An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/117940
| 35 gear review Princeton Tec Point Modular Personal Lighting System (MPLS) Colour: Olive Drab body with Red LED. Price: ���28.95 The manufacturer says... Extremely light and flexible, yet this all-new Designed for the end-user needing to streamline their gear, the Point - MPLS offers powerful LED technology in a virtually weightless package. Simplicity is key with a large, positive feeling push button and a single LED. With the capability to be mounted practically anywhere, you���ll never need to take your eyes off of your task at hand with the Point ��� MPLS. Available in a range of LED and body colours. Point MPLS is extremely versatile; it is Molle compatible but also can be mounted on a helmet. Both the Molle and Helmet mounting hardware are included. Specifications: Power: 10 Lumens, Lamp: Ultrabright LED, Burn Time: 36 Hours, Batteries: 2x 2016 Lithium Coin Cell (2032 for red and Infrared and Red LED) and Weight: 17 Grams Waterproof Level 1: Lights rated at Level 1 are designed for water resistance to splashing and quick dunkings. (If a light with a Level 1 rating is accidentally submerged for a longer period of time, the batteries should be removed and the cabinets should be carefully inspected for signs of battery leakage. If water has entered the housing, the light should be dried and batteries replaced.) Our reviewer Capt J. Tynan (1 ACS, DFTC) says... The Princeton Tec MPLS is a simple but useful lighting system and includes the mounting brackets for both DF issue combat helmet and AFV Bose helmet and the MOLLE system assault vest. Separate brackets can be bought for helmet rail systems and Picatinny rails for weapon mounting. Its main selling point is the ability to attach it very quickly to a helmet or assault vest. The light simply clicks in firmly and confidently in seconds and can be rotated through 30��. The functionality is greatly enhanced by the flexible gooseneck, which allows accurate placing of the beam. One press gives a low light emission that���s fine for tactical night navigation; a second press gives a brighter light. I think its main usage will be as a helmet light rather than assault vest mounting. Vehicle crew commanders may find it particularly useful for map reading, maintenance and general work within the vehicle. The package states it can be used as a weapon light, I personally can���t see that, as it is just not bright enough. With a battery life of 32hrs and the total weight 17grams, this is an excellent soldier task light with great design features. Mounting Hardware 10 - Lumens/Brightness 9 - Waterproof 9 Battery Life/Burn Time 10 Sponsored by Team Alpha.ie Kestrel 2500NV Pocket Weather Meter with Tactical Red Backlight Colour: Olive Drab Price: ���195.00 The manufacturer says... The Kestrel 2500 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind and temperature with total accuracy, and has the added benefits of an air pressure sensor that provides altitude and barometric information. Kestrel 2500 technology enables you to follow changes in air pressure that help predict impending changes in the weather. Factor in the 2500���s digital altimeter, and you have most of the weather information you need for outdoor activities ranging from model airplane flight to rifle practice. The Kestrel 2500���s sensitive and user-replaceable impeller technology provides accurate wind speed info. Additionally, an external temperature sensor and waterproof casing allow you to gauge the temperature of water (it even floats) and snow, as well as the open air. A hard slide-on case, lanyard, and battery are included. Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters like the Kestrel 2500 are an essential tool for target rifle shooters and military professionals, and prove invaluable to outdoor enthusiasts (like skiers and mountain climbers) who need accurate and up to the minute weather information. For military professionals, the Olive Drab NV version of the Kestrel 2500 features a night-vision preserving backlight. Backlight incorporates optical filter to reduce overall brightness and minimize blue and green spectrum light to preserve night vision. (Note: This backlight appears soft greyish pink, not ���red���, and is still in the visible spectrum, so is not compatible with night-vision equipment.) The Kestrel Meter 2500 Meter Measures: current wind speed, maximum wind gust, average wind speed, air, water & snow temperature, wind chill, barometric pressure, altitude. Features: real-time clock, protective cover with sure-grip overmolding, data hold function, large easy-to-read display with backlight, waterproof and floats, innovative design for stability and accuracy in abrupt condition changes, patented user-replaceable impeller, quick response, external thermistor, high precision pressure sensor, reliable, portable and easy to use. Our reviewer Cpl Flanagan (27 Inf Bn) says... I tested the Kestrel 2500NV Pocket Weather Meter during the ���Recce Concentration��� and found it to be like the saying goes ���it does what is says on the tin���. It was good for quick accurate wind-chill readings. For accuracy the temperature reading takes a bit longer, but this is acceptable. The settings were easy to control even without reading the manual. The protective cover is an excellent addition. Overall I would highly recommend it although it is very pricey. Durability 9 - Accessibility 9 - Practicality 6 ��� Value for money 7 Comp etitio n This month Team-Alpha are offering a ���100 Voucher to be used on their website www.team-alpha.ie. For a chance to win this month���s prize answer the following question: How much is a pair of 5.11 A.T.A.C. Side Zip 8��� Black Boots on the team-alpha website? Answers on a postcard to An Cosant��ir���s regular address or by email to subs@military.ie by the 22nd Apr 2013. Winner will be the first correct entry drawn. Last month���s winner of a ���100 voucher for Team-Alpha.ie was Clodagh McConnell www.military.ie the defence forces magazine