Parts of this platform vest have already flickered in several of our previous reviews. The turn came to him to take a place in the center. 5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier, announced at the beginning of 2013, was developed by the company 5.11, which is called “from scratch”, and was initially positioned as a light, comfortable and functional piece of equipment. A number of applied design features really make it so, and below I will dwell on each of them in more detail.
Weight
This is almost the first feature of this tile, which you notice when you pick it up. Reducing the total weight of the product 5.11 was achieved in the following ways:
- Nylon with a density of 500D was chosen as the main material for the TacTec Plate Carrier, which is much lighter than its counterpart with a density of 1000D, but, nevertheless, has a significant margin of wear resistance.
- Abandonment of standard PALS lines in favor of LaserCut cells made with a laser.
- Skeletonization of the cumberbase (side panels).
Protection
- TacTec Plate Carrier is originally designed to be compatible with SAPI \ ESAPI slabs of sizes M and L. Around the entire perimeter of the inside pocket for the slabs there is a Velcro in the rear and front platforms, which provides a tight grip on size M slabs. When using size L slabs, it will have to be glued to so that the stove fits tightly into your pocket.
Covers are also suitable for domestic ceramic-metal plates of the fourth protection class according to DSTU, manufactured by TEMP-3000.
- In the basic configuration of the tile, side protection is not provided, although if necessary, external pouches with armor protection, for example the Condor Side Plate Utility Pouch, which we reviewed earlier, can be attached to the side panels. The fixation of such pouches on the inside of the elastic cumberband will contribute to their reliable fastening.
Comfort
Improved comfort at TacTec Plate Carrier is affected by:
- Flexible and flexible shoulder straps similar to backpack straps of the RUSH and All Hazards series. Thanks to them, the weight of the tile is evenly distributed over the shoulders when changing the positions of the hands and body. In the straps there is a system for adjusting the size of the tile in height, and the hose of the hydration system and / or communication device cables can also be passed.
- Excellent ventilation of the product was achieved through the use of “pillows” made of soft perforated polymer and a mesh lining of 4 pieces on the front and rear panels. “Pillows” are placed in such a way that a sufficiently large volume of air can freely pass in the channels between them. The shoulder straps are made of the same materials, which gives the product a definite plus when using the tiles during increased physical activity, as well as in hot climates.
- Adjusting the size implies adjustment in height (located in the shoulder straps), as well as in volume, the adjustment of which is located below the outer side of the rear platform. It is carried out by cables of the quick-release system and the free ends of the PALS slings of the side panels. Size adjustment cannot be called fast, but after fitting, the tile fits snugly to the body and maintains its position with active movement. Elastic side panels also have a positive effect on this.
Functionality
The design features of the TacTec Plate Carrier do not end there, but also include:
- A quick reset system. In this case, it is implemented using two cables, each of which passes through the shoulder strap and closes the tile structure on the rear panel. The lever of the quick reset system is located at the top of the front panel and can be mounted both on its outer part and on the inside (this option is shown in the photo). A characteristic feature of the quick reset lever is that it can be used to release only the right or left side of the tile, or both sides at once.
- The GrabDrag patented 5.11 loop allows you to evacuate the tile carrier in the supine position, without exerting additional pressure on its neck and contributing to additional comfort and a wider viewing angle of the person providing the evacuation.
- A large area of the MOLLE-compatible interface: 8 columns of 9 lines per front panel, 8 columns of 10 lines per rear panel, 3 lines per cumberband (the number of available columns depends on the volume adjustment). Cumberbang slings are made in such a way that they imply fastening pouches in both vertical and horizontal positions.
- A flat administrative pouch in the front panel with dimensions of approximately 15x15 cm. For cards and other necessary papers, as well as equipment.
- On the front and rear panels, the entire area of the cells made with the laser is similar to a velcro and can be used to attach insignia, moral patches and other compatible equipment.
- Ability to choose one of the currently available colors: Black, Tac OD, Sandstone, Storm Gray.
In general, the TacTec Plate Carrier platform vest causes only positive impressions and can be used both as an ultra-light platform armor and as a basis for an expanded set of armor protection and equipment. A well-thought-out design, improved comfort and light weight of the product will allow its owner to focus on the task and not be distracted by trifles like poorly fitted equipment or lack of space for placing important items.
The 5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier vest presented in the review was purchased at punisher.com.ua.
Source: https://secretsquirrel.com.ua/snaryazhenie/obzor-zhileta-5-11-tactec-plate-carrier/
Author: MAD
