Frag Out! Magazine

Well, a headlamp fixed on the helmet, more precisely a little bit to the side (offset) from its center part, is rather a provisional solution, but then it is probably shifted from the vision direction and therefore becomes less practical. Due to this reason some lighting equipment manufacturers decided to offer various propositions of flashlight solutions to mount them at the side of the helmet with a lighting direction nearly covering with an observation direction. What such light is needed for? Navigation with the map, first aid for wounded or injured, room searching and securing the sensitive data, when not always works a strong light source fixed on the weapon, which in some circumstances can even cause a self- blindness. The US company Princeton Tec, some time ago known mainly from outdoor headlamps and lighting for divers, in 2010 introduced first models of the helmet flashlights intended for tactical users which are included the MPLS (Modular Personal Lighting System) system: a MPLS Point with one LED diode and a MPLS Switch with two LED diodes with a 10 lumens output. The characteristic features of both products are unusual dimensions and placing a small head light on the short flexi-neck, which enables to change easily a lighting direction. In 2011, the representatives of the one of United States leading special units contacted the company, and presented their idea of creating a more advanced helmet model with more output power and additional features. The MPLS CHARGE and CHARGE PRO variants resulted from this cooperation. DESIGN The Princeton Tec MPLS Charge is a flashlight powered by one AA battery with a polymer body and a mounting system, equipped with a light head fixed on the flexi-neck. During its development one focused particularly on adjusting its shape to the standard ARC rails on the Ops-Core FAST helmets, therefore one managed to create a light source which cover does not stand out too much from the helmet side part and not increasing to the significant extend its outline profile. In the rear part of the battery chamber is a sealed flip cover, and on the side surface built-in rubber button with which a flashlight is controlled, with a grippy surface enhancing its usability when using gloves or when it is moistly. www.fragoutmag.com

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