Brite-Strike’s All Purpose Adhesive Light Strips (APALS) were designed by military operators looking for a low-cost, ultra-reliable way to mark targets and signal friendlies in a tactical environment. With both visible light and IR options, APALS allow easy application of light anywhere. Each disposable APALS light comes with a heavy-duty adhesive backing and offers roughly 200 hours of run time. APALS lights are dustproof, waterproof and shockproof. These lights are visible for up to a mile and come with fast-strobe, slow-strobe, steady-on and off functions. A pack of 10 APALS weighs about 1.6 ounces and fits readily into a BDU pocket.
The new Brite-Strike Rechargable Lighted Dog Collar is solar powered and will run for 2.5 hours on a full charge. The collar requires eight hours of full sunlight to charge, or it can be energized in three hours using a USB cable. The light can be set for constant on, strobe or off and can really enhance the visibility of a dog in either a hunting or survival situation or around busy streets. The collar is visible for up to 1 mile and is all but indestructible.
The Jumbo Modular Field Pack from Fox Outdoor Products is a robust pack designed for moderately extended forays into the wild. Available in a variety of colors and prints, this pack has a 3,744-cubic-inch storage capacity and weighs 4.7 pounds empty. There are main and secondary compartments along with a hydration/laptop pocket on the backside. This versatile pack readily converts into a briefcase for more civilized applications. Side compression straps size the pack for the load it is carrying, while padded side and top handles make it easy to tote over short distances that might not warrant the use of shoulder straps. The pack also offers several MOLLE attachment points for additional gear.
The Garmin eTrex 30x is a handheld GPS navigation system with a built-in three-axis compass. The 240×320 display offers better resolution than previous units, and the device’s internal memory has been expanded to hold more maps. The eTrex’s worldwide basemap has shaded relief, and the 2.2-inch color display is readable even in bright sunlight. The eTrex also incorporates a built-in barometric altimeter. The compass is accurate regardless of the orientation of the unit, and the barometric altimeter function tracks ambient changes in pressure to help you plot weather patterns in the absence of formal weather support.
Traditional glowsticks glow and flashlights produce a beam, but LazerBrite LED lights do both—and a whole lot more. These modular lights can glow, function as a wide-angle flashlight, split into two lights for sharing, produce a focused spotlight, and may be linked together to create a longer light baton in a variety of color combinations. Each LazerBrite is comprised of two LED heads and a translucent connecting tube. An appliqué sheath allows the tube to be adjusted so that the light output ranges from off to full with everything in between. The LazerBrite is waterproof, visible in darkness from over a mile away and made in the U.S.A.
The Kestrel Elite weather meter is the instrument of choice for experienced long-range shooters, tactical shooters or anyone interested in advanced ballistics. It also adds Applied Ballistics solver features (including drop scale factor and the full library of Litz custom bullet drag models) that are proven to provide accurate firing solutions well into the subsonic range of bullet flight. An onboard range card, advanced ballistics data page and storage for 16 user guns round out this compact, feature-packed shooting companion.
The Freelance is an exquisitely well-designed sling pack that carries all manner of equipment comfortably and within easy reach. There are compartments for sensitive equipment and ancillary gear that keep everything organized and accessible. A separate belly strap keeps the bag tight against your body even when you’re moving quickly. Hazard 4 packs, bags, watches, apparel and travel gear are all made for hard use while remaining attractive. The company offers gear that is professionally designed and well rendered for any sort of off-grid application.
Designed with outdoorsmen, hunters and backwoods guides in mind, the SOG Folding Saw employs two 8.25-inch blades made from hardened, tempered steel. One saw blade is optimized for wood, the other for bone. The wood saw incorporates deep gullets and a tooth configuration that cuts on both push and pull strokes for optimal efficiency. The bone saw has a large number of small teeth to efficiently cut through bone and gristle. The saw locks closed when not in use and stores in its hard-use sheath that includes a pouch for the extra blade. The blade locks open, and the tool includes a robust rubber handle for a firm grip in wet conditions.
The Kershaw Ration offers simplicity and utility all in one compact package. The Ration combines a fork, spoon, carabiner and bottle opener into a single, functional, inexpensive tool. The Ration is at home in the field or at work. Small enough to drop into a pocket or snap onto your gear, the Ration goes literally anywhere. The Ration is made from rustproof steel for years of service.
With quick-adjust shoulder straps, a hip belt and sheet suspension, this pack is designed for prolonged carry. The main compartment has an interior zippered pocket as well as a padded sleeve for a tablet device. The molded top contains a small organizing system for quick-access items, and the hydration system will make sure you have a drink when you need it most. Extra or bulky gear can be cinched in place on the sides, or even attached to the pack’s MOLLE field.
There is little more important in a genuine cold-weather survival situation than a proper sleeping bag. A well-designed sleeping bag can help keep injured people from going into shock and can provide a bit of refuge from wretched wind and weather. The Snugpak Softie Elite 3 is a well-designed sleeping bag that is effective and easy to tote. The Softie 3 packs tightly into its own stuff sack and weighs only 56 ounces. The bag is 87 inches long yet packs into a space that is only 9 by 10 inches. Rated from temperatures from 23 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, the Softie 3 is a great all-around utility sleeping bag.
Survivor Firestarters incorporate 20,000-strike flint and 99-percent pure magnesium components along with a nylon strap, striker, compass, signal mirror and thermometer. These devices are the perfect tools for starting a fire in any weather. Survivor Firestarters are safe, simple, durable and waterproof. Easy and safe to use, Survivor Firestarters can be used with propane stoves and lanterns, BBQ pits, gas grills, campfires and anything that might require a reliable source of fire. Making fire is typically the most critical aspect of a backwoods survival situation, and the Survivor Firestarter makes it easy.
The SPOT Trace allows theft-alert tracking of anything anywhere. A compact, inconspicuous design combined with a variety of mounting options allows this tiny device to be attached to most anything of value. The device reports motion and can be tracked via a phone or personal computer. Using all satellite technology, this device automatically sends text messages to update the user on the precise location of a critical item.
The Wildo Camp-A-Box includes everything you need to eat in the field, all in a soft, easy-to-pack package that is also easy to clean. The Camp-A-Box includes a plate with a lid, a Fold-A-Cup, a larger Fold-A-Cup, a robust cutting board and the ubiquitous Spork. Available in several colors, the Camp-A-Box weighs 6.8 ounces. Camp-A-Box components are made from a soft, pliable polymer that snaps open for use or collapses for storage. The compact, practical design is small enough to ride unobtrusively in a cargo pocket yet ample enough to manage a decent meal.
The Zippo 4-In-1 Woodsman is a robust, multi-function camp tool that can chop, saw, hammer and pull stakes. The Woodsman’s versatile functionalities are due in no small part to its multifunction design wrapped around a full steel shaft. A 15-inch blade is held tight by a locking cam and tension compensator, and it can saw wood up to 4 inches in diameter. When not in use, the blade can be safely stored within the Woodsman’s handle. The hatchet safety sheath doubles as a comfortable, non-slip hand grip for the saw, and a 5-inch blade makes chopping wood a breeze. Spin the Woodsman around and the integrated mallet and stake puller will help you set up or tear down camp quickly.
If you’re an enthusiast in terms of high-tech personal security and survival gear, 2016 was your year.
A number of different manufacturers came out of the gate with tons of new offerings, including devices to get you through emergency situations, effective communications equipment, affordable flashlights, versatile carry packs and much more.
Scroll through the gallery above to get an idea of what’s out there. Who knows, you might find something that perfectly suits your personal security or survival gear needs.
