Junkie In The Trunk - Issue 2 - 4Q 2008 PART 2 - BT MERC VEST
Accessories, accessories, accessories…
Now we get to the fun part of outfitting the vest. We’ll be picking and plastering the accessories that BT has available to make your vest, not only functional, but your own personal paintball tactical fashion statement. I’ll list the accessories that are available and then commentary on their usefulness or their dead weight factor. I’ll note here that all of the accessories are made of woodland digital fabric and look pretty darn cool. In addition to that, they all attach to the vest with either MOLLE snap straps or Velcro or a combination of both. When BT says secure...
The Grenade/Smoke Pouch (MSRP $10.95)
The Grenade and Smoke storage pouch. Not a lot can be said about these. They squeal form and function. They hold a paint grenade or a smoke bomb. They do their job. Easy, eh? Now, I can tell you stories about guys who like to fall down and roll on their stomachs while they have a paint grenade in their front pouch. Can you say purple neck, face and stomach?
Usefulness Factor – High, if you’re a grenade slinger. Low, if you belly flop like a killer whale.
Dead Weight factor – Not bad for the grenade elite. If you have no interest in grenades, though, the dead weight is high.
The Universal ID Pouch (MSRP $12.95)
This is almost a necessity for the scenario players out there. It has two Velcro strips to attach nameplates or position plates, and it has a roomy pocket where you can store a rag, micro cloth or any small item about the size of a pack of cigs. One of the Velcro strips is on the closing flap and the other is on the bottom edge of the pocket. On the front of the pocket, in the center area is a clear plastic “pocket” that is intended to hold an ID card.
Usefulness Factor – High. Every player who has participated in a scenario or big game knows that it is nice to have a place to put his ID card. Short of having your lanyard catch on a branch while you’re on a dead run and yank yer neck till your eyeballs splooch out, this pouch does the trick…
HOWEVER, please rethink this item BT.
Most game producers use luggage tag sized ID’s. These have an extended length and a clip slot. The existing pouch does not fit these cards. If it went all the way across the front, it would. Just a thought. And a place for a map would work wonders.
Dead Weight Factor – Nil. Even with the puny card slot, this accessory is a useful and handy addition. I’d say that you should count this one as a “must have”.
Radio Pouch (MSRP $10.95)
Again, a necessity for the serious scenario player. If you run com with your teammates, then you need somewhere to put your radio that is easily accessed and protected from impacts and/or paint. Simple, but effective, it is sized to handle just about any radio you can use, short of large UHF/VHF Marine units.
Usefulness Factor – High. This is a “must have” accessory for any player with a radio if he wants to be an effective communicator with his teammates.
Dead Weight Factor – None. Zero. Even if you don’t have a radio now, get it so it will be incentive for you to GET a radio.
Duty Belt (MSRP $13.95)
What more can be said for a belt? Not much. Heavy duty OD webbing belt. It fits nicely into the snap straps that run around the bottom edge of the vest and gives the wearer that “finished” look. C’mon, Dude! It’s a belt, for Christmas’ sake.
Usefulness Factor – It does what it’s supposed to do. I happen to use a surplus belt and it works just as well. But if you’re outfitting a super vest for yourself, go ahead and throw it in.
Dead Weight Factor – Low. It’s a matter of functionality. And a choice as to whether or not to let the belt loops just hang down, cut them off or wear the belt.
Zipper Pouch (MSRP $14.95)
Boy, they make it hard to be illustrative. Why? Because the Zipper Pouch is just what it says... A big, fat zipper pouch! It’s big and it has a zipper. Plus, MOLLE straps in case you want to put more stuff on the front of the pouch. It’s large enough to hold, as BT says, an extra tank. The Zipper pouch is also a nice place to carry 12 grams if you use a Tiberius. The 12 gram holders are typical in having the elastic with sections sewn in to hold the cartridges. You can also store miscellaneous nuts and berries if you have the urge. As I say, “Go for it!” Another BT testament to functionality.
Usefulness Factor – As the Badfinger song said, “If you want it, here it is, come and get it.” If you want a big zipper pouch that could double as a shaving kit on long trips, go for it. But at some point you need to decide how much room you need on your personalized version of the vest. Also depends on if you use 12 gram cartridges or not.
Dead Weight Factor – Medium. This one is a matter of personal choice and need. So, is it a good witch or a bad witch? Which is it, Dorothy! Again, for the player that straps on two T-8’s and runs screaming into crossfire, the extra 12 grams could prove useful. However, afterwards he may be wishing he stored the nuts, instead…
Multi-Pouch (MSRP $17.95)
Let’s say you are a squirrel and you need to store your junk for the winter. The Multi-Pouch would do great for you. But you’re not a squirrel, I hope. You’re a lean, mean paintball fighting machine that needs sensible vest storage pouches! By the power of Grayskull, enter Ben Tippmann!
BT has really done well with this accessory. A clip secured front flap pocket, zipper pouch/pocket at the rear; this pouch will handle all the stuff that you are scared to bring on the field with you under normal conditions. ID, keys, cell phone, etc. You get the idea. Not that you should make it a habit to BRING that stuff on the field; but if you were playing in an area of questionable security. See what I’m getting at?
Usefulness Factor – This should be an either/or. If you don’t get the Zipper Pouch, opt for this one. The Multi is nice because you can separate things inside it. The main pocket has elastic fabric dividers and holders to keep your junk where it needs to be. And it was discovered, after hours and hours of tedious and unselfish testing, that the Multi-Pouch is capable of carrying a 12 ounce can of frosty beverage in either pocket section; just not both of them at the same time.
Dead Weight Factor – Low. Small and utilitarian, the Multi-Pouch can fill the boots of several other pouches, even a radio in a pinch. Example? OK, you’re running in a scenario and the General hands you a radio to use for com in a mission. SEE? And don’t make me throw the coolness factor at you...
NEXT - We'll keep up with the good stuff!
Now we get to the fun part of outfitting the vest. We’ll be picking and plastering the accessories that BT has available to make your vest, not only functional, but your own personal paintball tactical fashion statement. I’ll list the accessories that are available and then commentary on their usefulness or their dead weight factor. I’ll note here that all of the accessories are made of woodland digital fabric and look pretty darn cool. In addition to that, they all attach to the vest with either MOLLE snap straps or Velcro or a combination of both. When BT says secure...
The Grenade/Smoke Pouch (MSRP $10.95)
The Grenade and Smoke storage pouch. Not a lot can be said about these. They squeal form and function. They hold a paint grenade or a smoke bomb. They do their job. Easy, eh? Now, I can tell you stories about guys who like to fall down and roll on their stomachs while they have a paint grenade in their front pouch. Can you say purple neck, face and stomach?
Usefulness Factor – High, if you’re a grenade slinger. Low, if you belly flop like a killer whale.
Dead Weight factor – Not bad for the grenade elite. If you have no interest in grenades, though, the dead weight is high.
The Universal ID Pouch (MSRP $12.95)
This is almost a necessity for the scenario players out there. It has two Velcro strips to attach nameplates or position plates, and it has a roomy pocket where you can store a rag, micro cloth or any small item about the size of a pack of cigs. One of the Velcro strips is on the closing flap and the other is on the bottom edge of the pocket. On the front of the pocket, in the center area is a clear plastic “pocket” that is intended to hold an ID card.
Usefulness Factor – High. Every player who has participated in a scenario or big game knows that it is nice to have a place to put his ID card. Short of having your lanyard catch on a branch while you’re on a dead run and yank yer neck till your eyeballs splooch out, this pouch does the trick…
HOWEVER, please rethink this item BT.
Most game producers use luggage tag sized ID’s. These have an extended length and a clip slot. The existing pouch does not fit these cards. If it went all the way across the front, it would. Just a thought. And a place for a map would work wonders.
Dead Weight Factor – Nil. Even with the puny card slot, this accessory is a useful and handy addition. I’d say that you should count this one as a “must have”.
Radio Pouch (MSRP $10.95)
Again, a necessity for the serious scenario player. If you run com with your teammates, then you need somewhere to put your radio that is easily accessed and protected from impacts and/or paint. Simple, but effective, it is sized to handle just about any radio you can use, short of large UHF/VHF Marine units.
Usefulness Factor – High. This is a “must have” accessory for any player with a radio if he wants to be an effective communicator with his teammates.
Dead Weight Factor – None. Zero. Even if you don’t have a radio now, get it so it will be incentive for you to GET a radio.
Duty Belt (MSRP $13.95)
What more can be said for a belt? Not much. Heavy duty OD webbing belt. It fits nicely into the snap straps that run around the bottom edge of the vest and gives the wearer that “finished” look. C’mon, Dude! It’s a belt, for Christmas’ sake.
Usefulness Factor – It does what it’s supposed to do. I happen to use a surplus belt and it works just as well. But if you’re outfitting a super vest for yourself, go ahead and throw it in.
Dead Weight Factor – Low. It’s a matter of functionality. And a choice as to whether or not to let the belt loops just hang down, cut them off or wear the belt.
Zipper Pouch (MSRP $14.95)
Boy, they make it hard to be illustrative. Why? Because the Zipper Pouch is just what it says... A big, fat zipper pouch! It’s big and it has a zipper. Plus, MOLLE straps in case you want to put more stuff on the front of the pouch. It’s large enough to hold, as BT says, an extra tank. The Zipper pouch is also a nice place to carry 12 grams if you use a Tiberius. The 12 gram holders are typical in having the elastic with sections sewn in to hold the cartridges. You can also store miscellaneous nuts and berries if you have the urge. As I say, “Go for it!” Another BT testament to functionality.
Usefulness Factor – As the Badfinger song said, “If you want it, here it is, come and get it.” If you want a big zipper pouch that could double as a shaving kit on long trips, go for it. But at some point you need to decide how much room you need on your personalized version of the vest. Also depends on if you use 12 gram cartridges or not.
Dead Weight Factor – Medium. This one is a matter of personal choice and need. So, is it a good witch or a bad witch? Which is it, Dorothy! Again, for the player that straps on two T-8’s and runs screaming into crossfire, the extra 12 grams could prove useful. However, afterwards he may be wishing he stored the nuts, instead…
Multi-Pouch (MSRP $17.95)
Let’s say you are a squirrel and you need to store your junk for the winter. The Multi-Pouch would do great for you. But you’re not a squirrel, I hope. You’re a lean, mean paintball fighting machine that needs sensible vest storage pouches! By the power of Grayskull, enter Ben Tippmann!
BT has really done well with this accessory. A clip secured front flap pocket, zipper pouch/pocket at the rear; this pouch will handle all the stuff that you are scared to bring on the field with you under normal conditions. ID, keys, cell phone, etc. You get the idea. Not that you should make it a habit to BRING that stuff on the field; but if you were playing in an area of questionable security. See what I’m getting at?
Usefulness Factor – This should be an either/or. If you don’t get the Zipper Pouch, opt for this one. The Multi is nice because you can separate things inside it. The main pocket has elastic fabric dividers and holders to keep your junk where it needs to be. And it was discovered, after hours and hours of tedious and unselfish testing, that the Multi-Pouch is capable of carrying a 12 ounce can of frosty beverage in either pocket section; just not both of them at the same time.
Dead Weight Factor – Low. Small and utilitarian, the Multi-Pouch can fill the boots of several other pouches, even a radio in a pinch. Example? OK, you’re running in a scenario and the General hands you a radio to use for com in a mission. SEE? And don’t make me throw the coolness factor at you...
NEXT - We'll keep up with the good stuff!
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