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Review: SAR Eclipse Signal System

By on April 4, 2011 in EDC, Reviews, Survival

Signal mirrors have proven their worth as survival gear time and time again. A well made signal mirror can literally save your life, but even the best survival gear is of no use to you if you leave it at home.

The patent pending SAR Global Tool Eclipse Signal System (ESS) is a signal mirror that is the size of a dog tag and weighs less than 1/2 of an ounce. It is small enough to slip into a single section of MOLLE webbing or the coin pocket of your jeans. It can be laced into your boots or clipped in the business card slot of your briefcase. It can be seamlessly integrated into whatever gear you are carrying. This is the kind of tool that you will actually have with you when you need it.

And if all of that isn’t enough to get your attention… It works at night.

Details

The ESS is a cleverly designed stack of dog tags that have been riveted together. The top dog tag has the SAR Global Tool logo, an aiming hole, and a ring of highly reflective SOLAS (USCG approved, Safety Of Life At Sea) tape around the aiming hole.

The next dog tag down in the stack is a mirror polished reflective surface. It is protected from scratching by the top dog tag. The top dog tag has a slight bend in it that allows it to be close over the top of the polished tag without contacting anything but the rolled edge of the tag. It is an ingenious way to protect the mirror polished surface.

The basic model only has the two above dog tags. SAR also offers a model with a third dog tag in the stack. The third dog tag is bent into a clip that allows you to clip the tag to fabric, webbing, paper, or any other relatively thin material.

There is an additional model that has a fourth dog tag. The fourth tag is made from titanium and has a sharpened carbide knife edge. The edge is small but it is enough for dressing small game, cutting cordage, or other survival tasks.

In this review, I will be looking at the basic model and the model with the clip.

The clip allows the ESS to be mounted on MOLLE webbing. In this picture it is turned in to prevent unwanted reflection.

 

The ESS can serve as a "cat eye" when attached to your gear.

Aiming

To aim the ESS in the daytime the user holds the ESS up to their eye with one hand so that they can look through the aiming hole. The user extends the other hand in the direction that they wish to signal. The user forms a “V” with the index and middle finger of the extended hand and then brackets the intended target in the center of the “V”. Finally, the user moves the ESS so that the sun’s reflection is visible on the fingers that are forming the “V”. You can wiggle the ESS so that the reflection is passing back and forth from finger to finger in order to create an attention getting flash effect. The sighting hole acts a rear sight and your fingers act as a front sight. It is easy to do but it should be practiced.

Your extended hand makes an excellent "front sight" when aiming.

You do not need to be as exact when aiming the ESS at night. The SOLAS tape is extremely reflective and, while it will appear brighter when it is aimed completely square to the light it is reflecting, it is very forgiving. I found that the easiest way to aim it was to just look though the aiming hole at my intended target, trying to keep the ESS square to that target. Just like during daytime use, a slight wiggle of the ESS can create an attention getting flash.

The ESS is 40 feet from the camera and illuminated with a 4 lumen white light.

The ESS is 40 feet from the camera and illuminated with a 4 lumen red light.

In Use

I have been able to test the ESS in a variety of conditions. SAR has tested the ESS all the way out to 10 miles. I have tested it as far as 300 yards with excellent results. At 300 meters the flash is very attention getting. If someone was looking for you, they would certainly see you. The ESS performed as advertised.

At night, the ESS will amaze you. It is so simple to use. I was able to test it all the way out to 100 feet. At that distance, an 80 lumen Surefire G2L lit up the SOLAS tape like a beacon. The real test however came when I used a 4 lumen green CMG Infinity. The CMG Infinity is a very early 5mm LED light. Even with just 4 lumens of green light, I was able to illuminate the SOLAS tape plainly. I replicated the same test with a 4 lumen white LED and 4 lumen red LED as well. That is incredible performance.

Alternate Uses

Signal mirrors can be used for more than signaling rescue. The ESS can do even more than the typical signal mirror.

If you have ever tried to use a sighting compass at night and in tree cover, you know how difficult it can be. It is extremely difficult to take an azimuth when you can’t see any landmarks. If you have at least 2 people in your party, the ESS can be used as a night time navigation aid. Send one person ahead with the ESS while another person stays on the known azimuth. The mobile person points the ESS at the stationary person while the stationary person aims a compass and light at the ESS. Once the azimuth is established, the stationary person can walk to the reflection of the ESS and then repeat the process until the destination is reached. This is exactly the same technique that many people use during the daytime in dense foliage that doesn’t allow the compass user to view a distant landmark.

Thanks to the extreme reflectiveness of the SOLAS tape, this can be done relatively discreetly using a small red colored LED. I have tested a 4 lumen red LED out to 100 feet and I am sure it would reflect further. The actual effective distance will vary based on terrain and foliage.

Conclusion

The patent pending Eclipse Signal System is a life saving tool that is very easy to live with and extremely versatile. It is small enough that you can forget that you are carrying it until you need it. The reflective surface is protected from scratches that can reduce its performance (unlike most signal mirrors). On top of all of that, it is usable at night. Amazing.

You can find more pictures and information at SAR Global Tool’s website.

Disclosure: The patent pending Eclipse Signal System was provided to me, free of charge, for this review.

Review: Battle Arms Development – Ambidextrous Safety Selector Cerakote

By on March 28, 2011 in Guns, Reviews

The FDE Cerakote is a perfect match with Magpul's FDE (shown with a PMAG).

I recently received a Battle Arms Development – Ambidextrous Safety Selector Cerakote (BAD-ASS Cerakote) in Flat Dark Earth (FDE). I have already reviewed the regular version of the BAD-ASS and, since the only difference with this new version is the Cerakote, this will be more of a mini-review. Please reference the original BAD-ASS review for more detail.

 

The BAD-ASS Cerakote features all the great functionality of the original BAD-ASS with the additional functionality of Cerakote. Cerakote is a coating that has excellent corrosion resistance properties and is extremely wear-resistant. Even the screws are completely coated to ensure that every part of the BAD-ASS receives the full benefits Cerakote’s of corrosion resistance. As an additional benefit, Cerakote is available in a number of attractive colors. Battle Arms Development is offering the BAD-ASS in either FDE, OD Green, or Gunmetal Gray.

The best news is that, functionally, these perform exactly the same as the original BAD-ASS. The levers are still well designed and easy to operate. It still moves crisply from safe to fire and vice versa. Everything you have come to expect from the BAD-ASS is here with the addition of Cerakote. The term “icing on the cake” seems to fit very well.

You can check out the Battle Arms Development webstore for more details.

Disclosure: Battle Arms Development provided the BAD-ASS Cerakote to me, free of charge, for this review.

FDE shown on a black reciever

FDE shown on Krylon Tan with a green overspray

Review: Tactical Watch Cover

By on March 21, 2011 in EDC, Reviews, Tactical Gear

A watch is an integral part of the gear that we carry everyday. It can also be a significant investment that needs to be protected. I have found that time spent on the shooting range can be very hard on a timepiece so I set out to find a way to protect my watch when I train.

I came across several options. I could leave my watch at home, but I like wearing it on the range. I could also purchase and install a watch band with a built in cover. However, these watch band covers don’t really blend in an office environment which means I would constantly be swapping out the watch bands. I couldn’t find a solution that I liked until I found the Tactical Watch Cover.

Description

The Tactical Watch Cover is a simple 1 7/8″ wide black neoprene band that can be placed over your watch, band and all. The band has a 1″ diameter hole cut in the center that allows you to view the watch face. The stretchiness of the neoprene material allows the band to stretch enough to accommodate most watches. It also has a flap that can be secured with hook and loop material.

Fit, Finish, and Details

The Tactical Watch Cover seems to be very well made. It is made from a single piece of neoprene that is doubled stitched onto itself to make the flap that covers the watch face. The hook and loop material is sewn around its perimeter. The neoprene material is about 1/8″ thick and has a very slightly shiny appearance.

In Use

Neoprene is the perfect material for this watch band. It is very stretchy which allows it to move with you and makes it very comfortable. It is also excellent at protecting the watch from impact. I have worn the Tactical Watch Cover all day on several occasions and I basically forgot that it was even on my wrist.

I like to use the Tactical Watch Cover when I am running through my dry fire drills at home or when I am on the range. Training with an AK can wreak havoc on a watch. When I need to reach the bolt handle during a reload, I reach under the AK and use my index and middle finger to pull the charging handle to the rear. This has lead to several impacts between my watch and my AK. This motion can put the watch face in a precarious position, but the Tactical Watch Cover protected the face of my watch admirably.

If you break a watch band pin, the Tactical Watch Cover can retain your watch. Your watch immediately falls off of your wrist if one of the 2 watch band pins in a typical watch band breaks. If this happens at an inopportune time, you may never see the watch again. However, the Tactical Watch Cover can actually keep a broken watch on your wrist. You might not even notice the broken pin until you remove the cover.

The Tactical Watch Cover also serves to reduce the visual signature of your watch. If you don’t want glare from your watch face or glowing watch hands to announce your presence in the dark, the Tactical Watch Cover might be perfect for you. I generally don’t have to worry about my watch giving my position away in the office but there people out that that need this functionality.

Viewing your watch when the Tactical Watch Cover is in place is very simple. You can pull the flap completely open or simply push it to the side. The stretchiness of the neoprene allows you to stretch the flap enough to see the watch without undoing the hook and loop material.

Conclusion

The Tactical Watch Cover is an elegantly simple product. It is a great design that has been constructed with the perfect material. It works.

Members of the Usual Suspect Network can purchase the Tactical Watch Covers on the forum or the seller can be reached via email at fosters@socal.rr.com.

I have a few of these to give away, so keep an eye on the blog for more details.

Review: Carlson Comp for the AR-15

By on March 14, 2011 in Guns, Reviews

Have you ever purchased and installed a compensator on an AR-15 only to find that there was no noticeable reduction of muzzle rise? There is no danger of that happening with the Carlson Comp from Carlson Comps.

The Carlson Comp is very simple and very effective. It chooses to forgo more exotic features like flash suppressor tines, crenelated strike surfaces, and rebar cutting notches in favor of pure performance. This is a compensator and only a compensator. The Carlson Comp reduces muzzle rise and it does it well.

The Carlson Comp features two large ports.

Why a Compensator?

Before I get into the review, I should discuss why you might choose to purchase and install a compensator. Compensators are devices that attach to the muzzle end of a firearm’s barrel. They redirect the gasses that escape the barrel with the bullet in a way that counteracts the muzzle’s upward movement. By reducing the amount that the muzzle moves, you reduce the time needed for the shooter to reacquire the sights. It all adds up to more bullets down range faster.

That all sounds great, but shooters should be aware that this enhanced performance comes with a cost and is not a substitute for technique. The cost is in the form of redirected sound and concussive blast. The compensator vents gasses up and to the side in order to counteract muzzle climb. Sound and concussive blast are redirected right along with the gasses. The shooter will likely notice that the firearms sounds louder. Those who are next to the shooter will definitely notice increased sound and will likely feel the concussive blast coming from the firearm. It should also be noted that even the best suppressor will not compensate for poor technique. Compensators will make a fast shooter faster but will likely not make much difference at all to the untrained.

When choosing to use a compensator, the shooter must be aware of the benefits and the drawbacks. This is true of all compensators, not just the Carlson Comp. Not all gear will work for you in all situations. Your specific mission should dictate the gear that you choose.

Installation

Installing the Carlson Comp is simple. It comes with a peel washer. I just held the peel washer with pliers while I applied heat to the washer with a lighter. The heat allows you to peel away very thin layers of the washer. You keep removing layers until the Carlson Comp lines up correctly, with the two ports on the top when it is fully tight.

Fit, Finish, and Details

The Carlson Comp is very cleanly machined and it threads into the muzzle very smoothly. It is finished with a matte black finish that matches the barrel well. It weighs 3.05 ounces, 2″ long, and 7/8″ in diameter. The Carlson Comp features two massive ports and a closed bottom.

The Carlson Comp (right) is similar in overall size to many muzzle devices.

Muzzle Rise, What Muzzle Rise?

I installed the Carlson Comp on a Colt 6520 with an Aimpoint and hit the range with some .223 ammo provided by LuckyGunner.com for this test. I started on the 25 yard line and faced down a 2/3 size IPSC silhouette steel target. I fired several single shot strings bringing the rifle from low ready to get a feel for how loud the Carlson Comp would be. It was a bit louder but not very bad at all when you are behind the rifle. Those who were nearby noted increased sound and could feel the concussive blast as they would with any other compensator.

Then I moved onto controlled pairs (2 shots, 2 sight pictures). At 25 yards and with the Carlson Comp, this was basically an exercise in how fast I could control the trigger. The Aimpoint’s dot just simply did not move off the target.

Double taps (2 shots, 1 sight picture) were a breeze. The Carlson Comp ensured that the muzzle stayed down which kept the dot on target. The Carlson Comp really changes how the rifle behaves at these speeds. Rather than the muzzle wanting to rise and feeling the rifle climb over the target, the rifle just seems to push back into your shoulder with hardly any detectable rise.

The Carlson Comp was mounted on a Colt 6520 (lightweight barrel profile) for testing.

Next, I moved back to 50 yards and ran through the same routine. I can’t tell you how much fun it is to be able to get hits as fast as you can pull the trigger because your technique is working so well with your gear. The Carlson Comp allowed for very fast controlled pairs and double taps. The controlled pairs were most telling about the performance of the Carlson Comp. At 50 yards, even with good technique, the muzzle will often lift enough that my aiming point moves up into the shoulder area of the target. With the Carlson Comp, it seems that Aimpoint’s dot never strayed from the high center of mass.

To wrap up my time with the Carlson Comp, I wanted to test how it affected accuracy. I fired 3 separate 5 shot groups with the Carlson Comp and then 3 more with the flash suppressor that I usually keep on this rifle. There was no difference. The rifle put all shots into it’s usual 3-4″. There was no difference that I could detect. I shot for accuracy from the prone position, using a backpack as a rest. It was interesting to watch the muzzle actually dip after each shot!

Conclusion

I put just over 200 rounds through the Carlson Comp. I found it to be extremely effective at controlling muzzle rise. It was so effective that the muzzle actually dips when shooting off a rest! Compensators are not for all situations, but if they fit your mission, the Carlson Comp would be a great choice.

Disclosure: Carlson Comps provided the Carlson Comp to me, free of charge, for this review.

Peak LED Solutions Matterhorn – Accidental Torture Test

By on March 12, 2011 in EDC, Flashlights, Reviews

I have been using flashlights from Peak LED Solutions for years. My favorite of their products is the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn is a simple flashlight that uses 5mm LEDs and accepts AAA batteries. It is blindingly bright but it doesn’t have to be. It serves wonderfully as a small, pocketable back-up light. The light itself is barely larger than the AAA battery that powers it yet it still provides a useful amount of light for a long, long time.

In December of last year, I noticed that the Matterhorn was missing from the pocket where I usually carry it with my keys. I searched high and low but I couldn’t find it. I sadly conceded that I must have unknowingly dropped it in a parking lot somewhere and that I would likely never see it again.

Then, just this week, the prodigal Matterhorn flashlight reappeared in one of our flower planters – a place that I rarely go, especially in the winter. It seems that the diminutive flashlight took a trip through the snow blower at some point this winter and was deposited far from where I dropped it getting into or out of my truck. Not only did it go through a snow blower but it has been sitting in the soil of a flower bed, exposed to an unusually cold and snowy winter for around 3 months.

At this point you may be wondering if a flashlight that took a trip through a snow blower and was exposed to the winter weather for 3 months still works and what it looks like. It does still work with the same battery that was in it when I dropped it and it looks pretty much like it did when I dropped.

This is what a Peak Matterhorn looks like after a trip through a snow blower and a whole winter spent outdoors.

The Matterhorn is made from hard anodized aluminum which makes it exceedingly tough. It basically has only two main parts: the head and the body. The body is just a machined aluminum tube. The head is also machined from aluminum. The 5mm LED and electronics are actually potted (encapsulated except for the battery contact) in epoxy inside the head. This makes it basically impact and element proof.The simple construction, potted small parts, and small size allowed this little light to run through a snow blower unscathed.

The only thing that really seems to show any sign of the ordeal is the o-ring that seals the joint between the head and body of the light. It is intact, but a little bit dry. That is easily fixed with some grease.

I should also note that when I was taking the picture for this post, I knocked the Matterhorn off the table and onto a patio stone. It landed on its head but survived. This is one tough little light.

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