SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a leading provider of technology solutions and the market leader in electronic control devices (ECDs), today launched its new TASER(r) X3(tm), the next generation product line of its proprietary ECDs, at its annual TASER Conference in Fountain Hills, AZ.
The X3, which is capable of firing three cartridges without reloading, is the first new handheld ECD by TASER International since the introduction of the TASER(r) X26(tm) ECD in 2003.
The X3 uses a revolutionary Pulse Calibration System(tm) to constantly monitor and calibrate electrical output to provide more consistent effects on the target and to provide enhanced safety over the current proven and widely accepted TASER(r) technology.
"The TASER X3 is the most sophisticated handheld weapon ever developed," said Rick Smith, CEO of TASER International. "The X3 will improve effectiveness and safety over the previous generations of TASER(r) devices while also providing the ability to store and retrieve more information and diagnostic analysis on the use and performance of the device than the X26. While our flagship TASER X26 is recognized as the leading law enforcement tool to deliver a less-lethal response to resistance, it is limited by being only a single-shot system. Developing a multiple-shot capability makes sense to increase officer safety through the ability to recover from a missed shot or even simultaneously stop up to three separate targets. The remarkable technology advances of the X3 will provide more safety for officers and the communities they protect as well as more transparency in reporting and analyzing dynamic confrontations with law enforcement."
Since July 1, TASER International has provided daily reveals of the new features and technology of the X3 at www.TASERX3.com. Several of the key technology breakthroughs noted in more detail at today's X3 unveiling include:
1. The world's first multiple-shot ECD using new Rotational-Pulse(tm)
Drive provides for enhanced officer safety by enabling the user to
recover from missed shots and/or engage up to three targets.
2. Warning Arc -- the ability to arc display even while cartridges
are loaded. Previously, a warning arc has been shown to gain
voluntary compliance in more than over 80% of incidents without
resorting to the deployment of probes. However, this has
previously required the removal of the TASER(r) cartridge to
demonstrate the electrical arcs, which can expose an officer to
danger with a temporarily unloaded TASER device. Now, officers
can readily use the Warning Arc while the cartridges are loaded
resulting in both improved officer safety and suspect safety.
3. Pulse Calibration System (PCS) and Charge Diffusion(tm) Probe --
the PCS constantly monitors and calibrates electrical output to
deliver a Precision Shaped Pulse(tm) that provides more consistent
effects on the target. The Charge Diffusion Probe allows most of
the charge energy to diffuse into the outermost layers of the skin
with much less energy penetrating deep into the body. The
combination of the PCS and new Charge Diffusion Probe design in
the X3 yields improved safety characteristics.(1)
4. Environmentally Hardened system withstands sea spray, rain, dust,
electrostatic discharge, even short-term water submersion.
5. Trilogy(tm) Log system with improved sensors inside the X3 --
greatly enhances the usage data analytics over prior generation
dataports with a variety of sensors that record three data logs:
Event Log records common event data such as safety on/off,
trigger presses, Warning Arcs, cartridge deployments as well
as firmware updates, and time updates;
Pulse Log stores the electric characteristics of every pulse
emitted from the X3 and can determine if the charge was
delivered to a subject, arced into the air as a warning, if
probes missed the target, or even if the wires broke or some
other factor interrupted charge delivery to the subject;
Engineering Log monitors the performance of every key
electrical sub-system within the X3 during events and at
rest and provides alerts to the user if any sub-system is
not performing properly and if maintenance is advisable.
6. Range Adjusted Dual Laser System -- increases officer accuracy
and effectiveness with improved dual laser system which detects
the types of cartridges loaded and automatically adjusts the
related dual laser targeting system for the appropriate trajectory
of the probes.
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(1) The output pulse of the TASER X3 is tuned to 63 uC
(microcoulombs) +/- 10% regardless of output conditions compared to
approximately 110 uC in the TASER X26 with both probes penetrated.
Hence, the X3 delivers approximately 1.3 mA of average current
whereas the X26 can deliver from 0.8 to 2.5 mA of average current
depending on whether the probes are penetrated or arcing to the
target.
More information is available at: http://www.taser.com/COMPANY/PRESSROOM/Pages/default.aspx and www.TASERX3.com.
The U.S. end user price of the full X3 system, which includes the Magnesium Holster and data download kit, is $1,799.95. The company will offer generous trade-in programs for both the X26 and ADVANCED TASER(r) M26(tm) through December 31, 2009 to help our existing customers' transition to this groundbreaking new capability suite.
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International's products protect life. TASER provides advanced Electronic Control Devices (ECDs) for use in the law enforcement, medical, military, corrections, professional security, and personal protection markets. TASER devices use proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative, or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens, or themselves in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force. For more information please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.
The TASER International logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2931
Note to Investors
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements, without limitation, regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking information is based upon current information and expectations regarding TASER International. These estimates and statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.
TASER International assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release. These statements are qualified by important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: (1) market acceptance of our products; (2) our ability to establish and expand direct and indirect distribution channels; (3) our ability to attract and retain the endorsement of key opinion-leaders in the law enforcement community; (4) the level of product technology and price competition for our products; (5) the degree and rate of growth of the markets in which we compete and the accompanying demand for our products; (6) risks associated with rapid technological change and new product introductions; (7) competition; (8) litigation including lawsuits resulting from alleged product related injuries and death; (9) media publicity concerning allegations of deaths and injuries occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative effect this publicity could have on our sales; (10) TASER device tests and reports; (11) product quality; (12) implementation of manufacturing automation; (13) potential fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; (14) financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers; (15) order delays; (16) dependence upon sole and limited source suppliers; (17) negative reports concerning the TASER device; (18) fluctuations in component pricing; (19) government regulations and inquiries; (20) dependence upon key employees and our ability to retain employees; (21) execution and implementation risks of new technology; (22) ramping manufacturing production to meet demand; (23) medical and safety studies; (24) field test results; and (25) other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, those factors detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Form 10-Qs.
The statements made herein are independent statements of TASER International. The inclusion of any third parties does not represent an endorsement of any TASER International products or services by any such third parties.