BDS Tactical Medical Fanny Pack

Fanny Pack!?! You read that right. Fanny Pack…But, this isn’t strange cousin Stan’s fanny pack. Made with 1000 Cordura, MilSpec buckles and webbing, this thing really blows away the competition.

Being ever mindful of providing useful and feature specific reviews I try as much as possible to avoid the “Unboxing” because it has very little to do with the actual product. That is until now…I was home from work when the box showed up and was giddy as a school girl when I started to tear into it…After opening it and dramatically tossing the first layer of packing material over my shoulder I froze. What lay before me was something I had never before seen on any pouch, let alone a fanny pack.

My shock was so apparent my wife walked over and asked if I was ok…with slow and deliberate hands I reached into the box and much like Indiana Jones, lifted out this rare treasure. I looked at my wife and said “Honey, look at the size of these zippers!” She rolled her eyes, sighed and as she walked back into the kitchen, muttered “wierdo…”

These zippers are nothing short of amazing! According to Mike Gnoffo, Marketing Director of BDS, size 10 zippers are standard on all of their products! My gosh, talk about over kill! The fanny pack was begging to be repeatedly opened and closed and I was more than happy to oblige! The zippers are effortless! Many packs, pouches and things of the like have zippers that are proportional to the item they are on and we as consumers have always believed that’s the way its supposed to be. They are small, feel thick and jam all too frequently than we would prefer but, BDS Tactical has broken that status quo with their #10 zippers, fresh designs and attention to detail.

I have been using the pack for quite a while now and its become an important piece of my kit and fills a void in my bag inventory. We all know there are times when a go-bag is a bad option and a backpack wont work either, but we still want to have some essential gear quick at hand and don’t feel like stuffing our pockets. That is where the fanny pack comes in. I know, visions of some early ‘80’s guy roller skating in the park with his pink spandex shorts, upturned collar and neon fanny pack are running through your head, but wait…this is a man’s bag…no neon of spandex here! Its rugged construction and tuff looks means that it will fit right in on the flight line at an FOB in Afghanistan and all the way to a construction site in Detroit. This bag takes the great concept of a fanny pack and elevates it to the next level, imparting a sense of “Tuff Guy” along the way.

The internal organization was well thought out and there are plenty of stretch loops to hold gear in place. On the outward side internal divider, they are vertically orientated and on the body side they are flipped 90deg. to the horizontal. Nice!

The inside is subdivided into three distinct pockets and the main zippers go down far enough to more than adequately open the pack but with out dropping the contents on the floor.

The zipper pocket on the outside is sizeable for keys and a wallet and has a hook-loop strip for patches. On the body side of the carrier the pack is sewn to is a zipper pocket that runs the full length of the carrier. Where the belt is attached at both ends are two rows of PALs webbing that make a great home for some Grimlocs or small pouches. The best feature though, is the fact that all BDS products come with a Lifetime Warranty!

If you don’t have one of these in gear locker you are really missing out!

All of their products are American Made in BDS’s 25,000sq.ft. sew shop by experienced American Workers and being being veteran owned and staffed mostly by Marines gives them an advantage that others don’t have…the ability to quickly adapt to new ideas and strategies allowing them overcome challenges, something that the Corps is famous for!

BDS Tactical, good work and Semper Fi!

Click here to go to the packs product page…

GunVault GV1000

 

I know the biggest challenge faced by me and others as gun owners is being able to secure you weapon from unauthorized persons while still maintaining ready access in case of an emergency.

For the longest time the only option was a case with a padlock on it. Imagine trying to fumble in the dark and under stress looking for the right key or putting in a combination! You cant keep the key or com. with the box, that defeats the purpose of the whole setup…If you cant get the box open, your fancy sidearm is now reduced to the effectiveness of a brick!

This is where Gun Vault comes in. Relying on a four finger keypad and key backup, you firearm is safely removed from children and irate spouses but still gotten to quite easily when the need arrives. The vault is mountable to walls or shelves with the included hardware. There is an optional cable lock that is available for travel use. Coming in at about 8lbs.  its not to heavy to take on vacation for reliable storage and  being constructed of heavy gauge steel with a mar resistant coating, bumps, dings and scratches are not something you need to worry about.

As a parent, I’m well aware that kids and guns don’t mix. My biggest concern is keeping my sidearm away from them to prevent any accidents. I would never be able to live with myself it they ever got hurt. To solve that, there are a lot of products on the market designed to keep guns away from children but the locking mechanisms and mechanics are exposed. If your kids are like mine, you know its only a matter of time till they work it open!

With that in mind I showed my son half the pattern for the vault, tossed one of his cars in and shut the door. He was excited to help dad test the box and 45min later he was ready to give up on trying to crack the code…”Dad” he says, “I think I need a screwdriver…” So I obliged him…30mins later he’s done! After much prying, shaking and other general abuse the box refused to yield to him.

Not to be out done, my wife took up where he left off convinced that this was a job for an adult…What she lacked in determination in attacking the code she tried to make up for with in brute force. All that was accomplished was a few scuff marks on the edge of the door and the bending of a Craftsman screwdriver!!

Now, all this security is great but with the adrenalin flowing and the heart racing, will you be able to enter the com/pattern when you need to? That was my second concern. Not only do you want to keep the gun safe, you want to be able to access it in an emergency. I was provided just such a test and let me tell you, there is no doubt in my mind, you will be able to get to your gun if you need it…just remember to practice the pattern…just like other weapon skills its all about muscle memory…

The product I tested was the GV1000. It has enough room for my gun, two mags and a flashlight. There are various styles of the vaults available, bigger, smaller and even ones that read your fingerprint!

This is a great safe and I believe that every gun owner should have one of these in their home. The price is right, just as is the level of security. I sleep better at night knowing that I’m protecting my family from those that would do them harm and from them hurting themselves.

TAPCO–SKS Rebuild Part I

 

There are almost as many reasons to own a “Black Rifle” as there are accessories to put on one. The weight reduction from wood to plastic, the addition of specialized optics / sighting systems and increased magazine capacity. Besides, they look cool!

TAPCO has a long history of making quality parts for some of the most popular guns around. Their products have made good guns better and brought old ones up to speed with modern times, all the while making those parts right here in the good ‘ole U.S.A! Way to go TAPCO!

I had seen a series of SKS stock being offered by TAPCO and shot them an email. A few days later a box arrived and the fun began! Now there is an amount of hesitation that comes when you begin to tear down a firearm beyond what is need for cleaning… If anyone tells you otherwise, they are a liar!

So, I get my tools, cleaning supplies (Sentry Solutions) and set to reading the directions. Now, I’ve trolled the SKS boards and have read about other persons experiences with stock change outs. They have varied from “perfect fit” all the way to “I had to take a Dremel to the stock and the receiver”. That last one is the one that got me…If it doesn’t fit, maybe you should just leave it as is…In all of that I read a lot of good things about the TAPCO upgrades and a few not so good things…so keeping an open mind I went to work.

When I originally purchased my SKS I lucked out. Instead of getting a “Franken Gun” made from assorted parts, this one had matching serials all the way through and I was a little hesitant to do anything to it. After reading the instructions a few times just to be sure what I was doing, woosh! off with the old stock and on with the new!

The process was so simple I was amazed! Strip it down, pop it out and drop it in! That’s it! In fact it was so easy my son actually was able to help and it was done before my daughter woke up from her nap. The polymer parts are of top quality and the finish is nothing short of phenomenal. The fit was tight, slop free and when I was done you would have thought the rifle came out of the factory like this! TAPCO makes a top quality product that you can trust your life with.

The collapsible shoulder stock really allows for a custom fit and the weight reduction was like night and day. Considering I have a tri-rail with optics and a light on it the lighter stock is more than welcome. Included in the package from TAPCO was a little surprise that I will reveal in Part II of the build.

As of now, the gun is rebuilt and is waiting for a trip to the range!

In Part II I will discuss the surprise part, mag function and the murky waters of 922r compliance along with a complete range report. Don’t Miss it!

You can get more information on the TAPCO SKS line of products here…

The Coast Portland HP21 “Light Cannon”

 

Few industries have been impacted by LED technology and one-up-man-ship quite like the flashlight industry. It started out with who could put the most LEDs in one unit…then it went to run times…and now its all about Lumens.

That’s where the Coast Portland HP21 shines! Weighing in at a useable 1,317 lumens with a 2hr runtime on high, the HP21 can be considered a Maglite Killer. If you are questing for a heavy duty patrol light or a good flash to keep in your car or boat, look no further.

The “Light Cannon” runs on four D cells and produces an astonishing beam. Utilizing Coast’s Pure Beam Technology, a simple push or pull on the rubber covered bezel and you go from a wide flood beam to a tight bull’s eye that on high allows the HP21 to reach out to 825 feet!! Driven by seven Cree XP-G’s it is the most powerful light I have seen yet!

All the features of the light are easily activated. One click for high-click off and on for strobe-click off and on for low…No fancy button patterns here. Its all straight forward click ’n. This is not an EDC light…At 15.5” long and just under 3lbs. it is a job specific light. Foot patrol, SAR, home security, camping and hunting…this light is excellent for those tasks. Finding a Lego spaceman under the couch? That’s overkill!!

Now a first for me and to show you the quality and pride Coast puts into this light, the HP21 came in a molded foam and nylon zipper case that accommodates not only the light but the belt ring and shoulder strap. That’s right, this is the only flashlight I have ever seen that comes with an adjustable shoulder strap!!

 

Now for the testing…

The “Light Cannon” arrived in a nondescript brown box via a bigger brown box with wheels and knowing what it was I tore trough that cardboard like a kid on Christmas day! My nose was greeted by the aroma of new electronics and my eyes feasted on the custom carrying case. My hands were a little unsteady with anticipation as I inserted the included Duracells and prepared to light it for the first time!

And…Click! Woah!!! The dog ran out of the room, my kids cheered with delight and my wife sat there, shaking her head with eyes closed…The strobe elicited cries of “Dance Party!!” from my children and I was more than happy to oblige…unfortunately it had to be cut short because my wife and I were getting sick to our stomachs…strobe works!

After seeing high and strobe the low feature was kind’s like “oh…ok, that’s low…Now lets go outside and see what we can light up!” In an attempt to avoid a visit by the local police I enlisted my neighbor John to see how well it worked in the neighborhood. It lit up the entire street all the way to the end, plus with two grown men ooh-ing and ahh-ing on his front porch, it was clear to the everyone that we were not peering into homes or some marauding alien force!

Make no doubt about it, this is a manly light! The body is substantial enough to get a good grip without if feeling like its to big in the hand and the weight lets you know it’s a serious tool. When I picked this light up and turned it on I got 3 inches taller, my voice dropped and octave and I sprouted more hair on my chest! That’s how manly the HP21 is!!

This is a product that I recommend for LEO, SAR, MIL and anyone looking for the brightest flashlight on the block.

Click here for more information and how to order the HP21…

TYR Tactical Assaulters Sustainment Tactical Back Pack

Tyr Tactical doesn’t solely rely on its in-house designers to come up with new products. As the Assaulters Sustainment Pack shows, they also listen to the end users of their products. This is were the ASP came from. It seems that operators were looking for a pack that could be used for Everyday Carry and used with currently deployed modular armor systems.

The versatility of this pack is further enhanced by the removable back padding and shoulder straps! You read that right, the padded back panel  is MOLLE compatible and simply weaves on and off! While were here, lets talk about this comfort panel… One thing I have found with back packs is that no matter how they are constructed I always sweat my back off! Not so with the Assaulters Pack. With its generous air channels, strategically placed pads and air mesh construction you will stay dry and comfortable in any condition! Also. with the padding off and the straps removed you can attach it directly to your armor giving you the ultimate in usability.

The inside of the ASP has a main compartment (360ci), a unique hook loop/ MOLLE hybrid zipper pouch that sits near the top and a mesh pocket making it hydration compatible. Add to that three ports for antennas or drinking tubes and webbing over 90% of its surface and this pack can be adapted for anything from combat to a day at the park!

The outside also sports a beaver tail! I found this to be invaluable when I took the kids to the Fishing Expo. There was room (680ci) for their jackets, my A212 and snacks! The external pouch expands out and is secured by the six adjustable buckle straps that line the edges of the beaver tail and base. You can fill it up an make sure its tight to keep your stuff in place! Plus, the pouch being partially constructed of mesh is an excellent place to put wet gear to let it dry out!

The pack is a pleasure to hump around. I have hung up my Tyr E&E bag for the time being and been using the ASP exclusively for the past few weeks. What the ASP lacks in pen loops and interior pockets compared to the E&E,  it makes up for in high mobility. Not only did it hold all my gear, my kid’s stuff and all the swag from the Fishing Expo but it was easier to navigate through the crowds. I cant tell you how many times I’ve had my shoulder bag kitted out and tried to work through a packed mall and have practically knocked people over! Sometimes it’s a good thing to carry a camouflage wrecking ball but at others, not so good…This is where the ASP shines, coming in at 21.2oz thanks to the revolutionary PV500 material and a nice spacious interior, it was the perfect tool for the mission at hand.

Seeing that the E&E bag had spoiled me on its organization I opted to add an admin pouch to the outside, under the top of the beaver tail. Tyr has a some great options for this and I think this one would work the best. Adding the pouch was easy and was keeping to the spirit of adaptability inherent to the ASP. One admin pouch, two chemlights shoved into the webbing on either side, my Sidewinder Compact on the left shoulder strap and I’m good to go!

Click here to learn more about the Assaulters Sustainment Pack and order…

Calling All Readers! Calling All Readers!!

And now for something completely shameless!!

Just an update to something I have going on. One of my posts was selected as a runner up in 5.11’s Tactical Adventure Giveaway! I know, how cool is that right? Well I’m currently in second place and I’m asking for your help!! Please follow the link below to my entry on the 5.11 contest page and click either Tweet for Facebook Share to vote for me!

Thanks for your help!

http://news.511tactical.com/2012/01/of-fire-and-song-by-gear-and-gadgets-for-every-day-carry/

 

Scott

Hey There Hot Stuff!

 

We know how the game works…The Military and Law Enforcement get to play with all the new high speed stuff and we get to watch…Until now! Enter the Scout line of thermal imagers from FLIR!!

Weighing in at 12oz. and under seven inches long this little device totally changes the game of imaging! From the intuitive three button controls to quality case it is everything you would expect from an industry leader like FLIR. Finally there is a thermal imager on the market made and priced for the masses!

Now be warned, I’m not going to get all spec. heavy and show you an endless line of pictures of me in various, alluring positions…We have all seen those on tv when they show high speed car chases or the military working overseas…What I will tell you is how I used it and show you some revealing photos of what to expect.

The one thing that I found disconcerting was getting used to understanding that I was seeing heat. I’m no stranger to NV and using that is closer to natural sight than the thermal. Use one and you’ll understand what I mean. Fine detail is lost and everything is black and white. Its really neat!

Here is the first image. The Scout sees all heat, not just body heat or a specific degree. If objects differ from each other in temp you will see that represented by the difference in brightness of the pixels on the viewing screen. The black object on the table that seems to cast a shadow is actually a cold can of soda! The seat of the chair to the right is brighter than the others and there are light spots on the table. I had been sitting there writing and took a picture of where I was! How cool is that!!

The next image is my kitchen sink. You can see the heat coming from the dishwasher on the lower right. Note how it saturates the area. There are objects on the counter that you cant see because they are the same temp as the dishwasher. The window is black as well as the faucet nozzle and some water rolling down between the two bottles on the backsplash.

Now let me tell you this. You cannot look out windows! If you do all you see is yourself looking back at you and if its dark outside and you don’t know that’s going to happen, boy are you gonna be surprised!!  We had a lot of fun using the imager for playing hide ‘n seek and looking for wildlife in our neighborhood.

Was it easy to use? I’m glad you asked! Yes, it’s a dream to operate. There is a power button, zoom button and brightness control. You can use it without thinking…My four year old was able to operate it with no problem. The kids loved looking at their handprints on the walls and following foot tracks on the floor.

I took the unit into my yard to have a look around and was able to clearly see my neighbor’s incessantly barking dogs two yards over as they moved through shrubs and ground cover. The sensitivity is nothing short of amazing and the screen is clear and bright.

If I was a LEO, I wouldn’t go out on patrol without this device. You can see through brush foliage, fog and rain… find footpaths as well as look at cars to tell if they have been run recently. Fire Fighters can use it for rescues and looking for hotspots in buildings. Contractors can use it to survey homes for insulation, look to see if those new windows are keeping the heat in, Not to mention hunters can use it for tracking wounded game and pre dawn scouting. SAR operators have a need for such devices and they can often make the difference between life and death.

With a price point around $2k it’s a “Spouse Justifiable” expense for work but may be a stretch for non LEO or SAR. The only bad thing about the unit was that I had to send it back!! I absolutely loved it and would have kept it if there had been room in the budget.

Follow the link below to go to imagers info page…

http://www.flir.com/cvs/americas/en/personalvision/view/?id=44756