Post by Berdugo on Oct 12, 2006 0:56:59 GMT -5
Airsoft Gear
(taken from http://www.airsoftplayers.com)
With all the Airsoft equipment out there, it's hard to decide what to use, and what to spend that hard earned money on. In writing this gear guide and review, I hope to help you make that decision.
When I first started playing Airsoft, I quickly adopted the 1st, 2nd and 3rd line gear system. This allows a person to "ditch" some or all of their gear but still fight effectively. It also helps to organize your gear, so take a look. No matter what type of gear you use, this system works.
It starts with your first line gear. This is equipment carry throughout the mission; it includes your boots, pants and belt. As well as your BDU blouse, scarf, and hat. It can also include gloves and should always include goggles. Your pistol and 1 magazine can be carried on your pants belt, instead of your web belt, along with at least one magazine. You should also carry a map, compass, watch, folding knife, a small amount of Para cord a small medical kit, whistle and possibly a standard mag or 2 for your AEG. This gear stored on your belt and in pockets, you can hopefully fight effectively for a short amount of time.
Your Second Line Gear is the most important of all your equipment. This should be carried in a Web Belt and H-Harness configuration, a Load Bearing Vest (LBV) or a Tactical Vest; some of the best are from Blackhawk industries. Inside your vest you should have mostly mags of ammo, easily accessible. You can also find room for Demo's, Bug repellant, a small amount of rations, knife and snap-links. Inside most vests. Somewhere should be an extra battery, BB's and Face paint too. A lighter for those demo's never hurts either. Remember, don't load down your 2nd line too much, it is designed to work and fight efficiently
Lastly is your third line gear. This should be stored in a Pack or Rucksack or in my case, a Hydrastorm Hydration system. Inside this should be extra things you don't plan on using too much, or things other people will be taking out (like a bag of BB's for an M60 gunner). A good list to pack into your 3rd line includes water in a bladder (if you use canteens, they should go in line 2) gas, BB's, food, extra socks or clothes and demo's. These are things that may not be needed, so they are out of the way until you do need them.
The purpose for using this system is so that you can ditch lines and still fight. Line 3 could be left behind at a reincarnation, or at lunch of you are finding you don't need it. Line 2 could be left behind if you need to low crawl for a long distance and want to keep those power bars un-crunched and your hi-caps working. I have found myself leaving line 2 and 3 behind many times, but since I use this system, I can count on having everything I need to fight without them.
The Above pictures are what I use. Many people choose to use different set ups, the LBE or Load Bearing Equipment is favored by many military units, I used it a few times but threw it in the closet because I think it swings around too much. I see a lot of LBV's as well. I used this once but also ruled against it because it moved around too much, I finally came to the blackhawk vests, they offer wonderful retention and everything is right where I want it. The vest in the pictures is their newest one, with a green "sniper shoulder" as well as larger adjustable flaps to hold bigger mags such as the AK or real-steel 40 round M16 Mags.
These are some other options, the SOE costs about $300, LBE's vary in price and the RACK is about $250-$300.
So, what set-up is right for you? There are a few questions you should ask yourself. The first of which (you should know this one by now, its Airsoft!) is how much money do you want to spend? You can spend as little as $85 for a fair set up, and as much as…$700, $1000, should I keep going? If you are asking why should I spend $700 when I can spend $100, let me explain. As I said before you get what you pay for. To me, and many other people, that is retention, having stuff that wont swing or twist or crunch, whether you are standing up or hanging upside down.
That type of equipment starts with the Blackhawk Tactical vests, which I have to date, not had a problem with retention, you can crawl, run, jump and ride and these things will not move when they aren't supposed to at all!
Another thing you get with more money is durability. I have see Tac gear rip in the field. You are most likely not going to have this happen unless you buy Replica Gear like some items on Red Wolf, etc. As long as you stick with LBE or an LBV, you should be OK, above that; you get what you pay for. So to find the right gear, take these things into consideration.
Here are some common gear set-ups, All but the SOE gear I have tested (ordered one a few days ago,). I think it is all very nice, but again, Blackhawk Industries shines above the rest.
LBE Set Up
Ranger Joes has good prices for LBE. You can get a couple Mag Pouches, a Pistol Pouch, Belt and Suspenders, Butt Back and 2 Medic pouches for about $85 plus shipping. This is a good beginner set up, and wont fail on you.
Black hawk Industries
I sell my Black hawk vests for between $105 and $115 for Omega Vests. If you are interested in buying from me, look here. Botach Tactical and Lightfighter.com also have good prices. You will be pretty set with a Vest, Belt and 2 Utility pouches for around $140-$150.
SOE and RACK
The top of the line is the Special Operations Equipment and Ranger RACK systems. There have been a few complaints about the RACK lately in regards to durability, but the SOE gear has held strong. I don't have much knowledge of SOE gear, but LightFighter.com has good prices and better service than SOEgear.com.
If you want more information, contact me. Just remember, First, Second and Third line gear is a nice set up no matter what kind of stuff you use. Try starting out with A LBE Set up, or something less expensive. Then work your way up if you feel the need. I hope you enjoyed reading my Airsoft Gear Guide as much as I did writing it, and thanks to Matt and Airsoftplayers.com for the great info site, keep up the good work guys!
Paco B (MAA)
(taken from http://www.airsoftplayers.com)
With all the Airsoft equipment out there, it's hard to decide what to use, and what to spend that hard earned money on. In writing this gear guide and review, I hope to help you make that decision.
When I first started playing Airsoft, I quickly adopted the 1st, 2nd and 3rd line gear system. This allows a person to "ditch" some or all of their gear but still fight effectively. It also helps to organize your gear, so take a look. No matter what type of gear you use, this system works.
It starts with your first line gear. This is equipment carry throughout the mission; it includes your boots, pants and belt. As well as your BDU blouse, scarf, and hat. It can also include gloves and should always include goggles. Your pistol and 1 magazine can be carried on your pants belt, instead of your web belt, along with at least one magazine. You should also carry a map, compass, watch, folding knife, a small amount of Para cord a small medical kit, whistle and possibly a standard mag or 2 for your AEG. This gear stored on your belt and in pockets, you can hopefully fight effectively for a short amount of time.
Your Second Line Gear is the most important of all your equipment. This should be carried in a Web Belt and H-Harness configuration, a Load Bearing Vest (LBV) or a Tactical Vest; some of the best are from Blackhawk industries. Inside your vest you should have mostly mags of ammo, easily accessible. You can also find room for Demo's, Bug repellant, a small amount of rations, knife and snap-links. Inside most vests. Somewhere should be an extra battery, BB's and Face paint too. A lighter for those demo's never hurts either. Remember, don't load down your 2nd line too much, it is designed to work and fight efficiently
Lastly is your third line gear. This should be stored in a Pack or Rucksack or in my case, a Hydrastorm Hydration system. Inside this should be extra things you don't plan on using too much, or things other people will be taking out (like a bag of BB's for an M60 gunner). A good list to pack into your 3rd line includes water in a bladder (if you use canteens, they should go in line 2) gas, BB's, food, extra socks or clothes and demo's. These are things that may not be needed, so they are out of the way until you do need them.
The purpose for using this system is so that you can ditch lines and still fight. Line 3 could be left behind at a reincarnation, or at lunch of you are finding you don't need it. Line 2 could be left behind if you need to low crawl for a long distance and want to keep those power bars un-crunched and your hi-caps working. I have found myself leaving line 2 and 3 behind many times, but since I use this system, I can count on having everything I need to fight without them.
The Above pictures are what I use. Many people choose to use different set ups, the LBE or Load Bearing Equipment is favored by many military units, I used it a few times but threw it in the closet because I think it swings around too much. I see a lot of LBV's as well. I used this once but also ruled against it because it moved around too much, I finally came to the blackhawk vests, they offer wonderful retention and everything is right where I want it. The vest in the pictures is their newest one, with a green "sniper shoulder" as well as larger adjustable flaps to hold bigger mags such as the AK or real-steel 40 round M16 Mags.
These are some other options, the SOE costs about $300, LBE's vary in price and the RACK is about $250-$300.
So, what set-up is right for you? There are a few questions you should ask yourself. The first of which (you should know this one by now, its Airsoft!) is how much money do you want to spend? You can spend as little as $85 for a fair set up, and as much as…$700, $1000, should I keep going? If you are asking why should I spend $700 when I can spend $100, let me explain. As I said before you get what you pay for. To me, and many other people, that is retention, having stuff that wont swing or twist or crunch, whether you are standing up or hanging upside down.
That type of equipment starts with the Blackhawk Tactical vests, which I have to date, not had a problem with retention, you can crawl, run, jump and ride and these things will not move when they aren't supposed to at all!
Another thing you get with more money is durability. I have see Tac gear rip in the field. You are most likely not going to have this happen unless you buy Replica Gear like some items on Red Wolf, etc. As long as you stick with LBE or an LBV, you should be OK, above that; you get what you pay for. So to find the right gear, take these things into consideration.
Here are some common gear set-ups, All but the SOE gear I have tested (ordered one a few days ago,). I think it is all very nice, but again, Blackhawk Industries shines above the rest.
LBE Set Up
Ranger Joes has good prices for LBE. You can get a couple Mag Pouches, a Pistol Pouch, Belt and Suspenders, Butt Back and 2 Medic pouches for about $85 plus shipping. This is a good beginner set up, and wont fail on you.
Black hawk Industries
I sell my Black hawk vests for between $105 and $115 for Omega Vests. If you are interested in buying from me, look here. Botach Tactical and Lightfighter.com also have good prices. You will be pretty set with a Vest, Belt and 2 Utility pouches for around $140-$150.
SOE and RACK
The top of the line is the Special Operations Equipment and Ranger RACK systems. There have been a few complaints about the RACK lately in regards to durability, but the SOE gear has held strong. I don't have much knowledge of SOE gear, but LightFighter.com has good prices and better service than SOEgear.com.
If you want more information, contact me. Just remember, First, Second and Third line gear is a nice set up no matter what kind of stuff you use. Try starting out with A LBE Set up, or something less expensive. Then work your way up if you feel the need. I hope you enjoyed reading my Airsoft Gear Guide as much as I did writing it, and thanks to Matt and Airsoftplayers.com for the great info site, keep up the good work guys!
Paco B (MAA)
