Lots of good information here, thanks folks!!!

Storage in limited space, or hanging temporarily to mess with it.

I know they’re not that popular, but AR500 has a pretty decent sale going on right now if you want to buy some steel armor.

https://www.ar500armor.com/anniversary

Ah, I can image picking it back up over and over would be annoying.

I am sorry to say, but those are some pretty lousy deals when you factor in the cost of having the plates curved, and the "build-up" coat, which are an absolute must.

AR500 are fuckheads for bamboozling unknowing civilians, with they way they market.

You could almost argue that it's unethical to sell steel armor without spall coating.

I got bamboozled by their slick marketing, but after reading this thread I sold my AR500 to folks in need in Seattle for "market value". I then turned around and paid for RMA lvl4 1155 plates (NIJ certified) and Ferro Slickster carriers with the proceeds. Love the Slicksters and looking forward to the RMA plates even if they aren't much lighter than the AR500.

Hell yeah that rocks!

Not sure who’s looking, but the ESSTAC Daeodon is back in stock. I recommend and it’s sub 300. YMMV but a lot of us run them.

Just an FYI.

Can't load their web page right now. Says the address isn't inked to a site... hmmm
Where did you see they were in stock? SKD?

So they literally just did a update and have a whole new website. Same address but some people are getting errors logging in. Try a different browser.

Esstac.com just loaded fine for me.

And in stock because me and 2 buddies just bought them. I think they were saving inventory for the new website launch.

Esstac is good people. And the fact that they’re a local manufacturer is nice too

Late to reply, but a Baofeng UV5R with Abbree whip antenna and extended battery. I have a few different antennas, but I'm trying this one out currently.


Definitely recommend esstac as well. Their pouches are an absolute must for belt setups.

Gentlemen in the know - this newbie is very interested in your opinions on a couple of products from some unorthodox enterprise. Apparently some American company set up manufacturing of PCs and armor plates in Ukraine. (Perhaps this helps to better equip Ukrainian army units in their fight against Russian annexations?).

And they of course sell it here and internationally too. By the look of it - they are made from American sourced materials and designs. Could you have a look at a couple of their offering that caught my eye and let me know how do they look to you? Too good to be true? Or obviously bad?

Thanks!

LPC™ LIGHT PLATE CARRIER

Weight L with skeletal cummerbund and ventilation pontoons <2lbs


SA3U™ LEVEL III+ UHMWPE SAPI

Large multicurve SAPI Level3+ 3.4lbs

I would not assume anything regarding the plates. I recommend searching for reviews - where you watch the entire testing process and judge for yourself.

(Both LA Police Gear and Botach have Level IV plates, or at least did this week).


Regarding the carriers - it's not hard to do this stuff now, and I'm sure they'll be fine. Used to be that Condor MOLLE wasn't aligned properly, or the cheap makers in Sportsmans Guide, etc., would not tape seams and stuff just fell apart. But that's not the case anymore.

Although the plastic quick detach hardware might be low quality.

It's a very slick looking site, and I like how they have the plate options. A lot of it looks like knockoffs of some name brand stuff. But without actual certification it's a risk. But at the end of the day it's personal preference. If you're able to get some plates and a vest and feel comfortable with them that's your decision. With the way things are going something is probably better than nothing.