With the R.A.C.K you
can configure it as YOU wish. The Complete Blackhawk system ships with
the following components :
Chest Harness includes a stash away bib that provides additional space for
pockets; attaches on the shoulder straps D-rings; D-rings also act a base
for attaching any Blackhawk removable day packs, fins, radios packs etc.
Mesh pockets behind bib holds ANPVS-7D, M-24 mini binocular.
4 x Mag Pouches
each holds 2 M-16/M-4 magazine and two 12-gauge shot gun rounds.
3 x Grenade Pouches:
each holds a fragmentation grenade.
1 x Radio Pouch
(saber or similar).
1 x Utility Pouch
accommodates AN/PRC-126 radio or general purpose items.
1 x Canteen Pouch,
one quart with stash-away flap holds more frag, 40mm grenades, or NVG.s.
1 x Leg Pouch
snaps on/off via 2 side-release fasten adapters provides storage for protective
mask or general purpose, can also be worn on a sling.
The pouches are extremely easy to attach, and once fitted they sit extremely
snugly and can easily stand up to the fast mag pulls or used mag dumping
that you usually encounter in airsoft or for that matter real combat. My
current configuration is as follows :
1 x
Chest harness with the bib folded out.
3 x Grenade
pouches.
3 x M16
Mag pouches.
1 x Utility
pouch.
1 x Radio
pouch.
1 x Leg
pouch.
Velcro
or fast release buckle ? Well you decide, the mag
pouches are held close by the velcro while the leg pouch and the saber pouch
has both, however you can choose which one to use as they come with a male
cover for the velcro should you not choose to use it and only use the fast
release clip. I personally use both for the extra added security and comfort
knowing what I put into the pouches stays in there. The grenade pouches
closed with press studs.
Guarder What 1 |
The general
build of this vest isint as good as the Blackhawk’s,
some place do feel like they would rip after pro-longed rough use and could
have done with double stiching. The fit isint as comfy as the Blackhawk’s,
the bib feels a bit loose and a bit flimsy on the chest once attached to
the D-rings and just isint snug enough for my liking. The pouches lock in
a similiar fashion as the R.A.C.K – velcro and quick release tabs.
You
can swap the pouches between the R.A.C.K and as a matter of fact the MOD
is fully MOLLE Compatible, which is not bad considering the prices of MOLLE
kit.
One
of the quite obvious difference is the presence of Shotgun shell loops in
the Blackhawk Ammo pouches and not there in Guarders. The Above is me generally
just looking for the smallest faults I could find because this is that good
a replica ! In reality in my opinion this would last just as long as the
Blackhawk if treated well.
Some
of you might feel that I have not mentioned much about the M.O.D and concentrated
more on the R.A.C.K, the only reason for this is because there is not much
difference between the two, and could easily be mistaken for one another
if, you did not see the other one or if the everpresent and now infamous
badge of Blackhawk wasnt present on the inside of one of them.
Another
thing you might want to keep in mind before doing any future purchases,
which I certainly will is that Guarder
are set to release a whole bunch of products which are identifical to Blackhawk
and other major products on the market at the moment, one thing which certainly
takes my intreset is the M.O.D body Armour, which is a replica of the current
issue Interceptor vest.
PRICE
COMPARISON
Complete Blackhawk R.a.c.k $399.95* (£254.85) |
Guarder M.O.D $135.00* Complete M.O.D with all the same pouches as the R.A.C.K = $252.00* (£160.66)
|
note the above prices are the RRP from the manufacturer’s websites and do
not reflect how much you could get the vest somewhere else or on sale etc,
and they dont include the shipping costs either.
Conclusion
: So which one to choose ?
If
you are on a budget and want to get basically a similiar-ish (not quite
the same) quality kit, which most people wont be able to tell the difference
between then go for the Guarder.
I am
of the opinion that Blackhawk can be imitated, however it cannot be replaced.
Last modified:
Wednesday, May 9, 2001 9:37 AM copyright 2001 ArniesAirsoft