A Look Ahead At Things To Come
By: Frank Borelli, 28 November 2005
Every now and then I actually get a chance to preview some of the equipment I'll be testing / evaluating in the coming months. I had that chance this past week where some of the recreational equipment is concerned. So, to give you - the reader - a glimpse of things to come, I've prepared this preview. The equipment listed includes items for hunting, camping, scuba diving, and archery, as well as some lighting tools and knives. I think that, overall, it'll give you a good idea of what you can look for in the next three to six months. Read on...
The Cold Steel Recon Tanto knife:
Cold Steel is well known for making excellent knives. The Recon Tanto, while primarily designed for, well... RECON work, is a strong knife with comfortable handling characteristics. It's relatively simple and straight forward. It's got a decent length sharp edge with a half-hilt and secure grip. The sheath is kydex with dual retention. There is a lanyard hole in the grip and a nice black powder coat finish. Mine has been through quite a bit of abuse and is still serviceable. We'll take a closer look at it as a camping / bakcpacking knife in the near future.
The M.O.D. Nightwing:
Masters of Defense has stepped into a different world with this knife design. Although this knife is well-suited for combat / heavy field use, it's just as well designed for recreational camping / backpacking / survival use. The ergonomically shaped grips in addition to the skydive-rated sheath (from BlackHawk) makes the knife comfortable and securely held. I've reviewed this knife before in the Tactical Equipment Evaluations section and it did well in the testing I gave it then. I expect that it will perform just as well for general field service, and I look forward to testing it that way.
CamelBak Pakteen:
All of the other hydration systems I've reviewed / evaluated have incorporated storage space with a hydration system. The Pakteen represents a different type of hydration system for me to review: one that doesn't have any storage space, and also one that can be used underwater as a drinking system for SCUBA diving. Although it may seem odd, divers can easily get dehydrated while they're surrounded by water. The Pakteen offers a convenient, almost neutrally bouyant drinking option. And with the bite-valve cover, contamination and/or drinking fluid loss are eliminated. Naturally, we'll also review the Pakteen as an ideal hydration system for walkers, hikers, runners, etc.
The BlackHawk CQC Tactical Holster:
Although obviously not designed as a general outdoors use holstr, the CQC Tactical Holster has some excellent design characteristics that make it suitable for hunting and/or camping/backpacking activities (where allowed by law). Not only is the holster available for most firearms popular for duty use (1911, Beretta M9, Glock) but the material it's made from allow it to conform to the shape of your thigh (intead of vice-versa). The hangers are flexible and the "Y" design means less stress on your hip as you walk or climb. With the accessory rails, you can attach pouches for extra magazines, a folding knife, or flashlight. I expect that BlackHawk will expand those accessory options in the future.
The Streamlight Thunder Ranch Illumination System:
LED lights are the wave of the future (that are here now) and every major flashlight manufacturer is getting in on the game. Streamlight took design tips from the experts at Thunder Ranch and designed an LED-driven two cell flashlight specifically for handgunning. Since the "system" comes with two lights, and one of them is perfect size to drop in your pocket, this light is ideal for general outdoor uses such as camping and backpacking. Equipped with a filter, you can even use it to save your night vision if you're out hunting in the pre-dawn hours.
AquaLung Swim Gear:
I'm not a combat swimmer - never have been, never will be, and won't claim to be something I am not (like so many wanna-ba-SEALs do). That said, I am an avid SCUBA Diver and recreational swimmer. As a police officer who works around water, I am a firm believer in water safety training for law enforcement professionals. When I attended one particular class, I was exposed to the AquaLung Combat Swimmer's Vest, AquaLung Rocket II Fins, and AquaSphere goggles. I'd seen the fins before and thought that only "old timers" used them. I'd seen the swimmer's vest before, but really didn't know anything about it. After examining and trying out all of these items, I've come to believe that they are just as much at home in recreational swimming, SCUBA diving and boating as they are for true combat swimmers. They're also on my list for a future review.
That is a taste of what's in store starting next week! If you have any pieces of equipment you'd like to see tested and/or reviewed, please send me an email through the below link.
Be safe!
By: Frank Borelli, 28 November 2005
Every now and then I actually get a chance to preview some of the equipment I'll be testing / evaluating in the coming months. I had that chance this past week where some of the recreational equipment is concerned. So, to give you - the reader - a glimpse of things to come, I've prepared this preview. The equipment listed includes items for hunting, camping, scuba diving, and archery, as well as some lighting tools and knives. I think that, overall, it'll give you a good idea of what you can look for in the next three to six months. Read on...
The Cold Steel Recon Tanto knife:Cold Steel is well known for making excellent knives. The Recon Tanto, while primarily designed for, well... RECON work, is a strong knife with comfortable handling characteristics. It's relatively simple and straight forward. It's got a decent length sharp edge with a half-hilt and secure grip. The sheath is kydex with dual retention. There is a lanyard hole in the grip and a nice black powder coat finish. Mine has been through quite a bit of abuse and is still serviceable. We'll take a closer look at it as a camping / bakcpacking knife in the near future.
The M.O.D. Nightwing:Masters of Defense has stepped into a different world with this knife design. Although this knife is well-suited for combat / heavy field use, it's just as well designed for recreational camping / backpacking / survival use. The ergonomically shaped grips in addition to the skydive-rated sheath (from BlackHawk) makes the knife comfortable and securely held. I've reviewed this knife before in the Tactical Equipment Evaluations section and it did well in the testing I gave it then. I expect that it will perform just as well for general field service, and I look forward to testing it that way.
CamelBak Pakteen:All of the other hydration systems I've reviewed / evaluated have incorporated storage space with a hydration system. The Pakteen represents a different type of hydration system for me to review: one that doesn't have any storage space, and also one that can be used underwater as a drinking system for SCUBA diving. Although it may seem odd, divers can easily get dehydrated while they're surrounded by water. The Pakteen offers a convenient, almost neutrally bouyant drinking option. And with the bite-valve cover, contamination and/or drinking fluid loss are eliminated. Naturally, we'll also review the Pakteen as an ideal hydration system for walkers, hikers, runners, etc.
The BlackHawk CQC Tactical Holster:Although obviously not designed as a general outdoors use holstr, the CQC Tactical Holster has some excellent design characteristics that make it suitable for hunting and/or camping/backpacking activities (where allowed by law). Not only is the holster available for most firearms popular for duty use (1911, Beretta M9, Glock) but the material it's made from allow it to conform to the shape of your thigh (intead of vice-versa). The hangers are flexible and the "Y" design means less stress on your hip as you walk or climb. With the accessory rails, you can attach pouches for extra magazines, a folding knife, or flashlight. I expect that BlackHawk will expand those accessory options in the future.
The Streamlight Thunder Ranch Illumination System:LED lights are the wave of the future (that are here now) and every major flashlight manufacturer is getting in on the game. Streamlight took design tips from the experts at Thunder Ranch and designed an LED-driven two cell flashlight specifically for handgunning. Since the "system" comes with two lights, and one of them is perfect size to drop in your pocket, this light is ideal for general outdoor uses such as camping and backpacking. Equipped with a filter, you can even use it to save your night vision if you're out hunting in the pre-dawn hours.
AquaLung Swim Gear:
I'm not a combat swimmer - never have been, never will be, and won't claim to be something I am not (like so many wanna-ba-SEALs do). That said, I am an avid SCUBA Diver and recreational swimmer. As a police officer who works around water, I am a firm believer in water safety training for law enforcement professionals. When I attended one particular class, I was exposed to the AquaLung Combat Swimmer's Vest, AquaLung Rocket II Fins, and AquaSphere goggles. I'd seen the fins before and thought that only "old timers" used them. I'd seen the swimmer's vest before, but really didn't know anything about it. After examining and trying out all of these items, I've come to believe that they are just as much at home in recreational swimming, SCUBA diving and boating as they are for true combat swimmers. They're also on my list for a future review.
That is a taste of what's in store starting next week! If you have any pieces of equipment you'd like to see tested and/or reviewed, please send me an email through the below link.
Be safe!