Tag: Quantico Tactical

High Speed Gear® Offers Peerless Versatility and Reliability

Posted on by Mathew Pruitt

If you’re new to the tactical space, you may not be familiar with the company that revolutionized the magazine pouch game, otherwise, you’ve surely heard of High Speed Gear® or seen its distinct and popular range of battle-proven tactical gear™.

 

HSGI® blazed the trail with the first true one-size-fits-all magazine pouch, the TACO®, which fits most rifle-caliber magazines and even non-mag items like smoke grenades or handheld radios. A version of this pouch, the X2R TACO®, a double rifle mag pouch, performed so well throughout evaluations that the Marine Corps selected as their new standard-issue mag pouch. The number one deciding factor in its selection was Marine preference.

 

But it’s not just HSGI’s® huge variety of different TACOs® for everything from mags to stun guns, HSGI® is also incredibly popular for its medical pouches, rigger belts, war belts and more. This 100% American-made brand also stands behind its workmanship with a lifetime warranty for all its products.

 

 

The TACO®

 

This unique pouch is constructed from injection-molded polymer brackets, heavy-duty nylon, and shock cord lacing to both expand and lock just about any magazine in place.

 

• Securely holds most rifle magazines

• Magazines deploy easily and silently on demand

• Also fits certain radios, flashbangs, smoke grenades and more

• Strip of loop fastener sewn inside for additional contact and grip

 

 

The ReFlex™ IFAK

 

The ReFlex™ IFAK was developed with direct input from active-duty medical personnel. The ReFlex™ is a two-piece system, med roll and carrier, that is designed to carry organized medical supplies with ambidextrous accessibility. The system, constructed primarily with heavy-duty nylon laminate, allows rapid deployment of medical supplies. This system was designed around the medical supplies included in the U.S. Army-issued IFAK. The ReFlex™ Carrier and ReFlex™ Med Roll can be purchased together or separately.

 

• Features HANK™ (High Abrasion-Resistant Neoprene Kevlar® composite) grab handles for long-term durability

• Can mount vertically or horizontally on belts 1.5 “-2.25”, and horizontally on MOLLE

• Intentional organization features put all supplies in easy reach

• Carry handle and shock cord loops allow the roll to be attached to a patient, or hung from an I.V. rack

• Gloves can be accessed via side slots with or without removing the roll from the carrier

• “Mini” MOLLE allows for a precise fit on belts as narrow as 1.5” or two-row MOLLE panels

• Features loop panels on med roll and carrier for label patches (Medical Cross Patch included)

 

 

 

The Kydex® Tourniquet TACO®

 

The Kydex® Tourniquet TACO® is designed to retain windlass tourniquets on a belt, rig, or bag using the unique properties of Kydex®. Comp-Tac® uses airline-grade Kydex®, which has a smooth inside finish, is resistant to sweat and solvents, and provides a material that won’t damage the tourniquet, or the platform it’s attached to. Combining Comp-Tac’s® Kydex® manufacturing capabilities with HSGI’s® versatile TACO® design provides users the best of both worlds in manufacturing and use.

 

• 100% aircraft-grade Kydex® body gives a smooth finish for easy insertion and draw (.080 thickness)

• Unique shock cord design allows for the use of most windlass-style tourniquets, such as C-A-T®, SOF®TT, SOF®TT Wide, and SAM XT tourniquets, in one pouch

• Kydex® does not hold water and won’t add weight from rain, humidity or sweat

• TACO® hole pattern allows for stacking two pouches in the space of one

• Designed to match the look of the HSGI® Polymer TACOs® and Kydex® Handcuff TACO® for a seamless look on the belt

• Can be mounted to belts up to 2” or MOLLE with included two HSGI® Universal Clips

• Includes separate red medical cross decal

 

This product is member tested and recommended by the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).

 

 

Duty Triple Pistol TACO®

 

Our Duty line of TACOs® functions the same as the originals, but feature sleeker fronts and hidden bungee, which is woven internally. This triple pouch will hold most pistol caliber magazines, small flashlights, pocket knives, multitools, and more.

 

• Mounts to both MOLLE and belts up to 2” with our new HSGI® Universal Clips

• Proprietary heavy-duty nylon laminate, shock cord, and polymer brackets provide versatility in size and adjustable retention

• Tapered, protruding brackets enable quick and easy indexing and reinsertion of items or magazines

 

 

Operator Belt (COBRA® IDR 1.75”)

 

The Operator Belt is a low-profile shooter’s belt designed to work with both MOLLE and belt-mounted gear. This two-belt system is overbuilt, like all HSGI® gear, to outlast the competition.

 

• Built with two layers of military-grade Type 13 nylon webbing

• Sewn together with five rows of lock-stitched, bonded 138 nylon thread

• Proprietary construction process provides additional rigidity and stiffness

• Features an additional layer of 1.5” webbing to form industry-standard columns of MOLLE for use with MOLLE pouches and holsters

• Double-needle binding along upper and lower edges of 1.5” webbing for added durability

• Includes your choice of HSGI® Inner Belt or Micro Grip Belt Panel to mate with the Operator’s interior hook fastener

• Two-belt setup enables the easy donning and removal of a belt

• Features patented COBRA® integrated D-ring buckle with matte black finish

 

 

Laser Sure-Grip® Padded Belt – Slotted

 

This new version is of our modular padded belt system is constructed with a laser-cut, proprietary heavy-duty nylon laminate. This belt’s slotted design allows inner belts to be woven under and over the MOLLE panels, making it compatible with both MOLLE and belt-mounted pouches and holsters. Our proprietary neoprene padding adds comfort while offering excellent grip and performance. The rear features an extra row of laser-cut MOLLE for larger pouches and additional comfort.

 

• Neoprene padding provides a “gel-like” comfort and unsurpassed grip

• Additional row of laser-cut MOLLE on wide back panel for comfort and larger pouches

• Individual laser-cut MOLLE panels allow the innerbelt to be woven inside or outside of the MOLLE to satisfy user needs for MOLLE mounting or belt mounting holsters and other accessories

• Assembled with an HDPE stiffener for added stability

Panasonic Toughbook Series FZ-N1 Tactical

Posted on by Mathew Pruitt

Have you ever dropped a smartphone, even one that you’ve spent the extra money for the hardened case that surrounds it, and still have the screen crack?  Do you work outside, in the rain, with gloves on and get frustrated because you cannot get your smartphone to work in the rain, or with gloves?  Do you get frustrated not being able to see your screen while outside on a sunny day?  How many times have you looked around for a power outlet because your phone was about to die and you wished you could just replace the battery?  If those scenarios describe your frustrations with your current smartphone, then please let me introduce the new Panasonic Toughbook FZ-N1 Tactical, the Fully Rugged Android handheld that solves those problems.

Most know the N1 as the built-in scanning device that delivery service carriers have to scan the packages as they deliver them, but this new N1 Tactical will not have the scanner.  The first version of the scanner-less N1 was a Wi-Fi device only, but with its rugged (MIL-STD-810G and IP 65/66/67/68), small form factor, and consistent size, weight, and power in versions, it was a logical choice to implement for tactical handhelds.  Panasonic listened to their customers and the N1 Tactical to be released in July, 2020, will come in Wi-Fi only, one SIMM, or dual SIMM versions (AT&T and Verizon, FirstNet capable), and all variants will be the same size, weight, and power.  Full specifications have not yet been released, but it will come with a Multi-core Qualcomm CPU capable of supporting Android 9 or 10 OS, which is capable of running the latest versions of ATAK, APAS, or other situational awareness applications and plugins.   The 4.7 inch HD 1280 x 720 screen is daytime viewable.  With its 10-point capacitive, multi-touch display, the N1 works in the rain and with gloves with the Panasonic patented rain sensing and glove input modes.  It will have two cameras, full HD 5MP in the front and 8MP rear.  It comes with a 12-hour removable, warm swappable battery that can fully recharge within two hours.  All N1 variants come with three programmable buttons, so all those applications you would want to get to quickly can be programmed to show up (or go away) at the push of a button.

Quantico Tactical worked with Juggernaut Design and developed cases and cables for the N1.  You can choose a Fischer connector to plug directly into an L3Harris AN/PRC-152A side hat adapter, or a Nett-Warrior standard cable that will plug into any of GlenAir’s StarPan hubs.  The latter option is particularly useful since the N1 will charge while in use, giving you even more time to complete the mission.  To make it easy for customers, we are working with Panasonic to list the Nett Warrior case/cable solution with Panasonic as an available-to-order accessory.

Panasonic’s three year warranty is the best out there, so if you and/or your team are really rough on your handheld devices, you can still get support.  In the rare event of a failure, devices will be delivered overnight, at no expense to you, to and from the US-based service center with a sub 2-day average repair turnaround.  For any technical issues, you can leverage the 24/7 US based technical support hotline, 1-800-LAPTOP5.  You can also have the peace of mind that when a new version comes out that you can still use the same cases and cables as you have previously, which is not only a significant cost savings, but allows you to keep your kit exactly the way you had it.

If you are interested in the N1 Tactical, you can contact us at Quantico Tactical.

Blue Force Gear Delivers Innovative Gear

Posted on by Mathew Pruitt

Blue Force Gear® has been a leading provider of critical gear for today’s modern environment.  Since the beginning in 2004, Blue Force Gear®, BFG, has always been devoted to deliver innovative gear with superior quality.   They are obsessed with lightening the load™.

They have pioneered technological innovations in load carriage and weapon carrying systems, trauma kits, and unique mission critical items.  Some of the most recent technologies include trauma kits, lightweight battle belts and marking lights.

 

Micro Trauma Kit NOW! ™

The Micro Trauma Kit NOW!™, or Micro TKN™, is BFG’s smallest version of the Trauma Kit NOW!™. It was designed to hold essential lifesaving gear with minimal size in mind.

The Micro TKN™ is designed to be worn horizontally with minimal bulk – perfect for everyday carry, for law enforcement professionals, prepared citizens, or in low-profile mission sets.

The inner carrier can be deployed with one hand or one finger from either the left or right side by pulling the BLIP featured pull tabs.

The Micro TKN™ consists of two main components – the outer MOLLE or Belt mounted pouch utilizing the Ten-Speed® technology, and a removable insert that keeps medical supplies organized.

This product is made in the USA and 100% Berry Compliant and comes in the following color options:

  • Black
  • OD Green
  • Coyote Brown
  • Wolf Gray
  • Multicam

Lightweight MOLLEminus™ Belt V2

The Lightweight MOLLEminus™ Belt is a revolutionary approach to the modern battle belt.  It is able to act as a low profile pistol belt or a full capacity MOLLE belt kit all with a 3500+ pound load rating.

It starts with an inner belt that is reversible to be pattern matched and can be worn as a standalone pistol belt. The outer belt is fully MOLLE compatible with MOLLEminus™ technology using laser cut slots instead of traditional sewn webbing. The outer belt securely attaches to the inner belt with a hook and loop interface and a load rated COBRA™ buckle. Two external tether points, one on the front and one on the rear, allow the user to clip into a safety line when needed. When not in use, these tie-off points may lie flat so that the slots beneath can be utilized for additional pouch attachment.

The Lightweight MOLLEminus™ Belt is cut on a bias for maximum comfort and to eliminate unnatural ‘ride up’ that occurs with a flat style “war belt.”

This product is made in the USA and 100% Berry Compliant and comes in the following color options:

  • Black
  • OD Green
  • Ranger Green
  • Coyote Brown
  • Wolf Gray
  • Multicam

MARCO Marking Light Dispenser

The MARCO is an efficient, unique and compact way to carry room marking sticks for room clearing, lane marking and numerous other uses. It was conceived during the time consuming, permission frustrations of unwrapping, taping and bundling traditional marking lights.

The MARCO dispenser cuts the prep time down to seconds. Simply open the package containing the preloaded dispenser, insert the MARCO Dispenser into its belt or MOLLE pouch, and proceed to mission.

You also won’t find that you’re glowing after an accidental break on traditional marking lights while running to the breach point.

The mini marking sticks deployed from the MARCO dispenser put out approximately the same light under night vision devices as a taped-up 4” marking light.

BFG offers 3 different pouches for the MARCO marking light dispenser; a Kydex Pouch, a 10-Speed Belt Pouch Hanger, and a Helium Whisper 10-Speed Pouch.

This product is made in the USA and 100% Berry Compliant and comes in the following colors:

  • Green
  • Red
  • Blue
  • Infrared

Ballistic Eyewear for the Military

Posted on by Mathew Pruitt

Modern warfare can be decided in a matter of seconds. CTRL® assures that you keep your eyes protected and your mind on your mission.

CTRL eyewear® is the only APEL approved military eyewear that offers tint adjustment in a fraction of a second. Switch between clear and dark in 0.1 seconds. Powered by award-winning liquid crystal e-Tint® technology, CTRL Eyewear® allows fast movement in and out of light without the need to change lenses or take hands off your weapon.

CTRL eyewear® has been designed to directly meet the unique needs of American military professionals. With both Manual and Automatic modes, custom adjustable light sensitive settings, and Fail-Safe features, CTRL® products also meets or exceeds all other APEL parameters, including impact-resistance, durability,  ballistics, and optics.

The e-Tint® CTRL MS1 spectacle consists of a polycarbonate lens laminated with a liquid crystal layer that provides the capability to automatically transition the lens between light and dark in less than one second based on ambient light. The MS1 spectacle is offered in two sizes, Regular and Large, provides ballistic-fragmentation protection, and meets MIL-PRF-32432A optical and safety requirements. The lens material blocks 99.9% of all UVA and UVB light. This product is UPLC compatible.

APEL®, Authorized Protective Eyewear List, is a Qualified Product List of commercially available protective eyewear. Only eyewear passing the Army’s stringent ballistic fragmentation (MIL-PRF 32432 and ANSI Z87.1 2010) makes the list. Other commercial eyewear products, even if marked ANSI Z87.1 compliant, do not necessarily meet military impact requirements. Army officials update the APEL on a regular basis and APEL qualified eyewear will carry the APEL logo on the eyewear itself.  Eyewear that is not on the APEL® is not authorized for wear during combat, training, or when there is a risk of impact injury to the eyes.

When lives are at stake, there is no time to adjust to new lighting as you move indoor, outdoor and around. Sunny or cloudy, day or night, CTRL eyewear® is the premier APEL® approved eyewear for your mission.

Innovative Hearing Protection

Posted on by Mathew Pruitt

Innovative hearing protection technology provides exceptional situational awareness for greater tactical success

OTTO Engineering is collaborating with tactical operators in all branches of the military to design and manufacture a better type of hearing protection for today’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and federal agent. The goal is to enhance, rather than inhibit, combat performance. The result is OTTO’s NoizeBarrier® line of hearing protection. The NoizeBarrier® Micro electronic earplugs and the NoizeBarrier® TAC headset give today’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen the hearing protection they need with the advanced situational awareness and communications clarity required to prevail in combat. In addition, OTTO’s Multiport Hub PTT simplifies communications with advanced audio steering to minimize distractions when using multiple communications devices.

 

Proprietary NoizeBarrier® technology can enhance combat performance in three ways:

 

  1. Detect Threats with Greater Accuracy

Instead of dampening sounds completely and compromising the ability to hear what’s happening nearby, the NoizeBarrier® TAC headset and NoizeBarrier® Micro electronic earplugs feature proprietary technology that actually improves situational awareness. NoizeBarrier® technology enhances low frequency sounds, like nearby voices and movement, and minimizes distracting and damaging noises to enable soldiers to hear essential commands and approaching danger with greater clarity. With the NoizeBarrier® true 360-degree soundscape, soldiers can easily determine with near certainty the direction sounds are coming from and how far they are away from the current location.

 

The NoizeBarrier® Micro electronic earplugs take situational awareness to the next level with an enhanced mode that provides 5X amplification of soft sounds. With enhanced mode on, soldiers can hear clearer than ever, providing greater safety in the field. When quick reactions matter, verbal commands issued in barely detectible whispers and sounds as minimal as clothes brushing against skin can be clearly heard and quickly pinpointed. In combat, soldiers can identify potential threats and recognize friendly forces faster and with greater certainty.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          

  1. Improve Communications Clarity

With NoizeBarrier® hearing protection, soldiers do not have to rely on their ability to interpret hand motions or read lips to react quickly and follow orders. Proprietary situational awareness technology allows normal-level sounds to be easily heard, while suppressing loud noise and impulse blasts to internationally accepted safe levels. Verbal commands can be heard completely and clearly without distortion, clipping or cutting out.

The same holds true for incoming radio transmissions for soldiers using the NoizeBarrier® TAC headset. Some headsets indiscriminately distort and cut-out incoming transmissions when the noise in the surrounding environment is too loud. Essential transmissions can be fragmented or even lost, which clearly jeopardizes the safety of the mission. With the NoizeBarrier® TAC there is no clipping of transmitted commands or shut-down of situational awareness, allowing soldiers to remain focused, alert and primed for mission success.

  1. Simplify Control of Communications Devices

In today’s combat arena, soldiers are connected to multiple communication devices. Control of the devices can be distracting and compromise safety and combat performance if not managed well. The Multi-Port Hub PTT is designed to integrate seamlessly with the NoizeBarrier® TAC headset to centralize control of as many as three different communication devices. Incoming transmissions from different devices are sent to separate ears (audio steering) for clarity and safety in critical engagements. In short, the Hub simplifies communications and helps soldiers maintain situational awareness, location awareness (when used with an ATAK-type device), clarity and focus during critical operations.

Holster Retention Levels And Your Safety

Posted on by Mathew Pruitt

There is a lot of concern in the Law Enforcement community for the safety of law enforcement officers. In 2019 146 officers were killed in the line of duty.  Three died from assault and 50 by gunfire.   Most agencies recognize the need for helping officers keep their weapons from falling into the wrong hands

 

Currently, there are no government requirements and no industry standards for rating holster retention levels as there are for body armor protection. Companies are free to develop their own protocols for testing and ratings. As such, retention levels are not directly comparable across the industry, and things can quickly become confusing.

 

In the early 1970s, Bill Rogers, former FBI agent and founder of the Rogers Holster Company, studied and tested all of the existing duty holsters to see which designs were effective.  Bill developed a system based on a series of simple tests that could be conducted in the field by the end user. Today these have evolved. Below are Safarilands test retention requirements for duty holsters.  These are used because they are in writing and have been around for a long time.

 

Security ratings used by Bill Rogers and then Safariland after buying Rogers Holster Company, are performed using a suitable duty belt.  As such concealment holsters and tactical holsters were and are not rated.  Tactical holsters are generally attached to the body using nylon or Velcro.   Concealment holsters are attached to the body using numerous kinds of pant belts or just inserted into a pair of pants by some.  It does not matter what security rating a holster has if it is not secured to the officer’s body.

 

Below is the Rogers / Safariland testing method used to rate levels of security for their products.

 

The Test Retention Level I™

 

The Holster Retention Test is described as applying all the force to the grip or handle of the weapon by an individual while the weapon is totally secured in the holster and mounted on a suitable belt being worn by another individual.  The test is to simulate a “grab and snatch” initiated by an adversary.  The direction of force is unlimited but the duration of the force is limited to 5 seconds.  At the end of the 5 seconds, the weapon must still be secure in the holster and the holster must still be attached to the operator.  The operator must be able to accomplish a draw after the attack within the times set as a standard by the controlling department or within two seconds if no standard exists.  If the holster passes this initial test, it qualifies as a Level I Retention™ Security Holster. The Holster Retention Test described above is referred to as the “Test”, but over the years, it has become synonymous with “Level l test”

 

Level II Retention ™

 

Before a holster can be considered for a Level II rating, it must first past the Holster Retention Test. After passing the Test, the primary lock must be disabled and the same Retention Test is repeated. In order to test the holster for a Level II rating, the primary securing device must be determined.  The primary securing device is defined as the lock that requires the first action by the user in order to start the drawing sequence.  This initial action is an individual and deliberate action by the user to start the unlocking of any securing mechanism.  The holster is tested with the initial lock disabled.  It does not have to pass the complete test.  If the holster exhibits the ability to further secure the weapon in a meaningful way after the primary lock is disengaged then it qualifies as a Retention Level II™ security holster.  If after disabling the initial lock, the holster can again completely pass the Holster Retention Test, then it is clearly is rated as a Level II and may qualify for additional levels of security.

 

Level III Retention ™ and additional levels

 

A Level I holster that has completely passed a second Holster Retention Test, with the primary lock disabled, is clearly rated at a Level II.  It can be further tested for additional levels of security.  To determine a further rating, the second motion or action required by the user to continue the drawing sequence must be simulated.  As in the example described in the Level II rating of the secondary lock would be in the final unlocked position before the Retention Test is performed.  The holster does not have to pass the complete test.  If the holster exhibits the ability to secure the weapon in a meaningful way after the secondary lock is disabled, then it qualifies as a Level III Retention™ security holster.  Of course if the holster passes a complete Retention Test with the second lock disabled, it can be tested for further security levels by continuing to disable additional locks and conducting the same tests as outlined above.

 

So, if you’re shopping for a Security / duty holster — as an individual, a supervisor or buyer, you need to go beyond the sales pitch and fully understanding how the security features work. You need to ask questions about the specific tests that a manufacturer uses to rate their products. Until the NIJ and or the industry unite around a single standard, it’s not enough to assume that all rating denotes a comparable level of security between the different manufactures.   Many departments are using pull testers to test the strength of the holster and the mounting brackets of different holsters.

 

Every year Officers are still killed in the United States with their own weapons, duty holsters need to be secure but still easy functional under all levels of stress.  All Duty Holsters can be defeated if the attacker knows how they function.  The only way a manufacturer can produce a duty holster that cannot be defeated with today’s technology is to weld the pistol into a metal holster.  If the officer can get it out a suspect can get it out.   Everything on a duty belt is a tool that can be used by and for the officer to do their jobs.   Tools are great but Defensive tactics and training is still a necessity.

 

Thank you for your service and be safe out there!

Scout Light Pro is Authorized for USAF

Posted on by Miller

Running out of rail estate? Need flexibility mounting a white light?

We all know that we have more accessories available for our rifles than ever before.  And having a white light on the rail is standard.  But the #SureFire #Scoutlight Pro weapon light raises the bar by which all other weapon lights are measured.  You’ve trusted the SureFire Scout Light for years.  This new Pro version features the new Low-Profile Mount, LPM.  The new LPM delivers unprecedented versatility by allowing the user to optimize the lights’ position relative to the handguard and the laser aiming device (if installed). For the first time we need no specialty after-market products to ‘custom fit’ our gear.  The Scout Light is proven rugged and reliable; the LPM can be easily and securely attached to any MILSTD-1913 or M-LOK rail.  The Scout Light Pro with the LPM is a tactical powerhouse, featuring a recoil-proof, premium LED that generates 1000 blinding lumens from two 123A batteries.  Focused through SureFire’s proprietary TIR lens, it produces a far-reaching, high-intensity beam with ample surround light.  The shrouded Z68 push-button tailcap provides easy, instant activation with a single click.  Constructed of lightweight aerospace aluminum with a Mil-Spec Hard-Anodized finish, and O-ring sealed to keep out the elements.  The tough Scout Light Pro will help you adapt and overcome in combat conditions without any sacrifice in weapon maneuverability.

Scout Light Pro is authorized for purchase for USAF.

The Scout Light Pro has a great set of features.

  • New Surefire Low-Profile Mount, LPM, greatly enhances versatility, allowing the user to mount the Scout LIght Pro in the optimal position on any MIL-STD-1913 or M-LOK rail.
  • Virtually indestructible ultra-high-output LED generates 1000 lumens of blinding light; produces tactical-level light for 1.25 hours on two 123A batteries.
  • TIR lens shapes versatile beam with enough reach and surround light for medium to longer range operations.
  • Mil-Spec Hard-Anodized aerospace aluminum body, tempered window and O-ring seals make the Scout Light Pro rugged, durable and combat ready.
  • Reliable activation via Z68 momentary/constant-on push-button switching with protective shroud.

Panasonic Toughbook

Posted on by Miller

The first time I saw #Panasonic #Toughbook, I knew that Toughbooks would be the only computer that could stand up to Marines’ rough treatment.  I was assigned to the Marine Corps Tactical System Support Activity (MCTSSA) as an engineer and we put those devices (CF-27s back then) to the test and they kept working.   As a deployed CommO years later, I was grateful for the wise choice by some of the program managers and engineers to give the operating units equipment that would hold up.  As a result of their proven performance, those Toughbooks have become pervasive throughout our tactical and weapon system networks because of their reliability and durability.  As those networks and weapon systems have increased in complexity, demanding more connectivity and performance options, the Panasonic Toughbook line has kept pace.  Released in 2019, Panasonic’s CF-33 2-in-1 laptop can run from laptop office computer, mobile tablet, to deployed laptop/tablet.  I have not run over it with a JLTV, but I have put it in my pack and traveled with it, had hirsute operators playing with it while I try to explain its features, and it’s taken the beating I’ve given it.  Here’s why I love mine:

 

The first feature I noticed on my CF-33 is its standard, beautiful #4K, 13”, 2160X1440, 3:2, 10-point capacitive glove-touch, rainproof screen.  Running WinTak on it, the maps and icons on it are crisp and clear.  Photos and videos displayed on it are vibrant and realistic.  With a 1080p webcam (with on/off indicator) with dual array mic, video teleconferences are clear and lifelike (bandwidth permitting, of course).  The screen comes with an anti-reflective treatment, so during outdoor daytime use the screen is still viewable.  If a fingerprint on a screen drives one crazy as it does me, this screen holds out longer than most commercial tablets before needing a wipe, but one can always use the integrated IP55 stylus.  Having several other higher end graphics computers and tablets of my own, I find this screen to be every bit as pleasing, and I don’t have to put a protective case around it to keep it working.

 

The interface and expansion configurations that come with a CF-33 are significant, and they are nearly evenly divided between the tablet portion and the premium keyboard portion.  On my tablet configuration, I have an embedded CAC card reader, Ethernet, micro SDXC, USB-A, HDMI, DS-9, and a nano-SIM port (more on this to follow).  My premium keyboard has SDXC, HDMI, USB 3.0 X 2, USB 2.0, and DS-9.  All the interfaces come with a lockable cover with that satisfying “click” so that one knows it’s closed.  Panasonic understands that backwards compatibility to older or highly specialized equipment is still needed, so it has not eliminated those interfaces.  Splitting the interfaces between the tablet and the keyboard makes mobility so much easier.  With a removable solid state hard drive, one can leave the keyboard docked (it’s backwards compatible with older docking solutions, too) at the desk, move over the required connections to the tablet, and go!  There’s a power port on the tablet as well as the keyboard, so make sure one brings a charger (buy a second one).  The tablet includes dual, hot swappable batteries that provide 10 hours of work time, but one can get extended life batteries that will give you 20 hours, if needed. 

 

For connectivity, one can implement the aforementioned Ethernet (10/100/1000), or dual band wireless (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) with a high gain antenna, but that nano-SIM port makes the CF-33 4G/LTE capable via AT&T (including FirstNet), Verizon, Sprint and Panasonic’s P.180 network.  The P.180 Network is a great option for those world travelers who don’t have the time, or the staff, to coordinate getting local connectivity at the distant location.  P.180 provides end-to-end connectivity for the entire line of Toughbook devices and it works in 180 countries for a set monthly price.  Go anywhere in their network and it’s the same monthly bill with no roaming fees.  Panasonic has coordinated with carriers in all the countries to provide service to its Toughbook P.180 customers.  While one needs to be in an area with a providers’ coverage, it may be a good alternative to constantly buying local SIM chips, or paying high international data fees from the normal carriers.  If I were planning global missions again, I’d talk to Panasonic about this capability to determine suitability and security. 

 

There are a variety of features I have yet to explore on my CF-33, but I’m looking forward to finding them and seeing how they work.  While I will always love those older Toughbooks, the capabilities and uses of the CF-33 exceed them.  I’ve developed college course videos on it, done some Android development on it, and implemented WinTak servers on it and it’s worked flawlessly.  It truly can be the desktop to deployed device, as well as the mobility solution.  At just over 6 lbs, it’s not designed to be the “business traveler” laptop, unless one’s business is military, law enforcement, or emergency services operations.  It’s worth the weight!