With summer winding down, it's time to start talking about new gear I've been beating around for the past few weeks. Having used a lot of gear this summer, I can say there's never been a better time to get outdoors. Gear is lighter, more efficient, simpler to use, robust and reliable -and affordable. That makes any outdoor experience more enjoyable.

Remember: I'm not a scientific tester, I'm an average consumer. If I like something -whatever it is- I tell you. If I don't think something is up to snuff, I send it back to the manufacturer with my thoughts. At that point, they can either explain what I did wrong, tell me why I'm full of hooey, or look at making some changes.

That's one reason media types get to see pre-production or early production gear. Manufacturers want to know if something needs revisions before you've already bought one. OK, I don't like everything I see, but I don't waste your time on something I don't think measures up.

Disclaimers out of the way, here we go.

Reactor Watch(www.reactorwatch.com) has one goal: making the best built performance watches...period. Headed by a self-described "passionate neurotic" Jimmy Olmes (a founder of Freestyle watches more than two decades ago), Reactor doesn't watches that look tough, they want good looking watches that are tough..

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2070423.jpeg> Reactor Watches' Gryphon (Above). It's big, tough and -with the the patented Never Dark Illumination system, very easy to read in the dark (below). Jim Shepherd/OWDN photographs. http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2070425.jpeg>

I've been wearing one of Reactor's new Gryphon models for most of the summer. The Gryphon is a polymer watch - built of the same Nitromid polymers used extensively in guns. But the guts of the watch are 316L marine-grade stainless.It's soft on the outside, but tough internally. Like more expensive watches, the Gryphon is gasket sealed against the elements and a screw-down crown means the watch is virtually impervious to the elements, and depth-tested to 200 meters.

After having shot, fished, snorkeled, golfed, dug, lugged and otherwise used the watch with absolutely no concern for its safety, I know it's tougher than other watches I've owned- and killed. I taken no precautions when slathering on either sunscreen or bug repellent. With polymers, chemicals can sometimes degrade. The Gryphon hasn't reacted adversely, nor had problems despite being coated fish guts, oil and a bunch of other stuff.

With one small exception, the watch is has been tough. The polymer band that holds the band failed at its narrowest point. It still works, and is the only hiccup. My local Reactor dealer says he's never seen that happen-and it's easily fixed.

If you're looking for a sporting watch that's big (14mm thick, 35.5 mm wide at the lugs and .22 mm wide at the clasp) easy to read in zero light and has its own unique look, Reactor's Gryphon (online pricing has averaged about $349) is worth a look.

And one more thing...the case all Reactor watches are sold in is is without a doubt the toughest - and coolest can "coozie" you'll ever use. Cool counts, remember?

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2070427.jpeg> The Reactor Case as a can coozie- cold drinks in a cool package. Jim Shepherd/OWDN photo. http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2070429.jpeg> Bushnell's 10x42 Legend Ultra HD monocular. Light, bright and a very good option when binoculars aren't. Jim Shepherd/OWDN photo.

Over the course of pretty extensive travels, I've found myself wishing I'd thought to pack a pair of binoculars - I've been testing one pair that have been terrific (that's ahead). But weight and space considerations have made that tough in some situations, so I've taken advantage of a visit to Bushnell to borrow a monocular. I'm glad I did.

The monocular, despite being a 10x magnification takes up very little space (measures 5.5x1.5x1.5") and doesn't add an uncomfortable amount of weight no matter how you wear or carry it (13.2 ounces). With belt loop carrying case, clip or lanyard carry options it'seasy to carry along when fishing, boating, walking the beach, shooting or doing a little impromptu sightseeing, birding or wildlife watching.

It has a 42mm objective and a 6.5 degree field of view-that translates to 340 feet of visible area at 1,000 yards.

The monocular features Bushnell's Rainguard hydrophobic coating, and that coating beads-up water on the optics very, very quickly. The fully-sealed, nitrogen-purged, body is rubber coated to protect it from bumps and bruises and and give a solid grip in any circumstance.

Being a one-eye optic, it's quick to adjust for optimal resolution -with or without glasses. And the focus wheel is intuitively placed to make fine focus quick and easy as well. I've found that using it with both eyes open helped me get the optic onto target quickly. I sometimes find myself having to play peek-a-boo when looking through binoculars.

Through October 31, 2012, there's another attractive feature with this monocular: a $50 mail-in manufacturer's rebate option. That puts the final price 'way under $200. That affordable pricing and Bushnell's 100 percent money back "bulletproof guarantee" make it a really solid - and affordable - addition to your optics kit.

Finally, another option for concealed carry of those small pocket pistols. I'm not a fan of most inside the pocket holsters because my particular build doesn't lend itself to a pistol inside a front pocket. When I pull them out, I also tend to pull everything inside the pocket out along with the pistol, meaning I don't "draw" so much as I "flush" the contents of that pocket onto the floor.

For me, a hip -or cargo- pocket holster seemed to be one option that would make it possible for me to carry concealed without a gun either inside or outside my waistband.
That's why I'm now a fan of a back-pocket holster from Recluse(www.recluseholster.com).

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2070431.jpeg> The Recluse holster (Above) is small, but carries a pistol and spare mag discretely. The side facing out (Below) looks like any other wallet. Jim Shepherd/OWDN photos. http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2070433.jpeg>

The side that faces out looks like a wallet, and will carry a Crimson Trace equipped Ruger LCP and spare magazine discretely. I've carried it in both my back pocket and a cargo pocket for about a month. The is leather is starting to do what good leather does; mold to accommodate my body and my particular LCP.

The only concern I had was the soft pad that holds the LCP in place. It goes inside the trigger guard. Turns out it's not a problem -if you use the holster correctly. The pad holds the LCP in place and blocks both sides of the trigger. No chance of a trigger press.

But NO Recluse holster is designed to be re-holstered in the pocket. It holds the pistol securely until you need to draw it. The rest of the time, it rides with the muzzle protected from the lint and other debris that sometimes works its way into a pocket pistol.

To draw, simply slide your fingers between the pistol grip and the holster and pull. Your hand going between the gun and the holster quickly clears the gun.

Here's a key to re-holstering safely: always take the holster from your pocket. It's not safe to holster any other way. After using it for a while, it becomes both comforting and comfortable.

Recluse holsters are available online from the company in leather ($59.95) or horsehide ($77.95) for a variety of handguns from Smith & Wesson, Kel-Tec, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, Beretta, Kahr, North American, Rohrbaugh, Colt, Taurus and Walther.

--Jim Shepherd