With regard to new products for 2012 to early 2013, there are several under consideration that I’ll mention below. As with most of our products, we produce small to medium runs. The idea is that with each subsequent run, we would make product improvements, based on our findings and customer feedback.
With product improvement in mind, we have discontinued the Guardian back-up sight. It will be replaced by Guardian II, a top mounted sight that will secure to any picatinny rail. It would be appropriate as a main sighting device for sub-machine guns, AR’s, and any firearm with a mount forward of the receiver. With AR’s, one will be able to co-witness the Guardian II with one’s main optic. In addition, the Guardian II may also be mounted on a .45° degree picatinny (not on 90° picatinny, like the original Guardian) for those who still need and want an off-set back-up sight. Because of the variability in picatinny railing and the rails relationship to the bore, the Guardian II will have greater elevation capability than its predecessor. We are planning an almost .120” of front sight elevation capability.
For pistol sights, we are considering three. We will eventually make all three, but in what order has yet to be decided. At least one will be presented at the 2013 shot show in Las Vegas: (1) Browning Hi-power; (2) CZ 75b; (3) the new HK 45 & p30 series (not the USP or 2000, at this time).
Other unveilings at shot show 2013 will include a light activated glow series of front sights. They’ll go by the handle of “Advantage Tactical Firefly Sight”. Also, hopefully, we’ll be showcasing our “Stealth Light” — an invisible light that makes our current florescent inserts glow when activated. Production is being negotiated, as we speak.
If it were not for customer feedback, we wouldn’t be able to improve our product line, before each subsequent production run. So, let us know what you think about the current changes, refinements you’d like to see, and new products.
Richard
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Dear Richard, in the post below the ‘glow’ sights were not too far away – but in this one it sounds like you won’t unveil until SHOT 2013. Are we really that far out on having those in production?
I really like the glowing version better than the one requiring a light source on my glasses or ear. I still think a single tritium index in the center of the front sight insert would add some value … but I’ll certainly take the upgrade requiring me to hit it w/ the surefire to charge it up.
JC, there are several stages to releasing a product: 1) finding and identifying a viable product; 2) testing the product to see if it meets expectations; 3) negotiating the manufacturing costs, to make sure that the product is cost efficient for the manufacturer and the consumer; 4) ordering the product and waiting for the final samples to be completed; 5) testing the samples to make sure they were manufactured, according to specifications; 6) ordering production parts and waiting for them to arrive; 7) evaluation of final production parts;
release to the public. Right now we are at stage 3. Hopefully, all stages will be completed before the shot show. As soon as stage three has been completed, we’ll release photos of the actual product on a pistol, in its full glory. We will recommend that the white rear sight insert be used with the glow front sight. With that combo, a pyramid sight picture will be visible in all lighting, with the exception of pitch blackness. In pitch blackness the front sight will be visible, of course. We were never excited by tritiums, because they would need replacement around every 6 years, and they would not create our signature pyramid sight picture. The glow material will out live most adults, without replacement, as will our rear sight inserts. Right now, the glow times on the prototypes are 2hrs. and 15 min. with just a 10 sec. charge with a 90 lumen tactical light. With 30 seconds the practical glow time becomes 3 hr. 15 min. With 1 min. of direct sunlight the practical glow time is about 7 hours. I say practical glow time, because when the observer is at 90° angle to the glow sight, it can be seen glowing for over 20 hours. However, when the observer is at an almost 180° angle behind the gun, the practical (meaning observable) glow times is less, because of the angle. In addition, the glow sight is a magnet for any ambient and will charge to some degree by just being in ambient light, like when walking through a lit house into a dark hallway. When you enter the dark hallway, your sight will be lit. So, when I go out for an evening with my wife. I make sure my front sight gets a full minute of a tactical light. That will last me the whole evening, until I get home. Before now, the technology of glow material produced insufficient glow durations. Now, with the newest technology, glow materials are a viable, longer lasting, and less delicate options to tritiums.
Richard
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