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Review of NEBO PAL Flashlight/Knife Utility Combo

This review on the Nebo PAL was published a couple of years ago. Thought it would be worth another look……

I got the Nebo Pal in my Christmas stocking and didn’t give it much thought until I got back to South Carolina from Maine and got to really check it out. As I pulled it out of the packaging I thought that this tool could be really useful. It’s a tool that is a knife, a battery pack (with a short cord for charging), and a flashlight all in one.

I usually carry all these items and more separately in a bag that I keep in my vehicle. This compact tool will lighten the load I need to carry as it takes the place of several items. This can easily be something that I could carry in my smaller bag as well.

The Nebo Pal has a 400 lumen light that increases and decreases in intensity as you hold down the power button. This system works really well to get just the brightness you want. Those 400-lumens is plenty bright to pierce the darkness of night and see very far. A quick blink lets you know it is either at its highest or lowest capacity. The 3-inch serrated knife is easy to open and locks open when fully extended. The battery pack charged quickly the first time and I was able to charge my phone from 8% to 41% in about an hour before the blue light that was on during charging started blinking then turned off. At this point, the phone stopped charging but the flashlight still worked. The Nebo itself shows a red flashing light while charging that turned to a solid red light when fully charged. The new model in the link has a green light when charged according to the details listed. Oh….the Nebo also comes with a nice lanyard which could be useful to hang it somewhere out of the way of attaching to a pack.

I love gadgets and this one is great. I highly recommend it.

While it appears the Nebo PAL is no longer made, check out the following link for other cool items by Nebo.

Amazon – LINK

Happy Prepping!

Maine Prepper Girl

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September 6, 2024
Review of NEBO PAL

This review on the Nebo PAL was published a couple of years ago. Thought it would be worth another look……

I got the Nebo Pal in my Christmas stocking and didn’t give it much thought until I got back to South Carolina from Maine and got to really check it out. As I pulled it out of the packaging I thought that this tool could be really useful. It’s a tool that is a knife, a battery pack (with a short cord for charging), and a flashlight all in one.

I usually carry all these items and more separately in a bag that I keep in my vehicle. This compact tool will lighten the load I need to carry as it takes the place of several items. This can easily be something that I could carry in my smaller bag as well.

The Nebo Pal has a 400 lumen light that increases and decreases in intensity as you hold down the power button. This system works really well to get just the brightness you want. Those 400-lumens is plenty bright to pierce the darkness of night and see very far. A quick blink lets you know it is either at its highest or lowest capacity. The 3-inch serrated knife is easy to open and locks open when fully extended. The battery pack charged quickly the first time and I was able to charge my phone from 8% to 41% in about an hour before the blue light that was on during charging started blinking then turned off. At this point, the phone stopped charging but the flashlight still worked. The Nebo itself shows a red flashing light while charging that turned to a solid red light when fully charged. The new model in the link has a green light when charged according to the details listed. Oh….the Nebo also comes with a nice lanyard which could be useful to hang it somewhere out of the way of attaching to a pack.

I love gadgets and this one is great. I highly recommend it.

Here are a few links for more information and purchasing:

Amazon – LINK

Happy Prepping!

Maine Prepper Girl

August 17, 2022
Testing the Bell & Howell “TacLight”

I posted this a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed doing the test. As crazy as some of the crap on infomercials might be – the TacLight actually works very well. Check out my review below…….

The TacLight is an “As Seen On TV” flashlight advertised as extremely powerful and nearly indestructible. As with most As Seen On TV products, the claims sound unrealistic and outlandish. This “High Performance Flashlight” is reported to withstand boiling, freezing, and even being run over by a car. So – can it actually survive these tests?

Let’s find out.

As can be seen from the packaging above the TacLight is touted to be super durable and incredibly bright. It is so durable in fact it can withstand being submerged in water, run over by a car, frozen in ice, and boiled in water. While I suspect using a flashlight in such conditions as boiling water and surviving a hit and run would lead to more issues than whether or not a flashlight works – I understand these tests are apparently an indication of quality and reliability.

One claim that I was unable to substantiate is the ability to see the light which is so bright it can be seen “5 nautical miles away”. Due to my living on land and not having my presence on the ocean anytime soon a 5 nautical mile test was simply unrealistic.

The TacLight is a medium sized flashlight at 5.4″ inches long and approx 1.6″ inches wide. It is made from lightweight aluminum and contains a lanyard. The light is operated via an end-cap push button.

It appears Bell & Howell take immense pride in the fact the TacLight is made in China. Now – the origin of manufacture is not much of a surprise as most electronics of any kind is made in China. Just a bit odd that it would be printed so visibly.

The LED element on my example was well centered and the lens was clear. The lens is protected by a shroud with semi-aggressive raised edges. These are meant to be useful in a self-defense situation and it appears they would not be pleasant to get hit with.

Unlike most LED flashlights I own the TacLight’s beam can be adjusted from a very concentrated beam to flood pattern. The pattern is adjusted by sliding the head back and forth. The action is smooth and it works well.

The light is powered via 3 AAA batteries.

Above shows the concentrated spot adjustment. The square LED diode appearance is common among focusable LED lights.

Medium focus above provides excellent brightness in total darkness with good area coverage. The picture really doesn’t do it justice.

In full flood pattern, a massive area is illuminated.

There are three levels of brightness, a strobe, and an SOS mode.As always the fewer the modes the better in my opinion so this is overkill.

The TacLight is claimed to be waterproof. I left the light in this sink for over 15 minutes with no issues. PASS

Above the TacLight was submerged in boiling water for close to one minute. Honestly, I was really surprised that it just kept running.

I had thought the TacLight survived the boiling water until the next morning I walked into the kitchen and found the scene below. It appears that the lens is held in place via an adhesive which must have softened during the boiling process. Some internal pressure from the heat likely aided in having the lens pop off.

Regardless of the lens popping off the TacLight still worked. It survived being submerged and boiling – but will it survive being run over.

Below I ran over the TacLight with a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. It survived.

SUMMARY

The TacLight still worked after all these tests although it did not work as well. With the lens gone the light just did not look the same. I was not able to test freezing it as it was no longer waterproof.

So – is the TacLight any good?

It’s a decent light for the money but there are better deals out there. Almost the exact same flashlight can be bought cheaper.

I have the kit above and for around $20 it is well worth it.

TacLight? NOT RECOMMENDED

Rourke

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July 12, 2022
Review: Nekteck 21W Portable Solar Charging Kit

I’ll be quick and to the point: Buy it. I reviewed this portable solar panel previously and am sharing it again. It’s still available and a great deal.

I’ve dabbled with small solar kits for over a decade. Charging battery packs and cell phones are good tasks for these small portable solar panels. The Nekteck 21W Solar Charger is packed with features including two USB ports, a Micro-USB cable, metal eyelets for hanging, and a zipper pouch built-in for storage of other cables and accessories. Build quality appears top-rate which means it’s durable and rugged. Oh – it’s waterproof as well.

Above: The Nekteck folds down to 6.3x 11.1x 1.06 inches.

Above: Opened up, the three Monocrystalline panels collect energy from the sun. The two metal eyelets allow the charger to be hung or connected be positioned for full view of the suns rays.

Below: A 6700mAh portable power bank was used to test the NekTeck.

Below: The NekTeck 21W Portable Solar Charger was connected to the power bank and left on top of a vehicle all day.

The power bank was completely drained at the start of the day. I checked it at 4:00pm and it was fully charged. I’m not sure how long it took to charge it but the bottom line is it was able to charge it in one session.

How Might This Be Used?

These types of solar panels are designed to charge batteries – and battery packs. Charging phones and GPS devices can be done while backpacking, camping, and other outdoor activities that take you away from the grid. Any battery-powered device that is utilized off-grid can have its batteries charged via a solar panel such as this assuming the daily usage does not outrun the charging capacity. One example of this would be an off-grid portable homemade ham repeater. Another would be to charge power banks which would then be used to charge other devices.

Running under $40 with free shipping this solar charger is a steal.

HIGH RECOMMENDATION

For more information follow this link.

Rourke

June 2, 2022
Review: OneTigris COSMITTO 2 Person Backpacking Tent

7-week tent review on the OneTigris COSMITTO 2 Person Backpacking Tent – Free Standing Lightweight Waterproof 3 Season Camping Tent.

I did the initial first impression review back in November. I always leave every tent up for at least a month before I take it in the backcountry. It took up to 30 mph winds, 8 + inches of rain with no problem.

Color great for stealth camping.

A real deal for the money.

Spent 8 nights in it with no condensation problems. Lots of room for two people.

Here are the pictures from yesterday after 5 inches of hard rain.

Highly recommended.

For more information on the tent follow this link.

Guest post by Paladin Soupbean

January 11, 2022
Cold Steel Trail Boss Hatchet

During my recent visit to Prepper Camp my buddy and I stayed at a cabin a few miles from the event. There was a really nice fire pit and lots of wood available. The cooler weather in the mountains was a welcome change and a fire was ABSOLUTELY necessary.

The provided wood needed to be split into smaller kindling so I grabbed my brand new Cold Steel Trail Boss that has been sitting in my truck box just begging to be used. While my buddy – we’ll call him Hancock – did most of the work I swung the Trail Boss a few times as well.

Results?

It performed as it should. Pretty simple. Nothing dramatic like the head flying off or handle splitting.

The Cold Steel Trail Boss is an inexpensive and compact hatchet that’s great attached to a pack or in the truck box. So far I love it.

Thought I’d share my experience so far.

Rourke

October 4, 2021
Winter Prep: Mr. Heater Buddy Propane Portable Heater
While many of us are still sweltering in the heat winter is fast approaching. Part of winter prep’s should be redundancies surrounding alternative heating methods should the power go out. There are several options should the power go out to heat your home including kerosene heaters, in-home fireplaces, and the focus of this article – propane heaters.

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The Mr. Heater Buddy portable propane heater has been around for decades and is extremely popular. It has 4.7 stars out of a possible 5 on Amazon. I’ve used the Heater Buddy numerous winter seasons to help heat a small garage and also an old Ford Ranger whose heat stopped working in the dead of winter. Brrrr……..

Here are a few specs:
- 4,000 or 9,000 BTU per hour
- For use with propane gas
- Heats up to 225 sq. ft.
- Single control start knob
- Hi-Low heat settings
- Swivel regulator
- Fold down handle
- Accidental tip-over safety shut-off
- Includes Piezo igniter
- Runs off a 1 lb. cylinder
- Connects directly to a 20 lb. cylinder with optional hose and filter
- The distinctive RED Mr. Heater Buddy that has delivered comfort and safety for decades.
This is a small heater and is NOT meant to heat large areas and certainly not multiple rooms.

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Here’s a video filmed by an ice fisherman where he discusses his experience with the Mr. Heater Buddy.

SAFETY: Important to note are a few of the safety features with Mr. Heater Buddy. First – if it gets knocked over it will shut off. Next – it will detect low oxygen levels and shut itself off. Not sure about you but nothing ruins a day or night more than suffocation. Lastly – it is very obvious due to its design when the pilot light is out.

For those living in areas where temps can get down to dangerous levels in the winter, the Heater Buddy would be a great thing to have in the trunk or stored in the backseat along with a few canisters in case of an emergency. As I mentioned just a bit ago I used one daily for an entire winter when the heat went ut in my truck. It made the ride to work every morning so much better.

Running under $100, the Mr. Heater Buddy is affordable and a great value. There are a few models that are bigger and more capable as well as smaller models. Options are good.

Winter is right around the corner. Start prepping now.

Rourke

VISIT OUR AMAZON STORE BY CLICKING THE ABOVE BANNER. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!!
September 19, 2021
Tabletop Review: Ontario Knife Company 499 Air Force Survival Knife

As part of the building a survival kit series, I ordered the Ontario Air Force Survival Knife. I received it yesterday and was shocked with what came out of the box.

In short – it’s terrible. This is the dullest knife I have ever purchased. The edge is uneven and looks like it’s been used to cut open cans of corn. Horrible. The sheath is mediocre at best feeling rather thin and cheap. The latch which goes over the sharpening stone is riveted to the sheath. Those rivets protrude into the area where the knife blade enters the sheath. Every time the blade is inserted and withdrawn from the sheath those rivets scratch the hell out of the blade. Crazy!!!

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I have already sent the knife back today and ordered the Mora which was the runner-up. There will be at least one more knife added to the kit at some point in the future. The Ontario will NOT be an option.

Did I get a lemon? Maybe.

So disappointed.

Rourke

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April 1, 2021
Review: Nekteck 21W Portable Solar Charging Kit

I’ll be quick and to the point: Buy it.

I’ve dabbled with small solar kits for over a decade. Charging battery packs and cell phones are good tasks for these small portable solar panels. The Nekteck 21W Solar Charger is packed with features including two USB ports, a Micro-USB cable, metal eyelets for hanging, and a zipper pouch built-in for storage of other cables and accessories. Build quality appears top-rate which means it’s durable and rugged. Oh – it’s waterproof as well.

Above: The Nekteck folds down to 6.3x 11.1x 1.06 inches.

Above: Opened up, the three Monocrystalline panels collect energy from the sun. The two metal eyelets allow the charger to be hung or connected be positioned for full view of the suns rays.

Below: A 6700mAh portable power bank was used to test the NekTeck.

Below: The NekTeck 21W Portable Solar Charger was connected to the power bank and left on top of a vehicle all day.

The power bank was completely drained at the start of the day. I checked it at 4:00pm and it was fully charged. I’m not sure how long it took to charge it but the bottom line is it was able to charge it in one session.

How Might This Be Used?

These types of solar panels are designed to charge batteries – and battery packs. Charging phones and GPS devices can be done while backpacking, camping, and other outdoor activities that take you away from the grid. Any battery-powered device that is utilized off-grid can have its batteries charged via a solar panel such as this assuming the daily usage does not outrun the charging capacity. One example of this would be an off-grid portable homemade ham repeater. Another would be to charge power banks which would then be used to charge other devices.

Running under $50 with free shipping this solar charger is a steal.

HIGH RECOMMENDATION

For more information follow this link.

Rourke

February 22, 2021
Canned Bread Yay or Nay?

Mr. Rourke gives this canned bread a big thumbs down. I did get him to like it when toasted with butter, added salt (yes, I added sea salt), and topped with a big slab of Jiff peanut butter. He says everything is better with peanut butter and I cannot disagree. I do, however, think that this bread has a place on the prepper’s pantry shelves. It stores well and for a canned item, it is very light. The bread is also versatile as it can be a dessert or a meal and if you don’t have time to make bread then boom, you got bread.

I toasted the canned bread after slicing it the way you do a can of cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving. I added some butter and put it on the grill. What you see next to the bread is the beef stew I made in a CanCooker (article to follow soon)!

For those of you who are keeping track of the calories in your pantry here is the nutritional information. The entire can is 1040 calories which I think provides a good amount of calories. The best price I found on Amazon is $2.69 a can if you buy 12 and a subscription. I am thinking you might be able to find them at WalMart too. I know that they have them in many Maine grocery stores if you ever find yourself up that way!

B&M BROWN BREAD

Happy Prepping!

Maine Prepper Girl

January 25, 2021
Review of NEBO PAL

I got the Nebo Pal in my Christmas stocking and didn’t give it much thought until I got back to South Carolina from Maine and got to really check it out. As I pulled it out of the packaging I thought that this tool could be really useful. It’s a tool that is a knife, a battery pack (with a short cord for charging), and a flashlight all in one.

I usually carry all these items and more separately in a bag that I keep in my vehicle. This compact tool will lighten the load I need to carry as it takes the place of several items. This can easily be something that I could carry in my smaller bag as well.

The Nebo Pal has a 400 lumen light that increases and decreases in intensity as you hold down the power button. This system works really well to get just the brightness you want. Those 400-lumens is plenty bright to pierce the darkness of night and see very far. A quick blink lets you know it is either at its highest or lowest capacity. The 3-inch serrated knife is easy to open and locks open when fully extended. The battery pack charged quickly the first time and I was able to charge my phone from 8% to 41% in about an hour before the blue light that was on during charging started blinking then turned off. At this point, the phone stopped charging but the flashlight still worked. The Nebo itself shows a red flashing light while charging that turned to a solid red light when fully charged. The new model in the link has a green light when charged according to the details listed. Oh….the Nebo also comes with a nice lanyard which could be useful to hang it somewhere out of the way of attaching to a pack.

I love gadgets and this one is great. I highly recommend it.

Here are a few links for more information and purchasing:

Amazon – LINK

Walmart – LINK

Happy Prepping!

Maine Prepper Girl

January 21, 2021
REVIEW: Civil Defense Manual by Jack Lawson

Jack Lawson is one of the co-authors of the now out-of-print but still much sought after book A Failure of Civility. He has now published Civil Defense Manual, Vol. I & II: How to Prepare and Protect Your Neighborhood from Disaster, Riot, and Civil Unrest.

Information on preparing for the complete and udder calamity which any of us feel awaits around the corner is not easy to find. Yes, I’m referring to a true WROL(without rule of law). Anyone heard that we are in the early stages of a 2nd civil war? Yeah – this book set is packed with valuable information for some pretty sh#$$y times.

This book set takes you through the steps to prepare your town and neighborhood for a worst-case scenario(SHTF). Whether it’s a zombie apocalypse, civil unrest, or all-out economic collapse this book has the suggestions, the steps, the checklists to get you prepared.

This is THE book which is a must-have in a preparedness library.

Below are a few pictures showing the Table of Contents:

When you are looking at the table of contents you see typical preparedness information such as food storage and water filtration. With this book, there is information on body armor, EMP, leadership, tools, intelligence, defense, night fighting, and so much more!

This is not an inexpensive book set. Is it worth it? How much is your life worth? If you will spend thousands of dollars on firearms and ammunition but won’t fork out $100 on a set of manuals on how to survive the “bed stuff” coming – then priorities need to be in order.

Reality Check: Information is the most underated and undervalued tangible asset in preparedness.

Check out the Civil Defense Manual: How To Prepare and Protect Your Neighborhood from Disaster, Riot, and Civil Unrest by foillowing THIS LINK.

This is a book set that I’ll be going through with a yellow highlighter. It’s that good.

Rourke

December 31, 2020
Tabletop Review: Springfield Saint Edge 5.56 Pistol
I recently had the opportunity to get a close look at a Springfield Saint Edge AR pistol. This 5.56mm “pistol” is the top of the line, high-end AR offered by Springfield Armory. The Edge series of forearms offer billet lowers and premium components. Springfields goal is to provide the highest end forearms with the utmost reliability and accuracy. After handling the Saint Edge I have to say from the looks of it they reached their goal.

Below is a photo slideshow of the gun as I take a look at it. A full review is coming up as I take I to the range and send some Freedom Seeds downrange. Of note – Ammo.com was gracious enough to donate some ammunition for the upcoming review. Thank you Ammo.com!!

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A few words from the Springfield Armory website:

The SAINT® Edge pistol combines the most popular features of the premium Edge rifle with the compact shootability of a pistol platform.

The newest self-defense legend, the SAINT Edge pistol in 5.56 gives maximum portability and ease of use in close quarters, where it matters most. The Maxim Defense™ CQB adjustable pistol brace reduces size, stabilizes recoil, and enhances accuracy, so the next time you need to deliver in a pinch, you’ll be in good hands.

The SAINT® Edge pistol features a 10.3″ lightweight 1:8 twist CMV barrel and delivers a comfortable, quick-handling and versatile platform. Brace yourself — fully collapsed the pistol measures in at just 24.6″.
- Machined Billet Lower
- 10.3″ Barrel(CMV)
- Nickel Boron Coated Flat Trigger
- Enhanced M16 BCG
- Mid-Size Charging Handle
- Ambi Safety
- Maxim Defense CQB Brace
I can’t wait to get to the range and get some rounds through the Saint Edge pistol.

Rourke
July 6, 2020
REVIEW: Surviveware Small First Aid Kit

Who is Surviveware?

To understand why I am so impressed with this company it’s important to briefly summarize just who Surviveware.com is. A bit of their background:

Janco and Amanda, the founders of Surviveware, met while traveling the globe. Janco was a deckhand on a superyacht while Amanda was teaching English in France. They met in the little town of Toulon when Janco’s boat was in port. It was love at first sight and the rest is history. But their journey was not without its ups and downs. Building any relationship can be tough, even more so when you find yourself on opposite sides of the world.

After thousands of miles traveled back and forth to visit each other in different countries they decided to settle in Amanda’s home state of Virginia to start their own company. They learned a lot from their adventures, especially that it pays to be prepared. There are very few people more accident-prone than Janco, so if he can’t help himself when another mishap strikes, Amanda is there with the right equipment to save the day.

Surviveware is where backpacking and camping meet preparedness! An accident happens in seconds when you least expect it. That’s why it is important to be informed, trained, and ready, long before disaster strikes. Surviveware products have been featured in the national media and our products are trusted by mountain climbers, sports coaches, travelers, EMTs, paramedics, and military personnel.

Surviveware Small First Aid Kit

Not to make you wait until the end of this article to find out my thoughts I’ll go ahead and tell you I am immensely impressed with this first aid kit. I’ll get into the details below, however, the overall design, organization, contents, and price is exceptional.

Full Disclosure: After I purchased the Surviveware Small First Aid Kit I inquired about becoming an affiliate with the company. Any purchases made by readers – that’s YOU by the way – after following a link from here to their website will buy me a cup of coffee(OK, maybe just the cup). In no way, shape, or form does this influence my opinion or endorsement of any product or service. You’ve got my word on that. Affiliate sales help keep this site operational. ’nuff said.

Above: Upon opening the box the kit was shipped in I found an EXTREMELY well packaged first aid kit. The kit arrived in a thick plastic protective bag as pictured above. This bag appears to be heavy plastic or clear vinyl and has a ziploc enclosure(see below) at the top.

This protective bag is perfect for protecting the kit from rain and other harsh environmental conditions. This is included with the kit and certainly not needed, however, it just showcases the steps Surviveware goes to as they provide exceptional products and value.

Above: The backside of the protective storage bag displays a list of contents. They are as follows:

6” Shears(1), 600D Polyester Bag(1), Alcohol Wipes(3), Antiseptic Wipes(4), Adhesive Bandages: Butterfly Closures(5), Butterfly(5), H-Shape(5), Large(2), Standard(20), Mini(5), Square Shape(5), Cotton Gauze Swabs(3), Cotton Swabs(10), CPR Pouch with Instructions(1), CPR Breathing Mask(1), Crepe Bandage(1), Emergency Blanket(1), Eye Pads(2), Hypoallergenic Tape(1), Nitrile Gloves(1), Personal Medicine Laminate Bag(1), Personal Medicine Mini Bags(5), PBT Conforming Bandage(1), Safety Pins(4), Splinter Probes(2), Strip Wound Closures(3), Sting Relief Wipes(3), First Aid Guide(1), Triangular Bandage(1),Tweezer(1), Whistle(1)

THE BAG

Below: Removed from the storage bag, I’m immediately impressed with the nicest bag I’ve ever seen for a first aid kit containing all the supplies. The bag is 600D polyester. If you are familiar with this material you will know it is frequently used in high-quality backpacks and tactical bags. In a word: RUGGED.

Above: Velcro Molle attachments allow the Surviveware Small First Aid Kit to be attached to a variety of objects including bikes, packs, vehicles, your belt – pretty much anywhere. Perfect for securing the pack on backpacking and hiking trips, or in a Jeep like in mine below:

Below: Zippers are rugged and smooth. Compared to many small bags I’ve had these zippers are extremely durable and reliable. Very nice feature.

INSIDE

Above: Unzipping and opening the bag what I found had me smiling: EXTREME ORGANIZATION.

Everything is labeled in full-color text. There is no question where anything is or what is where – simply look and there it is. Fantastic! This is so beneficial it cannot be overstated. Imagine falling on your mountain bike and a buddy grabs the Surviveware Small First Aid Kit. They will be able to find what they are looking for with little difficulty. With most every other kit I’ve had of this size, opening the bag or box has everything pretty much in a jumbled mess and things can fall out all over the ground. Not with this kit.

Below: I’ve got to point out the CPR Kit within the kit. Included are nitrile gloves and an antiseptic towel, which is nice. What is impressive are the CPR instructions sewn into the small case which provides the full correct instructions on performing CPR. Think about it – if CPR is needed the ability to remember the steps from training a year or more ago may prove difficult. Having these instructions laying on the ground near the patient could very well be a lifesaver. What a great feature!

Above: The metal shears included is another example of what sets this kit above others. First – they are included. Many smaller first aid kits do not include shears at all, however, they are very useful for removing clothing and cutting seat belts. They are a welcome and valuable addition.

Below: Located within the outside pocket is what you see below. A small plastic bag containing several smaller bags for personal medicines. Great to store some extra prescription meds, or whatever you may wish to keep on hand. This pocket also has plenty of room to put extra bandaids, packs of antibiotic ointments – whatever.

SUMMARY

The Surviveware Small First AId Kit is by far my favorite first aid kit. It is sitting in my Jeep right now as I type this and I plan to order a couple more. Ultra high quality, durable, versatile, and compact. I struggle to find any criticisms or improvements that could be made. Again – I own several other packs of this size and it is by far the best. Having a tourniquet attached to the outside of the bag would be a recommendation.

At a price of $36.95 – an incredible value. I highly recommend purchasing a couple to be placed in your home, as well as each vehicle.

For more information visit the Surviveware Small First Aid Kit Webpage.

Recommended

June 8, 2020
Hands On: Ruger SR1911 Lightweight Commander 45ACP

With all the new offerings for defensive pistols on the market, one thing remains crystal clear: The 1911 is far from dead. Armchair firearms experts continue to boast the superiority of their choice thus deifying all others. OPtions are good and the 1911 has been a viable option for numerous decades. The reason why is obvious for those who have owned them. They are reliable, highly accurate, and shoot a cartridge that many feel is a superior manstopper.

The most significant criticism that is fairly accurate for many is that 1911’s are heavy compared to polymer-framed pistols. Consider the Glock 17 9mm fully loaded at 32 ounces compared to a fully loaded full-sized 1911 coming in close to 44 ounces. When carrying as a duty weapon this weight may not be particularly significant. When carrying concealed and living everyday the extra weight may not be welcome.

Enter the Ruger SR1911 Lightweight Commander.

Ruger, known for extreme reliability in their firearms, is producing the Lightweight Commander version of the 1911 with a slighter shorter barrel(4.25″) and an aluminum frame. This combination affords a significant weight reduction of close to 10 ounces. This is significant.

Impressions

Trigger: The aluminum trigger is skeletonized and adjustable. No adjustment was needed and it broke very light and crisp, which aids tremendously in the accuracy department

Mainspring Housing: The mainspring housing is heavily checkered aiding in retention and control of the weapon.

Magazine Well: The magazine well is beveled providing extra space to facilitate magazine insertion. It works well.

Thumb Safety/Hammer: The thumb safety is sized perfectly to provide easy manipulation and clicks on and off very positively. No issues. The hammer is skeletonized with excellent cocking serrations.

Beavertail Safety: The oversized beavertail safety makes for a very comfortable grip and positive function.

Sights: The sights are excellent and are the 3-dot variety with smooth edges to reduce snagging.

Misc: The stainless slide contains deep serrations rearward to assist in cocking. The ejection port is enlarged and flared for positive ejection. The grip feels very nice however I may try some Magpul TSP grip panels or maybe a set of wrap-around Pachmayr’s. The feed ramp is titanium ensuring positive feeding for years to come.

At the Range

Let me cut to the chase and just state for the record this thing shoots awesome. It has been 100% reliable, super accurate, and a joy to shoot. I do not proclaim to be the best pistolsmith however its inherent accuracy utilizing tight tolerances and fit combined with a great trigger makes me look better. I have no doubt in a better shooters hands it will perform much better.

Above: 7 shot group from 7 yards. Yes – I know 7 shot groups are a bit unusual.

Above: My best 7 shot group from 7 yards. My 7th shot was the flyer.

Above: My brother’s range. At around 30 feet I was easily able to hit the orange metal plates round after round with fairly rapid shooting.

What ammunition did I shoot? Monarch brass 230-grain ball and an assortment of Federal and Winchester White Box ball. No hollowpoints as of yet.

Summary: This is an excellent carry pistol and very capable of putting rounds on target accurately and repeatedly. It’s lightweight makes carrying a bit more comfortable than a regular full-sized 1911. Excellent fit and finish make this an attractive self-defense solutions running a street price of around $800.

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* * * * * * * * * * *

Recommended reading for every Patriot?

May 29, 2018
Dirt Cheap Thermal…..and it works!!!
Thermal optics and imaging devices have long been sought after but priced out of reach for most preppers. I make no claims to have any expertise in thermal nor any other kind of night vision. Night vision – including thermal – provides the ability to at least monitor what exists in the darkness while others can only listen and guess. This is incredibility important and cannot be overstated. Knowing what goes “bump” in the night provides a tremendous benefit. In particular, thermal can be very expensive and for most of us not more than a dream.

Until now.

Inexpensive Thermal for Prepper’s

Enter the Seek Thermal XR. The Seek XR is a very small, highly portable device that attaches to Apple and Android compatible devices. Running between $240 and $275 it is very affordable(maybe not “dirt cheap”). My particular model uses a Lightning adapter allowing it to be connected to my iPhone 6S.

Once the camera is connected to the phone an App allows access to viewing. There are a variety of modes – called filters – that can be used depending on the environment and your personal preference. I’m not going to go through all the specifics of the software, however, there are a couple critical things to know:

First – Pictures and video can be taken within the App to allow for viewing later. This is excellent for surveillance record keeping and being able to actually show someone what has been seen rather than just describe it.

Second – This device is not mountable to a firearm. Well – it is possible however mounting to a firearm is not its intended purpose.

To show some of the thermal capabilities a few video clips and still images follow:

ABOVE: Approx 30 yards away an intruder peeks around a shed and then moves to a tree for cover.

ABOVE: Approx. 30 yards away an intruder walks behind the fence along the property perimeter. There is a 1.5″ inch gap between the 6″ boards in the fence.

ABOVE: An individual walks around the side of a house approx. 100 yards away.

ABOVE: Still image with a maximum distance of approx 175 yards.

ABOVE: Approx 80 yards away to the wood line.

Benefits of Thermal for Preppers:

Consider the incredible benefits of thermal. Hunting wild game could be made much more successful. Not only could hunting commence at night but even during the day, thermal could assist greatly in finding animals hidden in deep brush.

The biggest benefit of thermal usage is identifying potential threats in the dark of night. Expanding the number of surveillance hours per day from around 12-16 to a full 24 hours is huge.

Search and rescue is another area that the Seek XR Thermal would provide benefits, Imagine a lost dog – or kid – somewhere out in the woods. Thermal would provide great benefits over a flashlight beam.

The Bad:

At this price point, there is not a lot that is truly negative about the Seek XR. There are a few points to keep in mind th0ugh…..
- Image and video resolution are not the greatest. This affects the ability to see details. You can tell a man is a man even at a few hundred yards – if moving. Animals can be identified as animals, however, knowing their specific species depends on how far away they are and their actions. I’ve seen rabbits hopping around at 40-50 yards however if they were still I would have just known there was an animal there.
- The Seek XR Thermal is a quality item, however, it does not feel like the most durable piece of equipment. Care needs to be taken not to drop it or drop it in water.
- When connected to a cell phone the screen emits quite a bit of light when used in total darkness. This obviously would be an issue when trying to detect potential intruders. One possible solution is darkening the screen however this may limit the ability to see details. Making some type of shade to hide the emitted light would be helpful. The most plausible solution is using a remote cable so that the Seek XR can be placed outside or a building while the cell phone connected to it is inside. I’ve not tried this yet, however, the cables are sold.
Let’s Wrap It Up

The Seek XR Thermal has limitations – but it’s $250! I have demonstrated this device to several prepper friends and they were blown away – especially using the WHITE filter – the level of detail observed. It is a game changer for those who cannot afford more expensive and capable thermal.

Well worth the price.

Rourke
September 27, 2017
Taurus Millennium G2 9mm: Rounds 661 – 800

The testing of the Taurus PT-111 G2 9mm continues with rounds 461 through 660. The goal of this project is to track the reliability and performance of the G2 through 2,000 rounds. No cleaning will be done however lubrication will take place each shooting session. Should the G2 begin to experience reliability issues with ammunition previously proven reliable then I will go ahead and clean it.

For this segment 140 rounds of “freedom seeds” was sent down range. This included 100 rounds of Federal 115-grain FMJ rounds and 40 rounds of Winchester White box 115-grain FMJ 9mm. No cleaning has been done so far, however, a couple drops of Rem-Oil were placed on the rails. trigger mechanism, and striker components. No malfunctions of any kind were experienced.

The Taurus remains 100% reliable. I have yet to throw hollow point ammunition through it. I will resolve that issue soon.

So – here’s the data through 660 rounds:

340 rounds Winchester White Box 115-grain FMJ bulk pack

160 rounds Independence 115-grain Aluminum case

50 rounds LAWMAN 115-grain TMJ

50 rounds Blazer 115-grain FMJ aluminum cased

100 rounds Blazer Brass 115-grain FMJ

100 rounds Federal 115-grain FMJ brass cased

So far so good.

I know a question came up about what is the point of a test such as this. I guess I could do a test where I shoot 200 rounds of various ammunition, clean and oil, then repeat. I would likely be asked what the point of that is as well. The 2,000 round test with no cleaning is merely what I decided to do. It’s performance is an indication. Will it make it? I don’t know. If it doesn’t I will not consider the test a failure. It has now gone 800 rounds with zero cleaning and no malfunctions.

Now, back to the range…..

Rourke

July 12, 2017
Testing the Bell & Howell “TacLight”

The TacLight is an “As Seen On TV” flashlight advertised as extremely powerful and nearly indestructible. As with most As Seen On TV products, the claims sound unrealistic and outlandish. This “High Performance Flashlight” is reported to withstand boiling, freezing, and even being run over by a car. So – can it actually survive these tests?

Let’s find out.

As can be seen from the packaging above the TacLight is touted to be super durable and incredibly bright. It is so durable in fact it can withstand being submerged in water, run over by a car, frozen in ice, and boiled in water. While I suspect using a flashlight in such conditions as boiling water and surviving a hit and run would lead to more issues than whether or not a flashlight works – I understand these tests are apparently an indication of quality and reliability.

One claim that I was unable to substantiate is the ability to see the light which is so bright it can be seen “5 nautical miles away”. Due to my living on land and not having my presence on the ocean anytime soon a 5 nautical mile test was simply unrealistic.

The TacLight is a medium sized flashlight at 5.4″ inches long and approx 1.6″ inches wide. It is made from lightweight aluminum and contains a lanyard. The light is operated via an end-cap push button.

It appears Bell & Howell take immense pride in the fact the TacLight is made in China. Now – the origin of manufacture is not much of a surprise as most electronics of any kind is made in China. Just a bit odd that it would be printed so visibly.

The LED element on my example was well centered and the lens was clear. The lens is protected by a shroud with semi-aggressive raised edges. These are meant to be useful in a self-defense situation and it appears they would not be pleasant to get hit with.

Unlike most LED flashlights I own the TacLight’s beam can be adjusted from a very concentrated beam to flood pattern. The pattern is adjusted by sliding the head back and forth. The action is smooth and it works well.

The light is powered via 3 AAA batteries.

Above shows the concentrated spot adjustment. The square LED diode appearance is common among focusable LED lights.

Medium focus above provides excellent brightness in total darkness with good area coverage. The picture really doesn’t do it justice.

In full flood pattern, a massive area is illuminated.

There are three levels of brightness, a strobe, and an SOS mode.As always the fewer the modes the better in my opinion so this is overkill.

The TacLight is claimed to be waterproof. I left the light in this sink for over 15 minutes with no issues. PASS

Above the TacLight was submerged in boiling water for close to one minute. Honestly, I was really surprised that it just kept running.

I had thought the TacLight survived the boiling water until the next morning I walked into the kitchen and found the scene below. It appears that the lens is held in place via an adhesive which must have softened during the boiling process. Some internal pressure from the heat likely aided in having the lens pop off.

Regardless of the lens popping off the TacLight still worked. It survived being submerged and boiling – but will it survive being run over.

Below I ran over the TacLight with a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. It survived.

SUMMARY

The TacLight still worked after all these tests although it did not work as well. With the lens gone the light just did not look the same. I was not able to test freezing it as it was no longer waterproof.

So – is the TacLight any good?

It is a decent light for the money but there are better deals out there. Almost the exact same flashlight with two rechargeable lithium ion batteries and a charger can be bought cheaper.

I have the kit above and for around $15 it is well worth it.

TacLight? NOT RECOMMENDED

Rourke

June 1, 2017
Taurus Millennium G2 9mm: Rounds 361 – 460

The testing fo the Taurus PT-111 G2 9mm continues with rounds 361 through 460. The goal of this project is to track the reliability and performance fo the G2 through 2,000 rounds. No cleaning will be done however lubrication will take place each shooting session. Should the G2 begin to experience reliability issues with ammunition previously proven reliable then I will go ahead and clean it.

Rounds 1 through 360 can be read about HERE.

For this segment 100 rounds of “freedom seeds” was sent down range. No cleaning or lubrication has been performed thus far though some gun oil will be applied next session. No failures of any kind have been experienced. The Taurus has remained 100% reliable.

So – here’s the data through 460 rounds:

200 rounds Winchester White Box 115-grain FMJ bulk-pack

160 rounds Independence 115-grain Aluminum case

50 rounds LAWMAN 115-grain TMJ

50 rounds Blazer 115-grain FMJ aluminum cased

Result: 460 rounds. Zero issues – no malfunctions.

Upcoming I will introduce some hollow point ammunition and expect issues may be had. I have heard that the G2 will not reliably feed some defensive hollow point ammo, so we’ll see what happens.

The Taurus PT-111 G2 9mm is one of the least expensive pistols on the market and an option for the budget-minded looking for a carry pistol. Is it reliable? We are well on the way to finding out.

1540 rounds to go……

Rourke

May 22, 2017
Impression of the Mossberg 715T Tactical .22 Rifle
Went shooting this past weekend and had an opportunity to take a look at his recently acquired Mossberg 715T. Modeled after the AR-15 it closely resembles an AR with a few significant differences.

Here are a few observations:
- Sights are pretty good typical rear peep front post. Adjustable.
- Trigger is spongy but not very heavy.
- Picatinny rails galore for mounting everything including the kitchen sink.
- There is a side charging handle which works fine but is not like an AR. There is a fake charging handle for cosmetic purposes only.
- Magazine release is terrible and nothing like an AR. This is a serious design flaw. Lever has to be pulled down and at the same time pull on the magazine. I was able to practice and do this one-handed but not reliably.
- I could not figure out how to take it apart for cleaning. It certainly is different than a hinged action like on an AR.
- Safety is a typical push-button style and extremely stiff. Would have preferred an AR-style.
- Magazine has a faux AR bottom with a “stick” .22LR metal portion sticking up through. Again – design flaw.
- The Mossberg 715T was 100% reliable with Federal bulk box 40-grain solid points.
- Handling was good and very similar to a typical AR including weight.
If I’m not mistaken I believe this AR-looking inexpensive .22LR is actually a Mossberg 702 Plinkster with polymer furniture attached to it.

The Mossberg 715T Tactical .22 typically sells for around $299. Would I by one? No, I wouldn’t. With the Plinkster available for $140 a more realistic and value-driven price would be $199 new. But hey – that’s why I am not a Marketing Manager for Mossberg I guess.

No – for $299 I would pick up a Ruger 10/22 every time along with a BX-25 magazine and a brick of .22LR rounds and call it a day.

My buddy who owns the Mossberg bought it off a friend used for $150. It looks to be hardly shot. Now that’s a decent deal.

Rourke
March 12, 2017
Review: Zanflare F1 LED Flashlight

Introduction:

The Zanflare F1 LED Flashlight is a brand new entry into the high performance flashlight market. Throwing in excess of 1200 lumens the Zanflare’s narrow beam penetrates the night like a hot knife through butter – just like a flashlight should. Its ability to charge via common mini-USB without opening the battery compartment is a welcome feature. The F1 is turned on by a tail cap button and then modes are selected via a barrel button.

Running in the mid-price($40) range it is affordable for most but not all.

Specifications:

Brand: zanflare
Model: F1
Emitters: Cree XP-L V6
Emitters Quantity: 1
Lumens Range: >1000Lumens
Luminous Flux: 1240LM
Mode: 7 (Turbo; High; Mid; Low; Moonlight; Strobe; SOS)
Battery Type: 18650, CR123
Battery Quantity: 1 x 18650 or 2 x CR123 batteries (not included)
Mode Memory: Yes
Rechargeable: Yes
Waterproof Standard: IP-68 Standard Water-resistant
LED Lifespan: 5000h or more

Power, Modes and Output:

The Zanflare F1’s beam is created via a CREE XP-L LED and an incredibly smooth reflector.

Modes: The are 7 in total

Turbo(1240 lumens)

High(590 lumens)

Mid(290 lumens)

Low(50 lumens)

Moonlight(1 lumen)

Strobe

SOS

I had no way of verifying the levels listed above other than comparing to other lights of known lumen levels. I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the stated lumens.

Power: The Zanflare is powered by two CR123 batteries or a single 18650 rechargeable Li-Ion battery.

Operation:

Two switches – The tail cap switch turns the unit on and off while the button mounted on the side of the case allows mode manipulation. Selecting the desired mode is not difficult. Basically pressing the side button moves from one mode to the other.

The brightest mode – or Turbo – is accessed with a quick double-click. This throws the maximum 1240 lumens for approx 30 seconds then automatically diverts to High. Single taps goes through the standard brightness modes. A long press bring up the Strobe mode – and while in Strobe a single click will access the SOS mode. These two modes – for me – are a waste but they are there if needed.

Charging:

Beneath the side switch there is a metal ring which conceals the charging port. Unscrewing the ring reveals a micro USB port used for charging. Any standard USB charging cable will work to charge the internal battery. A small light turns red when charging and green when charging is complete.

Obviously make certain a rechargeable battery is being used prior to trying to recharge.

Notice red charging light above.

Performance:

I like a bright penetrating beam versus a flood light. The Zanflare F1 is right up my alley.

Here are a few pictures of the F1 in action:

ABOVE: Using the Zanflare F1 heading into the woods while hunting.

ABOVE: Headlights from my Jeep Wrangler after arriving to hunting area.

BELOW: Same headlights on the right-side with the addition of the Zanflare F1 on the left.

* * * * * * * *

A picture is worth a thousand words……

Final Words

The Zanflare F1 is one of my favorite flashlights. The combination of simple operation, fairly narrow barrel size, recharging capability, and 1240 lumens is an excellent combination.

High recommendation.

For more information visit the Zanflare F1 product page.

Rourke

January 22, 2017
Review: Klarus Mi7 Mini Flashlight

I received the Klarus Mi7 LED flashlight several weeks ago and have been using it ever since. Whether it’s been searching under couches for my son’s car keys, heading to the tree stand, or navigating my way to the shed to look for Christmas ornaments it has been my faithful companion.

The Klarus Mi7 is a AA/14500 powered LED flashlight that falls right into the “mini” flashlight category. Although small this is a feature packed and extremely powerful flashlight.

Here are some specs:

Brand: KLARUS
Model: Mi7
Lamp Beads: Cree XP-L HI V3
Emitters Quantity: 1
Lumens Range: 500-1000Lumens
Luminous Flux: 700LM
Luminous Intensity: 3025cd
Power: 4W
Color Temperature: 6500K
Feature: Cooling Slot of High Efficiency,Lightweight,Lock-out Function,Power Indicator,Reverse Polarity Protection,Tail Stand
Function: Camping,EDC,Hiking,Household Use,Night Riding,Walking
Switch Type: Side Clicky
Mode: 5 (High – Low – Moonlight – Strobe – SOS)
Battery Type: 14500,AA
Battery Quantity: 1 x AA / 14500 battery (AA included)
Waterproof Standard: IPX-8 Standard Waterproof (Underwater 2m)
LED Lifespan: 50000h
Power Source: Battery
Working Voltage: 1-4.2V
Reflector: Aluminum Textured Orange Peel Reflector
Lens: Toughened Ultra-clear Mineral Glass Lens
Beam Distance: 100-150m
Impact Resistance: 1M
Body Material: AL 6061-T6 Aluminium Alloy
Available Light Color: Cool White
Available color: Army green,Black,Blue,Green,Pink,Red,Silver

Included in Packaging:

Nice and professional packaging includes the Klarus Mi7 flashlight, AA alkaline battery, 1 extra o-ring, 1 carabiner. Mine came with a pocket clip although that is not listed on the website as an included item.

Ergonomics and Build:

The Mi7 is a small flashlight intended for everyday carry in the pocket, glove box, or pack. There is a diamond-cut pattern on the main body that feels fine. I would have preferred some aggressive knurling but that is just my personal preference.

Construction is excellent. All surfaces are smooth with no machining marks or unfinished edges. Threads are tight and smooth.

The power button works as intended though it does feel a bit “squishy”. I have had a few instances while carrying in my front pocket where the light was inadvertently turned on. I knew due to the light heating up and I could feel it. Using the included carabiner on a belt loop would solve that however i preferred pocket carry.

[slideshow_deploy id=’4470′]

Power Source:

The Klarus Mi7 can be powered by either a standard AA battery or a 14500 lithium ion. The difference between the two is critical for maximum performance out of this light. A typical AA battery put out 1.5 volts while the 14500 – up the power to 3.6-3.7 volts. Knowing this it is not surprising to get maximum performance(brightness) it is best to use the rechargeable lithium ion 14500 battery.

Performance:

Before I get into the performance of this mini flashlight let’s get some perspective. The classic Maglite powered by 2 D cells that has rode in many trucks, police cars, and so many of us cherished for years threw a grand total of………27 lumens. Yes – 27. Remember this.

The following are the estimated output levels based on battery type:

AA Alkaline:

HIGH – 330 lumens / LOW – 90 lumens

14500 Lithium Ion:

HIGH – 700 lumens / LOW – 90 lumens

That is 700 lumens from a mini flashlight. Flashlight technology has come so far.

Modes:

Like most modern flashlights the Klarus Mi7 has more modes of operation than needed. Anyone who is familiar with my flashlight reviews knows I like ON and OFF – and maybe a couple brightness levels.

Available modes:

HIGH

LOW

Moonlight(5 lumen)

Strobe – HIGH

Strobe – LOW

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words……..

* * * * * * * *

Above: No flashlight – just ambient light and obvious porch/street lights

Below: AA alkaline on HIGH

Above: Klarus Mi7 with 14500 battery on HIGH – impressive 700 lumens

Below: Beside my house – no flashlight

Above: 700 lumens from 14500 lithium ion battery in the Klarus

See below a video I made while outside:

Summary:

The Klarus Mi7 is an excellent EDC flashlight and perfect for the pack. The ability to use normal AA alkaline is a big plus however to get maximum performance 14500 batteries can be purchased inexpensively. The ability to throw 700 lumens in such a small and capable flashlight is something unavailable just a couple years ago.

Recommended.

Interested in purchasing the Klarus Mi7 Mini LED Flashlight? – follow THIS LINK and use Coupon: TL7CM . Not sure how long this discount code will be good for but I am going to order another myself.

December 27, 2016
Review: CR123 Battery Case

Several weeks ago purchased a unique case off GearBest.com that holds CR123 batteries. It cost around $5 so I gave it a shot. No need for a long drawn out review on something so simple – it works.

The purpose of this battery case is to hold CR123 batteries in place and protect them from the elements. It also serves from keeping them from touching each other potentially causing a fire. Is this a real survival necessity? Absolutely not – but it is useful and is pretty cool.

With the top screwed on securely it feels fairly rugged and is waterproof. It holds a total of 7 CR123 batteries. There are 6 spaces around the interior of the case however another will fit in the middle.

At around $5.00 and free shipping I am going to order a few more. Finding more and more my flashlight fetish is being met by lights which are powered by CR123 batteries. These are great to “grab and go” knowing that I’ll have plenty of power for my flashlights when needed.

Click HERE for more information.

Thanks – Rourke

October 11, 2016
Review: Convoy L6 3800 Lumen Flashlight

If you are a flashlight junkie you may want to move on to another post or go rearrange your sock drawer. This quick review of the Convoy L6 3800 Lumen flashlight is going to highlight the many pro’s to this incredibly powerful flashlight as well as a few con’s – and you’re going to want one.

A few specs:

● Cool white 6000-6500K and neutral white 5000K are available
● Die-cast unibody construction, ensuring that heat is delivered evenly and rapidly
● CREE XHP70 N4 LED (soldered on 20mm copper plate), with a maximum output of 3800Lm
● Instant strobe: Double click side switch to activate hidden strobe mode
● 4 brightness levels: Low 50mA – mid 200mA – high 1700mA – turbo 5000mA
● Dual switch: Tail switch (125V 10A) to turn on / off the light, side switch to select mode
● Waterproof in accordance with IPX-8 standard
● Orange peel reflector (Max.D 67.8mm x H 48.2mm) offers a smooth and flood beam
● Anti-roll rugged design with detachable tactical ring
● Runs on 2pcs protected 26650 batteries that can withstand more than 6A current (not included)

Packaging:

The picture above shows how the flashlight came packaged. Very well protected and there was foam covering the top as well. Nice box.

Construction/Build Quality:

I have never had a Convoy flashlight before. In fact I have never heard of the brand. One thing I have come to realize is there is an entire market outside of the United States of high quality phones, flashlights, and other electronics. Just because I am not familiar here in the states it doesn’t mean that the item is not of excellent quality. So far – the Convoy seems to be built extremely well.

The grip is easy to hold and for a flashlight this size easy to handle and swing around. The glass lens is crystal clear and LED centered.

This thing looks like it was built in the same factory as a tank. In a word: solid.

Power:

The Convoy L6 is powered by 2 26650 lithium-ion batteries. This is a very odd size for most of us however purchasing these types of flashlights provides this situation. Batteries and chargers are available from GearBest.com as well as Amazon.

Operation:

There were no instructions included with the light. The flashlight is turned on and off via the tail cap switch. The modes are changed using the body switch. I prefer body switches for on and off and modes but it works fine. I have stated a million times – I hate strobes and I prefer as few modes as possible with ON and OFF desirable. With a flashlight this bright I do see the benefit of lower power modes as this thing throwing light at full power on a wall close up is blinding.

Performance

The Convoy throws out an extremely clean and consistent light. Unlike with other lights where depending on the distance and brightness level shadows and dark/bright spots can be visible – the Convoy is smooth all the way through.

Performance pictures below are all taken at Full Power Turbo. Although I do not care for multiple modes in a light the 4 modes are spread out pretty evenly for different applications(map reading, search & rescue, walking, hiking, camping, searching for Pokemon….etc.

Above: House is approx 50 yards away. The light on the right side of the picture is actually a reflection in a window of a porch light across the street.

Below: Picture doesn’t do the amount of illumination justice. The brightness and amount of area illuminated is incredible. This is not a “spotlight” in design however even with the amount of flood it is super bright.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Above: This house is approx 100 yards away and has an outside motion-activated security light that apparently has detected a zombie walking by.

Below: Almost the entire front yard, front and side of the house are lit up. If the tree wasn’t in the way the house to the left would also have been it up. Extreme brightness.

Final Thoughts:

I am very happy with the L6. Easy to use and super bright. The super bright 4th mode – turbo – is not meant to be left on for extended periods due to the amount of heat generated. I had it on for no more than 5-8 minutes and could feel some heat being generated.

The Convoy L6 has a definite place in most any preppers inventory. It has its pro’s and con’s but if you want to light up an area – and I mean really light it up – this will do the trick. It is inexpensive, high quality, and rugged.

If looking for a light as I have described then look no further.

For more information follow this link.

Rourke

SPECIAL COUPON CODES:

— 6000-6500K Special Price: $51.30 with Coupon: L6GB

— 5000K Special Price: $55.79 with Coupon: L6GB ( there is no stock for this version presently, may need wait another week for goods restocked)

And 8% OFF coupon for LED Lights & Flashlights Code: GBLED2016

September 13, 2016
Review: Manker U11 1050 Lumen LED Flashlight

Over the last few weeks I have been testing the Manker U11 LED flashlight. I was sent this flashlight free of charge from GearBest.com for my honest review.

The Manker is advertised as being a reliable and high quality flashlight throwing upwards of 1050 lumens of bright light. A light with this level of illumination is perfect for searching around properties as well as inside a building(any night vision will be lost). The Manker would also do well on a mountain bike for lighting up dark trails or streets.

Initial impressions had this light as being well made. Caps threaded with no issues and anodizing was excellent. No machine marks were visible and surfaces were smooth. Impressed.

I consider the Manker U11 small to medium size as it is a little over 4 inches long. Not really a weapons light but fits great in a pants pocket. An included belt clip works well but prefer it off. There is also an included lanyard.

I prefer my lights to come on with full brightness – and shut off. That’s it. The Manker U11 has 7 modes including turbo, low, medium, high, midnight, strobe, and SOS. Like I said I use High and OFF and when on high – this thing rocks. The lower levels are good for battery conservation.

The light is operated with a single push button pad located on the side of the case. All modes are operated via rapid clicks or slow and momentary presses. It is actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it. The switch looks and feels high quality and long lasting.

The U11 accepts the unique but powerful rechargeable 18650 battery or two CR123 batteries.

If a rechargeable battery is being used a mini-USB charging port is available allowing simple hookup. A rubber pull-away cover provides some water resistance and protection from dust. One thing I like about the mini-USB port is easy charging within a vehicle or using a solar panel. When charging there is a deep blue indicator glowing from the power button.

There is an illustration for assisting correct battery installation. Ridged channels are cut into the aluminum body for heat dispersion. Embossing on much of the body provides for secure grip.

Performance Pictures

ABOVE: At night on the side of my house

BELOW: FULL POWER

ABOVE: House across the streets approx 150 yards away

BELOW: FULL POWER

SUMMARY: I continue to be amazed at the technology that is available today. I still remember my first LED light that burned at 6 lumens. I was amazed at how long the battery lasted. Today these lights last just as long at tremendous levels of illumination.

The Manker U11 will not disappoint. It is lightweight, well made and incredibly powerful.

Right now through June 30th GearBest is offering 1776PatriotUSA readers a very special price. Visit their website – add the Manker to your shopping cart – and then use coupon code “PatriotU11” for the special discount.

Rourke

June 23, 2016
Review: The MecArmy SGN3 CREE XP G2 Keychain LED Flashlight
I am an admitted flashlight junkie. Ever since I was a kid I loved flashlights. Not sure what is was that created that fascination but it has stuck with me and I know I’m not alone. A couple of weeks ago Gearbest.com offered to send me a flashlight I was not familiar with – the MecArmy SGN3 G2 Keychain Light. Think I’m going to turn that offer down? Nope!

There are plenty of keychain lights out there and I have had several. Generally they throw out a low-level of illumination which is fine for seeing a key when opening a door. Battery life has been an issue in my experience as they have not last but a few months. This is where the MecArmy separates itself from the pack and makes this review so easy – 160 lumens. That’s right – the MecArmy throws out 160 lumens. This is unheard of in such a small light especially one that easily fits on my keychain.

The light pattern is flood covering a very large area. Pictures will follow that show how this tiny keychain light will light up a huge area in front of my house. Pictures really just don’t do it just. I would love to see this thing with a weapons mount to make a very small but bright light on one of my AR’s.

The MecArmy SGN3 G2 is rechargeable. No more throwing it away when the battery dies and having to buy another light. Simply plug it in every week or so and it will be there when needed.

There are several light modes which I suppose can be useful. I am one that likes a flashlight to turn ON – and OFF. That’s it. No multiple levels of brightness and strobe options. I want OFF and BURN THE HOUSE DOWN. Maybe I’m exaggerating a I think you get what I mean. Well – the MecArmy has numerous levels of brightness as well as different colors and even a red flashing mode that someone might like. It is pretty cool and I suppose the red light would be good for reading at night.

Here are a few specifications:
- Charges from dead to fully charged in 90 minutes
- Charges from any USB port using a common mini-USB charging cable
- Contains 3 LED’s including a CREE XP-G2 as the main
- Main LED is bright white/UV while the low power secondary LED’s are red and white(looks bluish to me)
- Body and reflective cone are aluminum
Below are several pictures I took with accompanying descriptions. This is not a long-winded review. This thing is solid and works.

Brief summary follows the pictures:

Above: The MecArmy SGN3 G2 is about the size of a standard USB thumb drive.

Below: Simple push button operation turns on the main LED and offers two levels of brightness with multiple presses.

Above: The mini-USB charging port is protected from dust and grime with a tight-fitting rubber cover that inserts into the cavity. It is permanently attached to the light so it does not get lost.

Below: With the rubber cover removed the port can be accessed using any common mini-USB charging cable. Super easy to charge while driving or sitting on a counter.

Above: The MecArmy is extremely bright with the main LED turned on.

Below: The low power bluish light offers what a typical keychain light does – enough light to find a key and open a door.

Above: The red light works well for map reading and reducing the loss of night vision when navigating at night and not wanting to use the main LED.

Above: Outside my house at night. Only illumination is from a street light quite a ways away. To the human eye area is too dark to walk.

Below: The MecArmy flooding the area with 160 lumens of light. Impressive.

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Summary:

It should be obvious I like the flashlight. At around $45.00 with Free Shipping it is certainly more expensive than your typical keychain light. Here is the difference: With the MecArmy if your normal flashlight is not available you have a very suitable flashlight with you as long as you have your keys. In fact – the MecArmy may be brighter than many of the flashlights people out there have in their get home bags and survival kits.

I have given a lot of Pro’s – are there any Con’s? Other than wishing it just had OFF and ON function for the main LED I haven’t found any yet.

Current price is $42.90(on sale) and price may go up at any time. There is also a coupon code for 8% off – GBLED2016. I am not sure how long the coupon code will be good for and it will work on other MecArmy flashlights as well.

If interested in the MecArmy SGN3 G2 LED Keychain Flashlight just follow this link.

JR
March 29, 2016
Review: Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife

Most people know who Bear Grylls is. He is one of those survivalists guys on TV. What many do not know is he spent several years in the British SAS and eventually broke his back in three places in a free-fall parachuting accident. He spent months in military rehabilitation and celebrated his recovery by climbing Mount Everest. He has raised millions of dollars for charity and appears in numerous television shows. He has written numerous books and has led record-breaking expeditions in Antarctica and the Arctic.

He also got busted staying in a hotel while filming one of his survival shows.

Hey – nobody’s perfect.

Bear has worked with Gerber in development of numerous survival tools and knives. Particularly popular is the Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife.

General Information

The Ultimate Survival is a fixed blade knife with a 4.75″ blade partially serrated. The tang is 3/16″ thick. Research on the steel used varies from a type of 440A stainless to a “special Gerber formula”. Regardless – it is Chinese stainless steel. Many consider the tang to be full although it does not come completely to the end if the handle. – but extremely close. The knife has a soft comfortable handle with a flat pommel end for striking and hammering.

The knife comes with a multi-functional sheath containing a fire starter, diamond sharpening stone, emergency whistle, and a small sheet of survival instructions/tips.

Build looks good with smooth lines and finishes. Note: All the pictures below were prior to testing.

Above: Blade came very sharp with fairly aggressive serrations. Holes on either side of the handle contain lashing holes for securing to a pole or stick.

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Below: Coloration is the typical dark grey and orange which represents the Bear Grylls line. I like it. The handle itself feel extremely comfortable and almost supple in the hand.

Above: Early models reportedly had problems with the pommels falling off during batoning and hammering. Gerber made a change in their manufacturing process and fixed the problem.

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Below: The included whistle is small in size and came attached to the knife handle itself.

Above: The sheath contains a ferrocerium fire starter. It is carried in the lower portion of the sheath and rides very securely.

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Below: On the back of the sheath sits a diamond sharpening stone which is well positioned.

Below: The Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife complete with its sheath.

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TESTING & EVALUATION

I have spent the last few weeks testing the knife in a variety of ways. Certainly more time and use will lead to more thorough testing.

Below are a few pictures I took during this time period along with some commentary. A final summary follows.

Above: After a good amount of use the blade definitely needed sharpening. Based on my experience the Chinese stainless is not the best for edge retainment. The diamond sharpener worked well for bringing the edge back to more than usable.

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Below: One shining star of the Ultimate Survival Knife is the fire starter. It works great sending a showering spray of hot sparks with each strike from the blade. There is a small section along the spine of the blade which is used to strike the ferrocerium rod.

Above: I was surprised to find I had great success throwing the knife. Time and time again I had consistant turns and sticks. This is not the knife’s fortey but just a bonus.

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Below: Beyond smashing the knife into trees when I missed my throws I tested the pommel by hitting the flat section on a large rock exactly 50 times. Nothing loosened up or fell apart. I have never understood the need to use a knife as a hammer as I would much rather grab a large rock. For testing purposes I felt the need to go ahead and pound the crap out of it. Seems Gerber did in fact fix their previous issues.

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SUMMARY

Many who dislike Bear Grylls or the commercialized coloring of the Ultimate Survival Knife will never give it a chance. Its origin of manufacture and suspect steel quality will also omit it from numerous survival kits and get home bags. There are many knives out there that are a better choice especially at higher pirces. At the price point of $32.00 it is an excellent deal.

The Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife is one of my favorites. The testing was uneventful – as it should be. Hammering on the back if the spine to split firewood was easy and no damage to the knife occurred. The whistle works – not the best – but works well. The included knife sharpener was easy to use and within a minute or two brought the edge back. The fire starter was great. The sheath itself is well designed and holds the knife securely.

$32.00. Not bad at all. I think I will get another.

One is none and two is one….right?

JR

March 23, 2016