Blending in: MultiCam vs. X-Camo

One of the cool things about going to the SHOT Show, was getting to see all the manufacturers of our favorite products. So of course we were excited to see Crye PrecisionTM- the makers of MULTICAM(R) - at the show.

What is MultiCam?

MultiCam is the result of years of scientific research and experimentation, based on feedback from the US military in Afghanistan. Basically, it's a camo pattern that was designed to work well across a very broad range of environments, seasons, and lighting conditions. It was designed to reflect colors in the surrounding environment, so it looks more green when its in a green foliage environment, but in the desert, it looks more tan. It also takes advantage of the way humans perceive patterns, buy "blurring" the profile of the wearer against almost any background. Lastly, it was designed to balance scale and contrast, so it works at a distance or at close range. Other camo patterns that rely on large-scale or high-contrast elements stop working as the observer gets closer, because the scale wasn't designed to conceal at close range.

The MultiCam gallery page has several photos that demonstrate its effectiveness against a wide range of backgrounds. Not only is MultiCam finding many applications for use by the military and law enforcement, but it also works well as a hunting camo pattern.

Because MultiCam products tend to be of a higher quality and carry a higher price tag, we gave it its own section in the DarkThreads.com store.

So What's this X-Camo I keep hearing about?

Even as MultiCam is starting to catch on, there is a new camo on the block: X-Camo. It's a digital pattern that looks like a cross between MultiCam and MarPat (Digital Woodland). We recently did a photoshoot of DI in his X-Camo loadout, and tried it up against a variety of different backgrounds (in our own backyard).


It even looks good with MultiCam accessories:


We have the X-Camo BDU shirt and pants available in our store here. For accessories, anything tan, coyote, OD, or MultiCam would work well with X-Camo.

Events; cold weather gear

Airsoftreports attended The Zone event and posted some photos here. Looks like it was a great time. You can be sure we are working on doing similar events with Mindgame Productions in the future. Also check out Airsoftreports for photos from the SHOT Show.

WHFO2 - based on the number of pre-regs we have so far, and the number of walk-ons we expect, we will have a great turn out for this event. I'm really looking forward to it, just so I can meet in person some of the folks who've become on-line friends in the last few months. A word of advice to those who are attending:

Dress appropriately for the weather. Layering is key to keeping warm and dry.

Layer 1 - your base layer should have moisture wicking properties, like Coolmax or Under Armor. I don't recommend those cotton thermals because cotton will absorb sweat and trap it next to your body, making you feel cold.

Layer 2 - I recommend wool or fleece for insulation. Wool will keep you warm even when its wet; fleece is easy and affordable.

Layer 3 - your top layer should be weather resistent, like a raincoat or anorack.

Insulated boots, socks, and gloves are also a good idea.

I will be trying out my Tru-Spec Level I and II base layers underneath my TRU, and flight jacket, and I'll prolly wear a balaclava or fleece watch cap. So, we have flight jackets, balaclavas, caps, and gloves if you need'em.

SHOT Show Stuff

Can't even begin to tell you how cool the SHOT show was. It was like going to the biggest Cabela's in the universe, with all the latest products and prototypes that have yet to go public. Eventhough the show is centered around firearms, we saw everything from camping RVs to Cajun seasoning (well how are you going to cook that game you just bagged?) Not to mention the huge section devoted to law enforcement and tactical gear. It was the perfect thing to feed my obsession with clever gadgets and survival camping stuff.

We brought home a knee-high stack of catalogs (you would think we packed cinder blocks in our luggage). As the orders come in, we'll be rolling out lots of new products in the months to come, so stay tuned.

Day 3 of The Shot Show

Another great day at the Shot Show, but I don't think I've seen it all yet. I'm not sure it's possible to see everything in just three days. This show is BIG. Day one, we wandered around, stopped, and looked at things that piqued our interest. Day 2 was more of a strategic surgical strike where we plotted out a course for the stuff we definitely had to see. Day 3 - it all comes together. We made lots of new contacts, established some relationships, and will be placing orders for lots of new stuff in the months to come. Of course, I'll be posting announcements here about any new products we add to our inventory.

We also got to hang out with Mac of Mindgame Productions, which is very cool, and we ran into some other airsofters we know. There were some celebrities out and about today - Gunny from Mail Call on the History Channel, and the original band of brothers from WWII, but perhaps the biggest highlight of today for me was running into the "Milspec Monkey," who gave me one of his very cool patches.

Some lessons learned/hints and tips/what to do for next time:
-Get a rollaboard style bag or backpack for collecting all the catalogs and shwag. My back hurts from three days of shlepping.
-Must wear comfortable shoes!
-Bring snacks and beverages, or pay extremely inflated prices for such.
-Look for vendors who are providing free snacks and beverages;)

I haven't been taking photos because photography is prohibited without a press pass, so here I give you a link to the Shot Show news where they are posting lots of articles and photos.

Day 1 at The Shot Show

I don't know where to start...so much stuff, so many exhibitors...I logged 16,602 steps on my pedometer (that's a lot) . Well the original plan today was just recon - see what's out there, make note of things we might want to revisit in detail later - but still, we only scratched the surface. We looked at guns, guns, knives, and guns, flashlights, goggles, vests, pouches, and there's still so much more to see. I am really surprised by how big this is. I also wasn't expecting such a diversity of exhibitors. Some of the more fantastic things I've seen today: Nikon has a huge two-story log home on the showroom floor; Swarovski (I didn't know they made scopes and optics) has a luxuriously opulent space, complete with a water feature.

The adventure continues tomorrow. Already collected enough catalogs to keep us busy for months. I'm very excited about some of the new products we'll be carrying as a result of this trip. Rest assured that we are working to provide some of the best and most useful products we can find, and we wouldn't sell anything we wouldn't use ourselves.

We also ran into the Brit guys from Ai Magazine, and Sean from Spartan, and I'm sure we'll see some other familiar faces before the end of this weekend.

24 x 7 Series

What all the cool kids are wearing to the Shot Show
I just added a couple of new products to the Web store, and it just so happens that that's what we're wearing to The Shot Show this week. When we say we test and/or use all of our products, we really mean it! So, we chose the 24 x 7 series pants and polo shirt, because we want to look professional, and be comfortable during long days at the show. The 24 x 7 series is designed to look like your everyday business casual clothing, but it has some really useful features, especially for law enforcement duty. This is the ideal thing for doing "plain clothes" work, without sacrificing practicality. Check out the 24 x 7 line here.

WHFO2: Update

The event site for When Hell Freezes Over 2 has been updated with the latest registration information. Check it out here - http://milpro.wpairsoft.com/wordpress/fps-restrictions/when-hell-freezes-over-2/

Pre-reg is still open for this event until midnight, Jan. 18. Pre-regging will save you $15 off the walk-on price, and the more pre-regs we have, the better we can make this event for you.

We are very excited about vending at this event. Due to the acquisition of the "DarkThreads Mobile Command Center Vehicle" - a large white cargo van - we will be able to bring LOTS OF STUFF - uniforms, Save Phace masks, plate carriers, pouches, parts, and more. So, bring some cash or your checkbook if you don't want to miss out on the special deals!

This Saturday: The Zone

Just a reminder that The Zone event is happening this Saturday, Jan. 10 at Wayne's World of Paintball in Ocala, Fla. Click here for more info.

Registration Updates:

As of this time, Ravenwood is booked out. There are still limited slots available for both Duty and Freedom. Unlimited slots and plenty of availability still with Bandits and Ukranians. Solo players? Become a Stalker and roam the Zone as a Mercenary, selling your services to the faction that offers you the most rubles!

Please go online to register this week as it helps us build the forces and missions based on faction numbers.

Be sure to pay attention to faction uniforms! If you plan on wearing ACUs to the event you need to sign up with NRO/Delta right away as it is set up as a small, limited number faction like Ravenwood. Some sample photos of Bandit and Stalker load-outs are in the event forums.

Starting Sites in the Zone:

The leaders for Duty, Freedom and the Bandit Clans will be contacted in a few days to select the starting locations for their factions. We'll have an informal lottery to decide the order in which they select their starting sites. Remember that several starting points generate revenue for the teams holding them and this may help get your team started early towards hiring mercs and buying key mission information. Consult The Zone players pack for more information on economics and earning rubles in The Zone!

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The Zone is a unique airsoft experience drawn from the Russian novel “Roadside Picnic”, and the “STALKER” film and videogames based on the novel. Set in the contaminated wastelands of the Chernobyl Zone of Alienation, Ukrainian troops, paramilitary factions and lone stalkers fight to control or reveal the secrets of the Zone and seek fortune through scavenging scraps of classified technology and strange, unearthly artifacts. The Zone is a grim and deadly place, full of radioactive pockets, unexplained anomalies, mutated horrors and ruthless killers. But it is said that within a man can find treasure beyond his wildest dreams…

Mindgame Productions Presents its first event of 2009 and we are kicking it into high gear. From book to movie to video game now we bring the action to life as you enter the ZONE! So break out the old MOPP suits, Geiger counters and yourself for our must intense and immersive event yet. Help us start 2009 with the biggest bang yet!

Sponsored by:

Airsoft Extreme - www.airsoftextreme.com

Toy Soldier Sports - www.toysoldiersports.com

Airsoft Unlimited - www.airsoft-unlimited.net

Dark Threads - www.darkthreads.com

QotD:

"One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To try and rise above the little things." -John Burroughs