the excessive weight attached to the classic MOLLE system. With materials and production capabilities advancing ten-fold, Blue Force Gear looked to combine the two, leading to the creation of Helium Whisper range. The Helium Whisper panels are constructed from ULTRAcomp - a laminate which equals the durability of 1000D Cordura, which drastically reduces the number of components needed for attachment to MOLLE webbing, and in turn minimises the potential for item failure and cuts the number of potential weak points.
FOLLOWING THE CREATION OF THE HELIUM WHISPER SYSTEM, BLUE FORCE GEAR BEGAN TO IMPLEMENT THEIR DESIGN INTO LOAD BEARING EQUIPMENT, WITH THE TEN-SPEED RANGE BEING THE FIRST TO MAKE USE OF THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY. AVAILABLE IN SINGLE, DOUBLE, AND TRIPLE POUCH VARIATIONS, THE RANGE REVOLUTIONISED MAGAZINE RETENTION. THE TEN-SPEED RANGE UTILISES A MILITARY GRADE ELASTIC COMBINED WITH THE ULTRACOMP LAMINATE TO PROVIDE THE USER WITH THE ABILITY TO EASILY ACCESS THEIR EQUIPMENT WITH UNRIVALLED RETENTION. As with all Blue Force Gear equipment, the Ten-Speed range is made in the United States of America, and carries a limited lifetime warranty. Much of the Ten-Speed range is already utilised within various elite units around the world, so you can rest assured that the Ten-Speed range is of the highest quality.
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HSGI TACO POUCHES
The Double Decker® TACO® combines HSGI’s modular rifle mag pouch and a modular pistol mag pouch into one secure unit. This unique pouch can securely hold an infinite combination of mags and other accessories. The original TACO forms the base, wot a range of magazines being accepted into the design. On top, HSGI attached a Pistol TACO. This versatile pouch will hold almost any pistol magazine. Single stack, double stack; it makes no difference. The TACO even works for certain radios, flash bangs and smoke grenades providing versatility while taking up only 3” horizontal inches on your platform. The pouches used in the Double Decker TACO are made of Cordura®, an injection molded polymer and shock-cord. The pouches both maintain a positive, adjustable grip of the mag and do not require any other securing systems unless desired. Webbing tabs are sewn in on the top for use of “over the top” bungee retainers (not included). Additional loop Velcro® is sewn in the inside of the rifle pouch if the user wishes to utilise adhesive backed hook Velcro® on the magazine body for added security.
THE DOUBLE DECKER TACO MAGAZINE POUCH IS A HIGH-QUALITY PIECE OF TACTICAL NYLON GEAR WITH AN ENDLESS ARRAY OF BRILLIANT ATTRIBUTES, BUT PERHAPS ITS MOST POPULAR CHARACTERISTIC IS THAT IT IS ONE OF THE FEW POUCHES CAPABLE OF HOLDING ANY RIFLE MAGAZINE OR PISTOL MAGAZINE.
FIRSTSPEAR MULTIMAG
The FirstSpear Multimag Rapid-Adjust Pocket is a multi-purpose pouch designed to hold a wide assortment of equipment, from rifle magazines through to small personal radios. The Multimag Rapid-Adjust Pocket makes use of a wide range of patented technology, including the 6/9™ Modular Pocket Technology and the advanced Boa® Fit System. FirstSpear’s 6/9 Modular Pocket Technology is a backwards compatible variant of their 6/12™ Modular Pocket Technology, which not only makes huge weight reductions, but also holds pouches closer to the body, reducing any needless malfunctions. On top of the 6/9 Modular Pocket System, FirstSpear make use of the Boa® Fit System, which allows for precise micro-adjustability of the pocket to secure a wide range of firearm magazines and other similar sized items, without having to worry about the potential of items falling out. You can also purchase removable pull tabs and bungee kits to increase retention, as well as speed reload inserts which will fit two pistol mags or a single M4 mag.
OVERALL THE FIRSTSPEAR MULTIMAG RAPID-ADJUST POCKET IS AN INNOVATIVE PRODUCT, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER A RANGE OF PATENTED FIRSTSPEAR TECHNOLOGY. THE VERSATILITY OF THE POUCH MAKES IT GREAT FOR OPERATORS WHO RUN DIFFERENT WEAPONS PLATFORMS DEPENDENT ON THEIR MISSION, WITH A SIMPLE ADJUSTMENT BEING ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO READY UP.
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S&S ELOS POUCHES
S&S Precision are constantly finding new ways to innovate within the marketplace. Their Plateframe has drastically reduced the weight carried by their end-user and has been received with high praise since its release. Another sector they have looked towards revolutionising is magazine retention, with the ELOS™ 5.56. The Elastic Load Out System™, or ELOS, is a new technology designed by S&S Precision to provide the end-user with magazine retention for 5.56 magazines while massively reducing the nylon footprint of the tradition magazine pouch. At its core, the ELOS is a flexible magazine holder which provides brilliant magazine retention. The ELOS™ is manufactured from an injection moulded elastomer to provide excellent tear resistance, noise reduction, and the ability to withstand severe impact forces preventing cracking or crushing through a wide range of temperatures and environments. To attach the ELOS 5.56, the end-user must make use of a proprietary technology designed by S&S Precision - the Gear Retention Track™, which is a modular, low profile track system.
THE GEAR RETENTION TRACK™ (GRT) - WEBBING ALLOWS YOU TO ATTACH ANY GRT ACCESSORY DIRECTLY TO YOUR MOLLE. WITH A STREAMLINED DESIGN, THE GRT - WEBBING OCCUPIES TWO COLUMNS AND TWO ROWS OF MOLLE.
ESSTAC KYWI SHORTY
Esstac are a relatively small outfit compared to the other pouches on offer within this report, however as always, size doesn’t always mean superior performance. Based on Camano Island in Washington, Esstac specialise in the creation of chest rigs, magazine pouches and other tactical gear, with their products all made in the United States. The KYWI range is Esstac’s bread and butter in regard to magazine pouches, with the acronym an abbreviation for their kydex wedge insert which provides the necessary retention for magazines without the need for bungee cord. This allows for rapid mag changes in the heat of battle without having to worry about any potential snagging issues when time is of the essence. The KYWI Shorty is a shortened version of the original KYWI, with the front surface area reduced. With a straight-forward, user friendly and highly innovative design, the KYWI pouch is like no other. Utilising a mixture of hybrid kydex and nylon design, you get all the rigidity expected from a kydex pouch but with the lack of noise associated to nylon variants.
THE KYWI SHORTY COMES IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT VARIANTS, FROM SINGLE STACK POUCHES THROUGH TO VARIANTS THAT INCORPORATE PISTOL MAGAZINE POUCHES - BOTH IN FLAPPED AND NON-FLAPPED VARIANTS. ESSTAC’S POUCHES CAN BE RUN IN TANDEM OR SERIES WITH OTHER KYWI POUCHES FOR A COMPLETELY MODULAR POUCH SOLUTION. FURTHERMORE, THE KYWI RANGE IS VERY COMPETITIVE IN REGARD TO ITS PRICE POINT, MAKING IT AN ATTRACTIVE OPTION ALL ROUND.
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MAYFLOWER RESEARCH & CONSULTING CHANGED THE FACE OF THE LOAD BARING MARKET IN 2005, CREATING A RANGE OF CHEST RIGS AND PLATE CARRIERS THAT ALLOWED FOR AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF INTERCHANGEABILITY, ALLOWING THE MODERN WARFIGHTER TO ADJUST THEIR LOAD-OUT FOR A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. Innovation is paramount to the continued evolution of the tactical gear market, with the needs of the modern warfighter constantly changing. However, truly innovative products are often hard to find in a market inundated with companies all looking to leave their mark on the industry. Putting to use over twenty years of Infantry and Special Operations experience over six combat tours, Mayflower have done exactly that, with a product range centred around lightening the load of the modern warfighter while maintaining a high level of quality in a way that wasn’t seen until the companies creation. Having partnered with Velocity Systems to provide a level of manufacturing excellence that could not be achieved elsewhere, Mayflower was purchased by Velocity Systems following seven years of successful partnership. This was done so design, production and shipping could be further integrated and improved, to make products available faster and less costly to the end-users who need them. Mayflower’s original founder remains the designer for Mayflower branded products. Regular readers of Gear Up might recall a number of features on Mayflower Research and Consulting, however, this month we are taking
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a much more in-depth look at the system. At the time, the operation they had was relatively unique and since, many businesses have followed suit. The creed of Mayflower as we affectionately know them, is to create intelligently designed gear for the “Military Athlete”. We are talking light, balanced and above all, useable. Most of Mayflower’s designs don’t include much MOLLE webbing and bombproof 1000denier Cordura on every conceivable surface, instead a more considered approach to designing tactical nylon is taken. Frankly, 1000denier Cordura is vastly over specified for most applications and instead a lighter, more compliant and flexible 500denier material is used. This still maintains much of the abrasion resistant properties of the heavier material and cuts down on bulk, rigidity and importantly, enhances user-friendliness. Mayflower is about much more than just the material though. Going back to the very roots of load carrying equipment, the idea of considering how things can be accomplished differently, more effectively and more efficiently is the name of the game. Instead of building more, Mayflower built smarter. Their fixed configuration rigs are laid out according to years of in-field, operational experience and instead of having to spend time thinking about how things work, it just works. One of the most recognisable and now widespread advances to the concept of tactical load carriage is Mayflower’s SwiftClip system (developed in conjunction with Mayflower’s parent company, Velocity Systems). When we first encountered it, the system was unique but as time has gone on, we have seen more and more companies adopt similar or inter-compatible systems of their own… Blue Force Gear, Warrior Assault Systems and Haley Strategic to name but a few.
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ASSAULT PLATE CARRIER The Mayflower system at it’s base comprises of two key components - a plate carrier and a chest rig, however, the system is much more than it’s two individual pieces, working together to provide one of the most well thought out load baring systems on the market. The Mayflower Assault Plate Carrier (APC) is designed to provide the wearer with a high degree of mobility while providing ample surface area for mounting mission essential pouches. The upper front of the APC contains an integral admin pouch with internal elastic loops to retain pens, pencils, chemlites or similar items. The front lower half of the APC has an integrated kangaroo pouch sized to hold up to three M4 sized magazines. The shoulder pads are made of a stretch woven material that allows enough elasticity to permit room for cable/ hydration tube routing. The APC comes with the option of the Low-Profile Elastic Cummerbund (CBN1) (No Plate Pocket) and the Standard MOLLE, Plate Pocket Cummerbund (CBN3). The Standard MOLLE, Plate Pocket Cummerbund (CBN3) is designed to accept 6”x 6” hard armour plates or side soft armour inserts. The size small cummerbund has 5 complete columns of PALS. Size medium cummerbund has 6 complete columns of PALS. Size large cummerbund has 7 complete columns of PALS. All hook and loop material used is colour matching Velcro® Brand Fasteners. APC is available in two sizes; S/M and L/XL. The plate pockets are sized to accommodate Stand-Alone or ICW ESAPI or Swimmer cut plates. The S/M APC fits size small, medium and 10”x12” sized plates. The L/ XL APC fits large and x-large plates.
THE MAYFLOWER ASSAULT PLATE CARRIER MAKES USE OF MAYFLOWER’S REVOLUTIONARY SWIFTCLIP® SYSTEM, WHICH ALLOWS THE END-USER TO EQUIP A RANGE OF CHEST-RIGS TO THE PLATFORM. THIS FEATURE ALLOWS FOR GREAT ADAPTABILITY DEPENDANT ON THE MISSION AT HAND. The upper front of the Assault Plate Carrier contains an integral admin pouch for important items. The inside of the admin pouch is adorned with internal elastic loops to retain pens, pencils, chemlites or similar items. In an effort to make the Assault Plate Carrier comfortable, Mayflower have made use of shoulder pads, which are made of a stretch woven material that allows enough elasticity to permit room for cable/hydration tube routing. To ensure that the Assault Plate Carrier offers unrivalled ballistic protection, Mayflower have opted to design the plate pocket to accept a number of different plates, as well as allowing for side plates in the Cummerbund. Furthermore, Mayflower offer three different Cummerbund options for the Assault Plate Carrier, all of which serve different functions. If needs be, the end-user can switch between Cummerbunds with relative ease.
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GEN V SPLIT FRONT CHEST RIG The Mayflower Gen. V split-front chest rig is the latest fully fledged chest rig design to hit their store and this time round, it packs more features than you can shake a stick at. The layout and design is clearly influenced by the hugely popular, but dated, LBT 1961 chest rig but of course includes Mayflower’s unique little touches. The Gen. V consists of two “halves” that zip together using a downward directional zipper, which can further be reinforced or secured by a steel G-Hook attachment that helps bind the zipper together, which not only adds security, but also relives pressure from the zipper when fitting the chest rig over bulky layers (although as we’ll explain later, these will need to be fairly bulky.) Each half is a distinct left and right design and includes one main ammo pocket (designed to be fitted with the included specific insert, one slim-line map pocket, an outer edge Radio/Medical pouch (radio retention bungees and textile medical kit insert included) and a number of general purpose, flap top pouches. When zippered together, the rig gives you an adaptable space for up to 4 magazines (or two magazines and one large pouch), two radios (or one radio and one medical pouch) one pistol magazine, one multi-tool/knife and a number of items within the general purpose pouches plus whatever is stored in the map pouches.
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The ammo pockets in the Gen. V rig are one of the most unique aspects of this design and are perhaps the most interesting. Because of the interchangeable nature of them, the Gen. V is able to support a large number of different weapons platform magazines, from 5.56 STANAG type mags through to 7.62 NATO magazines and even AK-type magazines. Using a different insert velcro’d into place, each side of the rig can be switched to hold two magazines, the inserts themselves are simply ingenious dividers made from 1” webbing and incorporating bungee cord toppers. Because of the way the inserts are designed, the bungee toppers can be tightened quite firmly without pulling the velcro inserts out too. In addition to the magazine insert is a zipper-topped pouch adaptor that converts the magazine space into a larger capacity general purpose pouch with a zippered top. With all these solutions at hand, the Mayflower Gen. V rig is suited to a more direct action role, with a full compliment of four rapidly accessible magazines on hand, or for a lower capacity recce or sniper role with plenty of space to store additional items required by these different tasks. The adaptability of the rig is such that you can tailor the layout and capacity to your specific requirements. Indeed, without any inserts included in the ammo spaces, the voids can be closed with the stitched in Velcro and the rig can be used simply as a general purpose, communications platform. Either side of the main ammo voids, the rig features two pouches to accept either the included Mayflower Medical Insert that folds neatly to hold an IFAK or a military spec radio. Removable velcro bungee retainers, or the velcro flap can be used to secure the contents in either instance. Out only qualm here is that the pouches are a little oversized for PRC148/152 radios and there’s a little material sag present but thanks to
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the retainers the radio sets are stored securely enough. The only MOLLE webbing on the entire rig is sewn onto the outside of these pouches giving a little space for some unaccounted extras. The pouch on the wearer’s right also includes a small GP pouch that is closed with a velcro flap, ideal for a flashlight or small tools. The frontage of the Gen. V rig is taken up by 4 pouches of various sizes. There’s a pistol sized flap top pouch just to the left on the centre, useful for a handgun magazine or folding knife in our case (pistol mags live on the belt order) and to the left of this is the largest GP pouch. This has been used to store a compressible soft-shell jacket and is rather spacious. On the right hand size, two roughly grenade-sized flap top pouches are sewn. We have fitted them out with a back-up radio and the other is used for miscellaneous items. All the pouches are eyeleted at the bottom to allow for draining of dirt and debris but none of them include dummy cord anchor points. In the case of the more valuable items we have stowed, we have threaded a length of paracord through the drainage eyelet and knotted it to serve as a dummy cord to retain items that might get dropped. The principles of the Gen. V rig make it highly suited to a recce role and I really like the adaptable magazine concept and the fact that the capacity can be adjusted and even given over to a greater amount of utility space over outright ammo storage. When used standalone, it’s light, wholly capable and every pouch retains a high level of usefulness.
Again, the adaptability of magazine storage is another draw, and whilst on the whole soldiers will tend to run one weapons platform, those SF members will love the ability to chop and change a single rig to house various weapons platforms. This also lends itself well to those of you who enjoy your range days, allowing you to run various weapons without having to pack 2 or 3 different belt orders or chest rig to accommodate your magazine needs. I have to finish up on a couple of slightly less glowing points, just for balance. The downsides I have encountered are that the rig itself is optimised for a slightly wider frame than myself. Even when clipped onto a plate carrier via the SwiftClip system, I find the width pushes the radio pouches out to the
extreme and right under my armpits. This, combined with the fact the lumbar strap is quite long, makes it a little tough to get sitting snugly when used standalone. If you have a larger frame than myself though, or are perhaps looking do don the rig over bulkier layers, you will most likely avoid this issue. Everything else is tried, proven tested and proven again and we like the balance achieved by the designers. There’s a great amount of innovation on display but nobody has tried to reinvent the wheel, so the Gen. V feels familiar enough to jump in and get to work, without having to retrain and reorganise your personal procedures; you can understand why the kit is popular with guys that need it when they go into harm’s way.
CONTACT INFORMATION You can inquire about the Mayflower and Velocity Systems range of products through the following lines of contact. AMERICA ■ Contact Number: 703-707-6280 ■ Contact Form: www.velsyst.com/contact-us
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COVERT BOOT
BLACK / BROWN / TITANIUM / SRP: £49.95
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NEWS
TEAM WENDY $130 MILLION PURCHASE SEES TEAM WENDY ACQUIRED BY AVON RUBBER
TEAM WENDY ARE A COMPANY DEVOTED TO THE DELIVERY OF HIGH-END PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED TO AID IN THE PREVENTION OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES. BASED IN THE UNITED STATES, THE COMPANY HAS GROWN FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1997, NOW PROVIDING A RANGE OF EQUIPMENT TO SPECIALISTS AROUND THE WORLD. W W W.GEARUP-MAG.COM
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NEWS
TEAM WENDY TEAM WENDY LIVE BY A SIMPLE MANTRA, AIMING TO INNOVATE TO PROTECT. FOLLOWING A STEADY RISE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES, TEAM WENDY HAVE COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO THE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF ADVANCED PROTECTION SOLUTIONS TO AID IN THE PREVENTION OF THESE INJURIES. Founded in 1997 following the tragic death of founder Dan Moore’s daughter Wendy in a skiing accident, Team Wendy initially set their focus on the creation of ski helmets to prevent the onset of traumatic brain injuries. Following their success in the industry, Team Wendy soon moved onto producing equipment for the military, law enforcement and search and rescue communities. With the aim of researching, developing, designing and in turn, delivering a plethora of cutting edge protection solutions, Wendy’s name lives on eternally, saving numerous lives in the process. Through its long-standing relationship with the U.S. Military, Team Wendy have supplied more than six-million protective helmets since 2005. With a state-of-the-art facility based in Cleaveland, Ohio, Team Wendy utilise testing, engineering and chemistry labs, as well as a 62,000 square foot manufacturing facility, housed by a diverse range of professionals all working to create a helmet system which the end-user can trust in.
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$130 MILLION PURCHASE SEES TEAM WENDY ACQUIRED BY AVON RUBBER Team Wendy, LLC (“Team Wendy”), a leading U.S. supplier of exceptional head protection systems for military, law enforcement, search and rescue, and adventure markets, today announced that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement with Avon Rubber p.l.c. (“Avon”) (LON: AVON) under which its subsidiary Avon Protection Systems, Inc. (“Avon Protection”) will acquire Team Wendy for a cash consideration of $130 million USD on a cash-free and debt-free basis, subject to a normalized level of working capital (the “Acquisition”). Together, Avon Protection and Team Wendy will create a global leader in head protection systems for the military and first responder markets, following Avon’s acquisition of Ceradyne from 3M earlier this year. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of Avon’s 2021 fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2020. It is subject to Avon shareholder approval, as well as U.S. regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. At the close of the transaction, Team Wendy will operate as a subsidiary of Avon from the Company’s current headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. Team Wendy will continue to be led by its Chief Executive Officer Jose Rizo-Patron and its six department directors, who will all remain in their positions.
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“Today’s announcement marks an exciting new chapter for Team Wendy that will usher in new opportunities for our employees, our customers and our business partners,” said Jose Rizo-Patron, chief executive officer of Team Wendy. “We remain focused on our vision to save lives by providing the best for anyone wearing a helmet. Avon’s management team shares our vision for the growth and expansion of Team Wendy and, as such, we believe they are the right long-term partner for our customers, employees and other stakeholders.” Avon Protection is the recognized global leader in respiratory and ballistic protection for the world’s militaries and first responders, with more than 1,200 employees in 12 global locations, around 70 percent of whom are based in the U.S. Avon has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. “The acquisition of Team Wendy is another important strategic step in the transformation of Avon Rubber into a leading provider of life critical personal protection systems,” said Paul McDonald, chief executive officer of Avon. “Team Wendy is a high-quality business with complementary liner and retention system technologies and established positions in Rest of World Military and First Responder helmet markets. Bringing Team Wendy into the same family with our existing Helmets & Armor business establishes Avon Protection as a global leader in Military and First Responder helmets, with an enhanced and broader product portfolio with stronger capabilities and routes to market.” “We look forward to welcoming Team Wendy into the Avon family and working together to further develop head protection systems that prevent traumatic brain injury and to improve the performance and capability of our customers.” “Team Wendy was founded to honor the legacy of my late daughter and improve head protection systems to prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss,” said Dan T. Moore, chairman, founder and principal owner of Team Wendy. “My family has always agreed that we would only ever sell Team Wendy if it was to the right partner. In meeting with the Avon leadership team and understanding their vision, it was clear to me that they would honor her legacy and help to drive continued and sustainable growth and innovation.”
CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can inquire about the Team Wendy range of products through the following lines of contact. AMERICA ■ Contact Number: 216.738.2518 ■ Contact Form: www.teamwendy.com/contact
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CONTACT INFORMATION You can inquire about Danner products directly through the following lines of contact. AMERICA ■ Contact Number: 877 432 6637
THE PRONGHORN
Founded in a logging town in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin in 1932, the Danner Shoe Mfg. Company set out to manufacture affordable, handcrafted work boots. Built to service those who needed a solid pair of working boots during a period in which America was in the midst of the Great Depression, the finished product sold for less than $4 a pair. Over the course of time, Danner eventually relocated to Portland, and over the years became a favourite with workmen, with the start of World War II driving a huge amount of business towards founder, Charles Danner, and his fledgling boot company. By 1979, Danner were at the height of their success, becoming the first footwear brand to patent a unique waterproofing process, making use of GORE-TEX® fabrics. By the 1980s, Danner realised the potential in the military and law enforcement markets, building a range of boots that served military and law enforcement personnel around the world, and by 2010 Danner were picked up as the official boot to the United States Army - a contract they still hold to this date.
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Just because a boot was top of the line doesn’t guarantee it stays there. The drive to improve has to be constant. For close to two decades, the Pronghorn boot has been a trusted cornerstone in the Danner range, providing hunters with a solid platform to traverse the various environments they find themselves in. And like anything successful, Danner have continuously revamped the Pronghorn; ensuring that their users are always ahead of the curve. Now on the fifth generation of Pronghorn boots, Danner once again find themselves looking to establish themselves within the upper echelons of the boot making industry. Built on Danner’s TERRA FORCE® NEXT™ platform, the Pronghorn delivers the all-day comfort and stability that make the day’s haul easier on your feet. Incorporating the use of a full-grain leather that has passed stringent quality testing prior to use, Danner can ensure the highest quality. Furthermore, A bi-fit board adds improved stability, while the Vibram® SPE midsole provides a combination of superior cushioning and durability. This has then been paired with a midsole that provides arch support and torsion control. To finish it off, Danner worked with Vibram® to create a premium, all-new Pronghorn outsole to provide reliable traction on rugged terrain. All told, 5 new layers of technology were combined for the most comfortable and supportive platform on the Pronghorn yet.
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Danner use only the best full-grain leather when constructing the Pronghorn, with each piece of leather undergoing stringent quality control tests to ensure the best end product.
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The Pronghorn makes use of Danner’s TERRA FORCE® NEXT™ platform, which offers the end-user increased stability, and a decrease in weight compared to generic platforms.
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To ensure the Pronghorn remains as one of the most successful boots on the market, Danner worked directly with Virbram to create a premium, all-new outsole.
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The fifth generation of Pronghorn returns to its roots, making use of the classic 851 last that the original was built on, providing a more athletic fit.
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WHILE THIS MAY BE A DESIGNATED HUNTING BOOT, THE DANNER PRONGHORN ISAN IDEAL BOOT FOR THOSE SERVING WITHIN THE BRITISH ARMED FORCES DUE TO THEIR BROWN AND MUTED COLOURING.
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THERE ARE FEW THINGS MORE IMPORTANT TO OPERATIONAL SUCCESS THAN PROTECTING YOUR EYESIGHT DURING OPERATIONAL DUTY. WHILE BROKEN BONES MAY MEND AND WOUNDS CAN BE TREATED, DAMAGING YOUR EYES OFTEN LEADS TO REDUCED VISION, IF NOT COMPLETE BLINDNESS. WITH THAT IN MIND, ENSURING YOU STOCK A RANGE OF PROTECTIVE GLASSES IS A MUST, AND WHO BETTER TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS THAN A COMPANY WITH NEARLY TWO DECADES WORTH OF EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
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Revision are by no means a new entity within the tactical gear industry. In fact, Revision have a long and storied history within the market, having burst onto the scene in 2001 with a range of protective glasses for use within the military market. From their beginnings in 2001 up until present date, Revision have adhered to a singular purpose, with the company being “passionately committed to providing leading-edge soldier systems solutions and equipment for mission critical military and tactical use worldwide.” This ethos is embraced throughout the company, with each department devoted to delivering life-saving equipment to the designated end user. With robust design and development expertise, extensive experience and the ability to heavily invest in efficient, high-volume, high-quality manufacturing. Over the past decade, the Company has invested in advanced technology and equipment in the areas of materials, coatings and dyes to improve performance and become the leader in ballistic laser protective solutions. Having now supplied over 1.4 million helmets and over 8 million units of eyewear, goggles and Rx adapters internationally, Revision are a brand trusted the world round. However, while Revision as a company have been on the scene since 2001, a number of developments within the company have led to a new look Revision. In October 2019, news was released that ASGARD Partners & Co., a private equity firm based in New York and Merit Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in Chicago, had partnered
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to acquire the eyewear business of Revision Military Limited. The sale included the purchase of Revision’s protective eyewear product line, the world-renowned Revision name and branding, a 53,000 square foot facility in Essex, Vermont and a team of 130 employees who had been a part of Revision’s original team for a number of years. ASGARD and Merit’s investment in Revision provides the company with valuable strategic guidance and meaningful growth capital, reinforcing and expanding its capabilities to pursue new growth opportunities and support the needs of existing customers. “Revision has long been an industry leader in protective eyewear solutions, saving the lives and eyesight of millions of servicemen and women around the globe. We are excited to work with the passionate and talented Revision team to pursue growth in new markets and develop the next generation of eyewear technology. With a renewed focus on protective eyewear and dedicated capital resources, we believe Revision is well-positioned for growth in the years to come,” said Karan Rai, Founder and Managing Partner of ASGARD. Revision’s range of spectacles, which are essentially shooting glasses, is headlined by the Stingerhawk and Sawfly ranges. Each product comes in a range of different packages, all offering different lens options dependant on the end-user’s individual needs. These products are some of the highest specced on the market, offering the end-user a level of protection not matched by other competitors on the market.
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The lenses of the StingerHawk are made from a high-impact polycarbonate that have been created to exceed ballistic impact requirements for spectacles and goggles. As well as providing unrivalled anti-fog and scratch resistant properties.
On top of exceeding the ballistic impact requirements, the StingerHawk wraps to the face perfectly, following the natural curvature of the head, providing the end user with full protection of the eye thanks to full side impact protection.
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The arms of the StingerHawk are extremely comfortable as well as durable, delivering the end user with a product that will stand the test of time. Thin temple arms also make the product compatible with a range of different communications devices.
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Revision’s StingerHawk makes use of an interchangeable lens system, with a clear lens and smoke lens being provided. This allows the end user to change the lenses used dependant on his or her needs at any given time, providing mission adaptability.
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Thanks to Revision’s Prescription Rx Carrier, the ability to insert prescription lenses into the StingerHawk is a reality. The Rx Carrier will take most prescription inserts, and can be taken to your local opticians if needs be. Sold separately.
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REVISION
STINGERHAWK With the harsh environments each and every modern warfighter finds themselves in, being able to rely on high-quality protective eyewear is a must, and Revision’s track record speaks for itself. The StingerHawk Eyewear is an ultra-lightweight spectacle, which features a compact, low-profile design that delivers the end user unparalleled comfort without compromising performance. It is able to do this thanks to several design features, such as the use of lean, ergonomic arms that fit snugly to the curvature of the face, which also aids in the ruggedness of the product. As expected from a Revision product, the StingerHawk complies to a range of different key standards, all of which have been tested rigorously under outside testing standards. The OcuMax Plus provides the lenses with an anti-fog property that is proven to last anywhere between 10 and 20 times longer than competing brands, and also aids in chemical resistance along with general wear and tear such as scratches, streaks and smears. The lenses are built to exceed stringent U.S. and international ballistic impact requirements for use in military and tactical operations, as well as featuring Revision’s ‘Lazrbloc’ technology, designed as a cutting-edge solution to prevent harmful laser energy penetrating the lenses.
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REVISION TECHNOLOGY
The majority of what Revision has achieved wouldn’t be possible without a wide range of technologies created by their brilliant Research & Development teams. Constantly looking to be at the cutting edge of protective eyewear, Revision are constantly looking at issues presented to their end-users, finding innovative ways to combat them.
OCUMAX PLUS
OcuMax Plus, the next-generation anti-fog lens coating. Revision continues to invest resources in advanced coating technologies in order to offer soldiers fog-free protective eyewear solutions. Eyewear fogging, one of the leading complaints from soldiers, can now be combated for both goggles and spectacles. Through continuous research and experimentation, Revision has proven that anti-fog technology can be taken to the next level. “For a Soldier, a fogged lens may force him to remove his spectacles or goggles; leaving the Soldier’s sight unprotected and disrupting his concentration from the mission at hand,” says Eric Hounchell, Vice President, Optics at Revision. “We are confident that this new coating is the best-in-class anti-fog solution, and in applying it to our eyewear, is in keeping with Revision’s rigorous standards for top performing military eye protection.” Using its in-house anti-fog chamber, Revision tested the OcuMax Plus coating to the EN 166 standard, one of the only quantifiable standards applied to military eye protection. The result: fog resistance was excellent, with an OcuMax Plus coated lens remaining fog-free for over 100 seconds – 10 times better than competitors’ eyewear coatings tested to the same EN standard.
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While the coating has been proven in the lab, it can also withstand the rigors of combat. In the field, users constantly handle, touch, and clean their lenses. OcuMax Plus has been designed specifically to perform in tough battlefield environments.
LAZRBLOK
The LazrBloc GF-8 lens is a unique ballistic lens that blocks green laser emissions and the high-risk NIR energy that exists outside the visible spectrum. Importantly, this lens delivers greater visible light transmission and color recognition as compared to other laser lenses on the market, making GF-8 lenses ideal for day or nighttime use. Reports indicate that illuminations by handheld lasers are primarily green (91%) in color. The wavelength of most green lasers (532 nm) is close to the eye’s peak sensitivity when they are dark-adapted, and green lasers appear brighter than other laser colors of equal power output. Inexpensive and easy to obtain laser devices may not filter and/or align the optics, or can be maliciously altered, contaminating the green laser with a potentially harmful NIR component at 808 nm. The human eye is highly sensitive and strong emissions of directed light containing hazardous wavelengths can cause permanent ocular injury in an instant. Revision’s LazrBloc GF-8 laser protective lenses are designed to block this NIR wavelength, which is undetectable by the naked eye, while still maintaining superior light transmission, color recognition, and situational awareness as compared to other dye-based laser lenses. The LazrBloc GF-8 ballistic lens represents an elevated level of innovation in this field. Revision has tested the GF-8 laser lens in the company’s Research & Development laboratory and has certified many of its lenses at 3rd party testing laboratories. Revision’s in-house R&D, molding and coating facility ensures that the company is able to meet customers’ specific laser protective requirements.
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NOT ONLY DO REVISION OFFER SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST SHOOTING GLASSES, THEY ALSO REALISE THE NEED FOR BALLISTIC RATED SUNGLASSES, WITH MANY NATO FORCES OPERATING IN COUNTRIES WHERE SUN GLARE CAN BECOME AN ISSUE. THEIR RANGE OF BALLISTIC RATED SUNGLASSES CARRY THE SAME LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE AS FOUND IN THEIR SHOOTING GLASSES, APPLIED TO SUNGLASSES WHICH ELIMINATE ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES SURROUNDING SUN EXPOSURE. The Revision ShadowStrike incorporates a new interchangeable lens system – making use of a nosepiece mechanism which, when opened, allows the end-user to change out the polycarbonate dual-frame lenses.
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The ShadowStrike is built not only to meet, but to exceed the stringent U.S and international ballistic impact requirements for use in military and tactical operations around the world, with numerous units making use of Revision products.
Tested under EN 166 standards, Revision’s OcuMax Plus is proven to last longer than competing anti-fog solutions by a factor of 10-20 times, is chemical-resistant and prevents scratches, streaks, and smears.
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REVISION
SHADOWSTRIKE
The ShadowStrike Ballistic Sunglasses are a new addition to the United States “Authorized Protective Eyewear List” or (APEL®) - a list of manufacturers who have had their products examined and tested and who have satisfied all applicable qualification requirements for that product. The ShadowStrike joins a range of Revision products that have all been examined and tested to meet U.S. Army’s standards for ballistic protection and have been approved for wear during combat and training across all branches of the Department of Defense. ShadowStrike Sunglasses have a sharp, geometrical wraparound design, with Revision aiming to provide a Compact, low-profile design with a tighter curvature and unrestricted field-of-view—fits squarely, securely, and comfortably at all times for any mission. Like many Revision products, the ShadowStrike incorporates an interchangeable lens system, with a novel nosepiece mechanism makes changing out the polycarbonate dual-frame lenses, and adapting your eyewear to the mission at hand, quick and easy. As with all Revision products, the ShadowStrike uses the best in optical technology, incorporating polycarbonate lenses shield eyes from unexpected fragments, provide 100% protection from harmful UV-A, B and C rays, and ensure distortion-free vision for peak performance. Revision have gone to great lengths to ensure that the ShadowStrike is equipment compatible, fitting seamlessly with various head systems.
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STRETCH PANTS BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / SRP: £69.95
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TACTICAL GLOVES WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING YOURSELF IN A COMBAT ZONE, MANY IGNORE A NUMBER OF VITAL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. WHILE PROTECTING YOUR VITALS ARE IMPORTANT, MAKING USE OF PLATE CARRIERS AND HELMETS TO DO SO, ENSURING YOUR HANDS ARE PROTECTED CAN BE EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT...
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ENSURING SOLDIERS REMAIN COMBAT PROFICIENT IS A BIG PART OF THE PROCUREMENT CHAIN, WITH MILLIONS SPENT TO ENSURE SOLDIERS REMAIN EFFECTIVE IN ALL ENVIRONMENTS. ONE WAY IN WHICH THIS IS DONE IS ENSURING SOLDIERS HAVE THE CORRECT PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR THEIR ENVIRONMENTS. A LOT OF THIS IS CENTRED AROUND PREVENTING LETHAL INJURY TO AN INDIVIDUAL, USUALLY BY PROTECTING VITAL AREAS. RECENTLY MORE RESEARCH HAS BEEN GOING INTO DIFFERENT AREAS SUCH AS PREVENTING CTE, OR CHRONIC TRAUMATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY - A PROGRESSIVE BRAIN CONDITION THAT’S THOUGHT TO BE CAUSED BY REPEATED EPISODES OF CONCUSSION.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD PAIR OF GLOVES? This month we will be looking at something a little more simple than CTE in gloves. In our honest opinion, while there is constant innovation going on in hand wear, not enough onus is placed upon effective hand wear. In reality though, should a soldier not be able to use their hands, they are effectively useless in a combat zone. While gloves will not prevent serious hand trauma injuries, they will often than not prevent some injuries such as burns or small amounts of shrapnel, allowing the individual to continue operating in their current role. So what makes a good pair?
PROTECTION
Protection comes first on this list for one reason alone - the fact we’re looking at items that protect you! Whilst gloves offer very little in terms of protection, some offer more protection than others. Making sure you have a pair of gloves that can offer the protection you need is vital. Start by looking at things such as being flame resistant.
COMFORT
Comfort is a huge factor for us when it comes to buying and using gloves. Essentially you’re using something to protect the part of your body most associated with touch. Suffocating your hands with a pair of uncomfortable, poorly fitted gloves isn’t going to do yourself any favours. So our advice here is to simply go with what you’re comfortable with!
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DEXTERITY
Being able to make use of your hands whilst you are wearing gloves is an absolute must. There’s no point going out and buying a pair of gloves because they look cool. Looking cool on your chosen battlefield will not save you, gloves that allow you to do the task ahead however, well they will save you.
MATERIALS USED
Whilst many of the materials used in gloves will mean nothing to you, keeping an eye on certain materials is always a plus. For example if you are someone who is looking for a pair of gloves with protected knuckles, make sure you’re aware of what is protecting your knuckles. The last thing you want is to try smashing something with said knuckles to find them not up to the task!
ADDED FEATURES
Added features are always worth looking out for when buying gloves, just so you know what you have and what you do not have. Things such as protected knuckles, breathable palms and smartphone compatibility are brilliant to have. However please do not make your decision purely on these features. First and foremost make sure you have a pair of gloves that does the job they are supposed to do.
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PIG FDT ALPHA
Described as ‘so sensitive you can wear these on your next date with PALMela HANDerson’, the PIG FGT Alpha Touch Glove not only look the part, but they are now absolutely compatible with smartphone use. Are you tired of having to take your gloves off at the range overtime someone calls you? Or do you simply want to make sure you get all those important range ‘selfies’ without having to remove your ‘Operator as %@£^’ gloves? Then these are simply the best glove for you. The PIG FDT team didn’t want to simply re-invent the Aviator Flight Glove here, nor did they want to create a super-awesome looking glove that had next to no real world purpose whatsoever. Instead what they’ve done here is create a glove that works, bringing in various different designers to help them create a glove that fits… well, like a glove.
FEATURING SEVERAL INDUSTRY FIRST, THE FDT ALPHA ALLOWS UNFETTERED ACCESS TO ALL OF YOUR FIREARMS CONTROLS AND MANIPULATIONS, WITHOUT THE OVERWHELMING BULK OF UNNECESSARY PADDING AND LAYERS. WHEN IT COMES TO GLOVE YOU CAN SHOOT WITH THERE IS ONE SAYING WE ALWAYS ADHERE TO, AND CONTRARY TO MOST OF THE OTHER TACTICAL GLOVE COMPANIES WITHIN THE MARKET WHO SLAP THINGS WHEREVER IN A BID TO MAKE THEM LOOK COOL. THIS SAYING IS SIMPLY ‘LESS IS MORE’ - THE LESS WE FEEL OUR GLOVES, THE BETTER WE CAN SHOOT WITH THEM.
OAKLEY SI ASSAULT GLOVE When you think about modern gloves in the tactical marketplace, 9 out of 10 times the Oakley SI Glove is going to be the first one to pop into peoples minds. And over the years they have been the ‘go-to’ glove for people involved in the tactical shooting world. The original Oakley SI Assault Glove was so successful that they caught the eye of the U.S. Military, who had Oakley make some minor changes to bring them in line with other military gloves, and they are now also the go to glove for the American Special Forces!
THE OAKLEY SI ASSAULT GLOVE REALLY IS A WELL THOUGHT OUT PRODUCT IN TERMS OF LOOKS, AND OAKLEY KNOW FULLY WELL THEY’VE LANDED ON A GOLDMINE WITH THE DESIGN. THE CARBON FIBRE KNUCKLES, THE FULL GRAIN LEATHER PALM AND THE OAKLEY ‘O’ PROUDLY SITTING ON THE WRIST STRAP. BUT LOOKS AREN’T EVERYTHING, ARE THEY? We’ll be honest, we’re a firm believer of the Oakley SI Assault Glove only being as successful as they are due to their looks. Over the years we’ve owned a few pairs of these, and we’re always left with a nasty taste in our mouth. Our first pair was bought when the glove first came out, and after a month or two solid use, they began to fall apart. Our 2nd pair was bought when Oakley made a number of changes, and again whilst they looked even better this time around, they soon fell apart, and the 3rd pair we owned was for this article, and whilst they seem to be holding up better than the previous two pairs we’ve owned, well we’re not holding out any hope, but we’re hoping to be proved otherwise. That said we’ve heard brilliant things about these when they are used in a deployment situation, so they could very well perform in that environment. But for the range? We’ll look elsewhere.
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MECHANIX THE ORIGINAL
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need a solid pair of gloves that are relatively plain, Mechanix is wholeheartedly your answer. ‘The Original’ has been tried and tested for over 20 years, and with that amount of testing, you know you’ll at least have a pair of gloves that have seen a lot of time and care to get them where they are today. With that 20 years of testing, Mechanix have slowly but surely made a pair of gloves that simply rock. Offering the perfect blend of flexibility and protection, these Mechanix gloves simply do the job intended without any fuss or nonsense. Created from a durable synthetic leather, form-fitting stretch Spandex and a flexible Thermal Plastic Rubber wrist closure, these materials combine to create the ultimate tool for working hands. And with such a intended use, it is no wonder these gloves have slowly found their way to our ranges and our armed forced personnel!
IF WE HAVE ONE GRIPE ABOUT THE MECHANIX RANGE IN GENERAL, ITS THE FIT. NOW BEING SOMEONE WITH VERY SMALL HANDS, WE’VE ALWAYS FOUND THE FIT OF MECHANIX’S GLOVES TO BE A LITTLE GENEROUS. SO MAKE SURE YOU TRY A COUPLE OF PAIRS ON BEFORE PURCHASING!
HATCH OPERATOR CQB
Hatch are a name that have been in the glove market for many a year, and the Hatch Operator Glove is a pair of gloves we’ve had a lot of time working with. We originally bought the Hatch Operator CQB Glove way back in 2012, and 3 years on they’re still going strong. Made from a Kevlar/Nomex blend, the Operator CQB Glove is probably the most simplistic glove on review here. No fancy brand logos, no fancy protection… literally no fancy anything. However, their simple design allows them to focus on the good stuff. And that good stuff is comfort and dexterity. There’s no better compliment you can give to a pair of gloves in my eyes than ‘it didn’t feel like I was wearing gloves’. And that’s exactly what the Operator CQB Glove from Hatch offers. Apart from the obvious being able to feel the wrist strap tightened, I honestly can say that I didn’t really feel these gloves when wearing them - with both comfort and dexterity being absolutely amazing.
HOWEVER AT £56.00+ I’D KIND OF EXPECT A LITTLE MORE THAN COMFORT, AND THAT’S KIND OF WHERE I LAY WITH THESE GLOVES. IF THEY WERE CHEAPER, THEN I’D BE SINGING THEIR PRAISES. BUT AT THIS PRICE POINT, I’M MORE SAT HERE FEELING USED AND ABUSED BY HATCH.
BLACKHAWK! HELLSTORM
Sometimes all you need is the most basic form of protection and grip, but to get something so basic you need to rewind the history books a little and look at one of the forefathers to find what you are looking for. And that thing is the Aviator Glove. It’s absolutely no secret that whilst Aviator gloves were made for pilots, they very quickly found their way onto the battlefield with various units as far back as the Vietnam War, and have continued to do so since that date. Over the years various companies have released their own Aviator Glove, but likely the best received pair have been from glove experts BlackHawk. Now, we’d love to be able to sit here and talk about the ins and outs of the Aviator Glove, but simply put there are no ins and outs. This take on the Aviator Glove is as pure as can be, made from a simple Nomex back and a durable cowhide palm. They are both comfortable and durable, and are available in a range of colours to best suit you.
IS THERE MUCH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HERE? WELL NO, NOT REALLY. COULD WE MOAN ABOUT THE PRICE? DEFINITELY. BUT IF YOU’RE REALLY AFTER A PAIR OF AVIATOR GLOVES THEN YOU CERTAINLY KNOW YOU’LL BE GETTING A WELL PUT TOGETHER PAIR FROM BLACKHAWK.
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METOLIUS CLIMBING GLOVE The Metolius Climbing Glove is among the best fingerless climbing glove on the market, and should you be in a situation where you need durability over everything else, then these would be where we would send you. These are cut perfectly, they are reinforced in all the right places and have huge old clip-in loops so you can always be sure that you won’t accidentally lose a glove half way up a mountain! Talking about the durability, we’ve yet to come across a pair of gloves as durable as these. They are simply bomb proof. Reinforced in the correct areas, made from a high quality leather and are made to a high standard. And whilst we’re not HUGE climbing enthusiasts, we’ve done our fair share and whilst there may be better gloves out there, we’ve yet to find them. But please send them our way if you make a pair more bomb proof than these! The thing we found most pleasing about the Metolius Climbing Glove though is the fit around the fingers. They provided a hugely snug fit around every finger, which whilst this may sound like a very silly thing to find pleasing, you’ll be surprised at how hard it is to find a pair of gloves so fitting for someone who has very small hands.
DISLIKES? WELL WE’VE A COUPLE. FIRSTLY, BEING MADE COMPLETELY FROM COWHIDE, THESE GLOVES TAKE A VERY LONG TIME TO BREAK IN. SECONDLY, THIS BREAK IN PERIOD MADE THEM VERY DIFFICULT TO USE IN REGARDS TO DEXTERITY. WE’D RECOMMEND BREAKING THESE IN HUGELY BEFORE ANY ACTUAL USE!
BLACK DIAMOND STONE
In terms of climbing gloves, these Black Diamond Stone Gloves are about the best we’ve come across for a long time. The Black Diamond Stone gloves offer absolutely everything you would expect from a good pair of climbing gloves - durability, dexterity, articulation - along with comfort and a few other things. The great durability and dexterity are accomplished by simply using various different layers of goat skin - with thicker skin used at the high use areas such as the palm and knuckles and thinner skin on low use areas such as the back of the hand. The use of goat skin makes them comfortable and perfect to use from the get-go with no long breaking in period needed. Being so expensive (in terms of fingerless climbing gloves), they do have a ton of cool little features that will help you decide to spend so much money on a pair. Little things such as kevlar stitching and leather extenders under the fingers. And most of all the fit on them is absolutely perfect; simply buy the correct size and get climbing without any annoying break in period!
WHILST OVERALL THEY WERE VERY GOOD GLOVES, THERE WERE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE DISLIKED. FOR EXAMPLE THE ELASTIC CUFF AROUND THE WRISTS IS A LITTLE TOO BIG. BUT THESE DISLIKES ARE ALL VERY, VERY MINOR DISLIKES, AND TRUTH BE TOLD YOU COULD SAY WE’RE MAYBE NITPICKING A LITTLE TO FIND FLAWS!
RAB POWER STRETCH
These gloves are simply for the outdoorsman who has no need for fancy gimmicks such as being able to use your phone whilst you have gloves on. Where you are headed with these gloves on, you don’t need a phone. It will simply be yourself against nature for the foreseeable future. Well whilst that may be a little dramatic, the Rab Power Stretch Contact Glove is definitely the most outdoorsman glove of the three casual pairs of gloves we’ve looked at. Whilst lightweight, they can be used as a stand alone outer in near all cold conditions, but due to their lightweight nature they can also be worn as a very good liner when things get really cold. Made from Polartec Power Stretch fabric that both insulates and manages moisture superbly. And due to the nature of the fabric used, (The Polartec Power Stretch fabric is very, very smooth) it helps repel wind, rain and snow. They’re also abrasion resistant to top it off.
ALL IN ALL A VERY GOOD COLD WEATHER GLOVE FOR THE PRICE THAT OFFERS VERY FEW FAULTS. THE ONLY THING WE FOUND OFF WITH THESE IS THE FIT, BUT MOST GLOVES BUILT LIKE THIS HAVE SUCH PROBLEMS, SO NOTHING NEW THERE!
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VX BUCKLE UP GUN CARRIER BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / VCAM / SRP: £79.95
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® BORN IN 1999 FROM THE REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES OF SERVING SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS, MASSIF HAS SINCE BECOME A GLOBAL GIANT IN THE TACTICAL GEAR MARKET, WITH A RANGE OF EXCEPTIONAL APPAREL AIMING TO BRING THE COMFORT AND EFFECTIVENESS OF TRADITIONAL TACTICAL APPAREL TO THE WORLD OF FIRE-RESISTANT CLOTHING. BORN IN 1999 FROM THE REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES OF SERVING SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS, MASSIF HAS SINCE BECOME A GLOBAL GIANT IN THE TACTICAL GEAR MARKET, WITH A RANGE OF EXCEPTIONAL APPAREL AIMING TO BRING THE COMFORT AND EFFECTIVENESS OF TRADITIONAL TACTICAL APPAREL TO THE WORLD OF FIRE-RESISTANT CLOTHING.
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INVERSION RANGE
® Massif was founded following the experiences of one of the founding members of the company following his time serving as a Search and Rescue crew member in Wyoming. With the constant risk of flash fires, he often found himself donning fire-resistant gear that was found to be cumbersome, uncomfortable and heavily ineffective compared to similar non-FR equipment. Unhappy with the current examples on the market, he teamed up with another passionate visionary, and together the two launched Massif, with the intent of addressing the issues surrounding fire-resistant fabrics, which simply lacked the characteristics found in high-end outdoor apparel. Following the creation of the company, Massif began work on the research and development of cutting-edge fire-resistant materials. Teaming up with LA-based Antex, the two began to forge a relationship that would later lead to the acquisition of Massif by Antex/Matchmaster. This partnership has allowed Massif to formulate a range of products that combine innovative fire-resistant fabrics with original design features, with Massif now placing themselves at the forefront of the tactical gear market.
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We’ve been sat on the Inversion Range for a few months now having been lucky enough to receive the products directly from Massif. However, due to COVID restrictions in the UK, we were unable to get out and get imagery taken so we’ve had to wait until recently to publish our thoughts. Since then Massif have released the range, making now a brilliant time to put the products under the Gear Up microscope. As with all equipment systems, the end-users performance is only as good as the weakest point within the system. While individuals will often explore a number of options with outer layers, base layers are somewhat neglected. Due to this, individuals often find that their well-dialled outer layers simply do not perform to the standards placed upon them due to pairing them with a poorly developed base layer that fails to properly hold onto moisture, in turn placing stress on the skin leading to various forms of chaffing and a lack of comfort. With this in mind, Massif created the Inversion Lightweight and Midweight Base Layers. Boasting superior moisture management and next to skin comfort, the Inversion range incorporates Massif’s proprietary synthetic fabric which excels at stretching and recovery - something an active soldier expects and needs from a base layer following extensive use. The Massif® Inversion base layers are engineered with an advanced tri-blend yarn system that provides unparalleled performance across multiple environments. This special blend plus the addition of spandex generates an improved range of motion, superior comfort, and extraordinary recovery for after-wash durability with no unsightly “bag outs.”
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SWEAT IS RAPIDLY WICKED AWAY FROM YOUR BODY THROUGH A PREMIER MOISTURE-MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SCIENTIFICALLY ENGINEERED FOR FAST DRY TIMES. THIS RESULTS IN A HIGHLY BREATHABLE GARMENT THAT ALLOWS THE END-USER TO FULLY FOCUS ON THEIR MISSION. TO TOP IT ALL OFF, INDUSTRY-LEADING PILL RESISTANCE COMBINED WITH AN ADVANCED ANTIMICROBIAL PLATFORM SIGNIFICANTLY BOOSTS LONG-TERM WEARABILITY. MASSIF’S DESIGN TEAM’S METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL HAS YIELDED A PURPOSE-BUILT BASE LAYER WITH ENHANCED NEXT-TO-SKIN COMFORT. FLAME RESISTANCE
THOUGHTS FROM US...
Until recently, creating a flame-resistant fabric or garment meant decreasing comfort and reducing critical performance characteristics such as breathability, stretch, and wicking. Massif began with the radical concept that protective flame-resistant gear can perform as well as the best outdoor clothing on the market. Since 1999, Massif has invested tens of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of person-hours engineering a new generation of performance FR fabrics that provide protection for people who take on the world’s most dangerous jobs.
JUNIOR: INVERSION LIGHTWEIGHT “The Inversion Lightweight Base Layer has become as much of my daily gym routine as my water bottle or headphones if I’m honest. Over the years I’ve used a lot of different base layer products, and this is up there with the best - if not the best. You don’t get that horrible itchy feeling you get with many synthetic layers, which is always a bonus when wearing something for a long period of time. Furthermore, the fit is perfect - it doesn’t completely hug your form, but it’s not so loose that you lose the functionality of the base layer being able to wick swear effectively. All in all, I’m very much a fan!”
When you wear a Massif FR garment, you can trust that it will provide you with a proven combination of flame resistance, performance, and comfort. The performance and comfort will be obvious. And hopefully, you’ll never have an opportunity to learn about the quality of our flame resistance from a real world experience. But if you do, you’ll be glad you invested in a quality product.
ALISTAIR: INVERSION MIDWEIGHT “The Inversion base-layer set came over to me at just the perfect time to be honest. Each year I try to do England’s ‘Three Peaks’ - a hike up three of Englands biggest mountains. This year round, the extra warmth came in clutch with wind and rain like no other.
My thoughts on a whole echo what Junior said - incredibly comfortable thanks to the material used as well as the fit of the product. Furthermore, it’s ability to keep my core warm in some of the worst weather we’ve seen for a few years was paramount to me getting across all three peaks. I can definitely see myself getting a lot of use out of the Inversion Mid-weight set - especially with the winter months around the corner!”
FEATURES ■ Flame resistant ■ Superior hand ■ Premier moisture-management ■ Outstanding stretch and recovery ■ Industry-leading pill resistance ■ Ultra-fast dry times ■ Antimicrobial
THE INVERSION RANGE CURRENTLY INCLUDES TWO MID-WEIGHT ITEMS - THE INVERSION BOTTOM AND INVERSION CREW AND THREE LIGHT-WEIGHT ITEMS - THE INVERSION BOTTOM, INVERSION CREW, AND INVERSION T-SHIRT.
CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, You can inquire about Massif’s range of products through the following lines of contact. AMERICA ■ Toll-Free: (888) 462-7743 ■ Main: (541) 488-0801
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TRIJICON HAS LED THE INDUSTRY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUPERIOR ANY-LIGHT AIMING SYSTEMS SINCE THE COMPANY’S FOUNDING IN 1981. WORLD-RENOWNED FOR ITS INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS OF TRITIUM AND ADVANCED FIBER-OPTICS, TRIJICON MANUFACTURES SOME OF THE MOST ADVANCED RIFLESCOPES AND SIGHTS FOR BOTH TACTICAL AND SPORTING APPLICATIONS.
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TRIJICON CCAS®
Trijicon has led the industry in the development of superior any-light aiming systems since the company’s founding in 1981. World-renowned for its innovative applications of tritium (a radioactive isotope of hydrogen which is naturally produced) and advanced fiber-optics, Trijicon manufactures the most advanced riflescopes and sights for tactical and sporting applications. Backed by a Limited-Lifetime Warranty, Trijicon’s aiming systems are proven on the range and in the field. As a result, Trijicon has earned the trust of those who are most in need of aiming accuracy and dependability. Based in Wixom, Michigan, the company provides a large number of units to United States based military and law enforcement, including - the United States Marine Corps, United States Army, United States Special Operations Forces, United States Government, and state and local Law Enforcement, as well as serving a large number of non-American clients. With a range of products that are seen as market leaders within their specific sectors, Trijicon are most definitely a strong contender within the optics market.
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Trijicon’s new CCAS (Continuously Computed Aiming Solution) is designed to support a multitude of weapons systems ranging from vehicle mounted machine guns, infantry weapons to sniper rifles. The CCAS greatly expands a warfighter’s ability to quickly identify and engage targets by eliminating the cumbersome and time-consuming process of ranging, gathering and entering environmental data and generating a firing solution with a PDA. The Trijicon CCAS® accurately computes a corrected aiming point based on current environmental conditions using known ballistic equations instead of the common G1 table averages typically used by the majority of ballistic modeling programs. The CCAS has a ranging capability of up to two-thousand meters and calculates for pressure, angle, range and movement of the target, automatically adjusting for changes in relation to the zeroing set-up to provide updated aiming solutions. In just half a second after activation, the onboard computer generates a firing solution using the most advanced ballistic programs available and displays an aiming point on the green reticle. This includes computing leads for moving targets. With the capability of supporting multiple weapons and multiple projectiles per weapon it provides increased first round hit capabilities. The CCAS replaces the necessity for advanced marksmanship skills such as range estimation, windage adjustment and angle of fire adjustment.
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The Trijicon CCAS® makes use of a green graphic overlay which provides the shooter with a “corrected reticle” for both stationary and moving targets incorporating BDC.
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An integrated 1550NM Laser Range Finder accurately returns distance to target up to 2,500 meters without being detected by night vision equipment.
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The CCAS® makes use of a range of manually imputable ballistic options, including weapon/ ammo type, wind speed input, range to target and brightness level.
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Select from a vast library of combinations. This allows the same CCAS to be used on different weapons with the same accuracy and simplicity.
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Made from a range of military grade materials including an 7075-T6 aircraft-aluminum alloy housing which offers a nearly indestructible aiming system.
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CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can get in touch with Trijicon through the following lines of contact. AMERICA ■ Contact Number: 1-703-445-1600 EUROPE ■ Contact Number: +44 (0) 777 9033483
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VORTE X R A ZOR HD GEN II VORTEX OPTICS ARE AN AMERICAN VETERAN AND FAMILY OWNED COMPANY THAT STARTED LIFE AS ‘EAGLE OPTICS’ IN THE LATE 80S, PRIMARILY MAKING BINOCULARS FOR BIRD-WATCHING. IN 2005 THE COMPANY ADDED A ‘VORTEX’ LINE OF BINOCULARS FOR THE HUNTING MARKET, AND DUE TO THEIR POPULARITY, IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE VORTEX ADDED ‘HUNTING SCOPES’ INTO THE MIX.
Today Vortex make a wide variety of scopes. However, they released their first “Premium Grade” rifle scope, the ‘Razor HD’, in late 2009. Despite it being well received, they were the “New Kids on the block” and it wasn’t until the ‘Razor HD Gen II’ was released that Vortex started to gain traction in the long-range precision rifle space.
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Vortex offer a very wide range of optics at varying price points and quality, meaning there is something for every budget and application. There is something to be said about a quality scope and how the optics allow your eyes to relax whilst you’re on target. The image is crystal clear and nothing like we have seen before on long-distance range days. It’s almost like comparing HD with 720p in terms of image quality; the clarity is simply vibrant, which we are led to believe is very similar to other high-end scopes of the same quality in the market. But and there is always a “but”, the major gains in clarity doesn’t justify the higher cost. The Vortex Razor HD Gen II is an LPVO or ‘low-powered variable optic’ and is an extremely popular option in the real worlds of hobby shooting and military markets. The scopes glass is clear, the reticle is bright, and the eye box is large, allowing the reticle to be quickly picked up when using the scope in CQB. 1-6x magnification is a big deal because it is the first time a major scope manufacturer has made a quality LPVO with that range of
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magnification, which is something the US military initially picked up on, but the Razor lost to the Sig’s Tango 6 1-6x LPVO. However, there is enough open-source pictures out there to suggest that the Razor HD has seen more than its fair share of battlefield action. We’re trying hard not to come across as “Fan Boys”, but quite frankly, we will find it hard to return this review sample. Although reticles are important in dangerous areas of operation, reports from real-world shooters suggest that Vortex Razor HD Gen reticle is just right. Vortex have mastered making the “Christmas tree” reticle (lines at particular distances) extend lower and wider below the centre of the reticle so that the shooter
can quickly hold for elevation and windage adjustments. But this all comes at a cost, as the Razor HD line is Vortex’s “Premium” line, which suggests these are the company’s flagship products and have the best components and construction methods available. From what we understand, a company producing a 1-10x scope is a testament to how far optics technology has come in the last few decades. In the 1990s, a variable scope was usually considered to be 3-9x, and LPVOs were forced to go to 1.1x and 4 or 6x on the high end. Today variable scopes make the initial LPVO’s look underpowered, as 8x is becoming the new standard as companies push out to 10x.
■ Magnification: 1-6x ■ Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm ■ Eye Relief: 4 inches ■ Field of View: 115.2-20.5 ft/100yds ■ Tube Size: 30 mm ■ Turret Style: Low Capped ■ Adjustment Graduation: 1/2 MOA ■ Travel Per Rotation: 50 MOA ■ Max Elevation Adjustment: 150 MOA ■ Max Windage Adjustment: 150 MOA ■ Parallax Setting: 100 yards ■ Length: 10.1 inches ■ Weight: 21.5 oz
CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can get in touch with Vortex Optics through the following lines of contact. WORLDWIDE ■ Direct: 8004867839
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ULTIMA JACKET BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / SRP: £89.95
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CONCEALMENT VEST CAMO / SRP: £49.95
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A SUBSIDIARY OF L-3 COMMUNICATIONS, EOTECH HAVE BEEN CREATING HOLOGRAPHIC WEAPONS SIGHTS FOR SMALL ARMS SINCE 1995, WITH THEIR PRODUCT RANGE BEING ADOPTED BY VARIOUS MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AROUND THE WORLD. BOASTING SOME OF THE MOST UP-TO-DATE OPTICS TECHNOLOGY ON THE MARKET, EOTECH HAVE CEMENTED THEMSELVES AS A MARKET LEADER IN THE PRODUCTION OF ELECTRO-OPTIC SYSTEMS.
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Based in Arbor, Michigan, EOTech have long been regarded as a serious contender within the firearms industry. Creating a range of electro-optic systems that utilise state-of-the-art technology, EOTech products have become some of the world’s most advanced weapons accessories on the market.
While the company was founded in 1995, it wasn’t until 2000 that EOTech became what the industry best knows them for today. Having focused on the invention of electro-optic systems, EOTech have since became the leading manufacturer of holographic weapon sights, focusing on the military and law enforcement markets. EOTech were able to pursue this having solved the problem of wavelength instability exhibited by laser diodes; a semiconductor device that allows for the creation of a laser beam at the diode’s junction, allowing for the direct conversion of electrical energy into light. Unlike reflector-type optics, electro-optic systems rely on the ability to record a representative reticle in three-dimensional space onto holographic film, that is then used as part of the optical viewing window. Due to the use of collimated light, EOTech’s sights have a reticle that can move while in use, which is compensated for by having a holographic image that is set at a finite distance, allowing the EOTech range to perform to the level of quality expected.
MODEL EXPS3
The EOTech Model EXPS3 is the culmination of seven years of research and development, with EOTech able to consolidate their experience into a singular product. The EXPS3 measures in at 3.8-inches x 2.3-inches x 2.9-inches, weighing 11.2-ounces, and offers the end user with genuine two-eyes-open shooting capabilities, allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings while making use of the EXPS3. The Model EXPS3 sits on top of a 7mm raised base, that not only places it at the
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perfect height for eye relief, but also provides the end user with the ability to still make use of iron sights if needed. The EXPS3 features easy to adjust side buttons, used to adjust the brightness of the reticule, with twenty different daylight settings and a further ten settings for use with Gen I through III+ night vision devices. Also included is a quick-detach lever, making the EXPS3 easy to both attach and remove in a hurry. The EXPS3 is also water resistant to 33-foot (10-metres), making it perfect for the various climates modern warfighters find themselves in during operations. With a battery life that lasts six-hundred continuous hours, powered by a single 123 lithium battery, the EOTech EXPS3 is at the forefront of electro-optic systems, made possible due to EOTech’s determination in regards to their research and development, combined with high quality manufacturing.
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The EOTech EXPS3 offers genuine two-eyes-open shooting capabilities, allowing the end user to stay fully aware of their surroundings while making use of said product. This is made possible thanks to the years of work EOTech have put into electro-optic systems.
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Thanks to a 7mm raised base, the EXPS3 can be used in conjunction with iron sights, allowing the end user to make use of a technique known as co-witnessing. This is imperative in today’s market with the risk of electromagnetic threats being used in warfare.
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The EXPS3 makes every effort to make it as user friendly as possible, with the inclusion of easy to manipulate buttons that adjust the brightness of the reticule. These brightness settings come in twenty different variants, along with an extra ten for use with a range of night vision options.
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Continuing with EOTech’s efforts to make the EXPS3 as user friendly as possible, the EXPS3 makes use of a quick-detach lever, making it easy to attach and remove in high stress situations, allowing the end user to adapt their weapons system to a number of different situations in a hurry.
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With the various areas of operation that the modern warfighter finds himself in, the EXPS3 makes every effort to ensure it is usable regardless of the environment. This is highlighted with the EXPS3’s excelled water resistance capabilities, rated to 33-foot.
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CONTACT INFORMATION EOTech has an extensive dealer network, with their products currently available in various different countries. Contact information is available on their website.
www.eotechinc.com
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Eventually, after the booming success of the SureFire WeaponLight, the company rebranded under the name ‘SureFire LLC.’. With the name becoming so synonymous with excellence in hand-held illumination, a change seemed inevitable, and the company have continued to create products for the military and shooting worlds since. SureFire is a story of what can be accomplished with light. The tale begins in 1969 when an engineer with a Ph.D. from Cal Tech decided the future lay in lasers. Dr. John Matthews founded the Newport Corporation to harness the power of the laser for industrial applications. Soon after, John’s inventive mind turned toward his hobby and passion, shooting, and in 1979, John’s concepts became reality as he designed and patented a laser sight. The original laser sight was large and unwieldy by today’s standards. Further refinement of the technology would have required the board of the Newport Corporation to approve substantial investments. Due to this being unlikely, John, accompanied by a number of staff members who shared his vision, bought the company, renaming it ‘Laser Products’ in the process. This change allowed John to focus his efforts entirely on laser products, which over the years led to the launch of the SureFire WeaponLight. Laser Products went on to establish itself as the leading manufacturer of rugged, powerful and compact illumination tools for tactical applications - with a plethora of different products available for purchase.
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BLANK FIRING ADAPTER The SureFire SF-BFA Blank Firing Adapter is a training item for use with rifles and carbines chambered in .308 caliber and .223 caliber (5.56 X 45mm), allowing for realistic training using blank ammunition. The Blank Firing Adaptor closely duplicates the weight, length, and feel of it’s equivalent SureFire sound suppressor, meaning that individuals can properly simulate entry/breaching manoeuvres, cornering and room clearing drills while taking into account the extended length of a sound suppressor; which is often ignored in training environments. SureFire have ensured that the Black Firing Adapter is as identical to their working suppressors as possible, making use of a number of the design features incorporated into the ‘real deal’, so to speak. The Fast-Attach® mechanism allows for secure attachment or removal of the SF-BFA to compatible SureFire adapters. It also makes use of durable, high-quality materials and has been manufactured to be fail-safe. To top it off, the bight yellow body colour clearly indicates it as a safety device.
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Emulates weight, length, and feel of an actual SureFire suppressor during training exercises that simulate entry/breaching manoeuvres, cornering, and room clearing drills.
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To ensure that the end-user and those around him or her can differentiate, SureFire have manufactured the Black Firing Adapter in a bright yellow body colour.
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In an effort to ensure the Black Firing Adapter has longevity, SureFire have made use of the highest quality materials, as well as a durable construction.
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To practice weapons drills efficiently, SureFire have incorporated their Fast-Attach® mechanism, which allows for secure attachment and detachment.
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SureFire have designed the Blank Firing Adapter to be as realistic as possible, ensuring that it incorporates a lot of the same design features and materials as the real thing.
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CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can get in touch with Surefire through the following lines of contact. AMERICA ■ Toll Free: 800-828-8809
*IMAGERY USED NOT SPECIFICALLY OF SUREFIRE BLANK FIRING ADAPTER
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BASED IN BEDFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, SAFRAN OPTICS 1 PROVIDE A RANGE OF UNMATCHED, FIRST-CLASS MISSION SOLUTIONS FOR BOTH MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL. WITH A NUMBER OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING FACILITIES ACROSS THREE LOCATIONS, INCLUDING FACILITIES IN SIMI VALLEY AND COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, SAFRAN OPTICS 1 HAVE QUICKLY BECOME RECOGNISED AS A MAJOR PLAYER WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
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LEVERAGING CORE COMPETENCIES IN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGIES, THE COMPANY OFFERS SOLUTIONS ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF SECTORS. WHILE THEIR CORE PRODUCT RANGE SERVES MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, THE COMPANY ALSO OFFERS EQUIPMENT TO THE COMMERCIAL, AEROSPACE, INDUSTRIAL, MEDICAL AND RESEARCH INDUSTRIES. SAFRAN OPTICS 1’S PRODUCT PORTFOLIO INCLUDES DEVICES AND MODULES FOR SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE MISSIONS, AIMING TO PROVIDE DISMOUNTED SOLDIERS, AIRBORNE AND LAND VEHICLE OPERATIONS WITH THE UPPER HAND IN ANY CONFLICT.
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1 ECOTI SAFRAN OPTICS The Safran Optics 1 ECOTI is a night vision enhancement and visual augmentation system that provides unmatched detection capability and situational awareness by adding a long wave infrared thermal overlay on the user’s night vision device. It bears a lightweight, compact design and significantly increases an operator’s ability to detect and eliminate threats. It has low-power consumption, thermal sensor technology, and high-performance optics that integrate seamlessly. ECOTI is designed for low-light and no-light environmental conditions such as dense foliage, caves, and tunnel systems. ECOTI adds a thermal overlay to the image intensified (I2) NVD scene without modification of existing hardware. It is used in extreme low-light, no-light or foliated conditions where I2 devices are limited. ECOTI improves situational awareness and increases threat detection capabilities. Its low-power consumption, thermal sensor technology and high-performance optics integrate seamlessly to provide long-wave infrared capability. With the ability to mount on NVDs with a bracket, the need to refit helmets with special equipment is eliminated. It also comes in two configurations, one with an internal battery and one with external battery.
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2 ATAK SAFRAN OPTICS
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Android Tactical Assault Kit, ATAK, is a game-changer for increasing situational awareness and is ideal for law enforcement and military operators. ATAK is an affordable, easy-to-use, secure, mobile, interactive geospatial tool that connects multiple people on the go, giving them a common operational picture digitally in an intuitive way. Users can add their own custom functionality and employ multiple types of communication systems simultaneously. It is the only app that provides dozens of capabilities and robust information-sharing in a mobile format on a commercial off-the-shelf handheld cell phone. Originally created for the military, ATAK currently has 40,000 Department of Defense (DoD) users (Air Force, Army, Special Operations, National Guard, the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security); 32,000 nonfederal users; and 69 licensees. The app is licensed only to U.S. companies that meet stringent legal requirements of which DS2 is one of these companies. ATAK has an extensible plugin architecture that allows for enhanced capabilities for specific mission sets. The system utilises Blue Force Tracking to track team members in real-time and help coordinate movements. ATAK also uses Red Force Tracking to see where “bad guys” and dangerous elements may be. Operators can view entered points of interest like terrain, topographical elements, and even weather. It also enables encrypted data communication like text and file sharing (i.e., photos and videos) for user-to-user, user-to-team, user-to-command, or user-to-entire force communications, which was never before available until ATAK.
HUD SAFRAN OPTICS The ECOTI integrates with ATAK and acts as a heads up display, HUD. The Augmented Reality, AR, capability connects to the app and aids in identifying teammates and targets, while also providing point-to-point navigation, allowing for a heads up and hands-free operation. ECOTI has HUD (Heads Up Display) capability that provides real-time, geo-referenced navigation/route execution. When used with Android devices, the NVD becomes a remote display for identifying teammates, targets and route points.
CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can get in touch with Safran Optics through the following lines of contact. WORLDWIDE ■ Direct: (603) 296-0469
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PRODUCT
THYRM LLC IS AN AMERICAN FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS LED BY THE BELIEF THAT INNOVATIVE, ROBUST PRODUCTS CAN MAKE USERS MORE EFFECTIVE AND RESILIENT. THEIR DESIGN TEAM HAS MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DEVELOPING TOOLS FOR OPERATORS IN HIGH-RISK PROFESSIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THEY WORK WITH MULTIPLE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS WITHIN THE PRODUCTS’ FIELD OF USE TO ENSURE THEIR DESIGNS MEET USER NEEDS. The SwitchBack® and CellVault® products are designed and manufactured in the USA in partnership with injection molding experts who understand the critical performance needs of their products and what’s at stake for their customers. CLENS is also produced in the USA. THYRM backs all its products for life, providing soldiers, emergency personnel, and responsible citizens the support they deserve. Thyrm believe that designing and manufacturing products in the USA contributes to the community, speeds product development, and keeps products in stock.
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CELLVAULT-18 Not long ago, the best tactical lights were fueled by CR123 batteries. We were all generally happy with 600 lumens and an extra budget line item for disposable cells. But in the last couple years that has changed completely. Enter the latest 18650 and 18350 rechargeable batteries, generating huge lumen and candela numbers in SureFire, Modlite, & Streamlight flashlights. To keep up with these lights, Thyrm has developed a next-generation CellVault that can protect 18-series spare batteries while keeping them immediately accessible. Premium batteries require protection from physical and environmental damage but need to remain accessible to keep tactical lights running at full power. The CellVault-18 takes attachable battery storage to the next level with new features like side windows that help you verify gear status, a metal locking latch, and waterproof double-layer construction. From Andrew Frazier, CEO of Thyrm: “The new CellVault-18 includes features we know our customers are going to love, like side windows that help them verify gear status, a metal locking latch, and fully waterproof double-layer construction. We’re really proud of how the design came together and can’t wait to get them in the hands of first-responders and outdoor enthusiasts alike.”
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INSTALLATION
CELLVAULT-18
■ Unlock the bottom latch and open the CellVault-18. ■ Fold the latch flat to reduce profile. ■ Insert the rigid strut through MOLLE/PALS Webbing. ■ Unfold the latch to 90 degrees. ■ Verify foam shock absorber is at the bottom of the CellVault-18 tube. ■ Insert battery (or batteries) with the positive (+) terminal towards the foam at the bottom. ■ Close the tube and latch, making sure no material is caught in the tube/cap interface.
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PRODUCT
JUGGERNAUT DEFENSE, LLC WAS STARTED IN APRIL 2000, BY A SMALL TEAM OF ENGINEERS AND DESIGNERS WHO SHARED ONE VISION – RUGGED, BADASS DESIGN OF MILITARY GRADE PRODUCTS. FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS, A DIVERSE RANGE OF PROJECTS HAVE CHALLENGED THIS TEAM TO EVOLVE AS AN INDUSTRY LEADER IN CONSULTING, DESIGN, ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING. TODAY THEIR TWO DIVISIONS, JUGGERNAUT.CASE AND JUGGERNAUT DESIGN, ARE STILL GOING STRONG. In 2010 the company spearheaded the mission to ruggedize smartphones and tablets for the battlefield environment with our Juggernaut.Case™ products within many SOF and Conventional units downrange. With over 45,000 Cases/Mounts fielded downrange, Juggernaut. Case are the industry (COTS) solution for protecting Samsung and Apple smartdevices running ATAK, APASS, and KILLSWITCH applications. With a variety of mounting options including a PALS-compatible variant and a forearm mounting option, Juggernaut.Case will no doubt have a variant applicable to the individuals needs.
AWARDED CONTRACT FOR NAVAIR KNEEBOARD PLATFORMS After several years of development with US and Coalition Air Forces and Naval Aviation, Juggernaut.Case have recently announced that their Ejection-Seat EKB (Electronic Kneeboard) Solution has successfully passed ejection-seat blast tests conducted in both the United States and in France. For a product to be considered for use by military fighter pilots, all products must pass the 600KNT ejection seat blast test. This test sees the potential product placed in an environment where they must withstand the violent force generated when a pilot ejects from a fighter aircraft at speeds of up to 650knts without disengaging or causing injury to the pilot during ejection. Due to this Juggernaut.Case had to look towards an entirely new design that deflected the wind blast and survived g-forces during the ejection process.
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In 2018, Juggernaut.Case developed a protective case and mounting solution for fighter pilots to employ a tablet on their leg in the cockpit. The Electronic Kneeboard (EKB) program’s purpose is to allow the use of tablets to reduce reliance on paper publications and add additional functionality (such as moving maps and performance calculators) in the cockpit. As the program progresses, the ability to plan and re-plan missions in the cockpit will be developed to create a powerful tool for the pilots, ultimately replacing the fielded Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) hardware. The final EKB system will allow users to connect in-aircraft via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB-Cable, fully integrating the tablets into aircraft systems for maximum capability. As part of the Juggernaut.Case slogan, PROTECT – MOUNT – CONNECT, this naturally falls into place with high-strength, shielded connections to the airframe with quick-disconnect cables specially designed for these cases. In August 2018, a series of windblast tests were conducted to verify the structural integrity of the EJ-SEAT EKB Holster Assembly during high-speed ejections. A series of four (4) windblast tests were conducted using the Windblast Lab at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The 600KNT blast tests subjected the EKB and Holster Assembly to the highest dynamic pressure that would be experienced in an in-envelope ejection with the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) seat. The 22-degree pitch tests match the angle of the seat coming out of the cockpit and into the air stream; the 45-degree pitch tests simulated the seat pitching back under the drogue parachute.
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ALL TESTS CONDUCTED IN THE SERIES WERE RATED ACCEPTABLE AND SUCCESSFUL. NO DAMAGE WAS OBSERVED ON THE HOLSTER, AIRCRAFT, OR CRASH TEST PILOT IN ANY TESTS. SIMILAR TESTS WERE SUCCESSFUL AT THE TEST FACILITY BLAST CHAMBER IN TOULOUSE, FRANCE IN NOVEMBER OF 2018. JUGGERNAUT.CASE EKB The new design of the EKB features a two-strap configuration which utilises the new ITW Nexus GT-Cobra polymer buckles and a laminar-airflow mount-base that contours to the pilot’s leg to which the case is fastened to. This design also affords a stable platform on the pilot’s leg for tablet use. Paper maps and aluminium chart holders become an unnecessary addition in the cockpit due to this. There are several versions of the EJ-SEAT EKB for current tablets including the Samsung Tab Active 2 and 3, iPad Mini 5, and Tab S2 8.0. Tablet cases for future tablet models will fall within the test if they utilize the approved base mounting platform. The EKB is currently being flown by more than twelve different Air Forces/Navy/Marine Corps Wings worldwide. Aircraft platforms include: F-16, F/A-18, F-35JSF, as well as A-10 and F-22. The base platform utilizes two high-strength straps secured with ITW-AustriAlpin GT COBRA Polymer Buckles. The SLEEV Case for the tablet is hard mounted with fasteners to the holster assembly to ensure its integrity during ejection if the pilot does not doff this system prior to ejection. An additional strap attaches to the pilot’s kit to ensure the EKB stays in place on the leg during entry/egress of the cockpit. All EKB solutions are based on 8-inch touchscreen platforms for human factors approval within the cockpit as to not interfere with flight controls, ejection seat or various other interfaces/displays.
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MULTI-TOOLS
LETS FACE IT, THE LIKELIHOOD OF YOU BEING ONE OF THOSE GUYS WHO CARRIES A TOOL-BOX IN THE BACK OF HIS TRUCK DAY IN, DAY OUT IS SLIM. WE’RE ALSO BETTING THAT IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO YOU’VE BEEN SAT THERE TRYING TO PRY SOMETHING OPEN WITH A SPOON. IF YOU FIT BOTH OF THESE CATEGORIES WE THINK IT’S TIME YOU WENT OUT AN INVESTED IN A DARNED GOOD MULTI-TOOL! SO WE’VE PULLED TOGETHER A CHOICE SELECTION OF SOME OF OUR FAVOURITES FOR YOUR PERUSAL. W W W.GEARUP-MAG.COM
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THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS ONE THAT SAW A VAST NUMBER OF NEW IDEAS COME TO LIFE, THINGS WE POSSIBLY TAKE FOR GRANTED IN THIS DAY AND AGE; FURTHER DEVELOPING IDEAS SUCH AS DRAINAGE, SEWERS AND ROADS. NOW YOU’RE MOST PROBABLY WONDERING WHY I’M BABBLING ON ABOUT THE ROMANS IN A OVERVIEW OF MULTI-TOOLS...
WHAT MAKES A GOOD MULTI-TOOL? Believe it or not, the idea of incorporating several tools in one small portable unit dates back as far as Middle Roman times, with many opting to keep their eating utensils firmly kept in one unit. Moving on to times a little closer to home, you could probably call the Swiss Army Knife one of the earliest ‘modern’ examples of todays multi-tool and certainly holds the principle of having a variety of tools in one small chassis for ease. Moving on a few years, in 1984 Tim Leatherman sold his first ‘pocket survival tool’; a larger and more robust pocketknife based tool, which incorporated a set of needle-nosed pliers in a balisong-style mechanism. While being too big for most pockets, the tool is widely viewed as the ORIGINAL multi-tool and Leatherman are a company that to this day is still pumping out some great examples of multi-tools. Over the years a variety of companies have started to manufacture some fine examples of multi-tools, but what makes a good one?
TOOLS
Whilst having a large amount of tools is all well and good, we’re of the opinion that less is best. The reason behind this is usually down to the fact that not only do half of the tools never get used, but the chances are the tools with fewer tools will be of a better quality. As we mentioned in the standfirst, multi-tools are not your be all, end all tool box, they’re just there to get you out of a sticky situation.
‘CHUNKY’ BLADE
Here at Gear Up, we are of the opinion that a multi tool should always focus on getting two of it’s tools spot on; one of those being a nice,
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chunky steel blade. A blade can be used in a variety of ways; it can cut things, be used to pry things open, you can whittle bark off logs to make your fire. And lets face it, when using a multi-tool, the first thing you always try to use is the blade.
PLIERS
The second of those tools they should be getting spot on is the pliers. Originally known as ‘multi-pliers’, multi-tools are basically built around their pliers and they should be the foundation of any multi-tool!
CHASSIS MATERIAL
A good multi-tool is only as good as the materials it is built from. It will not only provide you with brilliant quality tools, but it’ll also give you a well-made chassis to protect those tools. It doesn’t need to be made of Valarian Steel or be forged to Samurai Katana spec, but it does have to hold up to every day use and take a bit of stress.
LOCK IN AND OUT
A good multi-tool will always have a lock in/lock out feature for it’s tools; the last thing you want is your big chunky steel blade to close when you’re chopping something, leading to you being short a finger or two!
FAST ACCESS
You want your multi-tool to have very easy to access tools. Ideally you’re going to need to be able to open them regardless of whether you’re wearing gloves or whether your hands are near frozen.
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LEATHERMAN SUPERTOOL 300
What better way to kick off our multi tool journey than to look at what is often referred to as the original workhorse of the Leatherman family? The award winning, Leatherman Supertool 300 is the tool for the working man, providing everything you could possibly need in a solid, stainless steel chassis. Whilst the tool is a rather large and heavy offering, coming in at 4.5 inches in length (closed) and weighs in at 9.6 ounces. Many will argue that the Super Tool 300 is too big and pointlessly heavy, but if you’re in the market for a excellent quality multi-tool you’ll be hard pressed to find something lighter or smaller. One of the biggest selling points on the Super Tool 300 is the fact that the plier head has 6 tools built into it, making it more a plier section as opposed to an actual set of pliers. Worked into the plier section are a set of needlenose and regular pliers, wire cutters, hard wire cutters, stranded wire strippers and an electrical crimper. Coupled with the fact that the Super Tool has a staggering 11 tools including two blades, four screwdrivers and all the other tools you’d expect to find on a multi tool, it’s safe to say that the Super Tool 300 will have you covered for a variety of situations. The one downside to the Super Tool 300 is its lack of a pair of scissors. Although they may not be necessarily essential, you’ll always end up needing a pair in the most awkward of situations and being able to whack out your trusty multi tool is always a godsend, but with the Super Tool being packed to the brim, we’d struggle to see where they would fit!
GERBER DIESEL
The Diesel, like any other Gerber multi tool, focuses on those of us who require the use of a good set of pliers. However the Diesel is not just a set of pliers, it comes with a great range of other tools to tide you over when you don’t have a toolbox handy. Starting with the plier design, the Diesel is one that is unique in operation. Although similar to various other Gerber multi tools, various other manufacturers are far off the mark when it comes to such a design. So what’s so different about them? Don’t get me wrong, they’re not some space age laser cutting, crazy gripping pliers, but what the Diesel does offer is a way to deploy the pliers with a simple hand flick, with Gerber calling it their ‘rapid deployable pliers’. This works by simply holding the tool in hand and giving it a flick, causing the pliers to slide out and lock into place when reaching the end. The plier design is a brilliant one, and really offers the user something the other multi tools don’t, however due to the way the pliers are stored in the multi tool, it limited the amount of tools that could be stored in the multi tool to 12. You’ve got all the basics in there and by no means will the small number of tools in the Diesel hinder you, but in certain situations we completely understand you need a wider range of tools than what is provided; which is a shame as the plier function is one of the best in the market. Like the Suspension, the Diesel also comes in at a ridiculously good price for a multi tool of its quality. You definitely wouldn’t find another tool this good for around the £70 price range. It does make you wonder how Gerber are able to churn out good quality tools at such a damned good price! We’ve no doubt that if you’re after a tool that you could use in everyday environments where you don’t really need anything specialized, the Diesel would be a very good purchase, and the brilliant plier design really does stand out as one of the best on the market.
MULTITASKER SERIES 3
A good multi-tool should be something every shooter carries with them. You may have seen other “shooter oriented” tools, but what makes multitasker® unique is their weapon-specific design approach. nothing else can rival their feature set for the AR platform or match their build quality. But why are we such advocates for multi-tools? Because they offer multiple tools in a very small, very handy carcass that can be carried with you pretty much anywhere. Unlike other mass produced multitools, Multitasker utilises “best in class” materials and production methods to achieve build quality that is head and shoulders above the competition. For example, instead of cost-saving investment castings, Multitasker employs CNC machining (and solid billet steel material) to make the plier head and other major components. G10 scales, commonly used for tactical knives, are selected to help insure a slip-resistant gripping surface. Aluminium-Bronze washers and rust resistant Ti CarboNitride (TiCN) treatment on the pliers help provide for maintenance-free operation. That said, the Multitasker Series 3 Multi-tool is a little different, and if anything lends itself to the market more than your traditional multi-tool. Why? Because it’s a tool designed purely for the up-keep of your weapon, and with many people keen on modding their weapon of choice, having a multi-tool designed purely to aid that should surely be a no-brainer.
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LEATHERMAN MUT
The Leatherman MUT is possibly everything you could possibly need in a multi tool, and in our eyes is most probably Leatherman’s best tool in terms of usability in a survival, military or tactical situation. The MUT is also Leatherman’s most modern looking multi tool; with the only other multi tool in Leatherman’s range similar in design being the lesser equipped Skeletool. Something that lends the MUT well to the military market is the fact it comes in Oxidized Black as well as Stainless Steel. Black definitely appeals a lot more and will definitely not be giving your position away at any point. With a total of 21 tools, including removable/ replaceable screw heads to give you a wider range of choice when it comes to trying to undo/tighten stuff. Another thing that points the MUT towards use in the military market is the inclusion of a carbon scraper and a punch. The carbon scraper is there to provide the user with a way of removing any dirt or carbon from the gun and the punch gives the user a tool to push the body pins out to dissemble your gun. Usually in a multi tool the most multi functional part is the jaw head, however on the MUT, the base of the handle has more or less the same amount of tools, providing the user with a hammer, a replaceable cutting hook, a bolt overriding tool, carabineer and a bottle opener. One thing that makes us feel reluctant to go out and purchase one is the price. At prices of around £170-180, it’s a fair outlay, but we’re sure when put in a military environment it’d definitely be dependable.
GERBER SUSPENSION
The Gerber Suspension is my personal favourite of the tools on show and is the one I myself use on a daily basis. Whilst not groundbreaking in terms of the amount of tools included or it being super lightweight, the Suspension is an awesome everyday carry, albeit a little on the heavy side. The Suspension has a total of 11 tools, including all the must have tools and each of them is produced to a very fine quality. One nice little feature of the Suspension is the easy open tabs on both the serrated and fine edge blade incorporated in the tool, making it very easy to deploy the blade one handed, although closing it will often require both hands. The Suspension also has a more than adequate set of pliers, and the tool fits very nicely into the hand. Something else we absolutely love about the Gerber Suspension is the fact you can completely dissemble the tool via a number of different allen key holes, providing you have the correct size allen key. Once the tool is taken apart it becomes very easy to not only clean the tool but sharpen the blades, something that is massively handy. Whilst the Suspension isn’t exactly the smallest tool in the world, it’s by far the smallest tool in this overview, coming in at 3.75 inches; a whole half an inch smaller than most other tools. It also only weighs 255.146g, which on a whole isn’t all that heavy! The one thing that screams out to me most about the Suspension is it’s price, coming in at as little as £50.00, you’ve got a tool that will perform admirably.
CRKT ZILLA TOOL
Whilst the majority of the tools in this overview are very stereotypical in terms of their general blueprint, the CRKT Works Zilla tool is definitely the black sheep of the group. Looking like nothing we’ve seen before in the multi tool market, the Zilla Tool definitely wins the award for being the most unique of the 9 tools on show. A lot of multi tools fall into the trap of trying to include as much as they can, often leading to tools becoming hard to access, the Zilla Tool steers well clear of doing so and goes for the bare basics, making sure it does such basics to a high quality. The Zilla Tool almost looks more a folding knife than a multi tool, and comes in at a huge 9 inches long and weighs in at just under 210g, making the Zilla Tool a little on the chunky side for something that only holds a handful of tools. That’s not to say the Zilla Tool is a bad choice though! Not by a long shot. Moving on to the tools, the Zilla Tool holds a set of needlenose pliers, wire cutters, wire stripped, a part serrated blade, flat & Phillips screwdrivers and the tool no man should be without, a bottle opener. A switch in the middle of the body deploys the pliers, releasing the spring-loaded handle, with the body itself acting as the other handle. The large straight-edge blade unfolds using a convenient flipper that engages quickly and acts as a blade guard when cutting. At the opposite end of the pliers, a hex tool holds the hex screwdriver bits stored in the handle, which will also accept other standard hex bits. If you want a be all, end all multi tool with a huge array of tools then unfortunately the Zilla Tool is not for you. However if you want something that does the bare basics very well at a competitive price, you’d be a little bonkers not to consider the Zilla.
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LEATHERMAN SKELETOOL
Once again I find myself looking at another Leatherman tool, which either highlights the fact that the multi tool market is riddled with rubbish attempts, or that Leatherman churn out a ton of really good multi tools. Thankfully it’s the latter, and you really wouldn’t expect less from the grandfather of multi tools. The Skeletool is another of Leatherman’s more modern takes on multi tools, with it being streamlined to strip off weight. The Skeletool comes in two different variants, the CX and the original; with the CX being the more expensive of the two. So what makes the CX more expensive you ask? Well as I mentioned the Skeletool is massively streamlined to strip weight, but on top of that the guys in Leatherman’s design team realised they could strip a ton more weight by replacing certain parts on the Skeletool with carbon fiber! The result of this weight stripping exercise has led to the Skeletool weighing an impressive 141.748g, by far the lightest multi tool on test, and at 4 inches in length when closed it would make a perfect everyday carry. One drawback with it’s smaller size is the number of tools packable in the package. There are only 7 tools in the Skeletool; around half as less as most of its competitors in this overview, however all are carefully selected and it does offer you a fair range of tools to get you through everyday life. The Skeletool does an admirable job of trying to provide the user with as much as possible in as light a tool as they could make, something a lot of people will appreciate when carrying it in their pockets. Sure it’s not going to attract a user base of those who need a go to tool when they’re in theatre or working a job which requires a belt carried tool, but for those who just want something they can carry around with them to do menial jobs like changing a light fitting or opening a bottle of beer it’s perfect!
SOG POWERLOCK B61-N EOD
During the Vietnam War, members of the elite US Special Operations group MACV-SOG carried a unique combat knife into combat with them into the jungle on covert missions. The same knife inspired Spencer Frazer to found SOG Specialty Knives, with an aim to reproduce the famous SOG Bowie Knife. What began as a single commemorative knife soon grew into a huge line of various innovative tools, field proven by various US Special Forces units. In that huge line of innovative tools comes a range of multi tools that are renowned for their brilliant build quality and the Powerlock is definitely in that category. Whilst there are a number of things worth mentioning in regards to the Powerlock, the thing most adored about the tool by its user base is the pliers and their operation. The operation of the tool is spot on, whilst a lot of tools have a habit of having being very fiddly when it comes to opening the tools out, but with the Powerlock you’ll have no such problems, in fact a lot of people have said you’ll be hard pressed finding a better multi tool in that sense. What differs the EOD version from the original is the inclusion of a set of multi-purpose electrical crimpers, and whilst they are aimed at bomb disposal experts we’re sure a ‘sparky’ will find them equally as useful. One thing that really lets the Powerlock down is the fact that the tools themselves aren’t lockable, with the tool having a single plate to lock the tool in place once you’ve deployed it; a shame really as apart from that it’s a very solid multi tool!
GERBER TRUSS
The Gerber Truss is an all-inclusive multi-tool, boasting seventeen different tools, all built to the exact needs of the professional user in a size-conscious design, with the result accumulating in a professional-grade multi-tool that bridges the gap between the problem and the solution. The Truss aims to remove excess weight while keeping all of the functionality expected of a multi-tool, doing so in an 8-ounce package, measuring 4.35-inches when closed, and 6.5-inches when opened, with a width of 0.66-inches, making the Truss a bite-sized package that still packs a hefty punch. The Truss is built to handle any task thrown at it, with Gerber going back to the drawing board and removing any unnecessary tools and including some highly requested ones. The seventeen tools available include - Spring-loaded needlenose pliers, standard pliers, wire cutters, saw, cross driver, wire stripper, three flathead drivers, a fully serrated blade, scissors and many more. All of this is contained in an evolution of their much favoured Suspension chassis. The chassis of the Truss is an evolution of the fan-favourite Suspension chassis, created from a single piece of steel which allows for additional strength in a streamlined, lightweight design. Thanks to the expertly designed chassis, the Truss comes in at a minuscule 8.4-ounces, measuring 4.35-inches while closed and extending to 6.5-inches when open, making it perfect for use in confined spaces. When you add this extensive range of tools to Gerber’s craftsmanship and use of cutting edge materials, the Gerber Truss is destined to go on and help professionals over a range of different tasks, and there is no wonder Gerber have become the #1 supplier of multi-tools to the U.S. Military.
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DRIVEN BY THE DESIRE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BLUE FORCE GEAR ARE NOT SATISFIED BY SIMPLY MAKING COPIES OF CURRENT PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET AND STAMPING THEIR NAME ON IT. INSTEAD THEY LOOK TO INNOVATE AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY, ATTEMPTING TO REVOLUTIONISE THE TACTICAL GEAR MARKET AND IN TURN PROVIDE UNRIVALLED QUALITY.
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CONTACT INFORMATION You can inquire about Blue Force Gear products directly through the following lines of contact. AMERICA ■ Contact Number: 877-430-2583 ■ Email: Sales@BlueForceGear.com
Blue Force Gear burst onto the tactical market in 2004 with a range of innovative products that revolutionised load carriage and weapon carrying capabilities. Instead of sticking to age-old design standards followed within the market, they design by what they refer to as a ‘code of advancement’, which has seen the company look towards the current market, highlighting areas in which they believe they can re-develop and improve an existing product type. This process has seen Blue Force Gear become a tour de force within the market, re-inventing a range of different product categories. With innovation at the heart of Blue Force Gear, it is no surprise that they have invented a range of new technologies to enable such a vision. This has been made possible due to Blue Force Gear’s research and development arm, with the company making use of cutting edge materials and state of the art manufacturing facilities to provide a finished product that is at the forefront of tactical evolution. In closing, Blue Force Gear equip millions of people with the gear, knowledge, and mindset they need to be always better.
MICRO TRAUMA KIT NOW!™ The Micro Trauma Kit NOW! from Blue Force Gear, otherwise known as the Micro TKN™, is the smallest version of their Trauma Kit NOW!™. Measuring at 6”x3.5”x2.5”, the Micro TKN is the perfect medical kit for those who need to hold essential life-saving equipment, in a small, easy-to-access container. The Micro TKN is designed to be worn horizontally with minimal bulk - perfect for everyday carry, for law
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enforcement professionals, prepared citizens, or in low-profile mission sets. The Micro TKN includes two sections - an outer pouch, and a deployable inner carrier which carries a range of vital, life-saving equipment. Thanks to the use of a range of high-quality materials such as a 500-denier Solution Dyed CORDURA®, as well as the use of Blue Force Gear’s in-house manufactured ULTRAcomp® laminate; which far exceeds the standard in tear and abrasion resistance, and Ten-Speed® Military-Grade Elastic, the Micro Trauma Kit NOW! is well placed to handle a myriad of abuse. Combined with the fact that the Micro TKN weighs a minuscule 89g, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more reliable first-aid kit. The Micro TKN comes in two different variations - a belt mounted option and a MOLLE option. Furthermore, Blue Force Gear offer multiple medical supply kits that have been purpose-picked for use with the Micro TKN, making sure each item is perfect for use with the Micro Trauma Kit NOW!.
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The Micro Trauma Kit NOW! makes use of two different sections: an outer carrier with a medical cross symbol to help identify it, and an inner carrier which can be deployed with a single finger if needs be, thanks to the Ball Loaded Index Point, or BLIP™, pull tabs.
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Dependent on the end-users needs, the Micro Trauma Kit NOW! comes in two different variants: a belt mounted variant and a MOLLE variant. On top of this, Blue Force Gear provide two trauma kits to use with the Micro TKN; both of which include a range of life-saving equipment.
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The Micro Trauma Kit NOW! is one of the world’s smallest, and lightest medical kits. Weighing in at 89g (not including medical supplies), and measuring 6”x3.5”x2.5”, the end-user will barely even notice the extra weight, and should have no issues finding a spot to store the Micro TKN.
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With danger potentially lurking around every corner, the modern warfighter relies on high quality medical products to aide in the treatment of injury. While there are a wide range of examples on the market, Dark Angel Medical specialise in the production of medical-based equipment, making them a worthy choice.
DIRECT ACTION RESPONSE KIT
Having an individual first aid kit that you can rely on has become a necessity within the military and law enforcement worlds. When facing potential hazards on a day-to-day basis, having the peace of mind that you have a fully stocked up inventory of medical items to hand is paramount, especially when operating in small contingents where a trained medical professional may not be to hand. Dark Angel Medical have honed in on this need, creating a range of products that are specifically designed for the medical world, proving the equipment you need in a time is life scenario. Created and staffed by a range of veterans, Dark Angel Medical operate with a passion for informing, educating and equipping their customers to best deal with trauma care, turning them into by-doers and opposed to bystanders in life or death situations. With a plethora of products designed by those with real-world operational experience as well as staff who’ve trained professionally in the civilian world, Dark Angel Medical is a brand you can bet your life on.
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The Direct Action Response Kit, more commonly referred to as the D.A.R.K Trauma Kit, is Dark Angel Medical’s number-one selling trauma kit. When it comes to stopping the bleed, the D.A.R.K has everything you need and nothing you don’t. The D.A.R.K is used by the military, law enforcement, and other agencies around the world, helping to save lives in some of the worst, and most unforgiving conditions known to man. Presented in a durable, military grade nylon pouch, the Direct Action Response Kit comes complete with all the design features expected of a high quality medical pouch, including external tourniquet and shears sections. As previously mentioned, the Direct Action Response Kit comes complete with a fully equipped individual first aid kit, including - Nitrile gloves, HALO vented seals, nasal airway, four Israeli bandages, QuikClot combat gauze, compressed gauze, a Mylar blanket, a polycarbonate eye-shield, a decompression needle and a casualty documentation tool. The pouch is mountable both horizontally and vertically thanks to the use of MOLLE straps, with additional belt loops. On top of this, the Direct Action Response Kit is heavily customisable on order, with the ability to add various items such as a SOFTT-W tourniquet, additional HALO vent seals and rip shears. You can also add a PVC identifier pouch to the item should you wish to.
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The Direct Action Response Kit comes filled to the brim with all of the medical items you may need, including a range of bandages, compression gauze and gloves. This makes it a great example of a ready-made IFAK that doesn’t require any additional purchases.
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The outside of the pouch includes an easy to access, external tourniquet pouch, utilising a strip of female-sided velcro to attach your tourniquet to (which comes included). This allows for ease of access, as well as making it accessible with a single hand.
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The D.A.R.K Trauma Kit utilises an external pouch for use with medical shears, reducing the time it takes for the user to access them, and again making them accessible with a single hand.
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Should you need to deploy your individual first aid kit in a rush, the Direct Action Response Kit has a pull handle included, allowing for rapid deployment. A feature that allows you to get to your first aid kit and reduce time that could be used treating an injured party.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING READY FOR ANY SITUATION, REGARDLESS OF TIME, PLACE OR ENVIRONMENT IS CRUCIAL WHILE ON OPERATIONAL DUTY; EVEN MORE SO WHEN IT COMES TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICAL AIDE. WHILE THIS CAN BE A STRESSFUL ORDEAL, ELIMINATING ADDED STRESS THROUGH THE USE OF A SPECIALISED IFAK CAN BE VITAL WHEN TIME MEANS LIFE.
CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can inquire about the Dark Angel Medical range through the following lines of contact. AMERICA ■ Contact Number: 1-720-217-3689 ■ Contact Form: darkangelmedical.com/contact-us/
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CONTACT INFORMATION You can inquire about Emergent Rescue Systems’ products directly through the following lines of contact. AMERICA ■ Website: emrescuesystems.com ■ Email: info@emrescuesystems.com
EMERGENT RESCUE SYSTEMS Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Emergent Rescue Systems specialise in haemorrhage control research and product development, with a range of products available to aid in ensuring operators around the world are provided with the best in life-saving equipment. While this may come at an enormous sacrifice, with Emergent Rescue Systems themselves noting that advancements in emergency medicine only come to light following the direct results of lessons learned on the battlefield, they are dedicated to ensuring the advancement of innovations to aid in saving precious lives. With a range of mission specific tactical medic bags, trauma kits and components on offer, all of which are customised for the ever-changing threats and environments that life-saving personnel find themselves in. Furthermore, their obsession with their work has led them to offer evidence-based advancements for haemorrhage control and critical response in a range of challenging situations. Tourniquets have become a vital part of the life-saving process within various environments, and Emergent Rescue Systems have gone to great lengths to ensure their products are designed with simplicity, speed and
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effectiveness in mind. Their products enable medic performance at the highest levels and provide Law Enforcement officers with the gear they need to act as tactical medics in dire times of need. Having spent some time perusing Emergent Rescue Systems’ product range, it is clear that first and foremost they aim to aid their clientele, whether they are an elite medic or a prepared civilian. And as quoted on their website, you never know when a situation will call you to be the first responder, and when that time comes, it is important to be skilled in what you do, be knowledgeable about what you do, and most importantly, be prepared.
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AAJT-S ABDOMINAL AORTIC JUNCTIONAL TOURNIQUET The AAJT-S, or in its long form, the Abdominal Aortic Junctional Tourniquet, is if truth be told, unlike anything we have ever seen. While a number of our staff are trained within the world of first aid, this far outweighs any training they have had. The Abdominal Aortic and Junctional Tourniquet – Stabilized (AAJT-S) is the latest life-saving innovation for bleeding not amenable to standard tourniquet application. Building on the success of the AAJT, the AAJT-S features an easy to use tightening system and advanced materials with the goal of consistent, stable occlusion. The AAJT-S is indicated to control difficult bleeding in the primary junctional areas (inguinal and axillary) as well as the pelvis- the only product on the market to be approved for all three. In addition, it’s the only device to have documented lives saved from both upper and lower junctional hemorrhage. Device design and function facilitates a large area of effective occlusion pressure, which provides the medic with a high degree of accuracy and reliability for the positioning of the device in the proper anatomical locations to stop the bleeding. Moreover, the AAJT-S has demonstrated the ability to maintain efficacy during patient movement in confined space rescue, drags, and hasty extraction.
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