Gear Meet the new Oakley SI M Frame ALPHA Ecosystem Rob Curtis January 18, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. The Oakley M Frame has gone through many design revisions since its introduction in the late 1980s, but none have been so radical as the brand-new M Frame ALPHA system. In looking for feedback to update the M Frame, Oakley SI paid particular attention to the Special Operations community. Due to their diverse missions and steady operational tempo, SOCOM operators demand more from their equipment than other military commands. Oakley Defense’s Drew Wallace, a former member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, says he heard over and over how much the guys disliked all the different pieces of gear they had to deal with and that they appreciated modular equipment. So, the company began to rethink the M Frame in early 2013. Three years later, we have the M Frame ALPHA. It’s a modular and scalable eyewear system based on a single lens that converts from the M Frame ALPHA spectacle to the HELO gasketed eye shield, to the HALO goggle. Aside from the modularity, Oakley SI made at least three other important improvements. First, the new lens shape addresses fogging with a new flush-mounted frame and horizontal vents that allow air to escape more easily than it could in older designs. Second, the field of view is increased and improved after examining the needs of people involved in marksmanship, close quarters battle, and mobility work. Lastly, the ALPHA features a new, easier-to-use lens exchange system. The updates, including the new goggle frame integration, mean better performance and less stuff to keep track of. Well done, Oakley SI. If you're at SHOT this week, check out the new system at Oakley's booth 30303 and pick up a free copy of RECOIL! (While supplies last…) M Frame Alpha in Arctic Ultrablend camo Q&A with Drew Wallace, Category Manager, Oakley Defense: RECOIL: Why did Oakley combine the M-Frame with a goggle? Was there an aha! moment? Drew Wallace: The concept of ALPHA, or a product “eco-system,” came through a lot of discussion with users and observation. A common complaint I heard was how they had so many different pieces of equipment and how they appreciated when they worked together. Some guys had even retro-fitted their M Frames as goggles. My “Aha” moment came during a conservation about how I owned so many Apple products. I enjoyed the simplicity and performance of their products, and appreciate that all just so easily worked together. We want to make products that are easy for guys to use and work well. Combining these two platforms made it simple.” RECOIL: What was the hardest thing about combining spectacles and goggles? DW: The hardest part of combining a spectacle and goggle is optimizing each platform, without sacrificing performance of the other. We started with the lens shape, as that dictated everything. What we are delivering to the soldier is a lens, wrapped in different forms of design. RECOIL: If guys never use the goggle, will they still benefit using the Alpha instead of the standard M-Frame? How? DW: There are some substantial improvements to the ALPHA frame vs the older M Frame 2.0 or 3.0. First, we addressed fogging. We did some advanced frame design such as a ‘flush mount' frame design allowing air to escape the top of the frame. We also created a ‘three point retention' system with the lens that reveals a lot of venting to increase airflow. Second, Field of View (FOV) is dramatically improvement. We did substantial work with marksmanship, CQB, and mobility work to define crucial areas for field of view. We expanded the ALPHA lens to address those field of view concerns. Lastly, we built in anew lens exchange system that guys had asked for.” RECOIL: Will these get guys laid faster than regular M-Frames? DW: If it doesn’t then we have failed. RECOIL: How many hours of design time went into this project? DW: This project began in early 2013. Advanced Product Development. Design. Engineering. Manufacturing. Production. Lots of field testing in between.” RECOIL: How many people were involved in the project? DW: On the Oakley side dozens of guys. In the field, we worked with members of SOF in Army, Navy, and Marines. The HALO Goggle was specifically developed with direct feedback from the Military Free Fall (MFF) school in Yuma, AZ. RECOIL: Can you describe the testing process and what you were most concerned about during the final stages of development? DW: Most everything was pretty dialed by the time we had cut steel and made parts. Keep in mind these injection mold machines cost several hundred thousand dollars. The last concern I had was developing the right strap for the goggle. Guys are particular with how they want these things. I ended up driving back out to Yuma to field test with cadre and students to fine tune the strap, well beyond the date the strap was due. We developed a kind of ‘split strap' with hook and loop, and stitched seam so guys can cut it to their desired length without it fraying. Came out bitchin'. Drew Wallace has served as the Category Manager for Oakley Defense since 2012. Drew served in the 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, with multiple deployment to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Drew also worked for Blackwater Worldwide, and worked for PM – Special Operations Forces Survival, Support, and Equipment Systems (PM- SOF SSES). He holds a MS in Clinical Research and Exercise Physiology, and is earning his MBA through Pepperdine University. Follow us on Instagram, @RECOILmagazine and keep an eye out for these hashtags: #recoilmagazine, #recoil, #shotshow2016, #mediadayattherange and especially #recoilSHOT2016. We will updating the Constant Coverage article, well…constantly. Bookmark that here at this link or click on the image. What is the NSSF SHOT Show? The NSSF SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show) and Conference is an annual event held by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Typically attended by thousands of people from all 50 states and over a hundred countries, it is (quite rightfully) described as the “…world's premier exposition of combined firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics, and related products and services. Imagine the Worlds' Fair, but packed with everything from mini-guns and every breed of body armor, bows and boots; from eye pro and ear pro to optics and ordnance, socks to swords…you get the idea. If you'd like to see a sampling of the companies who will be showing at this year's SHOT, there's a live map right here, though it doesn't reflect the organizations set up elsewhere, in hotel suites, etc View imagery from our coverage of last year's SHOT Show right here. 2016 SHOT Show January 18 — Media on the Range (numerous shooting facilities in and around Las Vegas) January 19–22, 2016 Sands Expo and Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada Hours: Tuesday, January 19 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 20 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 21 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday, January 22 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
