Armatix handgun can only be fired by someone wearing the correct watch

crunchgear.com ^ | 1/29/2010 | Staff

[Red in Blue PA]

This seems like a really good idea. A German company called Armatix has developed a handgun that can only be fired by someone wearing a biometrically unlocked wrist watch. An LED light on the gun glows green if it’s set to be fired or red if it’s locked.

According to the product page:

“To activate the wrist watch, the authorized person’s fingerprint must first be read by the wrist watch. An internal database compares the current fingerprint against stored prints and responds accordingly. The wrist watch is then activated for a definable period – e.g. an officer’s work shift or until manually deactivated.”

[Shooter 2.5]

Maybe it comes with a super cool Rolex. Would anyone think that’s a good deal?

I’m starting to realize as much as I want to update some of my watches, they aren’t practical anymore. I carry a cellphone most of the time and the watch isn’t necessary. I do have a dive watch that I like and it’s not like I’m going to make any calls when I’m diving. Anything that shoots is more practical than knowing what time it is. Price is another thing. I don’t know of any firearm that is worth more than two thousand dollars.

[AAABEST]

I’m starting to realize as much as I want to update some of my watches, they aren’t practical anymore.

A agree that "old school" time pieces aren't very practical any longer in normal day-to-day environment.

However, for outdoorsmen, LEO, military and other "professionals" there are watches that serve a purpose and are very functional.

One of my faves is the Casio PAW 1500. Compass, auto to-the second atomic time keeping, solar powered, moon phases, local tide levels, alitimeter, barometric pressure graph, 200 meter water resistant, 29 world time zones, timer, stop watch etc. etc.

Here are the stats:

Multi-Band Atomic Timekeeping (US, UK, Germany, Japan)

Receives time calibration radio signals which keep the displayed time accurate

Auto receive function (up to 6 times per day)

Manual receive function

Signal: US WWVB, UK MSF, Germany DCF77, Japan JJY40/JJY60

Frequency: US 60kHz, UK 60kHz, Germany 77.5kHz, Japan 40/60kHz

Tough Solar Power

200M Water Resistant

Tide Graph (based on a combination of preset and user input data)

Moon Data (moon age based on current date or user input data, moon phase graph)

Digital Compass

16 points of measurement

Measuring range: 0 to 359 degrees

Measuring unit: 1 degree

Bearing Memory

Memory Capacity: 1 record (stored direction angle and indicator)

Altimeter

Measuring range: -700 to 10,000m (-2,300 to 32,800ft)

Measuring unit: 5m (20ft)

Auto memory measurements

Altimeter Memory

Memory capacity: 20 records

Measurement data: altitude, month, date, time

Max altitude memory

Relative altitude display

Altitude tendency graph

Altitude differential graphic

Barometer

Display range: 260 to 1,100 hPa (7.65 to 32.45 inHg)

Display unit: 1 hPa (0.05 inHg)

Atmospheric pressure tendency graph

Atmospheric pressure differential grapic

Thermometer

Display range: -10 to 60 C (14 to 140 F)

Display unit: 0.1 C (0.2 F)

Low Temperature Resistant (-10 C / 14 F)

Full Auto EL Backlight with Afterglow

World Time

29 times zones (33 cities), city code display, daylight saving on/off

5 Daily Alarms

Countdown (Yacht) Timer

Measuring unit: 1 second

Countdown range: 1 minute to 60 minutes

Countdown Alarm, Progress Beeper

1/100 second stopwatch

Measuring capacity: 23:59'59.99"

Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time, 1st-2nd place times

Hourly Time Signal

Auto Calendar (pre-programmed until the year 2099)

12/24 Hour Formats

Button operation tone on/off

Accuracy: +/-20 seconds per month (with no signal calibration)

Storage Battery CTL1616

Battery Power Indicator

Power Saving Function

Approx. battery life: 5 months on full charge with Power Saving Function (without further exposure to light)

You can get one for under $200

[NFHale]

The anti-gunners will probably drool over this, especially in Worker’s Utopias like New Jersey...Wasn’t there some bill that they were trying to push a few years ago in NJ that said when handguns become available with this sort of technology, all older handguns would be outlawed??? Somebody refresh my memory here, if you can...

So, basically if this gets on the market, imagine that some bright, enterprising gov-funded alphabet agency develops a li’l block box that can lock on and shut down civilian-owned handguns... or lock on and pinpoint locations, build and store databases, etc., etc., There’s a lot of room for some really nasty shenanigans, as I see it. As if there isn’t enough information on folks already stored away...

My response is basically this: I’ll keep my old trustworthy “Index Finger Safety” weapons, and they can keep their $10K electronic Euroweenie gizmo and place it in an organically-politically-incorrect body cavity...

[Shooter 2.5]

I would hope that 200 water resistance is waterproof at 75 feet. That and the compass looks good. I finally put a dimestore compass into each of my cars. I was lost on a cloudy rainy day a couple of months ago. That’s not going to happen again.

I wonder if I can get all the junk on a cellphone?

[sionnsar]

There are too many dots in the sentence you quoted.
TOO many dots.

Try connecting them. *\;-)

[PapaBear3625]

next thing you know someone will develop a biometrics system in the handle of the pistol itself.it can be programed to only activate for the owner. if it recognizes your prints you fire the weapon, if it does not recognize your prints you then have a glorified and expensive hammer.

The nice thing about conventional guns is that they work even if they've been dropped in puddles, and even if the owner's fingers are muddy or bloody. You can stick them in a safe, forget about them for a couple of years, and when TSHTF you can just grab it and go.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

To call upon the wise words of Robert A. Heinlein.

“No intelligent man has any respect for an unjust law. He simply follows the eleventh commandment.”

Anyone who has a basic understanding of chemistry and a reasonable skill in metal work can never be disarmed for long and woe upon he who forces us to put this knowledge into practice.

[NFHale]

Roger that, Doc...

[Lazamataz]

Only one possible response to that:

GARR

[Candor7]

Besides, its a gun for the liberal "elite" at the price it will cost. ( SHeesh it should be able to shoot around corners at that price.)

[NFHale]

Don’t give the dirtbags any ideas!!!! [Ha!]

Speaking of shooting around corners - look up the German “Krummlauf” (spelling??) barrel for the StG44; curved barrel with a special optic for “shooting around corners”.

Evidently it was good for a few shots before the barrel neede replacement, but they did use it...

[Candor7]

Modern versions here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CornerShot

[NFHale]

Wild...!!!! Grenade launcher too...

I want one...

Wait...

Can’t afford one... There. Fixed it.

[AAABEST]

I would hope that 200 water resistance is waterproof at 75 feet.

You'll find that most watch manufacturers won't use the term "waterproof" any longer for liability purposes.

The PW 1500 is a tough watch and you can dive with it, but if you were going to do a ton of diving (as opposed to just having the watch submerged now and again) you might want to look at Casio's G-Shock line. I have 8 of them. They're extremely tough and divers love them - especially the Frogman.

• Tough Solar Power
• Shock Resistant
• ISO 200M Water Resistant
• Low Temperature Resistant (-20 C / -4 F)
• Full Auto EL Backlight with Afterglow
• Dive Time and Surface Interval measurement function
• Dive time: 1 second increments, up to 23:59'59
• Surface interval: 1 minute increments, up to 23:59'
• Memory capacity: One set of data (dive time, dive start time and surface interval)
• Dive Site Function: Current time in 10 dive sites, 14-character site name, daylight savings on/off, GMT differential)
• ID Function: C Card Number (built-in title, 16 char & 10 digits), Passport Number (built-in title, 16 char & 10 digits), Blood Type (Rh factor/ABO type)
• 1/100 second stopwatch
• Measuring capacity: 23:59'59.99"
• Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time, 1st-2nd place times
• Countdown timer
• Measuring unit: 1/10 second
• Countdown range: 24 hours
• Countdown start time setting range: 1 second to 24 hours (1-second increments)
• Other: Auto-repeat
• 3 Daily alarms
• Hourly time signal
• Battery power indicator
• Power saving function
• Full auto-calendar (pre-programmed until the year 2039)
• 12/24 hour formats
• Accuracy: +/-15 seconds per month
• Storage battery: Solar rechargeable battery
• Approx. battery life: 5 months on full charge (without further exposure to light)
• Module 2422

I wonder if I can get all the junk on a cellphone?

Not sure about apps for barometer, tides, moon phases, altitude thermometer etc., but if you have a GPS enabled phone, there are options for compass and nav tools. There are even some (not many) GPS type apps that only use the phone's GPS funtionality so you don't have to rely on cell tower connection. I have bunch of them loaded into my hacked HTC touch.

Of course for a GPS compass app, you have to actually be moving to get a bearing as opposed to being able to get an azimuth from a stationary position.

That being said, I wouldn't rely on the cellphone GPS for "hardcore" stuff like outdoors, professional, survival or SHTF scenarios. Too many weak links like batteries, connectivity, fragile hardware, elements etc.

The Casio above can go 5 months on a single solar charge without ever getting any kind of light. Normal use in normal light conditions will keep it going for years.

[Still Thinking]

IIRC, NJ and CA have both passed laws requiring new technology on guns so many months after initial availability, but I can’t remember if it’s this owner-interlocking kind of thing or microstamping of bullets fired or maybe spent brass.

[mamelukesabre]

for ten grand, it better grow legs, follow me around, and shoot by itself.

Seriously, I think it’s already enough trouble making sure I have the right ammo. I don’t want to have to worry about getting the right watch too. Can you imagine the confusion if you owned three or four of these stupid guns? Three or four stupid watches...letsee, what watch goes with what gun...hold on mr criminal, I have to sort out my watches first.

[Still Thinking]

Sheesh it should be able to shoot around corners at that price.

If you move your hand in an arc while firing you curve the bullet's path. I know cause I saw it in a movie.

[tet68]

I’m thinking this isn’t going to do you much good
when you only have your deceased partner’s gun.

Ok, maybe your print can be on file but what if it’s
a stranger lieing dead and you NEED his gun?

Another bad idea.

Read some Sci/Fi

The Weapon Shops of Isser.

[Candor7]

BBuahahahahaha...The Matrix ,,,,dodging them......its so easy!!!!!

LOL.

[Gilbo_3]

$10K electronic Euroweenie gizmo and place it in an organically-politically-incorrect body cavity...

dnag, now that was worth pingin ya...BWAHAHAHAHA...