In the first half of the 2000s, the American company Eberlestock, a well-known manufacturer of various backpacks and bags for military tactical use and hunting, brought to the market a universal 45-liter G3 Phantom Sniper Pack (36L backpack, 9.8L case). This military field backpack, which, among other things, was supplied by contract to several armies of the world and law enforcement officers of different countries, was created directly for military snipers. And it is with this factor in mind that this element of platform equipment should be considered.
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According to the manufacturer's idea, the design and functionality of the G3 Phantom Sniper Pack should help the shooter conveniently, safely and effectively transport his main weapon without removing the sights, and at the same time have quick access to it. In addition, the design must also allow transporting a set of additional equipment, including a certain amount of drink, food, ammunition, spare clothing, etc. All that is necessary that will allow the fighter to complete the task within 72 hours, while away from the supply point.
The G3 Phantom Sniper Pack has been on the market for almost two decades, and during this time, of course, it has undergone several changes, which were mainly aimed at improving the existing compartments, increasing the overall comfort and reducing the weight of the backpack. Compared to the first versions, which were made mainly from dense 1000 denier Cordura, the now lighter 500 denier rip-stop nylon is chosen for the modern versions.
The abbreviation "G3" in the name of the backpack does not mean the third generation, as one might think, but indicates a place in a series of military backpacks, excluding various branches, such as Halftrack, F4 Terminator, F52 Jackhammer and F53 Tomahawk. So, the G1 Little Brother Pack backpack has a similar design of the main compartment, but does not provide a case for a weapon, or Backscabbard, plus side cargo pockets are completely removable, and is sold separately. Next up is the G2 Gunslinger, which already provides an integrated Backscabbard, but side bays are available separately. After the G3, the G4 Operator Pack, which expands the base volume of the G3 to 77 liters by adding new load compartments and increasing overall dimensions. Plus the G4 already provides a full frame.
The review presents the "well-worn" G3 Phantom Sniper Pack of one of the first generations, made mainly of 1000th Cordura nylon. To organize the interior space, a less dense nylon with rip-stop reinforcement is used. The quality of the backpack is good, but not without jambs, which mainly relate to the "fringe" of raw threads on the inside of the cargo compartments, external protruding threads, mainly in the places where the PALS sling is stitched, I write off as wear from prolonged use. Otherwise, I have no significant complaints about the quality of the workmanship of this particular backpack.
Among other things, it is also important to take into account that the package of the backpack presented in the review is not complete, there is no additional cover, the so-called Butt Cover, which is a valve for the main weapon case. Instead, to protect against the ingress of debris and moisture, a conventional dump pouch was used. The compartment in which the rain cover should be located is also empty. That in general, naturally, carries its own error in measuring the weight of the product.
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All in all, the G3 Phantom Sniper Pack is a combined kit consisting of a versatile medium-sized multi-functional assault backpack and a spacious, protective case for transporting long-barreled weapons, which, moreover, can be used separately by simply rearranging the harness. The system is docked using wide YKK side zippers and two pairs of reinforced L-shaped nylon fasteners with plastic buckles.
To use only the backpack, it is necessary to completely unfasten the weapon case and transfer the harness elements. The shoulder straps are fixed in the central part with two nylon loops and Velcro fasteners. To remove the unloading belt from the cover, you must first unfasten the side stabilizing straps, then unfasten the zipper on the lumbar cushion and disconnect it from the basic black Velcro Velcro. This type of fastening is very convenient, and does not require complete dismantling of the equipment attached to the belt.
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At the same time, the manufacturer for some reason did not provide the same possibility on the backpack, which has a lower zipper closes the compartment of the raincoat cover, but does not open the "tunnel" for attaching the belt. Therefore, in order to fix the unloading belt on the backpack, you will need to completely dismantle all attachments. Which, for me, is at least inconvenient and ineffective.
In addition, the back of the backpack is "flat" and does not provide for damper cushions. All pillows remain on the cover. There is no familiar frame, there is only a tangible sheet of polymer stiffness. The profiled tubular frame, known as the Endo Pack Frame, is sold separately and slides directly into the main compartment. Naturally, when using a backpack with a cover, it is not required.
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The total weight of the presented system is about 3.6 kg. The weight of the backpack with the harness, but without the frame, no more than 2.6 kg, the weight of the Backscabbard gun cover only, without the Butt Cover, almost 1.2 kg, the weight of the case, but already with the harness, about 1.4 kg. The overall dimensions of the weapon case are about 90 cm long, 30 cm wide and up to 8 cm thick. The dimensions of the filled backpack, without a cover, are up to 62 cm in height, 49 cm in width and 22 cm in thickness, if you release the side pouches, the width of the backpack will decrease to 26 cm.
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The design of the weapon case, or the so-called Backscabbard, provides for dense walls with damper filling, a reinforced base that is covered with waterproof rubberized material, and two wide and reinforced transport handles. In addition, on the sides of the cover, there are two response zippers, and three pairs of plastic buckles, two pairs for attaching to a backpack, and one for fixing the Butt Cover. The entrance hole does not have any fasteners, but is complemented by only two loops with plastic buckles, which reduce the dangling of the weapon, and exclude it from falling out when turning over.
The design of the G3 Phantom Sniper Pack is very versatile, except for the previously mentioned nuances regarding the harness elements. If you do not take into account the weapon case, outwardly the backpack looks quite simple, like an ordinary and well-known army-type bergen, but this is only at first glance. In general, the backpack has ten compartments and compartments with external access, multilevel side pockets deserve special attention.
Side cargo compartments have a fairly wide functionality. So, behind the cargo pouches there is a niche with a suspension for drinking systems with a volume of up to two liters. Also, this niche can be used for a tripod, or trekking sticks. If the side pouches are completely released and folded, then it is possible to use a combination of a compression strap and an open bottom pocket. The dimensions of the pouches themselves allow you to place a telescope inside, several layers of insulated clothing, a three-liter drinking system, or a single-person Snugpak Ionosphere tent paired with an inflatable mat.
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In addition to the three-tier side compartments, the G3 Phantom Sniper Pack has a general upper cargo compartment, a front vertical pocket, and a separate zippered raincoat compartment on the outside of the bottom of the G3 Phantom Sniper Pack. There are more than enough opportunities for expanding the base volume. There are plenty of standard PALS around the perimeter of the backpack, plus a pair of adjustable compression straps on the sides.
The main compartment provides one point of access to the contents, while the entrance is very wide and convenient, like a travel bag. The valve itself is covered with rows of PALS-sling on the inside, while it should be borne in mind that the use of this panel will reduce the internal space of the main compartment. Inside the compartment there is a soft partition for convenient separation of contents, a compression valve designed to fix the PRC-117 station, additional rows of PALS-lines, as well as six open pockets with an elastic neck, which are suitable for sorting various small things.
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Subjectively, if we consider the backpack G3 Phantom Sniper Pack, from the point of view of a civilian user, the acquisition of this model is advisable only in the case of really frequent and long field trips, but, of course, not for transporting "large" trophies, for this there is neither room nor the possibilities of the harness. If such outings are infrequent, it is better to look towards a lighter and more comfortable hiking, or more specialized, hunting backpack, which, among other things, are designed for a large load. And transport the weapon in a light case, such as the GearLab Rifle Cover, secured with compression straps of the backpack, or simply on the weapon belt, which will still be.
It is also impractical to purchase a backpack only because of the transport case in order to carry weapons in the car, or carry it from a parking place to a shooting range, or a place of alleged hunting. The same ordinary plastic case with foam inside provides a higher level of protection against moisture, dust and possible mechanical damage during transportation, both of the weapon itself and of the optics.
Thus, the G3 Phantom Pack will be suitable primarily for military professionals, for whom it was designed. Its effectiveness is revealed only with prolonged field use in its complete set, regardless of weather conditions. The possibility of separate use of the cover and the backpack is extremely secondary, and relevant only with the full use of the entire system. Otherwise, it is better to look towards lighter, more spacious and more comfortable alternatives.
For this introductory review, the Eberlestock G3 Phantom Pack military field backpack was provided by specialist retailer Punisher. In addition to Coyote Brown, the backpack is available in Military Green (Olive Drap), MultiCam and Unicam II. Prices start at $ 470, excluding shipping costs.
Source: https://www.gearshout.net/oznakomitelnyj-obzor-ryukzaka-eberlestock-g3-phantom-sniper-pack/
Author: GearShout
