High Ground Media, LLC

Intended as an alternative to mounting a tourniquet with inferior shock cords, the Tourniquet Strap by Blue Force Gear allows the user to hang a tourniquet in a save and secure manner so that it is readily accessible.

Designed to be woven between traditional MOLLE/PALS webbing, the rigid milspec polymer baseplate serves as a backer behind webbing, while the dual elastic retention cuffs are placed between the 1” spacing between each MOLLE band.

The elastic cuffs themselves can accommodate a CAT tourniquet (or similar sized immediate aid device) or a single set of flexcuffs.

Throughout, the Tourniquet Strap utilizes TEX 70 bonded nylon threading for durability, and 6/6 nylon in the cuff material for added strength.

Specifications:

• Overall Size is .125″ (W) x 1″ (L) x 4.75” (H)

The Tourniquet Strap is available in Multicam (featured) Black, Coyote Brown, OD Green, Foliage Green, and Wolf Grey.

Product Evaluation Scores:

• Cost – Average (3/5): At just $11.95 the Tourniquet Strap (TS) is an efficient means to secure a tourniquet external to any legacy MOLLE/PALS-enabled webbing. This is a formalized way to secure the item over more expedient or lesser secure means, such as shock cord or hook-and-loop strips. TacMed Solutions offers its Tourniquet Straps ($11.19) that is similar, but most manufactures offer tourniquet pouches/holsters as actual stand-alone products, not dissimilar from Blue Force Gear’s Tourniquet Now! pouch.
• Comfort – Average (3/5): From a comfort aspect, the TS was rather straightforward, and allowed the user to place a tourniquet (more or less) vertically in any comfortable position available, provided they are using the legacy of MOLLE/PALS webbing with 1” spacing. Unfortunately, using the TS on newer, laser-cut webbing didn’t have the same applicability, as that type of material lacks the spacing between the webbing to pass the elastic bands through. The TS can be placed on laser-cut webbing, but the elastic bands must parallel the MOLLE cuts and thus the tourniquet was only able to be positioned horizontally, and thus somewhat limited where it was placed.
• Durability – Good (4/5): Again straightforward, the TS comprises a durable polymer baseplate, and two elastic cuffs. The repetitive drawing and holstering of the tourniquet did not reveal any faults in durability, as it was unlikely that merely pulling the tourniquet from the strap would generate sufficient force to tear or otherwise compromise the any of the materials. The TS was a notable and definite improvement over using shock cord, which can tear, weather, or fray easily. Overall a very durable design for legacy MOLLE/PALS webbing.
• Functionality – Fair (2/5): From a functional aspect, the user needs to be cognizant of the TS design, and its need to be used on legacy MOLLE/PALS webbing with the 1” spacing between nylon bands. Because it is in that spacing that the elastic cuffs are intended to sit while securing the tourniquet. Newer laser-cut designs no longer have that spacing and thus the elastic cuffs won’t fit correctly, unless the TS is turned horizontally. Otherwise the baseplate slid easily under the nylon field, and the bands were quite effective in retention. In essence, the user only had to pull to deploy the tourniquet.
  

  
• Weight – Good (4/5): At a mere 16 grams (0.5 ounces) the Tourniquet Strap is a no-frills retention strap, and of such light weight one will hardly notice its presence. In comparison, other dedicated tourniquet pouches will weigh more simply because they involve more material – but not a sufficient amount.

Overall Rating – Average (16/25)

Product Link: https://www.blueforcegear.com/tourniquet-now-strap.html

I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via STL Shooting Enthusiasts, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.

The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.

At the end of 2019, the Revision brand of soldier support accessories (eyewear, head protection, and armor) split, with the various armor aspect of the company consolidating and continuing on under the name Galvion. Since then, Galvion has provided soldier support solutions and helmets to the US Department of Defense, Canada, Norway, Germany, and over 125,000 Caiman ballistic helmets to NATO forces as the conflict in Ukraine has shifted geopolitical concerns.

Today, the Caiman ballistic helmet by Galvion is on its second generation of production, with slight improvements to the suspension and helmet’s hardware over its initial design release. Intended to mitigate the fragmentary and threats faced by service members, the Caiman is tested extensively to defeat threats up to NIJ IIIA profiles. The Caiman has a 0.240” outer shell that incorporates a proprietary blend of advanced Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) material.

Exterior

On the exterior, the Caiman incorporates a high-cut approach that utilizes a helmet rail system for accessory mounting. This rail also integrates with most other popular headborne solutions (sold separately); such as eyewear, mandibles, and respirators that expand on the functionality of the helmet to include other protective systems. Additionally, two .1875” (or 3/16^th inch) wide elastic shock cord/retention cords connect from the rail to any attached night vision device to aid in retention.

The dimensions of the Caiman’s exterior protective shell extends to the rear occipital lobe (i.e. the back of your skull) without interfering in full range of motion, or contacting the end-user’s neck.

A helmet shroud at the front of the helmet is a Wilcox L4 Series made from polymer, and provides a fixed point for various night vision devices, helmet-mounted cameras, or other solutions. The integrated aluminum Wilcox mounting plate is removable to account for different night vision mounting solutions without necessitating removal of the overall shroud.

Six hook-and-loop panels are positioned around the crown and rear of the Caiman for attaching various accessories with supportive mounting material.

Interior

The interior of the Caiman uses Galvion’s APEX Liner System with low-profile rubberized dial-adjustment framework for sizing. As the dial turns, the fitment band either draws in or extends to the desired head circumference.

The APEX Liner System includes; an impact liner made from a type of foam called Expanded Polypropylene (EPP), comfort liner, fitment band, and a retention harness. The comfort system includes; a four-pad front set, a three-pad rear set, two double-pad sets, and two individual pad sets placed throughout the interior for maximum protection. Each pad is ½” thick and held in place by hook-and-loop material. Also available with the Caiman (though not included) is one additional set of ¾” thick L/XL pads for the end-user to adjust the interior’s comfort.

The harness system of the Caiman features a four-point Batlskin chinstrap with slide-adjustment buckles, and a leather-lined chin cup.

Performance

During development, the Caiman was tested at Chesapeake Testing (a division of NTS located in Belcamp, MD) to meet NIJ 0101.06 standards (updated December 2023 to 0101.07) for IIIA ballistic threats in body armor. Additionally, Galvion uses its own testing laboratory, which is ISO 17025 accredited. Included in this protective value, the Caiman was also designed to defeat associated blunt force and fragmentary impacts as defined by CO/PD-05-04. Using Galvion’s performance data for the Caiman (via the Ballistic Limit (BL) test specifically for helmets—which in turn is a continuation on the previous NIJ Standard 0106.01), and the velocity data of the rounds identified, the Caiman shows the following:

The Caiman ballistic helmet is available in 499 Tan (featured), Ranger Green, Black, and newly available Multicam. It is also available in sizes between Small and 2XL.

Product Evaluation Scores:

• Cost – Good (4/5): The Caiman Gen 2 ballistic helmet has an MSRP of $1,995 and is one of the newer protective helmets on the market (second only to Ops Core’s rifle-rated XR ($2,182.00) and RF1 helmets ($3,249) that were both introduced in 2022). The Caiman ballistic helmets are specifically designed for military and law enforcement applications, and incorporate the latest materials (UHMWPE) and technology to offer protection tested to meet IIIA NIJ standards. In comparison, Ops Core FAST SF High Cut ($2,080), the EXFIL ($1,361) by Team Wendy, and the ATE Lite ($1,654) from Hard Headed Veterans are designed for law enforcement or civilian use, and meet NIJ IIIA standards. What separates all these options and delineates their price range is the level of industrial testing and development, formal NIJ testing compliance, as well as practical fielding each has undergone. Thus, the Caiman offers a good balance between cost (not being as expensive as upper-end Ops Core) and industry development using weight-saving materials that don’t sacrifice any protective value.
• Comfort – Good (4/5): From the comfort perspective, the Caiman incorporated two design aspects that gave it a good level of comfort with minimal excess bulk or material. The first being the open-cell foam padding segments inside the liner of the Caiman that did a very good job at padding the interior of the helmet and giving the wearer a soft degree of comfort. The ability to swap out padded segments for thicker padding segments also meant that the wearer was able to find a customized solution that fits them best. The second element was the low-profile adjustment dial that cinched/loosened the interior retention band to find a solid (but comfortable) hold on the head. The adjustment dial itself had a tactile and audible click when adjusted, denoting the locking mechanism inside, but slid smoothly when loosened with no modification needed. The adjustment dial was an improvement over other brands that have a ratcheting dial design but necessitates resetting the dial to loosen. The rubberized exterior texture of the adjusting dial made for a sure grip with/without gloves, but over time may separate or crack (common to that type of rubberized material over excessive use, or exposure to UV light). The sliding buckles for the chin strap did retain a solid hold and did not slip or fail to keep its position. Perhaps the only negative observation for comfort came from the design of the interior’s APEX liner system, and its lack of including a headband channel to alternatively wear electronic ear protection under the helmet. This was still done, but without accommodation of the headband slotted into a recessed channel under the helmet, the headband (which often includes an aluminum or semi-rigid material) of the ear pro pressed uncomfortably into the head. Use of rail attachments (such as the Ops Core AMPs or Peltor ARC Rail Adaptors) for electronic ear protection was the ideal solution (either off the top rail or back angled rail). Galvion could adjust for this simply by adding a channel into the APEX liner system and adjusting the removable pads to account for it.
• Durability – Excellent (5/5): The durability of the Caiman really came down to the excellent performance characteristics of the lightweight UHMWPE material that comprise the helmet’s shell. This material has been around since the 1950s and made its way into  protective armor, high-tensile cordage, and bio-applications (like hip joint replacement) with a proven track record for long-term use and stable durability. It also gives the overall helmet a high degree of resistance to environmental conditions (Galvion maintains the Caiman will continue to provide protection from -60 degrees Fahrenheit to 160 degrees Fahrenheit), and the obvious IIIA ballistic characteristics. Throughout evaluation and dynamic movements, the helmet’s seams/edges/stress points showed zero signs of wear, nor did the suspension/retention system show any signs of fraying or slippage in the buckles. The exterior of the Caiman shell was sprayed to color, but did not have a textured matte finish that could have assisted in tactile feel and break up any potential reflection. Some minimal surface marring on the exterior was quickly noted from contact to the ground and other hard surfaces, but nothing that penetrated to the underlying material and well within the expected level of wear. Lastly, Galvion does offer a seven, three, and one-year warrantee based on the Caiman’s various components.
• Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the Caiman was a helmet that did what it was intended to do, it provided the head with enough surface area to protect the end-user from IIIA level threats. The Caiman had a padding and suspension system that also provided a good level of flexibility, and enabled the wearer to find a comfortable and tailored level of retention and fit. As previously noted, the head harness and buckles provided a clear and solid lock to the nape of the head and chin, and it was noted the buckles did not inadvertently slip or become undone. The shock cord used for retention of night vision devices was the thinner 3/16^th rather than the commonly used 1/8^th inch type, but the hooks did not have the type to connect into the intended slots on the Wilcox mount itself – leaving the end user to only link the two under the shroud when not in use. Under IR, the Caiman did not offer any level of reflectivity or NIR concerns. Not having a headband channel in the APEX liner meant having to use a helmet-mounted or in-ear solution for ear protection, and when a set of Talking Heads SWATCOMs and Ops Core AMPs were used it was noted there was some contact between the headset’s ear cup and the helmet’s fitment band. Closer inspection revealed the fitment band does not follow the same contour line as the helmet’s high-cut shell (such as seen in Ops Core helmets) and sticks out below the edge slightly. It’s an easy solution to slowly work the ear cup under the edge of the fitment band, but something for Galvion to be aware of. Lastly, while the hook-and-loop panels on the helmet’s exterior were of good size for attaching many accessories, there was a notable space in coverage towards the front that could have aided in power cable management when using a battery pack with NVGs. Furthermore, there was no integrated routing channel as part of the accessory rails to run power cables under the rail and minimize its side profile—and it’s a suggestion to Galvion to consider adding at some point in the future. The shock cords that run along the side do suffice for this role, but the cable is still exposed. Galvion does plan on upgrading the rail design as part of its future Energy Data Grid system, which will address this and other power needs.
• Weight – Good (4/5): Weighing in between 2.38 pounds (Medium) to 2.89 pounds (2XL), the Caiman owes half of its total weight just to the UHMWPE shell itself. The remaining weight was then divided between the impact liner, padding, harness and hardware. The evaluated Caiman in this review was a size Large and weighed 2.49 pounds. This sat evenly on the head and neither pulled excessively on the head or was unbalanced. The supportive padding of the APEX liner to the nape of the neck also added good support while adding accessories like a battery pack. In contrast, the Team Wendy EXFIL (size large at 2.6 pounds), the FAST SF High Cut (size large 2.33 pounds) by Ops Core, and the ATE (size large at 3.0 pounds) by HHV demonstrate that while various companies differ in materials and design, the Caiman has a difference in terms of ounces on the market and a good degree of light weight for its protective level.

Overall Rating – Good (21/25)

Product Link: https://www.galvion.com/products/caiman-ballistic-helmet-system

I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.

The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.

Making life easier on the range gets more valuable the longer you spend on it. The Range Runner XL by Range Tactical Gear provides shooters with an easy way to transport, secure, and hold a variety of firearms, gear, and ammo. Thus, moving throughout the range in different bays, or having a solid platform on which to carry the weight will make any competition or training day that much more enjoyable.

Born from crowdsourcing in 2017, the Range Runner comes in a variety of configurations to best fit the needs of the shooter. In the featured XL (as in all their models) the frame, hardware, and handle are all built from solid aircraft-grade aluminum.

The gun brackets are coated in a protective rubberized or felt layer to ensure any rifle is both secure and protected. The XL has a 16” base and includes two rifle brackets for the upper and lower positions (four total; two L-Type and two U-Type).

The Range Runner also features a collapsible utility shelf for supporting storage containers or as a field table. One set of pre-drilled holes are on the sides and front/back for attaching bungee cords.

The push handle has foam padding at the hand points, and has three positions to accommodate a variety of height in shooters.

The XL’s 12” all-terrain pneumatic wheels help ensure smooth travel over a variety of terrain.

Along both sides of the bottom tray and vertical storage are keymod rails that allow the overall length for any rifle or shotgun to be customized.

Specifications:

• Cart Dimensions…42″x21″x12″ (Collapsed)
• Bottom Tray……….15.5″x21″
• Vertical Storage….15″x26″
• Utility Shelf………..14″x24
• Weight……………….40 pounds
• Max Weight……….160 pounds
• Cart vertical storage is 2/3 of spec below if there is a shelf on the cart.

While a majority of the Range Runner products come in powder coat Black (featured), the Range Runner Air is only available in Red.

Product Evaluation Scores:

• Cost – Average (3/5): The featured XL model has an MSRP of $495, but other variants of the Range Runner span from $395 to $650 depending on the size and purpose you want it configured for. Range Tactical Gear (RTG) also offers a customizer to “build your own” so interested parties can go wild, building as much as they want. Other RTG accessories are offered separately and include; range umbrellas, drink holders, and more that take advantage of the keymod mounding system. RTG’s direct competitor for gun carts is from Rugged Gear, and their products range from $384 to $624 and come in a variety of configurations, but Rugged Gear’s product line nylon as a base material with a tubular frame, rather than all aluminum. So, while the materials are significantly different, the price for the Range Runner is comparable to other alternatives.
• Comfort – Good (4/5): The comfort of the XL translated to its ability to alleviate the burden of weight from items carried by the user, to items carried on the cart. Overall it worked well in this capacity; having the space and means to secure two rifles, ammo boxes, and other field items. Transferring the cart from bay to bay was also easy over a variety of terrain thanks to its large diameter wheels, however items will need to be secured when traveling to avoid being jarred loose or falling off. Likewise, the utility shelf or items on it will also need to be secured when traveling. It would have been an improvement to the XL’s scoring had there been points along the utility shelf, similar to the keymod holes along the bottom tray and vertical storage, by which to use bungie cords and secure items on the shelf. As is items basically just sit on the utility shelf with its very narrow edge and occasionally shook off on rocky terrain. In discussion with RTG’s President, Steve DeJong, he agreed on the improvements and planned in the future to introduce four holes along the utility tray for securing bungie cords or other securing straps.
• Durability – Excellent (5/5): The XL’s durability scored very high thanks to its all-aluminum frame. The rigidity in the axles, bottom tray, vertical storage tray ensured there was no flexing/warping of the cart due to either weight/load or terrain. There was some twisting of the collapsible handle when attempting to turn the XL unfortunately, most likely due to the weight on the cart itself and lack of the front tires to actually turn. But despite being tested for several all-day events on the range, no permanent warping/twisting of the handle was noted—again likely attributed to the durability of the overall materials involved.
• Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the Range Runner’s design was of greatest benefit to those shooting in an unstructured outdoor setting; those who needed a portable table/cart to carry all their gear, or those interested in having a portable field table. It was however, not of much functional use indoors given its size and inability to corner well. It would be an improvement to the Range Runner’s design if optional sized storage boxes or retention straps were included to keep all carried items compartmentalized, as without them any backpacks, belts, or other gear just sat loosely. Perhaps RTG may consider strap slots cut into strategic spots on the bottom tray or utility shelf that would provide those extra anchoring points.
• Weight – Fair (2/5): Weighing in at 46 pounds, the Range Runner XL (without accessories or gear/guns/boxes) was fairly heavy, something to be considered if you are having to lift the collapsed setup in/out of a truck bed or cargo space each time you use it. The weight was directly related to its all-metal frame that, while adding to the product’s durability, negatively impacted the assigned score as related to weight. That weight does enable the Range Runner to solidly traverse rough terrain without too excessive of vibration. In comparison, the standard 2-gun cart by Rugged Gear weighed in at 27 pounds, but lacked the robustness of RTG’s aluminum design. RTG also offers an “Air” model (not featured) that weighs 44 pounds, confirming that while RTG’s gun carts are very robust, they are also heavy in comparison to market alternatives.

Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)

Product Link: https://rangetacticalgear.com/product/sc-006-rangerunner-gun-cart-16-inch/

I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via STL Shooting Enthusiasts, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.

The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.