Daniel Defense Convert Grip (with and without pressure pad extension)

The flat side is for solid mounting of pressure pad switches for lights, lasers, and such. It can rotate 360 degrees so the switch is where you want it.

The part with the switch area can be removed completely, shortening the grip to a stubby (left, above).

Below is a shot of the separate components:

Daniel Defense Convert Grip (apart)

NSN #1005-01-580-6261.

The ConVert Grip doesn’t seem to be on the DD web site yet.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nekolas Portella, a member of the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team, inspects construction at a school outside Badra, Iraq, Jan. 8, 2010. The inspection is being conducting to ensure the school's maintenance following the completion of its construction a year ago. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Brien Vorhees

Staff Sgt. Portella apparently likes Magpul PMAGs. I’ve been seeing more and more of them in US military photos lately.

Hilarious. Via Uncle.

How cold? Cold enough that iguanas are falling from the skies.

I knew I had a tip about a high-tech face mask somewhere, and here it is:

ColdAvenger Hunter face mask by Talus

Designed with the hunter in mind, Talus Outdoor Technologies, LLC introduces the ColdAvenger® Hunter made with Predator® brown deception camouflage. With the same ventilation technology as the ColdAvenger Classic, the newly-designed ColdAvenger Hunter features a soft yet heavyweight fleece camouflage material. The mask provides hunters and outdoors people with the ultimate cold-weather breathing protection, and its wind-resistant, water-shedding and insulating fabric characteristics make it an essential hunting accessory.

The Talus ColdAvenger Hunter is designed for a variety of winter outdoor activities where deception and protection from cold is essential. The face piece is made of medical grade plasticizer free polyurethane selected for its safety, microbial resistance, and overall cold weather endurance.

The temperature inside the mask is 40 to 60 degrees above the outside air. Looks like Murdoc needs one for his outdoor running. There have been some bitter training days already, and I’ve got no doubt there are plenty more to come.

Rest of the press release below:

The medical grade polyurethane nose and mouth chamber mixes inhaled cold air with exhaled warm air to achieve a dynamic balance of warmth and humidity while keeping moisture away from the face. The Talus ColdAvenger’s patent-pending ventilation technology actually keeps temperatures inside the mask 40˚– 60˚F higher than outside air. The Predator fabric is a soft and ultra quiet 380 gram heavyweight fleece that has a comfortable stretch to fit the face, ears, and neck. The result is a state-of-the-art product that keeps your face warm and dry while helping to humidify inhaled cold air and allowing you to breathe freely.

“The true advantage to the ColdAvenger technology does not lie in the use of the advanced fabrics, but in the implementation of our patent-pending ventilator system,” says Sullivan. “Our ventilation system allows the user to breathe freely without resistance, removes moisture, eliminates fogging of most eyewear, protects airways from the damaging cold, and keeps you warm. All this equates to a much more comfortable and safe outdoor experience.”

The cold weather face mask comes in a variety of sizes and can be purchased online at www.talusoutdoortech.com. The camouflage mask retails for $59.95 and is currently offered in one color – brown deception. With its earth-toned colors and a unique Three-Dimensional pattern, the Predator Brown Deception fabric works well in any terrain.

Founded and headquartered in Missoula, Montana, Talus Outdoor Technologies™ is a leading innovator in technologically-advanced outdoor gear. Talus is dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts Stay Out Longer.™ In 2007, Talus introduced the ColdAvenger®, an advanced, high-quality cold weather protection mask developed by a physician and a skier. The ColdAvenger® is the result of more than two years of research and development testing in Northern Rocky Mountain winters to achieve four functional goals: thermal comfort, ventilation adequacy, moisture control and ease of breathing during exercise. Talus is proud to provide an elite product while being socially and environmentally conscious.

www.talusoutdoortech.com

I’ve seen these (the non-camo models) around and have wondered how they work.

Steiner 10x50 Military Binocular Laser Rangefinder (LRF)

Steiner Release:

Renowned the world over for the extreme durability and reliability of its military binoculars, Steiner is charting new territory with the addition of its new 10×50 Military Binocular Laser Rangefinder (LRF), a lightweight, laser-rangefinding binocular. Unique and compact in design, the new 10×50 Military LRF is based on Steiner’s own military-tested/military-approved, tried-and true Porro-prism configuration. It integrates sleek two-button interface and a powerful laser rangefinder that outpaces its competition with a maximum ranging distance of 1,600 yards.

The 10×50 Military LRF’s built-in laser rangefinder utilizes an eye-safe invisible FDA Class 1 laser in the left half of the unit. The digital display is superimposed over the image seen in the unit’s right half. By centering the target display on the subject while touching and releasing the “RANGING” button located on top of the right half, the digital display will provide an accurate distance value nearly instantaneously. Holding the ranging button for more than three seconds activates the unit’s scan mode, which is especially helpful when measuring small or moving targets. Scan mode switches off automatically after 20 seconds to conserve battery life.

The 10X50 Military LRF has a wide measurement range from 20 yards to 1,600 yards. With sunshine and good visibility, the unit’s accuracy is within one yard at ranges up to 380 yards, within two yards to 763 yards, and within approximately one-half of one percent to 1,600 yards. The Military LRF is also capable of being switched to provide metric measurements via the “SET” button.

A single, easily accessible 3-volt CR123A battery powers the 10×50 Military LRF laser rangefinder. A new battery will provide in excess of 5,000 individual measurements at 68 degrees F.

Available this month. Suggested retail is about $2,600.

Instead of re-engineering their product line or negotiating to license Surefire’s tailcap, PentagonLight chose to quietly shut their entire operation down. This is intriguing, since the judgment had no financial component. Surefire didn’t ask for a dime. They just asked that PentagonLight not be permitted to sell the Surefire tailcap.

Too bad.

For what it’s worth, I think the MOLLE Light is actually the light I use more than any other in terms of minutes turned on. The only problem I’ve had with it is that the compass in the base went bad at some point. It takes AA batteries that are too low for use in other things and gets a lot more use out of them. It’s a low-power light, but plenty good for a lot of general use. (via Uncle)

Crimson Trace MVF-515 with Red Laser

Crimson Trace Modular Vertical Foregrip Now with Green Laser

Crimson Trace announces an addition to the revolutionary modular vertical foregrip, the MVF-515 Green that now utilizes both a green laser and a white light in one unit. Both light sources follow the Crimson Trace mantra of instinctive activation for ease of use. Suggested retail price is $649.00.

Given the popularity and usefulness of green lasers, Crimson Trace has waited until the Crimson Trace engineering team was able to solve the two banes of green laser technology: The first one, heat, which shortens the laser diode life and second, high power draw, rendering green lasers useless in a matter of minutes. The engineers at Crimson Trace have overcome both of these detriments by utilizing the latest technologies into the new MVF-515 Green.

I’ve checked out the MVF-515 with the standard red laser and it’s pretty sharp. Not exactly cheap, but it’s a great unit.

Meprolight NOA Thermal Weapon Sights

Meprolight Press Release:

Meprolight to Launch New Version of Advanced Uncooled Thermal Weapon Sight at Milipol
Or Akiva, Israel, November 9, 2009. Meprolight, a provider of innovative weapon sights, today announced that it will launch a new version of its NOA uncooled thermal weapon sights (X4 and X7 magnification) at Milipol, the international exhibition of internal state security, to be held in Paris, France, November 17-20, 2009 (booth # 11D034).

The new version contains an advanced electronic level indicator, a critical component in balancing the sight for effective long-range shooting. Another new feature is the capability to withstand heavy weapon recoil. The sight’s new version enables bidirectional communications with military devices such as range finders and wireless recording systems.

The new version is designed for snipers who operate under harsh environmental conditions and need to detect and accurately engage targets at long ranges reaching more than 1,000 meters in variable weather conditions and very limited light availability or total darkness. The NOA sights, with their high resolution and digital zoom, detect targets in urban or densely vegetated areas, including camouflaged people or targets behind camouflage nets.

More below

“This announcement further establishes Meprolight as a global leader in thermal sights,” said Golan Kalimi, Meprolight’s Vice President Marketing. “The new version greatly improves sniper performance. We are committed to help our clients around the world meet the most demanding challenges of long-range sniping in any environmental condition.”

NOA’s state-of-the-art sights are equipped with a cutting-edge Fire Control System (FCS), featuring automatic ballistic compensation based on range and type of weapon and ammunition, among others. Additional features include leveling indicator, Laser Range Finder interface for automatic target range acquisition, and the ability to upload and download data.

NOA sights enable wired or wireless transmission of streaming video and real-time video recording, as well as integrated capturing and storage of still images. The NOA sights excel in low energy consumption, allowing up to 10 hours of continuous operation.