JCBower Outdoor
Sporting goods, gear, and athletic equipment.
Big Cypress National Preserve
A few shots of Brittany Bower and I touring the Big Cypress National Preserve in the Jeep. It was quite the drive to get there but well worth the time.
To be able to drive in the Big Cypress, You need to have Pass to get in, the combination to the lock at the gate, and a vehicle inspection certificate stating your vehicle meets the minimum requirements. The inspection is pretty basic. Things like working headlights and tail lights, four wheel drive, and wide enough tires so you don’t get stuck and tear up the trails.
The area we toured was on the north side I-75 but is only accessible from Highway 41. It’s currently the only area open to four-wheel drive road vehicles which makes it quite a long drive on the access road which is a dirt road with lots of pot holes.
Whistler WS1040 Handheld Digital Scanner Radio review
The WS1040 Handheld Digital Scanner Radio from Whistler is a small, portable scanner that can run on household electrical power when stationary or AA batteries when on the go. It allows you to listen to police, fire, EMS, public service, marine, HAM, and weather. The ability to monitor my surroundings is essential to mine and my family’s safety. Even if I don’t keep it turned on, I can activate the scanner during a possible emergency.
With today’s current political environment, declining economy, crime, inflation, slowing housing market and a bit of unrest, keeping tabs on what’s going on around me is critical. Whether you want to know of criminal activity in your area or keep up-to-date on weather emergencies, a digital scanner radio is essential.
For being such a small radio, the Whistler WS1040 scanner is a feature-rich piece of equipment that allows for the storage of over 38,000 scannable objects that can be divided in to 21 scanning configurations. This allows you to group and organize the objects and scan them according to your needs. For example, you might be interested in a weather report but don’t need to be interrupted by what the county parks are doing.
This might see a bit overwhelming and honestly, I feel if you tried to do that much programming by hand, it would be. Fortunately, there is software that can be downloaded that allows quick and easy programming from your PC or laptop. For me, this is the only practical way to program the scanner efficiently. Another option on the WS1040 is its search capability. The scanner can be set to find any active frequencies in whatever range you preset, up to 1800.
The scanner was easy to set up. Just install the 4 AA batteries and attach the antenna and it was ready for programming. You can program the scanner as it is, but I found this slow and cumbersome so I purchased the patch cord that allowed me to connect the scanner to my laptop and program that way. It was far easier and faster.
The Whistler WS1040 handheld digital scanner radio was just what I was looking for for emergencies and knowing what’s going on in my neighborhood. The WS1040 scanner can be purchased here on Amazon.
Smittybuilt Security Storage Vault; Rear Lockable Storage Box
Storing valuables in your vehicle always involves risk. And if you own a Jeep like I do, it’s almost impossible to keep it secure. The main reason people own Jeeps is to drive with the tops off. I first began looking at small, under seat safes or lock boxes but quickly realized they weren’t anywhere near the size I needed. It didn’t take long to come across the Smittybuilt Security Storage Vault – Rear Lockable Storage Box, or The Vault as Brittany and I call it.
As always, I had a very specific idea of what I was looking for, or at least specific features I needed. Most importantly was security of course. It needs to be very difficult to break in to, which then leads to the next requirement, durability. Not only did I want it to be hard to break open but the fact it will be riding around in the back of an off-road vehicle full of gear meant it needed to be tough and high quality in regards to the slides and locking mechanism. The Smittybuilt Security Storage Vault – Rear Lockable Storage Box fit the bill perfectly.
The Security storage vault measures roughly 35″x28″x13″ and was a perfect fit for my 2010 Wrangler JK. The 16 gauge cold rolled steel makes the vault both strong and keeps it from rattling. I had a feeling the gear stored inside the vault could possible rattle and make noise so I added a couple pieces of gym flooring, cut to size, to the bottom of the drawer. It truly doesn’t make a sound, not even off-road.
Another great feature is the 4 ratchet strap tiedown anchor points. This allows additional gear to be securely stored on top of the Smittybuilt Security Storage Vault – Rear Lockable Storage Box using owner supplied ratchet straps. I use them to secure our cooler. Even though the vault comes with a durable signature series two stage black powder coat, to prevent scratching the top of the vault when the cooler is in place, I again used the BalanceFrom foam tile gym flooring. For the price, you just can’t beat it.
The drawer opens and closes extremely smooth due to the high grade steel sliders and you can actually feel the durability in the drawer and slides. You can pack a whopping 350 pounds in to the vault without any problems not even counting what you can put on top. However, I’m currently only running with about 150 pounds on a daily basis. The locking mechanism is also top notch, high quality, with a weather resistant dust cap making it a very secure storage box. For additional security, I mounted the vault about one inch from the rear gate. Anyone trying to break in to the the vault would need to open the rear gate to even have a chance.
When it came to picking the secure storage for the JK, this was a no brainer. It fit perfect, was made of high quality, durable parts, looks good, and is very secure. I feel 100 percent confident leaving the tops off while I’m away from the vehicle with this vault in the back of the Jeep. Normally I can come up with a few cons on everything I use, but this one is the exception.
- Manufactured out of 16 gauge cold rolled steel
- Finished in signature series two stage black powder coat
- Drawer supports up to 350 pounds
- High grade steel sliders offer smooth operation
- Lockable storage system
- Ergonomically designed aluminum handle
Genuine Blackhawk Sportster tactical gun case review
A gun case is not just for transporting a firearm – many people use it for storage and for protection from scratches or other damage. Therefore, a gun case with multiple features would be desirable. The most desirable features for the gun case would be: that it is legal to use for transporting in a vehicle or otherwise, it breathes enough not to trap moisture and stays dry, and has enough padding so that the firearm is protected from drops, bangs, and other damage that can occur – and the Blackhawk Sportster Tactical Carbine Gun Case seems to be just that!
Tactical Carbine Gun Case Features
I’m not someone that stores firearms in their respective gun case, but rather use it solely for transporting to and from the range or the field. However, when I found the Blackhawk Sportster it came with what I needed and more. The first thing I noticed was the magazine pouches. Each pouch can easily carry 2 30-round AR magazines and is held closed by a very strong hook and loop closure. There are 2 additional pouches for storage. One in the middle section of the case and a larg er pouch on the barrel end of the gun case. The large pouch is protected by a large flap with a very robust hook and loop closure. The first drawback I found is that the middle pouch does not come with any sort of closer making the smaller pouch basically useless.
The construction seems very well built and durable, and according to Blackhawk, “is constructed of tight-weave, heavyweight 600 denier polyester with thick PVC Laminate for stability” The inside of the gun case is made with a very soft but seemingly durable fabric rapped around one layer of soft open-cell foam to protect the firearm and then a layer of closed-cell foam for shock protection.
The Blackhawk Sportster gun case zips shut with a medium to heavy duty zipper with a metal D-ring at the closed end for a lock. One issue I found with the zipper is if I unzipped it all the way to the very end then it was a little stubborn to get it moving again. A simple work around was to stop just short of the end and no more problem. There is a shoulder strap attached to the gun case in what many people seem to think is in an odd place. The attachment points are in the middle of the ends of the case rather than the top or bottom of the ends. The reason for this is the case is designed to be slung over the shoulder and not carried under the arm.. This is a much more practical approach than under the arm.
Lastly, the size of the case makes it perfect for a firearm with an RMR or scope. For my purpose, I did need to collapse the stock, so keep that in mind if your firearm stock does not collapse. Blackhawk does make a longer Sportster in that event – located https://www.amazon.com/Blackhawk-Sportster-Tactical-Rifle-42-5-Inch/dp/B001MVFDO4?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=jcbower-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=96409d7e4c47d32d9922aa5a4b63c881&camp=1789&creative=9325">BLACKHAWK Sportster Tactical Rifle Casehere on Amazon
Conclusion
Other than the small, middle storage pouch being not very useful due to no sort of closer, and the workaround for the zipper, I’m very happy with the Blackhawk Sportster Tactical gun case, especially given the price of $35-$40. If I was in need of another carbine size tactical gun case I would defiantly purchase this one again. If you would like more information or would like to purchase the Blackhawk Sportster gun case, you can find it https://www.amazon.com/Blackhawk-Sportster-Tactical-Rifle-42-5-Inch/dp/B001MVFDO4?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=jcbower-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=96409d7e4c47d32d9922aa5a4b63c881&camp=1789&creative=9325">BLACKHAWK Sportster Tactical Rifle Casehere on Amazon
To find more great reviews and other information on outdoor gear, sporting goods and shooting gear go to JCBower.com
REEBOW-GEAR Tactical Backpack with genuine molle
With the shear volume of bags and backpacks on the market today it can be overwhelming to find the right one for you, and with everyone attaching the words like tactical and military to everything they sell, it can be very frustrating. Originally, the backpacks used by the military were very different than they are today. Most people probably wouldn’t have wanted to use them for civilian use, however, the civilian type of tactical backpack and bags have come a long way towards serving in the same capacity as the ones used by the military – specifically the amount that the bag can carry, the specific pockets and compartments, water proof or resistance, durability, and the modular system or ability to add accessories.
Take the tactical backpack from REEBOW GEAR. It measures about 13″ x 11″ x 20″, is double-stitched with heavy duty zippers and utility-style cord pulls. It also comes with side load compression straps that allow you to compress the contents in the backpack for a more stable load, meaning that what’s inside won’t shift or move around when donning, doffing, walking or running.
The backpack has 4 main compartments plus one rear compartment for a hydration bladder. Several of the main compartments have additional pockets on the inside for additional organization plus an admin pocket for paperwork, maps, pens, pencils, etc.
The strap system has several adjustment points including the top and bottom of the main straps, plus the chest and cummerbund that also have quick disconnects. The main straps are well padded and have a mesh covering on the inner side of the strap for breathability and have 2 D-rings for attaching accessories. The lift handle at the top seems to be sewn in strong enough to be used as a drag handle should the emergency arrive. The back pad is also covered with mesh.
As for waterproof/water resistance, it’s not waterproof but does have good resistance to water. The small drain hole in the bottom of the main compartment seems like it would let water in if it were submerged in water and no sort of seal at the zippers.
One of the best features of the Reebow Gear tactical backpack is the Molle system which is a must for any tactical backpack. This is a system of straps sewn on to the backpack to create loops to be able to attach additional bags, holders, hook and loop fasteners, flashlights, first aid kits, holsters etc. The backpack has them on both the front and sides as well as Molle with hook and loop on the front top pocket. As a little bonus, the top pocket comes with a hook and loop American flag patch which can be removed if needed.
In all, it’s a great budget tactical backpack for those not wanting to spend hundreds for a name brand or for features they don’t need. It’s durable, functional, expandable due to the Molle, and comfortable. The hydration compartment is the icing on the cake. Definitely worth the $40-50 I spent!
To find more information or to purchase the backpack on Amazon, click here.
To find more great reviews and other information on outdoor gear, sporting goods and shooting gear go to JCBower.com
The official laser pistol for dry-fire training from NLT
I’m a firm believer in dry-fire training. It’s something I do on a regular basis while using my Laser Ammo’s Smokeless Range 2.0 Simulator which you can checkout here. But the purpose of this post is to talk about the SIRT laser pistol for dryfire training from Next Level Training.
Dry-Fire training has been around for quite awhile from simply pulling the trigger on an empty, unloaded firearm to using snapcaps to the most popular choice, SIRT’s and laser bullets like the Pink Rhino 9mm Lase Bullet. Check it out here. Dry-fire training has many benefits, such as learning to handle a firearm safely, learning to correct trigger issues, get faster at drawing from a holster, accuracy, and to eliminate anticipating recoil to name a few, and let’s not forget the savings on ammunition.
The SIRT or Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger pistol that I will be discussing is the Model 110 which has the features, look, and feel of the Glock Model 17 such as the same grip, mag release, sights and weight. The weight is contributed to the removable magazine being close to the same weight as a loaded Glock 17 magazine holding 17 rounds. I have not weighed the SIRT laser trainer or real Glock 17 to compare but going just by feel, they are about the same. But, according to Glock, the G17 fully loaded weighs in at 31.93 ounces and according to Next Lever Training, the Model 110 weighs about 32 ounces.
When you purchase the SIRT from Next Level Training, it comes with the pistol and magazine, a trigger adjustment tool, and a laser windage and elevation adjustment tool. In addition, the pistol does comes with several options: the slide can be either metal or polymer; a slide color of green, pink, purple, or red; and a laser color of green or red.
Out of the box the first thing I noticed is how real it felt and how well balanced it is. I ordered the the red polymer slide with the red laser and was amazed at how bright the laser actually was. Far brighter than most lasers for an actual firearm. Very easy to see where it hits the target. A quick pull of the trigger and you are made aware of another feature built into the SIRT – you will notice a second laser dot when you begin to pull the trigger. The is an instructor feature known as the trigger up-take indicator. It allows a firearms instructor to be able to tell when you start to move the trigger. Useful for finger discipline training. This feature can be turned on and off by a toggle on the slide. The slide itself does not move as there is no recoil feature on this laser pistol. Really about the only negative feature I’ve found. As for the construction of the SIRT laser pistol for dryfire training , this is no kids toy, it feels just as solid as the real thing.
The Model 110 SIRT fits any holster that the Glock 17 will fit making it ideal for many people as the Glock 17 is a rather popular firearm, so many people will already own a holster.
The SIRT from Next level Training is definitely worth the price. There are other laser training pistols out there with more features but also with a higher price tag, and aside from the stationary slide, this has everything you need to practice and improve your shooting.
Advocare spark energy drink Vitamin and Amino Acid Supplement
Like a lot of people like their coffee, I like my energy drink. Over the years, I’ve tried many different energy drinks, including Adrenaline, Amp, Reign, Redline, Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy, Rockstar, and Monster, just to name a few of the most popular drinks I’ve tried. But it always seem like I end up back with Advocare Spark Energy.
I started enjoying Spark Energy around when it first came out in the 1990’s. At that time, there was only one flavor. Over the years, Advocare has added many additional flavors for a current total of 13:
Mandarin Orange
Strawberry
Fruit Punch
Mango Strawberry
Grape
Cherry
Blue Raspberry
Watermelon
Pink Lemonade
Limeade
Green Apple
Raspberry Lemonade (alternatively sweetened)
Morning Grapefruit (alternatively sweetened)
Advocare Spark Energy Drink comes as a powder and needs to be mixed with water or whatever juice, etc. you would like to use. I find that it has plenty of flavor with just water alone however, I’m also known for mixing it with my pre-workout powder to give it an extra kick 30 minutes prior to working out. Advocare Spark Energy is available in canister or individual serving tubes. Both have its advantages and disadvantages. I prefer the canister for the fact you get more servings for less money and I can control how much powder I use per serving where as with the tubes, the serving is predetermined. The benefit of the tube is its more convenient on the go or for storing in places such as a desk at work, but it also does cost more per serving this way.
A quick look at the nutrition guide and you will see a huge difference between Spark and most other energy drinks. From the very low calorie count to the long list of vitamins and minerals and the added supplements, Spark definitely sets itself apart. Although many people use this as a fitness drink, and as I said earlier, I add it to my pre-workout, I would not consider this a stand alone drink, just simply for added energy and focus. As you can see, the caffeine content is in the same range as most other energy drinks on the market so if you are familiar with them, this won’t feel any different. In fact, I don’t get jittery or feel like I’m racing, but rather just feel like I got a great night’s sleep and and find it easier to focus during the day.
I’ve tried all the flavors and the ones I think are the best are the Mandarin Orange and Grape, but I haven’t found a flavor I didn’t like. I would suggest trying the variety pack for the first time available here on Amazon
Cherry
Fruit Punch
Mango Strawberry
Blue Raspberry
Strawberry
Grape
Mandarin Orange
To find more great reviews and other information on outdoor gear, sporting goods and shooting gear go to JCBower.com
Propper Rapid Release Gun Belt – Heavy Duty
A safe and comfortable holster is most important for carrying a firearm but what is often overlooked, or not enough importance is placed on, is a heavy duty rigid belt made to support the weight of the gun. The Propper Rapid Release gun belt does just that.
The Propper Rapid Release gun belt is made of 100% double layered nylon and comes with the AustriAlpin COBRA Quick Release Buckle
The one problem I encounter with the Propper Rapid Release belt is that the Austriaplin buckle is slightly larger than the belt loops on my pants. This causes me to have to remove the adjustable side of the buckle to put the belt on and then re-install the buckle end. It’s not a big issue and its probably designed to do that but it’s just something I find annoying sometimes.
I have owned my belt for over two years now and wear it every day. It is as ridged as the day I bought it and shows very little wear. Even the location where my holster clips on isn’t showing wear. The Velcro is still in great shape and holding strong, but as with any Velcro, it needs to have the strings and lint it picks up removed from time to time. The very heavy duty stitching is still solid, no fraying or loose stitches at all.
This turned out to be the best gun belt I’ve ever owned. You can purchase the belt here on Amazon
To find more great reviews and other information on outdoor gear, sporting goods and shooting gear go to JCBower.com
Pink Rhino – 9mm Laser Bullet – Dry Fire Trainer
A lot of people are becoming interested in dry-fire training these days. As more and more shooters learn the value of dry-fire or laser training, the more they share with friends or social media. I became interested in this type of training about a year or so ago and loved it. I wasn’t expecting the results that I achieved. I have two types of training aids that I use on my Laser Ammo Smokeless training simulator. The Pink Rhino 9mm laser bullet from Mantis and the SIRT 110 Glock laser training pistol. Today I’m going to be reviewing the laser bullet from Mantis.
First off, I need to remind everyone, make sure prior to using the Laser bullet or dry-fire range, you double check to make sure your gun is unloaded!!
The laser bullet is a tiny laser device designed to be inserted into the breech end of the gun barrel. When the gun is fired, the firing pin strikes the rubber switch on the end of the casing briefly causing the the laser to flash one time. The shooting simulator then sees this flash and shows you were you hit on the target depending on the type of simulator you own.
If your gun is double action, you can continue to fire as many times as you like however, if you use a hammerless gun like the HK-VP9 or Glock 19, you will need to reset the firing pin after each pull of the trigger. I use this with a VP9 for one shot speed drills and and reloads and It works well.
My one shot speed time has increased by just over .5 seconds and my accuracy is dead on now. The best part is this is with the gun I carry every day. Keep in mind with this type of training aid, there is zero recoil, so it will not train you in any sort of drills where getting back on target after each shot is part of the goal, but it will help break habits like anticipating the shot and pushing or pulling the firearm to the left or right.
The one issue I have with the laser bullet is it doesn’t always load exactly perfect with the gun site on the first try. When this happens, I simply use the eraser end of a pencil to pop the bullet out (this is the proper way to remove the bullet when you are finished using it) and drop it back in a second time. This usually corrects the issue. I’m a stickler for accuracy, at least when training.
Pros:
Helps with speed and accuracy
Helps save ammo and range fees
Helps correct bad habits
Allows for more time training
Fits all 9mm handguns
Cons:
Trigger needs to be reset after each pull on hammerless firearms
Doesn’t always load in to the chamber perfect on the first try
No recoil
In the end, for around $40-50 its well worth the cost for how much better I’ve become with the firearm, from getting to the firearm faster, accuracy, safety, and the thousands I’ve saved on ammo and range fees. I’m just about to order the laser bullet for the .223/5.56 and will let you know how that turns out in an upcoming review. The Pink Rhino laser bullet can be found here on Amazon
Fitness Gear Pro Utility Weight Bench UB-600 authentic review
I looked for several things when I was selecting the weight bench that would be used with my Valor Fitness BD-41 Power/Squat Rack. First was the frame construction. I wanted the least amount of nuts and bolts and the most amount of welds. It needed to be able to handle the weight. I wanted at least 600 pounds. Next, I didn’t want to be replacing the cushions in a year, so it had to have heavy duty mat and stitching. And lastly, I wanted 2 part adjustment of the seat and back.
A quick Google search and I found several that seemed to meet my list of demands, but unfortunately without getting to put my hands on the weight bench, I couldn’t tell if it was going be sturdy and rugged enough. I’ve been lifting in commercial gyms for years and have grown accustomed to commercial grade equipment. I lucked out and was able to get my hands on the Fitness Gear Pro Utility Weight Bench.
It didn’t take long to realize this bench was exactly what I was looking for. Very few nuts and bolts, which also translates to easy assembly. Very heavy duty steel construction and cushions, and both the back and the seat adjust. The weight bench is also rated to 600 pounds.
The benefit of having the back panel adjust is obvious, but several weight benches don’t allow for the seat to adjust or to be tilted. When lifting heavy weight on an incline, the tilted seat is a must-have for both the ability to lift the heavy weight properly and safely. I can’t imagine sliding off the end of the seat while holding 150 pounds plus is a good idea. The back and seat lock firmly in place with the spring loaded adjustment locks.
One thing to note is the Fitness Gear Pro Weight Bench is a bit on the heavy side. This can be good and bad. It means it is heavy duty but more difficult to just pick up and move. It does, however, have a front lifting handle and wheels on the rear of the bench. I have not had problems moving this around my home gym, nor does Brittany, but it could be a problem if you had to move it up or down stairs, or in very tight spaces.
Pros:
* Heavy duty
* Back and seat adjustment
* Holds 600 pounds
* Front lifting handle and rear wheels
* Very stable
Cons:
* Heavy
* Hard to maneuver in tight spaces
I’m actually very happy with the Fitness Gear Pro Weight Bench and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a heavy duty, commercial quality bench.
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Miami
Last Updated on Jun 5 2023, 4:53 pm EDT
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