Our second night at the IWA Outdoor Classics 2016 was a bit of an improvement. A tiring second day where we did our gruesome job and trying to visit as many companies and exhibitors as possible plus nursing a hangover from all that beer on the first night, we decided to have a lighter evening over steaks, wine and beer. With Luuk of NABV, Ronald of NLAirsoft, Petr and Mike from Border War, it was still a riot and perhaps we were the most boisterous bunch inside the steakhouse. It is always funny to go with these guys and as we after we called it night, we all went back to our hotels still in stitches.

The third day, Dom and I had to split responsibilities and I still need to update stories as I was not able to retrieve my laptop and other equipment when the Messe Press Room closed yesterday with us still in the halls.

Dom checked out optics companies such as Vixen of Japan where he is impressed with the quality of lenses they use in their products as they are clear and with less chromatic aberration. From there he checked what new footwear from the AKU, known for their alpine and multi-terrain boots. The AKU AKU Pilgrim MK2 DS is in use by special forces units around the world.

Tilak is a Czech company that does some well-made outdoor clothing. For airsoft players, they can check out the their Odin Anorak and Trousers which are made of Ventile, a cotton material developed in World War II by the British Shirley Institute for pilots and it is weatherproof.  Even with its long history, it is widely used by outdoors clothing companies and military clothing suppliers with survivalist preferring to using it due to burning and tearing resistance.

There are airsoft manufacturers in Hall 3 as well, though most were concentrated in Hall 7 and 7A which are on the opposite side of the Messe. Here, Dom was able to visit Qian An Precision, which is more known as Double Eagle Airsoft, and LI CHENG Technique Business Company, which actually translates into LCT Airsoft.

Most, if not all, HPA-airsoft companies, had a presence at IWA Outdoor Classics 2016, and it is the first time that we see PolarStar Airsoft as well. Other HPA-airsoft companies that had their products on display were Wolverine Airsoft, Tippmann, and Valken Tactical.

Planet Beta are establishing their name in the guncam segment, and for the airsoft market, they have released the ICU gun cam/tacticam that can be mounted to under rail of most airsoft pistols that have that feature. The ICU records at 720p HD, which is good enough though we hope it could go to at least 1080p even if most compact/action camera makers are trying to introduce 4K to their products.

By 1100H, it was time for our appointment with the Nexo Group. Popular Airsoft readers have been aware of this company since October 2015 when we posted a story about the Nexo Group Python Thermal Mask. At their booth were Sandro and Alessio Bua, the father and son team who created the Python Mask which can be used by airsoft players, first responders, law enforcement, and military (they are creating a version to meet the LE/MIL standards). The Python thermal mask is indeed interesting and we shall be following this up with another story of our meetup with Nexo Group at the IWA Outdoor Classics 2016.

By 12 noon, we had to have a quick lunch as we’ll have to prepare for the Airsoft Meetup, the main airsoft event at the IWA Outdoor Classics where airsoft companies are able to meet the airsoft media and community in one room.

After a quick introduction and welcoming of participants by Ronald of NLAirsoft to the Airsoft Meetup, Eric Gautier, the CEO of BO Manufacture came up to give us a briefing on their upcoming technology for airsoft, the MTO Phantom, an AEG that promises to work for a million rounds without the need for constant maintenance and a responsive trigger. Its noise emission is low that for those who want a stealthy AEG, then they should wait for this to be released.

Up next was RedWolf Airsoft, with Paul Chu, the CEO, introducing two of their presenters, Tim Selby of RWTV and Max Lai.  They started with the introduction of the latest license partner they have RWA, Agency Arms, which they will be releasing their Glock Kit and complete Agency Arms pistol that even owners of RWA Agency Arms pistols can get Agency Arms support. Just as we have mentioned in our first day report, the new products that RedWolf Airsoft have available such as the Marui AA-12 and MWS; the GHK Steyr AUG Gas Blowback; and their upcoming Blank Firing Grenades (BFG).

Chris Punnett of Airsoft Innovations came up the stage without Carlton Chong this time as Carlton had to stay behind as another member of his family is about to join them. Chris talks about their new product, the Cyclone Impact Grenade, as he is happy to announce that there is a huge demand for the Cyclone and they are having a hard time keeping up with the demand.

Gunfire is always colorful with their presentations, and they do have a lot to say, that even managing to stay within the 15-minute limit for presentations is surprise for the audience. They start about the unique GF Point event series, to the products they carry, especially the Specna Arms with the SAEC technology, E&L Airsoft, Armoured Claw, GFC Tactical, and Black Mountain Gear. They did demo about the strength of the E&L Airsoft AR-15 and the anti-tear properties of the Claw Gear gloves.

After Gunfire came the Nexo Group, and it was the first time for them to present at the Airsoft Meetup that made them an interesting company to listen given that their Python Thermal Airsoft Mask is getting some attention from trader visitors.  Sandro Bua gave the introduction on the technology they are using the Python, starting first of using their Thermal security cameras and then shrinking the technology to fit into an airsoft mask. Alessio took over from his father to explain more about Python Thermal Airsoft Mask, which whilst the main feature is its thermal imaging capability, actually offers quite more than that for the airsoft players to become effective in their teams.

Nico Westerhof of Da Vinci Dynamics came up the stage to present their wireless/wifi targets that are in use in airsoft practical shooting. You might be familiar with their products as we have reviewed one of them before.  What made his presentation even more interesting was demonstrating its capabilities at recording shots/hits by having Clarence Lai, the Airsoft Surgeon himself, test the wireless target and Clarence was impressed by it.

Mr. Johnny Pedersen and Thomas Mikkelsen of Action Sport Games (ASG) gave a briefing of their company and its experience in the airsoft business and partnerships with firearms manufacturers to provide airsoft players with products. They also enumerated the compliance of their products to various international standards in terms of health and safety. Of course, they also mentioned their products such as the Wolverine EVO, the Devil AEGs, CZ P0-1 Shadow, and their award winning ASG CZ P-09 Gas Blowback Pistol.

It was the turn of Tippmann’s Sean Alford to present what the company has to offer. The Tippmann Airsoft M4 Carbine as many already know by now can be powered with CO2 that comes with the 80-round magazine or via the built-in remote line  that can use standard airsoft M4 airsoft magazines (read: Marui compatible) in the market.  After him came Jacek Kaźmierczak of SpecShop of Poland and appearing at the Airsoft Meetup for the first time. He gave a briefing on what the company has to offer such as the various brands they carry and their own Arma Airsoft technology that has a product line of upgrade parts for airsoft guns.

Last of the presenters was Josh of Valken Tactical and he presents the various offerings of Valken in the airsoft market, which now includes complete airsoft guns such as the Battle Machine AEGs and the HPA-powered airsoft guns that are powered via remote line to an external tank or via a built-in line with air tank in the stock.

After all the presentations came the awarding of the winners of the 6th Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards. Always a highlight of the event winners present at the IWA Outdoor Classics. The awardees present to get their awards were the following:

• Best Airsoft Retailer for Europe: Gunfire
• Best Airsoft Retailer for Asia: RedWolf Airsoft
• Best Non-English Language Airsoft News Website: Red Army Airsoft
• Best Airsoft Blog: Airsoft & Military News Blog
• Best Online Airsoft Community/Forum: WMASG.pl
• Best Airsoft Event (with over 500 players): Border War 7 - Skylance
• Best Airsoft Pistol (regardless of power source): ASG - CZ P-09
• Best Airsoft Kaboom! Manufacturer (Grenades, Pyros): Airsoft Innovations

Right after the awards, Valken hosted a small beer party inside the Hong Kong room.  It was a quick party where a big cooler full of beer was brought into the room. For those who remained in the room, we treated ourselves to different types of cold German Beer.

The Airsoft Meetup was the biggest so far with more presenters taking time to brief the airsoft media and community with their offerings and upcoming technologies.  Hopefully next year, it gets bigger again.

More photos at the Popular Airsoft Facebook Page. The videos to follow.