FOG HORN

2016
Twobirds Flying Publication

Crimson Trace Corps LinQ Wireless System

Copyright 2016, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Crimson Trace Corps LinQ Wireless System

2016

Crimson Trace Corps LinQ Wireless System

The beginning of something beautiful
By: Sal Palma
available channels randomly or under the
control of a predefined algorithm.

Theres a great deal to be excited about when

Crimson Trace announced its industry first LinQ
wireless laser/light weapon mounted accessory,
a testimony to the level of innovation Crimson
Trace brings to a crowded and competitive
space. Im beyond excited at the development
and I hope that as part of the Smith & Wesson
family, CTC will continue to development the
LinQ concept, product/system. I see huge
potential in the LinQ approach to accessory
control. Lets touch on the technology a bit.
The LinQ system is based on BLE (Bluetooth Low
Energy) technology. The system operates in the
2.4 GHz spectrum. BLE technology provides a
total of 40 channels, each 2 MHz wide with a
potential throughput of 1 Mb. Three of these
channels are used for advertising (letting other
systems know they are there) leaving a total of
37 channels for data. Data can be anything
including control signals, video and even digital
voice streams. Like military software defined
radios, BLE uses Frequency-Hopping Spread
Spectrum (FHSS). So, its hoping between the 37

BLE is also relatively secure. When two devices

pair, they exchange a long-term encryption key
following a set of rules called the key exchange
protocol. Eavesdropping is possible but difficult
to accomplish as long as the keys are not
compromised and remain unpredictable. Its
therefore reasonable to assume that the paired
devices can communicate securely. However,
its always a good idea to keep in mind the No.1
ELINT rule which is anything that is transmitted
can be intercepted.
The LinQ system consists of an AR style pistol
grip, which is the control unit and a rail
mounted laser/light accessory. Once paired, the
operator can select operating modes directly
from the pistol grip without the need for wires
or pressure pads, using the BLE connection. The
potential of this technology is significant.
Imagine incorporating a Bluetooth hub in the
pistol grip. You can now connect a rail mounted
video device with a communications device, a
laser range finder to a targeting system. This is
the door that LinQ technology opens. Lets talk
about the product.
The pistol grip is a standard AR pistol grip so its
fully compatible with the AR platform to include
the AR-10 and HK-416. The unit contains the
circuitry needed to achieve pairing and once
paired control the module. Powering the pistol
grip is a CR2 battery.

Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Crimson Trace Corps LinQ Wireless System

The grip houses the mode select/pairing switch

and the instinctive activation button. The mode
select buttons are fully ambidextrous so there is
a button port and starboard, so my southpaw
readers will love that feature.

To toggle through the modes, the operator

needs to depress the mode select button
holding it down and followed by pressing the
instinctive activation button. The LinQ module
operates in one of 4 modes: light and laser,
laser only, light only and laser and strobe. All of
these modes are available in momentary or
continuous activation selectable from the grip
mode buttons or the modules pressure switch.
Crimson Trace did a pretty good job with grip
ergonomics but here I had an issue.
Hand geometry varies, sometimes extensively.
Your right hand and fingers are not exactly alike
your left hands. Finger thickness and even
range of motion will vary. In my testing, I found
myself having to make changes to my strong
hand grip in order to activate the module; when
I transition to the left side I had no problems, a
problem stemming directly from hand geometry
differences.

2016

To mitigate the issue, CTC should consider

increasing grip size in the area of the instinctive
activation button, or optionally increase the
activation surface area. The picture below best
illustrates the problem.

Note that my middle finger makes contact with

the instinctive activation button along the
Proximal Phalanx. Adding girth to the grip has
the effect of shifting the activation button to a
position where the finger makes better contact.
The figure on the left
illustrates the grip geometry in
the
instinctive
activation
switch area. I found it to be
narrow and difficult for me to
activate the module with my
right hand. I needed to change
grip positions frequently to
operate the module.

Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Crimson Trace Corps LinQ Wireless System

Fortunately this is not a show stopper because

the module can be easily activated from its own
control.

2016

If youre tired of pressure pads attached to your

rail system with double back tape, paddle
switches or tie-wrapped excess cable, the LinQ
system is for you. At an M.S.R.P. of $649 youll
want to test drive the system to makes sure it
works with your hand anatomy. However,
whatever decision you reach, you can rest
assured that LinQ is totally reliable with all of
the quality and advanced engineering Crimson
Trace brings to the table. All you early adopters
out there jump on it. Its my firm believe that
this is just the tip of LinQ technology from the
folks at CTC.
Manufacturer Specifications

So what does the user get with the LinQ

system?
Besides getting a high performance and
technically advanced system, LinQ delivers 300
lumens of well collimated white light and a
green laser dot visible in bright light that also
lights up the night. The laser dot size at 50 feet
is 0.5 inches providing precise targeting. The
laser is adjustable for wind and elevation
allowing you to fully customize the accessory to
your weapon system. The module, which
houses laser and light, is compact and mounts
on any Picatinny rail requiring only 2.75 inches
of rail space.

Color: Black
Activation Location: Front Activation
Attachment: Grip Replacement
Free Batteries For Life: Yes
Finish: Polymer Grip with Rubber
Overmold Activation Pad
Installation:
User Installed
Laser Battery Life:
Over Two
Hours
Activation Mode: Pressure Activated
Sighting: Factory Sighted at 50'
User Adjustable Windage and Elevation
Warranty: Three Year Full Warranty
Dot Size: Approx. 0.50" at 50'

Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved