Is your Ham Radio transceiver tactical enough? If you purchase a ICOM IC7200 from GigaParts, you can choose to have it Multicam hydro-coated for an additional fee. You can also choose to have it coated in a UCP-like digital camo, OD Green, Desert Tan or Safety Orange. Admit it. You kind of want one.
Check out GigaParts.com.
I like Rite In The Rain Notebooks and I like ESEE’s navigation tools so I guess I am sure to like the new ESEE Rite In The Rain Notebook. The new notebook contains the same water-resistant paper that you know from Rite In The Rain along with navigation and survival reference cards and translucent map tools. I always keep a Rite In The Rain Notebook tucked into my map case anyway, so adding the ESEE version will be a no-brainer.
The ESEE Rite In The Rain Notebook is coming soon. Check out ESEEKnives.com.
Vigilant Gear has their now has their own version of the Titanium Entry Card. I was recently given the opportunity to review the ITS Tactical version, so I was glad to have the chance to check out the very different Vigilant Gear version.
The Vigilant Gear Titanium Entry Card is a complete suite of Bogota Rakes, pick, and tensioner all wrapped up in a titanium credit card form factor. Titanium is chosen for its low magnetic signature which makes it more discreet than a steel pick set can be. It also makes the set fairly lightweight and corrosion resistant.
The set includes 6 individual lock bypass tools: 5 picks or rakes and 1 tension wrench. The picks/rakes include a classic short hook, Bogota Single, Bogota Double, Bogota Triple, and Bogota Sabana. The tension wrench is double ended and is designed to work well for top of keyway tension techniques. A Tyvek sleeve is also included.
The Vigilant Gear Titanium Entry Card is one of the most complete credit card type pick sets that I have seen. The tool selection is wide and varied. An advanced user should be quite happy with their ability to choose the correct rake for the task at hand. Novice users will still find themselves at home with the Bogota Triple, short hook, and reasonably forgiving tension wrench.
The tension wrench is one of the better ones that I have seen in a set like this. It is cut into the card at an angle to maximize its length. I find that longer tension wrenches tend to be more forgiving. You don’t have to be as heavy handed with them and that is a big plus when you are feeling your way around inside a keyway. You wouldn’t choose this tension wrench for a kit of dedicated professional lock bypass tools but it is quite good considering the form factor.
It is to be expected that the tools in this kit are a bit rough. A standard set of Bogota Rakes exhibit a high level of polish that allows them to move quickly and easily in the keyway. The rakes in the Vigilant Gear Titanium Entry Card can’t be polished to the same extent because of the constraints of the form factor. They have a level of finish that is consistent with their purpose as a last ditch tool. You will find that they do smooth a bit with use so don’t be discouraged if they are somewhat difficult to move in the keyway at first.
It is inevitable that the Vigilant Gear Titanium Entry Card will be compared to the previously reviewed ITS Tactical Titanium Entry Card. Now that I have time with both of them, they are actually quite different. The Vigilant Gear version has a wider variety of more advanced tools while the ITS Tactical version is a bit simpler. The Vigilant Gear version is more a single use item while the ITS Tactical version doubles up on all the tools. Because the Vigilant Gear version is more a of a single use item, they were able to shoehorn in a better tension wrench.
The Vigilant Gear Titanium Entry Card is impressive in its variety and completeness. I like having all of these choices at my fingertips.
Check out the Vigilant Gear Titanium Entry Card at VigilantGear.com. Stay tuned to JTT for a chance to win one!
Tarp shelters are lightweight, they pack small, and they are typically more versatile than a tent. UW Gear is currently developing their own version of the tarp shelter.
The prototype is made from coated 70D nylon. It is about 5.5′ by 9.5′ long but those dimensions may change. The prototype is shown in A-TACS FG and other colors and patterns may be available. The tarp shelter utilizes webbing loops for its tie downs which are more durable and easier to replace than grommets. It can be used as a standalone shelter or in conjunction with a bug net or hammock.
Watch UWGearInc.com for details.
Princeton Tec announced that the Byte is getting an output upgrade. The new version will boast 50 lumens versus 35 from the original model.
The Byte is one of my favorite headlamps because of its small size and functional red light option. It is also fairly inexpensive. Check out PrincetonTec.com.
