First Tactical Canyon Digital Watch and Side Satchel

First Tactical have a thorough belief that the gear they produce is the very best that they can make it, and they’re more than happy to ‘put their money where their mouth is’, when it comes to getting physical products out to me for my usual “let’s see if I can break it!” gear reviews.

Two such products have recently landed with me and the first of these is the Canyon Digital Compass Watch. This tactical watch is the best of both worlds, durable enough to stand up to the toughest jobs and environments, yet sophisticated enough to wear every day. Featuring an oversized display with a digital second hand, compass function, and an innovative utility strap, it’s a solid piece of kit that feels right as soon as you put it on.

The Canyon Digital Compass features an innovative digital second hand, allowing users to visualise seconds counting down based on their needs, as they would with a traditional analogue watch, and coupled with an enlarged time readout, the digital second hand enables you to complete any job with precision and ease. Featuring a ruler (cm/in) and Morse Code guide on the back of the band, you will be equipped for any situation, and STEALTH MODE switches the tactical watch to mute as you enter silent tactical situations.

This however is not what I’d call ‘subtle’, as at 2.4-inches/60mm long, 2.1-inches/55.5mm wide, and 0.6-inches/15.5mm thick, this is a timepiece and tool that looks like it really means business, although the broad band width of 0.9-inches/24mm makes it very comfortable to wear, even for extended periods. Functions include World Time and three alarms, in addition to the compass feature, and the watch is waterproof to 10 metres. So far it’s proved to be a first-rate watch, and I’m really looking forward to putting it through its paces this Summer.

Summit for storage

As I’m always on the run, the watch will no doubt prove indispensable, but amongst the guys I work and shoot with regularly, there’s one piece of gear that well all go through on a regular basis, and that’s satchels! Unlike many ‘go to work’ bags, my satchels and work bags take one heck of a beating, being not only thrown around in planes, trains and automobiles but also being dragged to the range and out into the field. I shudder to think of the number I’ve trashed over the years!

The conveniently designed Summit Side Satchel provides extra storage that works with your other carrying gear for maximum efficiency. Top haul handle, a reliable internal hook/loop mounting platform, and a hidden back CCW pocket make this satchel one of a kind and perfect for your EDC needs. The back pocket opens to a normal pocket, while the back wall opens at the top, revealing the CCW compartment.

The clever design easily lets you switch from velcro to buckle closure and back again, as your needs change. With a capacity of approximately 495-cubic inches/8-litres and weighing in at just 1.75lbs/0.8kg, the Summit benefits from five external and ten internal pockets, along with areas of MOLLE on both ends and on the front; there’s also a Velcro section on the front for your nametape or unit patch. The whole bag is bomber-tough, as it’s made from 1000D nylon, backed up in critical areas with 10mm closed cell foam. All the ‘hardware’ is solid, as the bag has YKK zippers and Duraflex hardware throughout. To round things out, there’s a solid, reinforced carry handle and a padded non-slip shoulder strap.

These days, I tend to travel with just a small notebook computer, some ‘old skool’ reporter’s pads, my phone and a small digital camera, which the Summit swallows easily and safely; the size of the Summit is absolutely perfect for holding all your EDC items, along with the ‘tools of the trade’; so, if you’re in the market for a well-made, durable and versatile bag, then you should really check it out!