THE ADAPTER SHADE PANEL IS HERE!
Forceprotector Gear®
Made In The USA
Adapter Shade Panel 2.0?
At FPG we listen. The Adapter Shade Panel and Adventure Field Blanket were direct offshoots of our original ThermaShield that has served tens of thousands of service men and woman around the globe.
Unmatched in hot climates, soldiers came to love the soft DesertCloth on one side against their skin in cold climates and the rain repellency of the specially coated ripstop bottom layer by flipping it over. The original TS-11B Field Blanket is very much alive and is still focused on the original military application.
With a different primary application, overland users don't require DesertCloth. Both Components that make up The SweetSpot Kit (Adapter Shade Panel and Adventure Field Blanket) have been changed to better serve awning applications especially in wet climates without the need to flip it over in sustained heavy rain.
The result is a simplified and greatly enhanced performance in wet weather in an awning application while retaining the radiated heat blocking qualities ThermaShield is known for.
What Changed With 2.0 Components?
Dimensionally nothing. Any original ThermaShield Field Blanket or Shade panel will still work seamlessly together with a 2.0 version. The major changes focused solely on wet weather performance in an awning application, strength, and sustained repeatable performance in the field. The changes are:
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Incorporating a more robust and specially coated Ripstop Nylon in place of the DesertCloth. A ~100% improvement in simplicity (no need to flip it over) in severe wet weather while maintaining heat properties.
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Hypalon on every single snap position on the ASP (increasing strength and doubling pole tip anchor points).
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Stitching reinforcements at high stress areas on the ASP.
What Changed With The
SweetSpot Kit 2.0?
Naturally with a new 2.0 ASP and Field Blanket, a 2.0 version of our wildly popular SSK (SweetSpot Kit) would follow. The changes to the kit are component based as we added four smaller support items. We added two of the new game changing Snap Adapters as well as two Stake Straps to round our our "one click solution" to having a modular shelter.
Can I still get a DesertCloth ThermaShield?
Absolutely. The original TS-11B Field Blanket is very much alive and is still focused on the original military application. It has enjoyed an almost cult following from the people who make their living doing the hard miles. An NSN is available for this product for our military purchasing agents.
What Is An FPG ThermaShield?
ThermaShield started life in the hands of the Warfighter in the most harsh combat conditions.
Reducing the Sun's oppressive heat when there is no shade for hundreds of miles or keeping soldiers warm all night when the mission gets extended.
With tens of thousands still in service today, those benefits are enjoyed in our favorite outdoor and adventure activities.
What Is An Adapter Shade Panel?
Born from the original ThermaShield line of products, it has special features and buckles that quickly attach to a vehicle or an object providing temporary thermal reflective shelter from the elements. It works with or without attachment points.
It fits narrower overland type vehicles as well as many others. It "adapts" to our ThermaShield Field Blankets allowing different size shelters to be made quickly and with minimal fuss.
The more extreme the temperature swings are, the more ThermaShield becomes your friend. Create normal shelter off your rig, cozy up by the campfire, or prevent heat/cold injuries and treat for shock when things go sideways.
How Does The ASP/ThermaShield
Work?
There are many awnings out there, and they are just that; Awnings and awnings only. Nothing currently available covers down as a modular awning system that also provides PPE from the elements when things go sideways, tactical or otherwise. The uses as well as applications are only limited by your imagination.
Current awnings can be large, heavy, expensive, and still allow radiated heat to pass through them giving you the convection oven effect.
ThermaShield products have provided temporary shelter from the elements for years and even more so now with the advent of 2.0. They reflect heat either away from you or towards you depending on what you need and the temperatures.
What is the Difference Between ThermaShield Products?
Which One Do I Need?
TS-11B
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DesertCloth for comfort
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Excels in dry desert extreme temp swings
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Switch sides for rain
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60/40 PPE and or awning
Multicam Field Blanket
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MultiCam on one side
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Same thermal perf. as TS-11B
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Best for prolonged UV exposure
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Works well in wet environments
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40/60 PPE and or awning
Adventure Field Blanket 2.0
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Same dim and Thermal perf
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Coated Ripstop Nylon instead of DesertCloth
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Excels in heat, rain, and cold
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Perfect for use is with ASP 2.0
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70/30 awning and or PPE
ASP 2.0
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Trapezoid shape designed for overhead shelter off vehicles
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Special features to attach Adv. Field Blanket on three sides
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Same thermal perf
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Excels in heat, rain, and cold
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90/10 awning and or PPE
ThermaShield Performance Characteristics
Mitigating Cold
ThermaShield is not insulatory by design but reflective. It reflects your body heat back at you when you need it most.
It is 100% windproof, so when the barometer falls and the wind picks up things stay cozy whether you're in a hunter's hide, a forward observation point in unfriendly territory, or keeping the chill away on a family outing.
Mitigating Heat
Set up in seconds and reduce the temperature of your surroundings.
ThermaShield is 100% UV proof and the Reflectech keeps that radiated heat away so you can actually enjoy your environment or in extreme cases, survive it.
Mitigating Rain
The various ThermaShields work differently in the wet based on mission focus.
All are highly water resistant.
The TS-11B, with its soft DesertCloth for use against the skin is designed for the widest range of uses and should be flipped over for best performance in the wet.
All other Field Blankets and especially the 2.0 versions of The Adapter Shade Panel and Field Blanket let water roll off of them like a duck’s back on both sides.
Mitigating Thermal Signature
Although not a design feature and more of an "Oh by the way" feature, many units have enjoyed ThermaShield's ability to help mitigate thermal signatures.
Stand-off is key. If a few inches are between the heat source and the fabric, then moderate success can be expected.
If the fabric is layed upon the heat source, ThermaShield will take the same temperature providing zero benefit. Touching the cloth with your bare hand for instance, the thermal signature bleeds right through
Third Party Data Verification
Companies develop products claiming all sorts of things. That's called marketing.
After FPG developed ThermaShield, we hired Natick Laboratories to do a third party verification of our internal data.
We traveled to their Tropical Chamber in Natick MA doing chamber run after run with temperatures rising to 135 degrees F. with humidity burning your lungs as you breath to test ThermaShield heat reflecting properties.
We also traveled to Ft. Greeley AK to their Arctic Testing Chambers. Multiple runs down to -25 degrees F. proved ThermaShields effectiveness at reflecting body heat in extreme situations.
