AR Sponsor
Posted: 5/1/2006 4:52:12 AM EDT
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Question: Do you think we will ever see a power supply in the stock/ grip, VG, etc and the Rail Systems have 'contact' points on them so that a new line of Red Dots and lights and lazers, etc, can be made smaller and not take up so much weight and space on the weapon? I thought of it last night and thought it would be neat. Even have the stock with a plug so that it could be plugged in for recharge. Just thinking.... Thoughts? |
I was thinking of a whole new line of products, that mount to a rail system where they get their power from one source. Kind of like track lighting. |
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Recently filed patents for such types of devices. I've had things like this under various stages of prototype for almost 5 years now. My system also includes charging for batteries, as well as power supply, and even for powering external devices. Weight is increased by no more than the batteries themselves, except for about 1/4 ounce of plastic for battery housing. No moving parts or wear items. Can take a bullet hole in most areas, and still operate as intended. 20 year lifetime. Low cost. Submersible. Adds no bulk. Requires no changes to the weapon except to add the "drop-in" type part as an accessory, with no skills or wiring or bolting-on to do. Requires no operating skills or any effort by the user. Can be used as overall weapon power and distribution, or for individual power for each device separately. Can operate in certain circumstances even if batteries are dead or missing. Does not require firing of the weapon to operate. Uses normal, every day type batteries that are already the kind used in the devices to be powered, and can be adapted to different types of batteries if needed. Auto-regulated. No maintenance required or needed. Probably will be available sometime this year thru MGI. |
| Problem is exposing the contact points to solvents, crud, or just plain oxydation. The AR is already a rust magnet because of its electrolytic effect between AL and FE (maybe not rust MAGNET but you get the point). Having, what I assume would probably be brass contacts wouldnt be good. If they could make rechargeable 123's that can be used in a light that would be worth something(dont ask me how I know they dont work). |
What are some of the main items? Laser? Lights? I also thought it would be cool for a connecting wire for Aimpoints, like a plunger and quick disconnect cap, lighted FSP, etc. Pretty cool. Here I was thinking I was thinking ahead, and you guys have been working on it for over 5 years. What have some of the hold up's been taking them to manufacturing, test and sales? |
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It just took time to advance the development of the system, and trying to meet the demands that we knew would be necessary. We sent the first prototype to Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center for testing in 2002. They were interested, but our prototype was crude and weighed more that a production model would have. We expected that they would understand that it was only a prototype, and that it could be made lighter. We sent that same prototype out with a military unit that I can't name, and they used it in the middle east for about 6 months, and it worked fine. The military prototype also had provisions for detonating Claymores, and replaced the heavy "clacker" that is normall carried for this function. Since then, we have developed single-purpose units for use on Aimpoints and Eotech sights, so that if somebody wants to just use it for those things, it can be done that way. The Eotech unit extends the battery life out for years, and really makes a big difference for that sight. The Aimpoint already has long battery life, so that isn't all that big of a deal for the Aimpoint. Flashlights are a bit more difficult, because of the heavy drain on the batteries that combat weaponlights draw. Lasers are perfectly fine candidates for this technology. These systems are still undergoing further development and improvement as technology progresses, but a useful and affordable system will be coming out fairly soon that can be easily added to anyone's AR, just by swapping out the collapsible buttstock with our new type, to charge batteries for any of the devices, and even to blow Claymores, if that's your bag. The Eotech dedicated unit will also be available, and it will be incorporated right into the Eotech sight, pre-modded by us. Power distribution via the accessory rails will come later. None of this is really "revolutionary" in technology. Just proper application of known technologies is used appropriately to suit the needs at hand. |
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