Thyrm: The Engineering Behind CellVault, DarkVault 2.0, and VariArc VS
Thyrm is a small American manufacturer whose product catalog is defined by a specific kind of problem-solving: identifying operational gaps that larger companies have overlooked, then building dedicated solutions with the build quality those situations demand. Every product Thyrm makes is designed and manufactured in the USA, backed by a lifetime warranty, and developed with input from professionals who operate in the environments the gear is built for. This article covers three of their most operationally significant products available at Gear Town.
About Thyrm
Thyrm LLC is an American family-owned business founded on the principle that innovative, robust products can make users more effective and more resilient. Their design team brings over 50 years of combined experience developing advanced tools for professionals in high-risk environments, and collectively holds more than 60 patents spanning tactical, medical, and engineering applications. Products include the CellVault battery storage line, DarkVault critical gear cases, PyroVault lighter armor, SwitchBack flashlight rings, and the VariArc helmet light mount family. Every item in the lineup is designed and manufactured in the USA, with no outsourcing of core production. Thyrm backs all products with a lifetime warranty.
The problem with batteries in operational environments is a specific one that generic storage solutions fail to address. Batteries of different types, chemistries, and states of charge get mixed together, lose their protective packaging, rattle loose inside pockets and pouches, or simply become inaccessible at the moment they are needed. The CellVault-5M was built to eliminate exactly this problem, and it does so through a modular insert system that gives each battery type its own dedicated position within a waterproof, MOLLE-mountable case.
The case ships with eight grey modular inserts, each designed for a specific battery format: CR123 pairs, single 18650 cells, 18350 trios, AAA quartets, 1632s, and AA pairs. Four dedicated wells for CR2032 coin batteries are built directly into the walls of the case and are always present regardless of how the other inserts are configured. This means that the coin batteries that power your NVG remotes and small electronics do not need an insert slot of their own.
One of the most operationally practical features of the modular insert design is the ability to differentiate between charged and depleted cells by inverting inserts. A charged CR123 sits positive-end up; a depleted one sits inverted. This is not a cosmetic feature. In low-light environments or under stress, the ability to confirm battery state by touch or quick visual check rather than by reading individual cells is a meaningful operational advantage.
The waterproof gasket seal protects against rain, submersion, and environmental moisture. The case is not rated for prolonged submersion or diving, but for the majority of operational environments including rain, water crossings, and humid conditions, the seal keeps cells dry and electrically viable. The lockable over-center latch prevents accidental opening under the compression and friction loads that occur when the case is mounted to packed kit or placed under a plate carrier.
Integration with the operator's kit is handled through integrated MOLLE straps built into the rear of the case, allowing it to mount directly to chest rig webbing, the back of a carrier, a pack, or any PALS-compatible surface without additional hardware. Battery Patches, sold separately or as part of a bundle, are adhesive Velcro labels that attach to the front of the case and indicate the battery type inside, which is particularly useful when running multiple CellVaults on a single kit.
The CellVault-5M is available in eight colors and patterns, including hydrodipped MultiCam variants. Rescue Orange is purpose-built for search and rescue environments where high visibility matters. All variants use the same durable premium polymer construction and carry the same lifetime warranty.
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The smartphone has become a primary tactical tool across military, law enforcement, and professional security roles. Navigation via ATAK or other mapping software, real-time intelligence via mesh communications like GoTenna, ballistics apps, and ad-hoc comms capability all depend on a functional phone being accessible on the operator's kit. The DarkVault 2.0 was built to solve the mounting, protection, and operational security challenges that come with running a phone in austere environments.
The case mounts directly to plate carrier or chest rig MOLLE webbing using a full mechanical interlock system rather than simple hook-and-loop attachment. The interlock spans approximately four columns of PALS webbing and three rows of height, providing a secure and stable mounting platform that does not shift or loosen under movement. The phone docks into the case without requiring any modification to the phone itself or a dedicated bulky protective case, which is a meaningful practical advantage. Standard slim and minimalist phone cases remain compatible. Cases with kickstands, two-piece top-bottom designs, extended bumpers, or sliding camera covers are generally too large.
There are three distinct versions of the DarkVault 2.0. The standard version is a durable MOLLE-mounted phone case with impact protection and quick access. The Comms version adds a transparent adhesive window overlay that can be removed for camera use, allowing ATAK or similar applications to remain visible through the case without opening it. The Blocking version integrates the signal-reduction polymer construction into the Comms design, providing both screen visibility and electromagnetic isolation.
The viewing window design allows the touchscreen to be operated through the case in the standard and Comms versions without removing the phone. This matters operationally when the operator needs to check map data or initiate communications without exposing the phone fully. In the Blocking version, opening the case activates communications and closes them down again when the lid closes, providing a simple and reliable operational security discipline.
Optional Velcro Accessory Paks consist of two precut loop Velcro pieces that attach to the front of the DarkVault 2.0, allowing ID panels, name tape, or unit patches to be mounted to the exterior. When ordered together with the case, the pak is matched to the case color automatically: MultiCam Black cases receive black Velcro, Ranger Green and OD cases receive ranger green Velcro, and MultiCam and MultiCam Arid cases receive beige Velcro.
Mounting a light to a helmet sounds like a solved problem. In practice, most solutions on the market either lock the light into a fixed forward position, require tools to adjust, or use rail systems that limit the carrier to whatever helmet platform they were designed for. The VariArc VS addresses all three limitations simultaneously through a design that is platform-agnostic, infinitely adjustable through 360 degrees, and mechanically locked in the primary forward position without any tool use.
The attachment method is high-strength hook Velcro, which gives the VariArc VS the widest possible helmet compatibility of any mount in its category. Any helmet with a loop Velcro surface, which includes the vast majority of modern ballistic and bump helmets used in military, law enforcement, and search and rescue roles, is a compatible platform. No rail adapter, no machined interface, no proprietary bracket. The Velcro base provides a small footprint that keeps the mount profile low and clean.
The case ships with both a Picatinny rail section and a Scout mount, either of which can be assembled onto the VariArc VS base using the included allen keys. This dual-mount approach is one of the more practical decisions in the product's design. An operator switching from a Surefire Scout with OEM mount removed to a Modlite weapon light can swap the attachment in the field without purchasing any additional hardware. The same case holds both mounts, and both are in the box from day one.
Picatinny-compatible lights supported include the SureFire Scout, X300, XH35, Vampire, and XC1 and XC2 series, Streamlight TLR-1, TLR-VIR, TLR-7, and TLR-8, the INFORCE APL and APLc, and the Cloud Defensive REIN with Picatinny mount. Scout mount lights supported include the SureFire Vampire and Scout with OEM mount removed, Modlite weapon lights, and all versions of the Cloud Defensive REIN.
Two large openings on both ends of the base allow a retention cord, including standard 550 paracord, to be routed through the mount and secured to the helmet. This secondary retention is particularly relevant for maritime operations, high-movement roles, or any environment where a dropped light represents a critical mission failure. The angled pivot on the base allows the operator to optimize the mounting geometry for a lower profile or a more vertical rotation plane depending on helmet shape and preferred light angle.
The VariArc VS is built from durable reinforced polymer with steel hardware and is rated to remain fully functional through extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, sand, water exposure, drops on concrete, and general rough handling. If the rail-mounted versions of the VariArc with Ops-Core dovetail, Team Wendy, or M-LOK attachment are what your platform requires, those are available separately.
Which Thyrm Product is Right for You
The CellVault-5M is the correct answer for anyone running rechargeable or primary cells across multiple devices in the field: CR123s for a helmet light, 18650s for a weapon light, AAAs for electronic ear protection, and coin cells for NVG remotes. The modular insert system means one case can carry the full battery loadout for an equipped operator, organized and accessible at the moment they are needed. The waterproof seal and MOLLE mounting mean it survives the same environments as the kit it is attached to.
The DarkVault 2.0 is for anyone running a smartphone as a tactical tool on a plate carrier or chest rig. The standard version provides impact protection and quick access. The Comms version adds a window for eyes-on awareness. The Blocking version adds the ability to completely suppress your phone's electromagnetic signature while keeping it instantly accessible when you need it. For operators running ATAK, ad-hoc mesh comms, or any scenario where the phone must be on but its location must not be detectable, the Blocking version is the operationally sound choice.
The VariArc VS is for anyone who needs to mount a light to a helmet without committing to a specific rail platform. Its Velcro base means it works on any loop-equipped helmet, its dual-mount system means it works with any weapon light currently in widespread use, and its locking index system means the light is always pointing where you last set it until you deliberately change it.
