EAGLEVILLE, PA—Streamlight® Inc., a provider of high-performance lighting and weapon light/laser sighting devices, introduced the lightweight, high lumen, ProTac 1L-1AA. The latest compact addition to the ProTac® series of tactical lights offers the added convenience of using either one CR123A or AA lithium battery, or an easy-to-source AA alkaline battery. Its size and “dual fuel” options make it the perfect Everyday Carry (EDC) light.

The ProTac 1L-1AA uses a high power C4® LED to deliver up to 350 lumens, depending on the battery source selected. Offering high, low and strobe settings, it features a TEN-TAP® programmable switch that allows user selection of one of three different programs: high/strobe/low (factory default); high only; or low/high.

“The ProTac 1L-1AA is the latest addition to our ‘dual fuel’ lights, which provide multiple battery options, depending on availability or user preference,” said Streamlight Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Michael F. Dineen. “The combination of its size, output and battery versatility makes its one of the brightest and most versatile everyday carry lights available.  It’s ideal for tactical, military, outdoor and other users when conducting maneuvers or search operations, or performing other tasks under low-light conditions.”

When using one 3 Volt CR123A lithium battery, the ProTac 1L-1AA on High provides 6,400 candela and 350 lumens over a 160-meter distance, with a runtime of one hour and 30 minutes. On the Low setting, the light delivers 720 candela, a 53-meter distance and 40 lumens, with a runtime of 14 hours.

With a AA Alkaline or AA Lithium battery inserted, the light on High provides 2,750 candela, 150 lumens and a 105-meter beam distance; on Low, it offers 720 candela and 40 lumens over 53 meters.  Runtimes on the High setting are 1 hour and 20 minutes with a AA Alkaline, and 4 hours and 15 minutes with a AA Lithium battery; on Low, they are 7 hours and 30 minutes and 14 hours, respectively.  The Strobe setting runs for up to 8 hours.

The light features a multifunction, pushbutton tactical tail switch, which allows for one-handed operation of the momentary, variable intensity or strobe settings. Fabricated from 6000 series machined aluminum with a black anodized finish, the light features a high temperature, impact-resistant Boro Float glass lens. The ProTac 1L-1AA measures 4.25 inches in length and weighs 2.5 ounces with an included CR123A battery, and 2.8 ounces with an included AA alkaline battery.

The new light is rated IPX7 for waterproof operation to 1 meter for 30 minutes and is impact resistant tested to 2 meters. Packaged with a removable pocket clip and holster, it comes with Streamlight’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. The MSRP is $68.00.

For more information, visit www.streamlight.com.

By Alan M. Petrillo

New designs in structural firefighting turnout gear, fire resistant fabrics, new and improved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) designs, and incorporation of thermal imaging systems into SCBA are some of the many product introductions made for firefighters’ personal protective equipment (PPE) at FDIC International 2016.

Globe Manufacturing Company debuted its ATHLETIX™ turnout gear that uses new material technology to enable an athletic design with stretch fabrics that allow a closer, body-contoured fit. Rob Freese, Globe's senior vice president of marketing, says ,"These new materials and the athletic design provide a firefighter with an unprecedented range of motion, less bulk, more flexibility, and lighter weight." Freese says the outer shell is made out of Kombat™ Stretch PBI®/Kevlar®, the thermal barrier is Nomex® Nano, the moisture barrier is Crosstech® Black, and the reflective trim is 3M Scotchlite Comfort Trim.

Features of the ATHLETIX jacket include a more streamlined design with vertical seaming to reduce oversized areas, stretch panels in the thermal barrier to give maximum range of motion and minimum restriction, a softer and less bulky collar that interfaces better with a hood and helmet to reduce head restriction, incorporation of a Yocco drag rescue device, elasticized side panels, and articulated elbows.

The ATHLETIX pants feature a lower rise and less bulky design with a banded inseam for a closer fit to the body, stretch panels in the thermal barrier that work with the stretch outer shell, elasticized sides and a one-hand adjustable belt closure, articulated knees, angled side pockets with grip tabs, and a liner access opening.

Ben Mauti, fire service segment manager for MSA, says MSA's innovation concepts to its G1 SCBA include a fall alarm, a breathing rate monitor, firefighter ranging, and an integrated thermal imaging camera (TIC). "The TIC is on the top of the G1 control module and displays on the existing control screen," Mauti points out. "It adds only four ounces and one inch to the module, displays in five color palettes, and is glove friendly."

The firefighting ranging innovation shows any other firefighters in proximity, as well as their distance, direction, and elevation, Mauti says. The breathing rate monitor can be seen on the control screen display, and when breathing hits a preset rate, vibrates and illuminates a light in the heads-up display (HUD), he adds, while the fall alarm innovation uses the G1's built-in accelerometer to detect a firefighter's fall, when it would issue a chirp alarm and send a telemetry signal for assistance.

Honeywell Safety Products introduced a new Titan SCBA with completely new electronics, as well as redesigned shoulder straps and waist belt for a more ergonomic fit, according to Charlie Thompson, Honeywell's SCBA sales manager. "We recut the shoulder straps so they fit a firefighter's frame better, and the waist belt pivots in all directions to keep the SCBA's weight on a firefighter's hips, which cu