Build An Authentic LBV Under US$200

[Jer-Bear]

I've been searching around for such a thread, didn't find any so I started one. Reason being I've seen some posts around the forum suggesting that some of the repro gear are not robustly built enough and tear/rip after just a weekend of running in the woods. So rather than paying 200 bucks to get a set of repro gear that doesn't come with authentic gear toughness or warranty, why not try and build a kit that's affordable, and still tough. Better resale value too.

We can treat this as a game of sorts, might even be fun, the aim is to build a LBV with authentic gear for under US$200. Prices can be obtained from the retailers found on this thread here:http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=59053 If you find retailers other than from the ones in the thread, please provide a link to said product.

Criteria for the LBV are as follows:
- Authentic Gear, no repros.
- Can Carry at least 6 mags (M4 stanag mags), more is better.
- Can carry hydration unit (built in or add on).
- At least 1 Utility pouch, medium or larger.
*edit: Adding a backpack with hydration bladder capabilities (MULE, HAWG etc) means the utility pouch criteria can be omitted.
- No restriction on Modular/non modular gear - but obviously modular is better.
- Ballistic plates capabilities are optional, but not required.
- Price of shipping is not included - but even better if it is.


* Clearance/closeout prices acceptable, but please note it in your post as the link might not be around for long.
** Cheaper Than Dirt parts are disallowed from this contest They don't ship outside of US anyway.
*** No offense to Huang or anyone, I'm not trying to take business away, just trying to prove that with a little research its not impossible to get affordable authentic gear - albeit not the really cool ones like the CIRAS or Crye vests.

[Jer-Bear]

Obviously I already have a game plan in hand else why would I open this thread.

Here we go.

Battlelab FAPC plate carrier offered by Diamonback Tactical
http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/F...er-P46C85.aspx - US$89.95

Blackhawk Triple M4 pouch (holds 6)
http://www.optactical.com/triplemagpouch.html - US$39.95

Blackhawk STRIKE Hydration Carrier
http://www.optactical.com/hysy1.html - US$35.95

Blackhawk STRIKE Large Utility Pouch
http://www.optactical.com/stlautpowzi.html - US$32.45

Total: US$198.30

[Jer-Bear]

Here's another sub $200 setup.

SORD MFF Rig
http://www.sordaustralia.com/SORD/in...t=1&c=14&p=980 - AU$48.50 or US$43.50

Camelbak MULE
http://www.optactical.com/camelbakmule.html US$95.70

Blackhawk Triple M4 pouch (holds 6)
http://www.optactical.com/triplemagpouch.html - US$39.95

Total: US$179.15

Oh....I thought you meant BUILD. Well, I guess I can play. I built an entire chest rig w/ pouches and I think it cost me three beers and a couple of bucks in materials.

Of course, I could sell it for much more than that

[Drake]

Honestly if you're on a tight budget (like $200) I think you'd be better off getting repro gear than trying to put together something for that price using real gear: in the end the functionality (or lack thereof) will bite you in the ass.

First off all, it's ill informed to just to lump all repro gear into the same pile. There are quality repro items, some parts aren't subjected to as much wear and tear as others (e.g., mag pouches vs. a hydration carrier), etc.

You're using a lot of BHI (Blackhawk) in your setups. While the quality is acceptable (I'd call it "Duty Grade") it's generally considered lower quality than "Combat Grade" (I made that one up, too) gear, like Eagle. Eagle's nice, but it's also really expensive. Your life will not depend on this and the wear you put on it in a year of gaming is probably less than the gear would see in a month of real combat (probably more like a week for most players, who still have pristine gear after several seasons of use). So if you can drop a wad on it, sure, but it's not an absolute necessity.

There's a psychological factor, too: a lot of people (perhaps unconsciously) avoid subjecting their gear to abuse because it's expensive, whereas you don't care as much if it's a cheap item. So in a sense, better gear could potentially be holding you back (specially if getting it really hurt you, money-wise).

As for repros, there are repros and there are POS repros. You really need to do your homework before buying something (there are usually reviews available, but caveat lector you also have to be mindful whom is writing the review).

The bargain basement Chinese clones off eBay usually aren't worth more than what they're going for (shipping not included). Yes, those will usually fall apart pretty fast and functionally probably won't serve you that well. But there is some higher quality repros which are probably comparable to BHI: it's usually made of 1000D nylon/Cordura, features acceptable stitching and is usually a really good (if not perfect) clone of the original. A great example of this was the Guarder FSBE. I have a real issue (SDS-made) IBA, and the quality of my Guarder FSBE kicks it's ass. I just recently picked up a Phantom/Pantac plate carrier, and the quality of the material and built seems neither better nor worse than my BHI MBSS. Flyye repros are also being reviewed as decent (also BHI-grade) but I haven't checked one out for myself yet.

But point in case, you can save money in some cases and still have adequate quality gear, but have a much much more functional setup.

Things like mag pouches WILL suffer a lot of abuse. The vest itself, usually not as much. So you can easily save a lot by getting a good repro vest/armor, but spending a bit more for quality mag pouches that won't fall apart after a season.

[Roughneck]

I built my harness for about 160, bought a used Blackhawk rig and then pouches one piece at a time for 5-15 bucks a piece.

[Farmboy]

There's a psychological factor, too: a lot of people (perhaps unconsciously) avoid subjecting their gear to abuse because it's expensive, whereas you don't care as much if it's a cheap item. So in a sense, better gear could potentially be holding you back (specially if getting it really hurt you, money-wise).

If you're holding back playing cause you might wreck your expensive rig....

You bought the wrong gear.

TAG, HSGI, Blue Force Gear, Eagle and others have lifetime warrenties. That means if you break it in your lifetime it will be fixed or replaced free of charge.

[Capt. Tyco]

Not to mention the build quality on those brands is amazing. That being said for probably 100 dollars more you could just buy an HSGI plate carrier like a Wasatch and not have to buy any pouches.

[Farmboy]

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...ry_Code=MP-RMP

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...tegory_Code=HY

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...ry_Code=CR-ATS

The above three come to $212.98 Close but not under the $200

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...ry_Code=CR-TAG

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...ry_Code=MP-uti

The two above come to $209.98


http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...y_Code=CR-HSGI

Weesatch at $184.99


http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...y_Code=CR-HSGI

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...tegory_Code=HY


The two above for $201.98


http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...ry_Code=CR-ICE

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...ry_Code=CR-ICE

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...ry_Code=MP-RMP

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...ry_Code=MP-uti

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...tegory_Code=HY

Again close at $234 for the above.


http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...ry_Code=CR-TAG

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...tegory_Code=HY

The above for $219.99


All the above have a lifetime warrenty.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Farmboy

If you're holding back playing cause you might wreck your expensive rig....

You bought the wrong gear.

TAG, HSGI, Blue Force Gear, Eagle and others have lifetime warrenties. That means if you break it in your lifetime it will be fixed or replaced free of charge.

Well, for whatever reason, I see a lot of people with fancy rigs who are afraid to get them dirty.

[Jer-Bear]

I play milsim paintball with authentic gear. You can't get dirtier than paintball, unless you play in a mudpit. Airsoft is a much "cleaner" game comparatively. You don't get clown colors on your gear. I switched from paintball because - among other reasons - mud gives your kit character while paint is just....hard to wash off. I can't speak for everyone, personally I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself if I had to be constantly worrying about whether my gear works or whether the straps will break if I do this or that.

I'm not writing off all repro gear of course, if there's a setup that's fairly tough and robust then its not a bad deal. Since we don't really use it on a daily basis. But I've been in situations where I go on a wire obstacle course in the day, and have to patch my webbing with electrical tape at night to prepare for the next day - and this is on "authentic" issued gear. By the end of boot camp I was ready to be rekitted with a new webbing. They better issue me new shit when I go back to my country for reserve training.

Good stuff there Farmboy. Sure they're slightly over 200 bucks, but I'm sure we can forego a few bags of BBs

If we go along with MadMorbius, raw materials for scratch builds anyone? http://www.diytactical.com/main/