UST Duro 30 Day LED Lantern

15 11 2015

ust

The UST Duro 30 Day LED Lantern in GLO. Great for home and camping. Photo: UST

The UST Duro 30 Day LED Lantern in GLO.is great for home and camping.
Photo: UST

When I received the Ultimate Survival Technologies (UST) Duro 30 Day LED Lantern, I was excited to be able to use it while camping this Summer and Fall. Never did I envision I would be using it much, much sooner.

The UST Duro 30 Day LED Lantern in GLO is a 300 lumen LED light that is water-resistant and can be left on for thirty days on low. The lifetime LED bulb is unbreakable and never needs changing. The light can be used as is on a table, the globe can be removed to provide forward area light, or the recessed hook on the base can be used to provide down light. At just 7.2” x 3.75”, you get a lot of light out of a small lantern, and it only takes three D batteries. The cool part is that the GLO actually glows in the dark, so you can find the lantern in an emergency.

Generally, I am prepared for most emergency situations, but when the power went out, and the temperature was fifteen below zero, I went into a bit of a panic! Thankfully I had already put batteries into the GLO Lantern, and with its ability to glow in the dark, it was only a matter of a few minutes before I had light on. Then I was able to focus on heat! How many times have you known you were ready for an emergency, but then during the suddenness of the situation, you can’t find your lantern because the house is already dark? No more!

Using the 30 Day Duro Lantern by UST on a dark evening to play cards. We had plenty of light to enjoy our game. Photo: Diane Hassinger

Using the 30 Day Duro Lantern by UST on a dark evening to play cards. We had plenty of light to enjoy our game.
Photo: Diane Hassinger

We camp several times a year. We generally rough it; we use a lot of kerosene lanterns, but the light is generally dim. The GLO is small enough to pack in tight spots, and the light it puts off is plenty bright enough to light the area you are in. We use it over our camp stove for cooking and on the camp table for the grand-kids to work on book work or to play cards. Later the GLO lights up our box trailer to illuminate our sleeping quarters. I haven’t had to use the light for a full thirty days, but I can attest to the lantern lasting for a week in the evenings and a bit in the early mornings on the same set of batteries.

The MSRP of the UST Duro 30 Day LED Lantern is $49.99 and can be purchased at http://www.ustbrands.com/product/30-day-led-lantern-glo/. You can get more information by watching the YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW8gNWfwOjE

Ultimate Survival Technologies/UST is the sole property of its rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.
Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.




Radians Bone Collector Eye Protection

15 11 2015

radians sporting goodsRecently, Ladies in Camo staff members had an impromptu skeet shoot on a snowy afternoon. Even though it was not the best of conditions, after a long winter, sometimes you just need to have some fun! Radians Bone Collector line of eye protection was there!

The Bone Collector 10-Ring Protective Eye wear. Photo: Radians

The Bone Collector 10-Ring Protective Eye Wear
Photo: Radians

The Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector Line includes the Triple Ring Protective Eye Wear, which features an adjustable rubber nose piece. The black half frame glasses are slip resistant and have a rubberized matte finish. They come with lens that exceed ANSI Z87.1+ standards and are 99.9% UVA and UVB protection. There are several lens colors available. The clear lens is good for most indoor shoots; the smoke is ideal for bright and sunny days. The amber enhances visibility in low light and contrast, ice diminishes glare; the green protects from excessive glare and enhances the contrast in your shooting environment. Orange enhances the visibility of orange targets; mirror is best for bright sunlight, and mocha enhances your depth perception during low light situations.  A zippered black case emblazoned with the Bone Collector emblem is included.

The Radian's Bone Collector line of Protective Eye Wear includes the Velocity. Photo: Radians

The Radians Bone Collector Line of Protective Eye Wear includes the Velocity.
Photo: Radians

The Bone Collector’s Velocity Protective Eye Wear offers a wraparound lens design, that has a partial black frame with slip resistant, rubberized, matte finish. They are also designed to exceed ANSI Z87.1+ standards and are 99.9% UVA and UVB protection. They come in the same lens colors as the 10-Ring and include the black zippered case with the Bone Collector emblem.

After we have had several weeks of extreme bitter cold and deep snow, cabin fever has been setting in bad in Western Pennsylvania. Ladies in Camo staff members decided we were due a much-needed mental break from this long winter, so we met up for a bit of shooting and general fun! We always try to protect both our eyes and ears, and Radians has just what we need. The Bone Collector Line of Eye Wear is comfortable to wear, and it’s great to know that your eyes are protected when shooting.

Ladies in Camo's Youth Staff Sarah trusts the 10-Ring Shooting Glasses from Radians to protect her precious eyesight. Photo: Leann Blasko

Ladies in Camo Youth Staff, Sarah, trusts the 10-Ring Shooting Glasses from Radians to protect her precious eyesight.
Photo: Leann Blasko

Our youth staff was just as comfortable in these safety glasses as our adult staff members were. We had several lens color choices to pick from; everyone was able to find lenses that would help with their shooting and target acquisition on this bright winter day.

The MSRP of the Bone Collector Triple Ring Shooting Glasses is $12.99 and the Velocity Shooting Glasses is $12.99. This is a small price to pay to protect your eyesight; Afterall, you only have one set of eyes. Both are available for sale from most sporting good retailers across the county. For more information on these, and many other great products visit http://www.radians.com/radsite/index.php/retail/radians-sporting-goods.

Radians and Bone Collector is the sole property of its rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.
Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.




Midway USA Foundation

15 11 2015

midwaymidway 2midway 3How many of you know that Midway USA has a foundation set up to help fund shooting sports in high schools, colleges, and other youth shooting teams? Every year Larry and Brenda Potterfield donate “to fund the purchase of promotional items for teams and our partners to use as fundraisers to grow their endowment accounts. The type and quantity of available promotional items varies, but they are always provided at no cost. We make an effort to acquire as many unique items as possible in order to maximize their value to the public. Our promotions are not only a great way to grow your endowment account, but can also provide current operating cash as well. Teams and partners may participate in multiple fundraising promotions each year and may conduct fundraisers any way they choose within local, state, and federal guidelines.”

Larry and Brenda Potterfield "With your support, we can change the future." Photo: Midway USA Foundation

Larry and Brenda Potterfield “With your support, we can change the future.” (Larry Potterfield)
Photo: Midway USA Foundation

There are over 2880 teams that have already enrolled in the endowment program. Not only are the school shooting programs able to enroll, but many of the club teams, such as 4-H, Boy Scouts, FFA, or those affiliated with your local gun club, are eligible. For more information on getting your program started with Midway USA Foundation, go to http://www.midwayusafoundation.org/start-your-account. The endowment funds make the earnings provided each year to the shooting teams. This allows the endowment to provide permanent funding and truly change the future.  Money is out there to help with the teams expenses. Currently there is a balance of $69,545,136 in the teams endowments. The average team endowment balance is $32,332. To date Midway USA Foundation has distributed over $6,766,472 to youth shooting sports

Matching funds are generally available, and your gift is tax-deductible and invested with the team of your choice. Thus, every dollar you raise for your shooting team, the Midway USA Foundation will match the funds you place in your endowment fund. These earnings are used to buy equipment needed or for other expenses.The matching deadline for 2015 is November 30th. More information on the Matching Program is available at http://www.midwayusafoundation.org/matching-program.

There are also grants available for up to 5% of your teams endowment fund. These grants can be applied for once a year. The grant deadlines are June 15 and December 15 for 2015. More information on these grants can be found at http://www.midwayusafoundation.org/grants.

Get your team enrolled today, and create a permanent funding.

Is your team enrolled? Photo: Midway USA Foundation

Is your team enrolled?
Photo: Midway USA Foundation

Midway USA Foundation logo is the sole property of its rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the foundation.

¹ http://www.midwayusafoundation.org/promotions

This post originally published at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2015/06/01/midway-usa-foundation-diane-hassinger/





Badlands Kali Backpack

15 11 2015
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badlands kaliBinoculars, a range finder, a knife, trail tape, toilet paper, a water bottle, snacks, my hunting license, my video camera and more, these are some of the items I take with me into the woods hunting for the day. As much as I would like to just carry my weapon in with me, I seem to take much, much more. When I find a backpack that fits not only my needs, but my stuff, I hang onto it for a very long time. I just retired my old backpack, due to old age, but luckily I found the Badlands Kali fits my needs, wants, and the quality to be with me for a long time!
The Badlands Kali backpack gets its name from Kali, the Goddess of Hunting. They designed this pack with the physiological differences between men and women, including: shorter torso, more contoured shoulder straps, angled waist belt to fit the natural curvature of a women’s hips, and positioning the center of gravity better to fit the female physique. They have also added a Hypervent suspension, a pocket and access for a 101 ounce hydration pack, and many pockets to fill with all of those needed and wanted supplies. The Hypervent suspension incorporates an open frame system to create an “Open Air Space” O.A.S. which helps reduce perspiration and help keep you scent-free. The pack measures 22″X14″X8″ and has a heat-treated steel frame. Two camo patterns
badlands women series are available on the KXO fabric: Realtree Xtra and Realtree Max 1. The pack weighs in at 2 pounds 12 ounces, and sports 2500 cubic inches of space with lots of pockets for plenty of room to fill up with your belongings. Lastly, the pack has the ability to carry your bow/gun/crossbow. With only two small accents in pink, the Kali reminds you that it belongs to the Women’s Series, but in a subtle manner.
Heading out for my hunt, my Kali is packed! Photo: Diane Hassinger

Heading out for my hunt; my Kali is packed!
Photo: Diane Hassinger

Everything has a home in the Kali backpack! Photo: Diane Hassinger

Everything has a home in the Kali backpack!
Photo: Diane Hassinger

On a recent hunt, I had my inaugural trip with my Kali. On the waist strap are two zippered pockets, perfect for those small items that need to be accessed easily: flashlight, tree strap, knife and Thermacell refills. These pockets have a mesh bottom, so do not put anything in them that needs to stay dry. The main compartment is where you will find the pocket for the hydration pack as well as three other mesh pockets. I kept my rain gear in here, as well as my video camera. The front zippered pocket contains two zippered mesh pockets and an open mesh pocket. I loved the zippered mesh pockets for keeping my tags and license in. A quick glance was all that was needed to make sure I had them with me. There are also numerous places to attach a carabiner and there are two pouches for water bottles. I was able to find a new “home” for everything I take with me. Hiking into my stand, I used the gun boot to carry my camera tree arm. Everything was easily accessible and that in itself helps make my hunts enjoyable. I really liked that the pack could either be self standing or hang on my stand. Most of the time I hang everything, but when I am hunting from blinds, I don’t like the backpacks laying on the ground, drawing moisture, not a problem with the Kali. The pack fit my body well, and was comfortable to wear, even with the gun in the boot. I found that the design of the Kali shifted some of the weight off of my shoulders and onto my hips, thus keeping me from tiring as easy. The weather was hot and wet, but with the Open Air Space created by the Hypervent, I never had sweat building up on my back. All in all, the Kali will be my pack of choice for a very long time!

For more information on the Kali backpack, go to http://www.badlandspacks.com/kali-hunting-pack.html#extraInfo. The MSRP is $159.99 and is available for purchase at the same website. The warranty they offer is “We don’t care what happened, or whose fault it was, we will fix it for free forever. “¹ It’s hard to beat a warranty like that! See their entire warranty at http://www.badlandspacks.com/badlands_warranty_1.html.
Badlands is the sole property of its rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.
Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.




Thermacell Saves the Day

14 11 2015

Thermacell logoAnyone who has hunted during mosquito season knows how fast they can ruin your hunt or even your whole trip. I hunt bears in Saskatchewan, hogs in Alabama and most everything in between. I don’t venture into the woods without my Thermacell!

The Thermacell Units in Realtree AP Pink Camo and Xtra Green Camo. Photo: Diane Hassinger

The Thermacell Units in Realtree AP Pink Camo and Xtra Green Camo.
Photo: Diane Hassinger

Thermacells are the only butane-operated mosquito repellent, and they also offer a cover-scent system utilizing their Earth Scent mats. The units can be hand-held or used with the holster to attach to your belt or backpack. They repel mosquitoes, black flies, and other flying insects, creating an insect-protection zone of 15 x 15 feet. They work by igniting the butane cartridge, which causes the mosquito repellent mats to smolder, emitting a deterrent to those pesky flying and biting insects. The mats work for approximately four hours, while the butane cartridges are good for twelve hours. Even though the mats may work for four hours, I tend to change them out slightly before that time, so that I have no decrease in protection.

I will not hunt bear without my Thermacell! Photo: Diane Hassinger

I will not hunt bear without my Thermacell!
Photo: Diane Hassinger

In Northern Saskatchewan, I have had mosquitoes come out on days that we had snow flurries. Never had I experienced both snow and mosquitoes at the same time!  I light my Thermacell when I get off of the quad, prior to my hike in to the stand; that way the Thermacell is in full force before I climb up into my stand. I generally place the Thermacell under my seat, so that I am engulfed by protection. I have always used the original mats, and I have never had any animal sense my presence with them; I have shot trophy bear at close range.

Once more Thermacell saved the day! This 260 pound boar was taken on a day that the mosquitoes could "carry you off". Photo: Diane Hassinger

Once more Thermacell saved the day! This 260 pound boar was taken on a day that the mosquitoes could “carry you away”.
Photo: Diane Hassinger

In Southern Alabama, especially when rain is frequent, the mosquitoes could “carry you away.” Recently, I hunted hogs with my daughter in an large elevated stand, and we kept a Thermacell on either end to make sure we were covered with protection. Leann shot a wary 260 pound boar; it did not get to that weight by being stupid. He was completely unaware that we were thirty yards away.

Recently, Thermacell has updated their unit colors to include: Olive, Gray, Realtree Xtra Green Camo, Realtree AP Pink Camo, and Woodland Camo. Two scents are available on the repellent mats: Original and Earth Scent. The MSRP’s of the Thermacell products are:

  • Olive and Gray Units $24.89
  • Realtreen Xtra Green Camo and AP Pink Camo Units $29.99
  • Woodland Camo Unit $27.99
  • Mosquito Repellent Refill Packs: Single (1 butane cartridge and 3 mats-12 hour protection) $6.99, Value Pack (4 butane cartridges and 12 mats-48 hour protection) $20.99, Mega Pack (10 butane cartridges and 30 mats-120 hours of protection) $44.99

To purchase, or to get more information, go to http://www.thermacell.com/mosquito-repellent/hunting. The

The Thermacell Mosquito Repellent units now come in 5 colors: Realtree Xtra Green Camo, Realtree AP Pink Camo, Woodlands Camo, Olive and Gray Photos: Thermacell

The Thermacell Mosquito Repellent units now come in 5 colors: Realtree Xtra Green Camo, Realtree AP Pink Camo, Woodlands Camo, Olive and Gray
Photos: Thermacell

units and refills are also found at most sporting retail stores and Walmart.

Whether you are hunting, fishing, camping, or just spending time outdoors, get the protection from mosquitoes, black flies, and other flying insects without the use of spray on insect repellents. Thermacells are a must for me!

Thermacell is the sole property of its rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.
Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

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Kakadu Utility Bag for Concealed Carry

14 11 2015

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A great looking bag, that conceals your CCW with ease. Photo: Kakadu

A great looking bag, that conceals your CCW with ease.
Photo: Kakadu

I am licensed to conceal carry in most of the states, and I often am looking for a new bag to carry in. Kakadu has a complete line of Gunn Worn Clothing as well as bags for men and women. The Utility Bag is a great choice for “a-bout-town carry-all.“¹

The Utility Bag comes in Black, Bone and Sage. Photo: Kakadu

The Utility Bag comes in Black, Bone and Sage.
Photo: Kakadu

This washed canvas bag has cowhide leather trim and brass zippers. The lining and webbing are both 100% cotton. The generous sized bag measures 12 1/2″ wide, 13 1/2″ high and 4 1/2″ deep. The interior has the large main compartment with a small zipper pocket, perfect for your change or wallet. There are four exterior pockets that latch with either buckles or snaps. The biggest feature is located on the back side, and accessible with a rapid entry pocket, is the concealed carry pocket. There is a removable snap-in holster that holds your weapon and two clips. The pocket can be quickly opened by grasping the leather strap that snaps in place; as you pull this down, the side has velcro, and you can easily access your weapon as needed. The bag has both reinforced handles and an adjustable shoulder strap, perfect for cross the body positioning of the bag. Black, Sage, and Bone are the available colors for this bag. Like all of the Kakadu products, these bags are made to take the abuse and look great!

The Snap-In Holster keeps my 1911 safe and concealed. Photo: Diane Hassinger

The Snap-In Holster keeps my 1911 safe and concealed.
Photo: Diane Hassinger

This bag is perfect for daily use as well as travel. There is ample storage for all of my necessities. The fact that my 1911 fits in the snap-in holster easily and there is room for my two spare clips, makes this the perfect multi-purpose concealed carry bag for me. My iPad, phone, wallet, and all my other needs fit great in the main compartment, I don’t need to go looking for them. Plus, I like the rugged look that these bags carry off with charm. I have the Utility Bag in Bone, but I will be looking to add the Sage one soon!

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The concealed carry pocket on the back of the Utility Bag holds my 1911 with ease. Photo: Diane Hassinger

The MSRP of the Utility Bag by Kakadu is $134.99, the Snap-In Holster is $19.99, but when purchased together, the combo is $149.99 and is available for purchase at http://www.gunnworn.com.

Kakadu Traders logo is the sole property of its rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

¹ http://www.kakadutrader.com/bagindex.html

 

This post originally published at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2015/07/06/kakadu-utility-bag-for-concealed-carry-diane-hassinger/





NAA Sidewinder

14 11 2015

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The NAA Sidewinder comes in .22 magnum with a .22 long rifle conversion cylinder. Photo: NAA

The NAA Sidewinder comes in .22 magnum with a .22 long rifle conversion cylinder.
Photo: NAA

I have concealed carried for the past 5 years. I have gone from just having my Pennsylvania CCP, to being licensed in many of our states. My choice of weapon since day one has been a North American Arms Mini. I own 6 different models, and at any given time, at least one of them is on or near my body.

The NAA Sidewinder is my most recent gun. It comes in .22 magnum with a .22 long rifle conversion cylinder, with a cylinder capacity of 5 shells. The Sidewinder measures 5″ long, 2 7/8″ high and 1 1/16″ wide, the barrel length is 1 1/2″ and weighs a mere 6.7 ounces unloaded.

From top left: NAA Gun Pouch, Breaktop Holster, Ankle Holster, Holster Grip, NAA Locking Gun Case, PUG Pocket Holster, Inside the Pants Holster. Photo: Diane Hassinger

From top left: NAA Gun Pouch, Breaktop Holster, Ankle Holster, Holster Grip, NAA Locking Gun Case, PUG Pocket Holster, Inside the Pants Holster.
Photo: Diane Hassinger

All of the NAA minis come in a black metal, lockable case, adorned with the NAA logo, and a NAA Logo lock and key. Many accessories are available for this and all of the NAA minis. There are multiple holsters which will fit the Sidewinder, including; The PUG Pocket Holster, Inside the Pants Holster, Ankle Holster, the Breaktop Holster in Weave Brown Leather and the Holster Grip which would replace your regular grips and enable you to have the grip itself cover the trigger when not in use. Some personalization can also be found in various grips that NAA offers, including my favorite, the Simulated Pearl Grip in Burgundy. When traveling I also use the zippered Gun Pouch to protect my Sidewinder. The pouch can be placed in a larger case for weapons for flying, or in the NAA lockable case when traveling through states that require weapons to be locked away while driving.

The Sidewinder is a great firearm for concealed carry. Photo: Diane Hassinger

The Sidewinder is a great firearm for concealed carry.
Photo: Diane Hassinger

The Sidewinder is a fun handgun to shoot also, I love to plink at targets or cans with it. I generally shoot from about 5 yards or closer, since for concealed carry you would need to be in close proximity to your assailant. Because of that, I like to practice at close distance and I include pulling my gun from the holsters or purse to my practice. The recoil is minimal, I recover from each shot quickly and am able to place the next shot in close proximity to the bullseye, within about 1 1/2″ overall. The holster grip is the most interesting to use, you have to flip the grip open, in order to fire, with practice, I have gotten quite good at it. I have several concealed carry purses, and undoubtedly you will find my NAA Sidewinder inside. I always feel secure when traveling knowing that I have quick and easy access to protection. I have the Simulated Pearl Grips on most of my NAA handguns. I joke that these handguns are my jewelry.

From top left: NAA Sidewinder, NAA .22 Magnum with 1 1/8" barrel and NAA .22 Magnum 1 1/8" barrel with Holster Grip. These are my favorites out of my collection. Photo: Diane Hassinger

From top left: NAA Sidewinder, NAA .22 Magnum with 1 1/8″ barrel and NAA .22 Magnum 1 1/8″ barrel with Holster Grip. These are my favorites out of my collection.
Photo: Diane Hassinger

Operation of the Sidewinder is simple, the cylinder stays attached to the gun, however, swings out for removal of spent shells and reloading, thus the Sidewinder name. This makes the revolver easier and quicker to load, since the cylinder does always stay attached to the firearm. I always load mine with .22 magnum personal defense loads. These loads penetrate heavy clothing and create deep wound cavities on an assailant.

I am always amazed when I get to talking to people about concealed carry, and mention that I carry a NAA Mini, a great majority of the time, the other person will pull out their Mini! In an informal survey of Ladies in Camo; 1 can not carry in their home state, 4 carry NAA Minis, and the other 4 carry something else.

The Sidewinder and all of the accessories can be purchased at http://northamericanarms.com/, and many gun shops around the country. If you purchase a handgun online, NAA will ship the handgun to a local FLL/Gun Shop to provide the necessary transfer of the gun. The MSRP of the North American Arms products are:

  • .22 Magnum Sidewinder with Conversion $449.00
  • Simulated Pear Grips-Burgundy $40.00
  • Magnum Holster Grip-Sidewinder $38.00
  • Break Top Holster-Brown Leather Weave $65.00
  • Pocket Holster-PUG $35.00
  • Inside Pants Holster $33.00
  • Ankle Holster-Rough $20.00
  • Gun Pouch $17.00

NAA/North American Arms logo is the sole property of its rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

This post originally published at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2015/07/13/naa-sidewinder-diane-hassinger/





Modern Spartan Systems

14 11 2015

modern spartan systemsI recently bought a used Savage Model 110 rifle, that had not been used gently. I am not sure the previous owners even understood how, or why, to clean the rifle, but the price was right. I decided to recondition the gun using the Modern Spartan System Starter Kit. The Spartan Accuracy Oil, Carbon Destroyer, Copper/Lead Destroyer and Crystal Clear came in the kit. This system would clean up the carbon, copper/lead and recondition the barrel. The scope also needed some TLC and the Crystal Clear cleaner helped with that issue also.

mss products

The Modern Spartan System Starter Kit include the Spartan Accuracy Oil, Carbon Destroyer, Copper/Lead Destroyer and the Crystal Clear. Photo: MSS

The Spartan Accuracy Oil is a “proprietary formula uses Nano Shield™ molecular particles with heat activation to penetrate and fill in minuscule pores and gaps in the metal substrate.”¹ This Nano Shield technology reduces friction, and provides superior corrosion protection. That results in fewer malfunctions, more reliable performance for improved shooting consistency and better accuracy. This also makes for easier and faster cleaning, due to the reduced build up of carbon.

The Carbon Destroyer is designed to dissolve heavy carbon deposits. The proprietary formula was originally designed to clean up the thick built up carbon deposits in fighter jets and gun ports. The formula also helps inhibit corrosion and oxidation.

The Copper/Lead Destroyer is intended to remove copper, lead and chlorides from the barrels of your guns. It is safe to use on all metals, as it will not etch or bit the barrels. Interestingly, there is a copper presence indicator that will show you when the product is dissolving copper.

The Crystal Clear is a highly effective lens cleaner that is also UV sunlight resistant and contains anti-fogging properties and anti-static dust repelling properties. “As it cleans, the formula also lays down a nano thin layer of polymers onto the lens surface for protection.”¹ The cleaner is safe to use on all scopes, binoculars, rangefinder lens, cameras and eye/sun glasses. Like all of the other products, this is made in America and is environmentally safe.

The procedure to clean and conditioner your gun begins with using the Carbon Destroyer to reduce the carbon fouling. To achieve this you coat all parts of the gun system that have carbon buildup. Let stand a few minutes, and then using your standard gun cleaning brushes, patches or other materials, remove the carbon fouling. The next step is to remove the copper or lead fouling using the Copper/Lead Destroyer. You need to liberally apply the solution to the barrel and all other surfaces that  could be contaminated. Let the product work for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove using your standard cleaning brushes and cloths. The final step uses the Spartan Accuracy Oil to condition your barrel. Lightly apply using a bore patch in the barrel, and wipe all metal surfaces where there is the possibility of metal to metal contact. Let sit for 3 to 5 minutes to allow the oil to fully penetrate. Now you need to shoot 3 to 5 rounds out of your gun. This heats up the metal and helps to fully activate the molecules in the formula. Allow the barrel to cool down, warm is ok. Apply another coating to the barrel and metal surfaces. Shoot another 3 to 5 round, and apply oil to the inside of the barrel only. Repeat the last 2 steps 3 more times, for a total of 5 rounds shot.

To clean the scope I misted the optics and the surrounding surfaces. I allowed the mist to sit for about 15 seconds. Then I buffed the optics and surfaces with a clean, dry microfiber towel. This removed all of the contaminants from the lens and surrounding areas.

Now it was time to shoot for real and see what kind of difference the system made to my used and abused rifle. I had not sighted in the rifle, prior to using the Modern Spartan System, after looking down the barrel, I felt there was to much “gunk” to safely fire the gun without cleaning. During the cleaning procedure, my groupings were 2″ and tighter at 100 yards. Now after the entire procedure is done, I am happy to report that the gun shoots great, I was able to maintain about a 1″ grouping after shooting 5 rounds. The big bonus was that the rifle was much easier to clean after shooting!

Grouping of untreated rifle. Photo: Nikita Dalke

Grouping of untreated rifle.
Photo: Nikita Dalke

Nikita reported similar results with her testing: I had the pleasure to use the Modern Spartan Systems Accuracy oil on my husbands brand new Tikka T3 .270 WIN. To be honest, I was a little skeptical about the claims they made that the product will increase accuracy, velocity and performance. Well, they were right! So I had the rifle set up on the ground with a bipod on and a rear bag rest and shot from prone position, it was sunny and warm with a slight breeze going right to left. I was using just factory federal rounds in 130gr and zero’d for 200 yards. We first fired off a set of 4 rounds with a clean (untreated) bore through a chronograph, the velocity was an average of 3036 fps and 3 within a good 2 inch grouping and one stinger from human

Grouping of the last round for break in. Photo: Nikita Dalke

Grouping of the last round for break in.
Photo: Nikita Dalke

error. After using the accuracy oil the recommended 5 times for the break in period (use the oil, shoot a round of 3, repeat) the velocity increased to an average of 3095 fps and 2 stacked on top of each other and a stinger off to the right from human error, all a good inch directly above the bullseye. After each treatment of accuracy oil I noticed the velocity increase slightly and the grouping getting tighter. I am very impressed with their products and will recommend anyone to them. If you are a professional or competition shooter you should use these products, they will help your firearms to perform at their best.

All of the Modern Spartan System oils and cleaners can be purchased at https://store.modernspartansystems.com/. The MSRP’s of the products are as follows:

  1. Spartan Accuracy Oil, 2 ounce bottle $11.49
  2. Carbon Destroyer, 2 ounce bottle $9.49
  3. Copper/Lead Destroyer, 2 ounce bottle $10.99
  4. Crystal Clear, 2 ounce bottle $8.49
  5. Starter Kit (All 4 of the above products in 2 ounce bottles) $39.95
Modern Spartan Systems/MSS is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.
Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.




Olympia SB5500 Solar Charger

14 11 2015

olympia logo 2015

olympia sb5500I put my hunting and camping equipment to use anyway I can. In the case of solar chargers, I don’t put them away, I use them year round. The Olympia SB5500 Solar Charger has made life easier many times.

Shortly after I received the SB5500 Solar Charger, and thankfully after I had the chance to fully charge it, our power went off during a Winter storm that dropped temperatures to -22 and kept the power off for 5 hours. Of all days for me to forget to charge my cell phone, this was the day! When I picked up the phone to call in the power outage, of course my battery was dead. How was I to let the power company know of the problem? I pulled out the Solar Charger, and plugged in my iPhone. It took only a few minutes before I could finally call the power company and report the outage. The recording informed me that it was a wide spread power outage and there was no estimate of when the electric would come back on. So I plugged in my iPad and watched a video and checked the weather while I waited.

I don't need to worry about charging my phone, flashlights or iPad with the Olympia Photo: Diane Hassinger

I don’t need to worry about charging my phone, flashlights or iPad with the Olympia SB5500 Solar Charger.
Photo: Diane Hassinger

The main reason I had wanted a good portable solar charger was our annual family fishing/camping trip, a 10 day trip to New York, with no generated electricity. We have a large solar charger that powers our camper, but it maxes out keeping the 3 lights on, and powering the water pump. I have always stayed away from using this power to charge my phone, flashlights or iPad. Using the SB5500 I was able to keep my phone charged each day, mainly so I could take pictures with the camera. I also was able to keep the iPad charged for the kids to watch a movie before bed each night, of course I had to supervise! My flashlight only needed charging once, but the SB5500 handled each of these with ease.

The Olympia Solar Charger is extremely versatile! Camping, traveling, power outages are all handled with ease.

The Olympia Solar Charger is extremely versatile! Camping, traveling, power outages are all handled with ease.

Usually when I am camping, the need to stay warm is much greater then the need to cool off. During a recent camping trip to Chincoteague, the weather was horribly hot. Each night I used my Solar Charger to power my personal fan, it plugs into a USB port. Each day I situated the Solar Charger in the sun, and it was ready to run my fan again that night, all night!

I also like the convenience of using this unit when out of the country. Power fluctuations and voltage differences are of no concern, simply recharge the unit with the power of the sun, and charge your phone, tablet, flashlights or 2 way radios from the unit. I have burned up several items while out of the country, so I really like the reassurance that my electronics are safe.

The Olympia SB5500 Solar Charger uses a 5500mAh Lithium Polymer battery. There are dual solar charging panels, or can be recharged using the built in USB or Micro-USB cables. There are 2 output ports, to allow charging 2 devices at the same time. Small devices, such as your cell phone, can be charged in approximately 2 to 3 hours, while larger mid-size devices, like a tablet, takes approximately 5 or 6 hours. My flashlight fell within the 2 to 3 hour range of the small devices. Folded, the unit measure 6″ X 3.6″ X 7″, and weighs about 9 ounces. There is a 2 year warranty on the unit.

The Olympia SB5500 Solar Charger has a MSRP of $59.99 and can be purchased at http://www.olympiaproducts.com/products/solar-power/26-sb5500.html. In just the short time I have had mine, it was become indispensable!

Olympia name and logo are the sole property of its rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

This post originally published at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2015/08/05/olympia-sb5500-solar-charger-diane-hassinger/





Mr Heater, Muddy Girl Buddy Heater

14 11 2015

mr heater logo

The Mr Heater Buddy Heater in the Limited Edition Muddy Girl pattern. Photo: Mr Heater

The Mr Heater Buddy Heater in the Limited Edition Muddy Girl pattern.
Photo: Mr Heater

I love products that can be used hunting or fishing, then do double duty in our home, the Mr Heater Limited Edition Muddy Girl Buddy Heater is one of those products. I don’t put the heater away once hunting season ends, because you never can tell when you will need it again.

In a partnership between Mr Heater and Moonshine L.P., the Limited Edition Muddy Girl Buddy Heaters showcase the familiar pink and purple Muddy Girl camo on the standard propane Buddy Heater. These radiant heaters produce either 4,000 or 9,000 BTU using a 1 pound cylinder of liquid propane. This is the perfect heating solution for tents or campers of up to 200 square feet.  You can also adapt to use a remote gas supply using an optional hose and filter. The unit is simple to use, simply rotate the knob to pilot and push, simple enough even in the dark. There is an Oxygen Depletion Sensor that prevents the unit from using up the available oxygen, and an accidental tip over safety shut off. Using a 1 pound cylinder of propane, you can expect just over 5 1/2 hours of heat at the minimum setting. The footprint of the heater is a mere 14 1/4″ X 9″, easy to fit in most camping or hunting situations.

The Buddy Heater in Muddy Girl Camo became a lifesaver during our winter power outage! Photo: Diane Hassinger

The Buddy Heater in Muddy Girl Camo became a lifesaver during our winter power outage!
Photo: Diane Hassinger

I received the heater, and just a day later I had the need to use it. During a Winter storm, we were at -22 degrees Fahrenheit, and our power was out! The house temperature was dropping quickly. I pulled the heater out of the box, and quickly read the instructions. We own several Buddy Heaters, but I still wanted to make sure that the unit was being used properly. With the Muddy Girl Buddy Heater in our living room, I ignited the pilot, and set the heater on low. I only had two 1 pound cylinders of propane, and at this point, I was unsure how long we would be without electric, I knew with using the Buddy Heater, I had 11 hours total of heat. Luckily our power was back on within 5 hours, but I felt lucky I had this heater nearby during this electrical emergency.

I hunt many states during deer season, including Illinois. During the last firearm season that I hunted there, the wind chill was -20, but we were getting gusts of wind that made it even colder. I opted to hunt out of a shooting house, with plexiglass windows. I used the Buddy Heater in the shooting house, keeping one of the windows cracked, both for ventilation and to allow the moisture created by the propane to dissipate. I stayed comfortable all day, and harvested a pretty good buck too!

Camping and fishing is also a big part of our lives. A big family fishing/camping trip is to New York in October. We have had weather ranging from 80 and sunny, all the way down to 15 degrees and snow, many years, we experience almost the whole range during our 10 day trip. This past year we had several days that the winds raged, and the temperatures dropped. My husband and I camp in a 16′ box trailer, that we have converted to haul our ATV, and have convertible living space. The Buddy Heater on the low setting keeps the 3 small rooms very comfortable and helps to dry out our wet clothing. Being able to get dry and warm helps keep the trip fun, especially when you are landing salmon in less than ideal weather. I love that our Buddy Heater can be useful year round and in many different situations. I make sure to keep one nearby always.

For more information on these extremely useful heaters, go to http://www.mrheater.com/portable-buddy-heater-1658.html. The MSRP is $79.99 and the Limited Edition Muddy Girl Buddy Heater can be purchased on the same website.At less then $80, get a couple to keep in your various shooting houses, campers, trailers, or home. That is a small price to pay for safety and comfort!

Mr Heater name and logo are the sole property of its rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

This post originally published at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2015/09/22/mr-heater-muddy-girl-buddy-heater-diane-hassinger/