All posts by Brent

ARNVG Night Vision Housing Reviewed by Licentia Arms

One of the most talked about new developments in the world of Night Vision as of late has been the ARNVG (Articulating Ruggedized Night Vision Goggle) housing from AB Night Vision. Licentia Arms produced a great introduction video to this new offering.

Users are so excited about this housing because it pretty much offers the best of all worlds in the realm of night optics.

  • Articulating pods.
  • Auto pod shutoff.
  • PVS14 optics.
  • 7075 aluminum construction.
  • Internal battery and external battery support.
  • Onboard IR illuminator.
  • Variable gain control.

All this at a weight that is amazingly low. The original RNVG housing from AB climbed to top or near-top of everyone’s wish list because of it’s extreme durability (aluminum construction). But what it always lacked was articulating pods and variable gain control (depending on who you ask). Those issues have both been addressed and added to the ARNVG.

Red Metal by Mark Greaney: 30MC Book review

I just finished Red Metal by Mark Greaney and LtCol. H Ripley Rawlings IV (USMC). Originally published in 2019 I am a little surprised that I had not heard of this novel before. Mark Greaney was recently featured on an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience where he (almost in passing) talked about this ~”large scale warfare story”~ that he had always wanted to write. I guess, Red Metal is what it became. Now, my favorite book of all time is Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy which is a fictional story about World War 3 being fought sometime in the 80’s to early 90’s. To me, Red Storm is the single greatest piece of modern war fiction ever written and when I heard there was a strategic conflict book out there by Mr. Greaney I had some mixed feelings.

Image from Amazon.com
Read more: Red Metal by Mark Greaney: 30MC Book review

Sure I would love to dive into another story regarding a genre that I love. But I was also aware that Mark Greaney had ghost written several Clancy novels both before and after Clancy’s death and if I am completely honest.. I didn’t care for any of them. I read the Clancy novels up until Teeth of the Tiger and I was out. But in the end I gave Greaney a chance and I AM SO GLAD I DID.

Now, let’s talk about something you are probably already thinking. These two books are similarly titled (Red Metal vs Red Storm Rising). One was written by Tom Clancy while the other was written by a guy who ghost wrote for Clancy. They both tell a story about a strategic conflict of misdirection between NATO and Russian forces (USSR in Red Storm). The similarities don’t stop there. Greaney was definitely channeling Clancy during most of this novel. At times Red Metal felt almost like an updated version of Red Storm. But here is the interesting part that even surprised me. I was ok with it. I was more than ok with it.

Red Metal is one of the best novels I have read in this genre. It isn’t going to dislodge my signed copy of Red Storm Rising on the shelf above me but I would recommend Red Metal to anyone. It checks all the boxes for me. A global strategic conflict with dire consequences. On the ground conflict and drama as well as higher level interactions. And the most important (to me); a large cast of characters who you actually care about. I really can’t stand it when a novel or TV show has one or two main characters. Its just dull and unbelievable that an entire story intersects this one person at so many points. Red Metal has a large and great cast. Most of which never meet each other. They are all involved in this massive global conflict but from completely different ends and viewpoints. This along lets you start from a way more believable position.

It even touches on a few situations that are currently in the news today (2023). This made the story hit even harder.

If it wasn’t obvious. I would highly recommend this novel. It is available in all your favorite formats including audio. Amazon link.

What light sources will actually damage your Night Vision?

Everyone knows someone who knows the correct answer, right? But have any of them actually sat their NOD in front of a laser and just left it there to see what happens?

The guys at the FalconClaw YouTube channel did just that. They used an old Gen2+ device and are very open about not knowing if a modern Gen3 device will be impacted the same way or not. But, the results might surprise you.

3DSR Buckle. Ever heard of it?

You may or may not be aware that my day job is in the tactical gear design and production industry. Because of that I get lots of samples of new buckles either via mail or trade shows such as SHOT Show. Back in 2019 I received a few samples of the Three Dimensional Side Release (3DSR) buckle. I looked at it and tried to thank of a good use but at the time nothing came to mind. I forgot about it until it was rediscovered in a drawer at my shop. A very well thought out design and while reexamining it I wondered to myself why I hadn’t seen other gear-makers using the 3DSR. It has some great properties and the only conclusion I came up with was simply that nobody knew about it. So, here is me doing my part. If you are not aware of the 3DSR then consider yourself informed.

Image of 3DSR Buckle from Mil-Spec Monkey.

Features and Stats

  • 300 lbs load capacity.
  • Squeeze really well in your hand due to shape (easy to release).
  • Will release when overloaded instead of breaking.
  • Releases fairly easily under load.
  • Fragmentation Resistant (info below)
  • NIR (Near-Infrared Reduced).
  • 1″ webbing interface.

Properties

This is probably the most impressive part. This buckle isn’t made from the traditional acetal polymer that you usually associate with other like components. The manufacturer calls it “shatter proof” and was originally developed for USMC/ARMY pack frames and is supposed to keep its physical properties down to -40 degrees. The image below shows one of the buckles that has been shot by a 5.56 round at 20 meters (test not conducted by 30MC). You can see that the round passed through the buckle while it was mated together. The buckle pictured was still operational after taking the damage. An accidental disengagement of the 3DSR is unlikely as you must squeeze both sides to release.

Image of shot 3DSR buckle from documents from Down East Innovation, LLC.

As I stated before I am not exactly sure where this buckle would be used to the greatest effect in the “tactical space”. Perhaps in the should straps of plate carriers or even a on-riggers type of gun belt. It seems a bit wide to be used as a quick detach element on a rifle sling.

There you have it. The 3DSR. I promise to not take four years to report on an innovative components I come across, next time.

Most resellers of the buckle have it listed as an ITW Nexus product but I don’t believe that is the case. The confusion probably came from the fact that Fastening Systems distributes the buckle and they are largely associated with ITW due to the volume of ITW components that they ship.

Purchasing

I receive nothing from your purchase of this item. A simple google search revealed a few places where the 3DSR is available.

Digital Night Vision. Has it arrived?

Digital night vision technology has come a long way in recent years and has become increasingly popular for a variety of purposes, including surveillance, hunting, and other outdoor activities. It works by sensing in low light conditions and then amplifying that available light via software to create an image. The resulting image is displayed on a screen, typically a LCD screen. Digital night vision devices are generally more affordable and easier to use compared to traditional analog night vision. However, the quality of the image may not be as good as that of traditional night vision devices, and they may not work as well in complete darkness.

In this video Isaac Botkin lays down another dissertation level analysis of the current state of digital night vision. Specifically the SiOnyx Opsin. Personally, I will continue to stay analog but the future of digital night vision looks.. bright.

ITW Nexus releases the EVO SR buckle

For all you DIY gear makers our there. ITW Nexus has released a video showing off their new EVO SR buckle. According to ITW Nexus the EVO SR will launch in 10, 15, 20, 25, 38mm versions. Only color option so far is black. The buckle features a 2-way funneling type latch and body so it can be properly engaged without having the angle exactly correct when pushing them together. I am not sure if there is a great militarized application (over what is already available) for this buckle but it certainly is interesting and I am sure it will find its way onto future gear. Download the specs pdf from the ITW Nexus website here. If you are looking for an ITW Nexus supplier make sure to stop by the Materials and Sources page here on 30MC under the “Tactical DIY” section.

From the ITW Nexus website:
The Evo SR is the next evolution in fully featured side release buckle design. The Evo SR was designed using extensive user research, leading to real and impactful improvements to the user experience. These improvements include contoured, integral triggers, which makes the releasing the buckle easy and comfortable. The Evo SR also features new, innovative side-to-side and top-to-bottom angular funneling action for seamless buckle assembly. The minimalist aesthetic and accessible function make it a great fit for a variety of applications.