We are always thinking of ways to reduce the weight of our weapons systems, whether you are a real world operator or as an airsoft player. But in doing so, there are certain compromises that we do, remove a weapons sight here, smaller laser unit there, and if these adjustments help reduce weight, they may also help reduce your fighting effectiveness.

One of the weight increasing modifications we do to our rifles is putting all those accessories by the use of the rail system which allows us to make the rifle more flexible in taking these accessories such as sights, laser pointers, tactical lighting. And then there are those batteries which will add futher weight, and without these, all your attachments will be for naught, nothing to power them up.

So here comes with Reset Inc., a company that for over 40 years, has been serving the medical, computer, general electronics, and telecommunications industry. Using their expertise in servicing these industries,they venture into the defense industry for the first time, offering their Reset Rifle Integrated Power Rail (RIPR), which helps reduce the weight issues with your weapons.

The RIPR can be used for Picatinny Rail systems and integrates the power needs of the operators. Rather than have separate batteries or power sources for the weapons attachments, it integrates these into one rail and box system, helping minimise external wiring, and maintaining "co-witnessing" with weapons sights.  With the magazine-type quick battery change, you don't have to fiddle much reaching for the CR123, AAA, and AA batteries on your person to change batteries, and have an easy to reach and easy to install battery magazine.

The top rail that is included in the package have gold plated contacts, which distribute the power throughout the length of the rail, from the front area where torches and laser units, are attached, to the rear where illuminated optics are mounted. These contacts are protected to reduce the possibility of shorts that may damage the electronics.

The magazine battery uses any AA type batteries so no need to worry about looking for another non-standard battery size, and of course, removing other concerns of different battery standard sizes. Since it's a magazine type, you can easily replace the battery just like how you change M16/M4 magazines. If the batteries are rechargeable, Reset Inc. has announced the manufacturers of PRC-type radios are willing to allow the RIPR batteries to be charged with their existing radio chargers, reducing the need to get another set of rechargers. RIPR gives a "weight savings >80% and a space savings of five times the previous figure." It's a compelling proposition.

Only time will tell if this will get wide acceptance in their target markets. Reset Inc. is already working with weapons manufacturers for much better integration of the RIPR. This can work also with airsoft units provided that the replicas of torches and weapon sights still follow the standards being used by the real world manufacturers.