Received an PM Qustion and thought I would share with everyone my FOG perspective. I'd be interested in other opinions especially on some of the new stuff that is now available.
Quote:
I have a question on tritium in a compass or a watch for that matter.
Seems to me to be a bit on the bright side to me, but by the same token I've seen some of the other (radium or whatever) not charge.
Would you have a tritium watch or compass? Why or why not? Educate me please.
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Well I'm no expert on Trit or Rad. I do remember being on point during a patrol aggressing against ROK marines. They had the new Tritium front sight posts on their M16A1s. Saw a dozen glowing green dots all in a line as they laid in their ambush position. Doom on them! This was using unaided eye night vision and not the PVS3 stuff they had then, let alone today!
Another example was using an illuminated lensatic compass on a cord and whirling it over your head to silently signal your location during night ops. Today they would use a chemlight I guess, but you see what I mean.
Point is, in a tactical situation, you must factor in everything into your light/noise discipline. Illuminated equipment is great, but you must keep it covered when not in use and defiantly don't be waving it around at night. Don't forget glare during day ops.
As a civilian today I love luminescence for night work.