ESEE Navigation Cards

ESEE had two new navigation products that very slick. One is sold under the ESEE brand and the other will be part of their Izula Gear line.

This single card replaces 3 commonly used map tools.

The first is a Map Card for 24K scale maps. This is part of the ESEE brand. 24K is the most common scale for topographic maps in the USA. The Map Card features a 1 mile map scale in 1/4 mile increments, a compass rose in 2.5 degree increments, acre squares in 1, 2.5, 10, and 40 acre sizes, and a UTM grid (which can also be used to take point to point measurements in meters). The card comes in a Tyvek sleeve to protect it from getting too scratched up as it bounces around in your kit. This single card replaces at least 3 commonly used map tools. It is everything you need to do your map work with a military lensatic compass and it would also be a great companion to a baseplate compass. This card is available on the ESEE website right now.

The Izula Gear Navigation Card Set provides multiple cards to work with just about any topo map. Click to enlarge.

The second product is a Navigation Card set that will be sold under the Izula Gear brand. The set will include 3 clear cards that are for use with 24K, 25K, 50K, 100K, and 250K maps and 2 opaque white information cards. These Izula Gear Navigation Cards are much like the Map Card above with a slightly different layout. The information cards are printed front and back with survival information, topographic map information, and UTM information. This set will be available from the ESEE dealer network soon.

Just like the ESEE Survival/Navigation Card, part of what makes these so attractive is the form factor. They are essentially credit cards sized which makes them easy to store and carry. They would easily slip into your map case, compass case, wallet, survival tin, or just about anywhere else.

These are some of the simplest, most well thought out map tools that I have ever seen.

Review: Multitasker Series 2

The box has many of the features of the Series 2 printed on the sides.

The Series 2 is Multitasker’s version of the traditional folding pliers type multitool. I have reviewed the Multitasker Tools TUBE and Ultralight in the past and I was very impressed with their design, quality, and function. The Multitasker Series 2 tool takes that same design, quality, and function to a whole new level.

Several useful items are included with the Series 2.

In the Box

The Multitasker Series 2 comes with a number of useful items. When you open the box you will find several items: the tool itself, a sheath, 10 assorted 1/4″ screwdriver bits, a bit holder, and an instruction sheet that also spells out information about the limited lifetime warranty.

The 10 included screwdriver bits are as follows:

  1. T10 Torx
  2. T15 Torx
  3. 3/32 Hex
  4. 7/64 Hex
  5. 1/8 Hex
  6. 9/64 Hex
  7. 3/16 Hex
  8. 3/32 slotted
  9. 3/16 slotted
  10. No. 1 Phillips

The sheath is made from heavy duty ballistic nylon and seems to be very durable.

The sheath is MOLLE compatible.

The bit holder is held in place behind the Series 2 with an elastic sleeve.

Sheath

The sheath is designed to accept both the Series 2 itself and the bit holder (with bits). There is an elastic sleeve in the back of the sheath that holds the bit holder in place and keeps it from rattling against the Ultralight. The back of the sheath features a MOLLE strap that allows you to attach the sheath to your chest rig, belt rig, plate carrier, pack, or any other MOLLE webbing. The sheath is very nice but I usually just end up throwing the Series 2 into a pocket on my chest rig or cargo pants.

The 2 piece bit holder holds the bits in place when in the closed position.

Bits and Bit Holder

I’ve said it before and I will say it again. The fact that Multitasker Tools use standard 1/4″ screwdriver bits is one of the best things about the tools. There are other tools on the market that use non-standard or proprietary bits which makes them far less useful to me. With a Multitasker Tool, I can walk into any hardware store and buy a screwdriver bit to customize my kit. It is convenient and inexpensive.

The bit holder that comes with the Series 2 is ingenious. It separates into two pieces to allow access to the bits and connects together for easy storage. The bit holder is made from plastic and maintains a tight friction grip on the bits to prevent loss.

The pliers are precision CNC-machined from D2 tool steel.

A precision roller bearing keeps the pliers moving smoothly.

The Pliers to End All Pliers

I will discuss the entire tool selection below, but the pliers are impressive enough to merit their own section. These pliers will blow you away.

Most users will notice the needle nose pliers first. These are the sturdiest multitool pliers that I have ever seen. The pliers are CNC-machined from D2 tool steel which makes them incredibly durable and very precise in how they fit together. They are finished with QPQ Tufftride, a nitrocarburizing treatment, which is very durable. D2 steel is not considered a stainless steel but is close. The QPQ Tufftride finish will protect the pliers from the elements.

The D2 steel will really pay off in the wire cutters which are integrated into the pliers. D2 is highly wear resistant and should deliver great cutting performance for a long time. The teeth of many multitool pliers are easily gouged and rounded over during use. This is not the case with the Series 2 thanks to the D2 tool steel.

To top it all off, the pliers pivot on a precision roller bearing. This makes the pivot point very strong and very smooth. You really have to feel how these pliers pivot to understand how smooth they feel.

The Series 2 features a wide variety of useful tools.

Other Tools

The tool selection of the Multitasker Series 2 is impressive. It is the most exhaustive tool in the Multitasker Tools line up. You will recognize several of the tools from the Ultralight review but several are unique to the Series 2.

The castle nut wrench is a great idea. The castle nut is the notched round nut that holds the end plate and receiver extension (AKA buffer tube or stock tube) in place. Ideally, the end plate should be staked to prevent the castle nut from coming loose but most manufacturers skip this step. If the castle nut comes loose, it is can lead to malfunctions. Castle nuts seem to have a knack for coming loose at the worst possible time so having a way to tighten the castle nut is a wise course of action. It should also be noted that the castle nut wrench also makes a great bottle opener.

The tanto style blade is made from 440C steel.

The liner lock engages the blade very securely.

The Series 2 has a knife with an American tanto profile. It is made from 440C steel. 440C does not get the respect that it deserves as a knife steel. It takes and holds a very good edge without being difficult to sharpen like many more modern cutlery steels. The blade has a thumb stud that allows it to be opened with one hand. It is locked in the open position with a liner lock. The blade has an over-travel stop ground into the tang to prevent the liner lock from slipping off the tang.

The file has a coarse side and a fine side. It also has a tip that is designed to be used as a flat tip screw driver. A small file is a nice thing to have on the range. I have used mine for everything from cleaning up a scarred Glock magazine well to adjusting point of impact on revolvers with fixed sights.

Users of LaRue Tactical products will appreciate the 3/8″ box wrench. It can be used to adjust the tension on LaRue mounts. I have something from LaRue on every one of my carbines so this tool sees a lot of use.

The bit driver is one of the most used tools on my Multitaskers. It comes with a very easy to use front sight adjustment tool installed but it can easily accept any of the included bits. As I said above, many multitools use non-standard sized bits, but Multitasker Tools insist on the extra function, ease of use, and versatility that comes with using standard 1/4″ bits. These bits are available inexpensively in any hardware store which makes it very easy to tailor your Multitasker to your specific carbine. You may want to consider adding an extension to your kit.

The Series 2 features a well designed bolt scraper. It has a thumb stud that allows you to open it one handed. The end of the scraper is bent 90 degrees and is rounded. This allows it to conform to the unique contours of a bolt tail. Many users have also reported success when using this tool to clear brass stuck in the chamber of their AR or correct bolt override malfunctions.

The final tool is a dental pick. The pick is shaped to be helpful in cleaning the very small corners that can be found on an AR-15 bolt. It is also shaped to be a useful for removing the bolt retainer pin from the bolt carrier. The pick can be removed from the tool to reveal a threaded post that will accept an OTIS cleaning cable. This allows you to use your Series 2 as a handle for pulling your cleaning cable through the barrel.

Details, Fit, and Finish

Every tool but the pliers are accessible without having to open the Series 2. This also means that when the Series 2 is opened to be used as pliers you aren’t gripping over all the tools which makes it more comfortable to use.

Individual backsprings and bronze washers are a mark of a well made multitool.

The textured G10 handle slabs and lanyard loop make this tool hard to lose.

Each tool has an individual cut in the backspring. This enables the tool to have consistent tension on multiple tools. Many tools with a single backspring lose tension on the tools next to the one that you are trying to open. This is not the case with the Series 2.

The lanyard loop may seem like an afterthought to some but it is extremely useful. It is a good idea to dummy cord your tool to something if you are working in the dark or near water. It is the kind of thing that you don’t appreciate until you need it.

The handles of the Series 2 are covered with G10. G10 is a laminate material that is very durable. It doesn’t absorb liquid and it is impervious to most solvents. It can be machined with an aggressive texture which makes it the ideal material to cover a tool that works in and around oil and solvents. The use of G10 on this multitool is one of the things that absolutely sets it apart from other tools. It is obvious that some thought went in to where and how this tool would be used.

The construction of this multitool is reminiscent of a high end folding knife. The Series 2 feels substantial and well made in your hand. It has a weight to it that is confidence inspiring. It makes use of D2 tool steel and 440C cutlery steel. It features G10 handle slabs. There is a precision bearing in the pliers. Bronze washers are placed between every tool to allow smooth operation while maintaining a tight fit. These are all qualities and features that you typically see on high end production and custom knives.

Overall

This may be the largest, heaviest, and most expensive Multitasker Tool of all that I have reviewed but it is also the most complete. The tool selection is extensive and functional. The materials are purposefully selected to enhance function. The construction is bomb proof. This tool is made to work hard. I don’t go to the range without it.

You can purchase your own Multitasker Series 2 at Brownells. You can also check out the Multitasker Tools Facebook page for more insight on these awesome tools.

This Multitasker Series 2 was provided to me free of charge for review.

Review: Grip Force Adapter for Glocks

The Grip Force Adapter is a bolt-on grip enhancement for Glock pistols that promises to improve the Glock’s grip. Does it deliver?

The Grip Force Adapter consists of two parts: an extended trigger housing pin and the adapter itself.

What Problem Does it Fix?

The Glock’s grip is much maligned. Two of the more common complaints with the grip are that the pronounced hump on the backstrap (the rear surface of the grip) makes the grip angle feel too swept back and that the “beaver tail” (or grip tang) does not prevent the web of your hand from coming in contact with the slide rails when the slide is in motion.

The backstrap issue hinders the ability of the user to point the gun naturally. I don’t tend to notice issues like that and have always found that aligning the sights and controlling the trigger still results in quality hits. Nevertheless, it is an issue for some shooters. Glock shooters who have this issue would generally spend money to have a “grip reduction” completed on their pistol. A grip reduction reduces or removes the hump on the back of the backstrap. Removing the hump gives the Glock a straight backstrap and a more upright grip angle. Grip reductions work but they are permanent, expensive, time consuming, and may void your warranty. Those who are issued weapons and are unable to permanently modify them in any way can’t even consider having a grip reduction done to their Glock.

If you tend to experience the “slide bite” or “race tracks” which result from the web of your hand coming in contact with the moving slide, you used to only have two  options. You could have the beaver tail extended but this has all the same downsides as the grip reduction or you could live with it.

This picture compares the G17 backstrap with and without the adapter.

How Does It Fix the Problem?

The Grip Force Adapter seeks to mitigate these issues by enhancing the grip 2 ways. It flattens the backstrap and it extends the “beaver tail” area of the grip.

It flattens the backstrap by filling in the curve above the Glock’s grip hump. The deeply curved backstrap is replaced with the flat profile of the Grip Force Adapter. This results in a fairly dramatic change in how the grip feels in your hand and changes the trigger reach surprisingly little since the Grip Force adapter is very thin.

It also covers and extends the beaver tail. This is the biggest selling point for me. I have found that it is very common for me to come home from the range with “race tracks” after working with a Glock. This is a fairly common issue for those who take a very high grip on the Glock. The beaver tail is what stands between the web of your hand and the slide rails. By extending the beaver tail you greatly reduce the chance of getting cut.

Does It Work?

The Grip Force Adapter really does deliver on its promises. The biggest benefit for me was the extended beaver tail. It is extended enough that it is virtually impossible for my hand to come into contact with the slide. I can place my grip as high as I want and not even come close to contacting the slide. This has made my range trips more comfortable.

The grip angle of the Glock has never really been an issue for me so the grip angle improvement, while dramatic, didn’t really have much of an affect on how I shoot. However, I have spoken with several other experienced shooters who are use the Grip Force Adapter and rave about the improvement. If you have always wished that Glock has a straight backstrap, this will be a marked improvement for you.

Details

The Grip Force Adapter is made from cleanly molded plastic. The instructions say that you may want to sand the edges lightly to knock down any sharp spots but I didn’t need to do any sanding.

The trigger housing pin that is provided is extended to allow the Grip Force Adapter to hook onto it on both sides of the frame. This seems to be a very secure set up. Those that want an even more secure installation can apply some RTV silicone under the Grip Force Adapter. This provides an extra measure of security but can still be removed fairly easily to return the Glock to stock configuration.

The Grip Force Adapter's trigger housing pin is longer than the stock pin.

The texture on the Grip Force Adapter is very well executed. It is slightly sharper than the stock texture and provides very good purchase without being irritating. It reminds me of the RTF4 Glock frames (Gen4) but it is still a little sharper. If you found that it was too sharp for your tastes, you could easily sand it down until is more comfortable for you.

The Grip Force adapter is made in both black and FDE colors. There is a version available for the generation 1,2, and 3 frames and a second version that is available for the new generation 4 frames. I had the generation 1,2,3 version and found it to fit easily on several different Glocks including a generation 3 G19, a stippled generation 2 G-17, a generation 3 G35 with grip tape in place, and a generation 3 G17 with the RTF2 frame. It fit everything that I tried it on.

The adapter fits this 3rd generation G19 very well.

It also fits this generation 2 G17, even with the stippling.

Issues

The Grip Force Adapter has somewhat large rounded ridges that run vertically up the beaver tail area. These are intended to make the adapter more rigid since the plastic is quite thin. The ridges are placed side by side across the full width of the adapter. The ridges in the center of the adapter are barely noticeable but the ridges on the sides can press against the first knuckle of my strong hand which is a little irritating. This is a small gripe with an otherwise excellent product and it is a gripe that can easily be fixed with a rotary tool.

The Grip Force Adapter does slightly increase the trigger reach and for some shooters this may be an issue. I have very average hands. I usually wear a medium or large size glove depending on the brand and I had no issues at all with trigger reach. In fact, I could tell no difference at all in how I was able to place my finger on the trigger. Even my wife had no problem reaching the trigger with the Grip Force Adapter installed and her hands are smaller than mine.

The vertical ridges near the top of the grip in this picture can be a little irritating while shooting. They can easily be removed.

Overall

The Grip Force Adapter is an excellent alternative to expensive and permanent grip work. It flattens the backstrap, extends the beaver tail, and enhances grip. It can be easily modified to suit your needs. I would like to see the outer most vertical ridges removed or at least reduced greatly but that is a small gripe that I can fix myself. Overall, this is a very well designed and executed product that solves a few problems for many Glock shooters.

You can read more about the Grip Force Adapters or purchase one at GripForceProducts.com.

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