An Cosantóir

gear review ESS (Eye Safety Systems) Crosshair 3 Lens Series Colour: Black Frame with 3 coloured replacement lenses: Clear, Smoke Grey & Hi Def Yellow Price: €68.00 The manufacturer says... At ESS, superior function comes standard; the ESS Crosshair™ exceeds ANSI Z87.1 optical standards and U.S. Military impact requirements while providing all-day comfort and a universal fit. This entry-level eyeshield goes well beyond the basic necessities of eye protection: with a baseline of advanced performance and superb adaptability, the Crosshair™ benefits from complete compatibility with the ESS Cross-Series eyeshield platform. Experience the Tri-Tech Fit™ frame that achieves an amazing universal fit with max comfort and zero pressure points. Optimal stability is attained by balancing weight evenly throughout the frame. When you're ready to switch lenses, the innovative DedBolt™ Lens Lock pivots up for easy release, then clamps down for rock solid retention under impact. As you stare down your objective through ESSOPTICS™, you'll experience distortion-free optical precision throughout the entire field of view. The ESS Cross-Series is a revolutionary new systems approach to ballistic eye protection. This fully cross-compatible eyeshield platform includes three products: the entry-level Crosshair with core performance, the elite Crossbow with premium anti-fog/anti-scratch lenses, and the adaptable Suppressor for use with hearing protection. All Cross-Series™ components and accessories can be interchanged between these three eyeshields. Engage. Adapt. Excel. Clear: For use indoors or at night, has no influence on contrast or colour. Smoke gray: For medium to bright light, an all-purpose daytime lens with unbiased influence on colour. Hi-def yellow: For flat to very low light, a high contrast lens for overcast or extremely low light conditions. Our reviewer Sgt Terry Wearen (DFTC) says... Overall, I liked these glasses. The fit is very comfortable and, as a wearer of spectacles, this is very important for me. The interchangeable lens system was simple to use and, after the first time, was not something I had to be concerned about when a lens change was required. For people with an active lifestyle these glasses will provide lots of use in a variety of situations. Comfort & Fit 9 - DedBolt™ Lens Lock 9 - Durability 8 - Lenses 8 Comp e titio n | 33 Sponsored by Team Alpha.ie 5.11 Tactical Series Taclite Shorts Colour: Khaki Price: €49.95 The manufacturer says... 5.11 Tactical has done it again; our new Taclite® Pro Shorts are ready for wear. Fashioned after our traditional 5.11 Taclite Pro Pant, the shorts feature a lightweight poly-cotton ripstop fabric and a fully gusseted crotch that allows for full range of movement. The shorts have pockets located for easy access to all of your gear. An external knife pocket on the right front side gives you easy access to a knife. Two cargo pockets are located on both thighs and a magazine/cell phone pocket is located over the left cargo pocket for quick access with your off-hand. The magazine and new knife pocket are reinforced with 100% Cordura® nylon. We have kept our signature slash pockets in the rear along with the strap found on our 5.11 Tactical Pants. Made of lightweight 65% polyester and 35% non-fading polycotton ripstop, you have shorts that are extremely functional and maintain a neat, clean and professional look. We've also treated the Taclite Pants with HT Teflon® wear resistant finish for stain and soil resistance to maintain that good look no matter what the daily activity. The belt loops are thick enough to support a large belt to carry the weight of a sidearm, cuffs or other equipment. We use only YKK® zippers, Prym® snaps and Horn® buttons so that you can rest assured that these Taclite Pro Shorts will last. We've also included our traditional clip loop on the front of the shorts for our great traditional 5.11 Tactical look. Our reviewer Cpl Paul Millar (PR Branch) says... I've used the Taclite Pro Shorts for some time now. They straddle the thin line between comfort and durability very well, it's a difficult mix to get right but they succeeded. The shorts fit well and look presentable. The stain resistant material isn't as lightweight as the company make out, but you don't notice that when you wear them. The material and construction seems rock solid and well thought out with details such as the zippers, snaps, belt loops and buttons, which are normally the first things to break, being built to last. There's a multitude of pockets on the shorts. If you filled them all, they'd weigh a ton. But it also means you have a number of options to carry your kit. The pockets can handle magazines and maps with ease, as well as having specially designed pockets for phones and folding knives. At €49.50, they're not cheap, but still good value for money for anybody that will be doing outdoor work this summer. Lightweight 8 - Durability 9 - Zipper Strength 9 - Value 8 Easy Access 9 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 Taclite Pro Pants – Black on the team-alpha website? Answers on a postcard to An Cosantóir's regular address or by email to subs@military.ie, closing date 21st June 2013. Winner will be the first correct entry drawn. Last month's winner of a €100 voucher for Team-Alpha.ie was Oliver Byrne, Lucan. www.military.ie the defence forces magazine

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