EQUIPMENT

VIO: POV.1 Helmet Camera

Details: Category: Electronics; Created: Sunday, 04 May 2008 02:59

I came across this lil' rig at shotshow and was luckily able to pick one up to sample. I have some experience in other helmet cameras and I liked how the POV is setup as a great all in one package. Everything else out there on the market relies on a 3rd party recorder solution which means it isn't going to be MIL-Spec and not necessarily made for what you need with missing or needless features. The POV project is actually a part of a multi-year agreement with ARL (Army Research Laboratory) to research and develop wearable video technology for military and law enforcement applications. This further sets the POV apart from the others in which it has been made from the ground up to be rugged and easy to use.

CAMELBAK Better Bottle

Details: Category: Hydration; Created: Saturday, 05 April 2008 03:05

My crew and I happily picked up some of these at shotshow 2008. The concept appears to be a clear response to Nalgene's monopoly on the durable / re-usable bottle market. While I'm here I'd like to share my feelings on typical disposable container bottled water. This is the dumbest shit I have seen in a while. People are willing to pay $1+ for 16 FL oz. when you could get a whole 2 liter of soda for the same amount. I can understand bottled water for emergency preparation packages and similar needs, but masses of people guzzle it down in their cozy offices daily. Not only are you getting reamed price wise, but typically the water is less clean bacteria / poison wise, and then you are making a bunch of trash with the throw-away bottle. If you drink a lot of water and don't like the taste of your area tap water, for god sakes find a filter solution, because that is all bottle water is.

PENTAGON MOLLE LIGHT

Details: Category: Illumination; Created: Saturday, 29 December 2007 03:21

SPECS: 3.4" (86 mm) tall, 40 Lumens , 3 Hour Run Time, 1.5 oz. (42 g)

These little guys are a great example of how far flashlight technology has recently come. Not that long ago most service people were using the huge D-battery right angled flashlights. Despite being huge, the light output was pretty crappy. The new Pentagon MOLLE light is about the same size as just the switch area of the classic right angle light and is significantly brighter! Although the MOLLE light isn't as bright as a new fancy tactical light, it uses only 1 of the ever so common AA battery. This makes power supply logistics about as easy and cheap as possible. Hence the name, the size and design of this light are made to fit in MOLLE/PALS loops. This makes it mount very well on modern tactical vest giving hands free functionality. Alternately, the metal clip can be rotated allowing the light to mount on many belts and gear straps. Functionality wise the top button is pressed to momentarily turn on. The button must be pressed fairly hard till it clicks to switch it to constant on. The same effort must be done again to switch back to constant off. Although a little stiff, it is this way so it won't change when brushed up against or while banging into other gear. At the bottom is a filter which can be screwed off the bottom then screwed on the main lens. The black version comes with a blue filter and the tan one comes with a red filter. If you didn't know already, filters are good for low light situations so you don't cancel your natural night vision and also so your don't make yourself as visible to others. To access the battery area, the bottom cap cap is unscrewed off. A small compass is built into this cap, but the filter must be taken off the bottom to be seen. The compass generally doesn't work all that great, but it REALLY doesn't work until you take the cap off the light. Up top behind the switch is a bonus hard loop point for attaching lanyards. Bottom line is the MOLLE Light is a great illumination gadget for tactical and recreational uses a like.
<www.maxpedition.com>

COUNTY COMM A&P Aircraft Mechanic's Key Rings

Details: Category: Admin-Intel; Created: Thursday, 06 December 2007 03:55

These rings weren't exactly tools so I decided to toss them here in the admin area. They are made from stainless aviation cable with brass screws and barrels, yet still priced quite affordably. The original intent is to be used as beefy keychain replacements, but also work great to keep tools and other items together. Operation is simple in which the user routes the cable through the items and screws the ends together. Unscrew to release. I only show the 6" version, but there is a 12" version available as well. A bonus cool feature is that the screw end design allows multiple rings to be used together to make larger ones. Simple, useful, and affordable; makes these rings hard to pass up.
<www.countycomm.com>

COUNTY COMM EOD ROBOTICS BREACHER BAR

Details: Category: Tools; Created: Thursday, 06 December 2007 03:46

Designed by EOD Robotics, this bar makes a great hand-sized pry bar. Core specs include that it is made from 1045 High Carbon Steel and Fully Heat Treated to a Rockwell Hardness of over 45. They come raw, which is still plenty usable, but spend a little time to get a 550 cord wrap on there and you will have a sweet custom grip. The built in holes make this task easier and more secure. The business end has a wedge up top and at one side, while full flat thickness is on the other side for strength. The bottom end has blunt cut edges giving it a shape good for a grip and a striking side whether it be a window, someone's head, or for a hammer assist. If one were motivated the pry edges could be sharped to make some form of combat bar, but I kind of like it cheap and rough like it comes. This way you will never worry or hesitate to ram it into anything, throw it around, misuse, and generally treat like a redheaded stepchild. As a warning: once you get one in your hand you will have a incredible to urge to pry/breach anything, likely ignoring reason and logic until said goal is accomplished.
<www.countycomm.com>

COUNTY COMM Stainless Steel Peanut Lighter

Details: Category: Tools; Created: Thursday, 06 December 2007 03:45

These are new gen versions of the original Peanut Lighter with improvements including: quality materials, removable lighter core, and flat bottom to stand upright. The removable lighter core allows the item to be used a a mini waterproof pill capsule. Functionality is classic using a spark wheel for ignition and a wick to reach the fuel (standard lighter fluid). As for reasons why use one of these instead of say a zippo? Well the small size and keyring make the Peanut Lighter much more keychain and pocket friendly. The fact that the top screws on to make a waterproof seal also can make it more storable without losing reliability. As for my immediate uses, I plan to use it more on my sewing projects instead of crappy disposible lighters since the Peanut Lighter is much more durable and can be refueled.

SUREFIRE G2-LED

Details: Category: Illumination; Created: Sunday, 21 October 2007 03:19

I'm sure there are some extensive reviews out there, but I thought I'd give a quick rundown of the semi-new G2-LED version. The original G2 is a nice combo of effective and affordable. It was actually my first "good" flashlight getting me out of the realm of the old mag-light era. The new G2-LED version may cost more, but claims to have more lumens and ridiculously more battery life. A quick rundown: The G2 rates around 65 lumens for 1 hour while the G2-LED is 80 lumens rated for 12 hours. The shape in the LED version is very similar, just the cap is longer. The push button isn't as springy since it doesn't separate out like on the G2 and has a slightly different relief pattern. The main reflector on the LED version appears smooth while the G2 has heavy texturing to help diffuse.

COUNTY COMM Compact Battery Holders

Details: Category: Tools; Created: Sunday, 23 September 2007 03:43

Got some of these recently and although simple, I find them pretty handy and well designed. At first I blew off the thought of battery holders for a while thinking I'd just toss them in small pockets on my bags or kit. I wasn't too worried about my batteries shorting, but then I saw the selling point of no more digging in the bottom of your pack for that last battery; I've so been there so decided to give them a try. Made of tough nylon plastic, the holders are available in both AA and CR-123 versions, holding 4 batteries each. 2 Colors are offered for each type including International orange or OD green. The orange is great for the hi-viz factor and the green is nice and tacti-cool looking. Usability is great. Batteries easily slide in and it doesn't matter which way you insert the batteries. The end tabs will keep the batteries secure through a shake fest, but still allow easy deliberate extraction of the batteries. One side has cut-outs which lend a hand allowing the user to push the batteries out instinctively with one's thumb. Only downside was the height tolerance is enough so the batteries can move up and down in their tubes and cause noise. This however, is more of shake them in your hand factor and less when actually inside a pouch.
<www.countycomm.com>

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