RAP4 vs. special ops vest?

[centurian]

Hi. Does any one here have a tactical vest? If so, which one and why?

Thanks.

John

[gfgjester]

It's all a matter of personal choice and which features you like. My entire team and I use the Flurry vest. I like the way they are made and fit. The pods and remote pouch (if you choose to use it) are attached with Velcro and be configured infinitely for your rig. Pockets, pouches and useful features. Come in black, woodland camo, digital camo and OD. Check them out at Paintball Vest - FLURRY INDUSTRIES - Dynamic Paintball Gear for the Harcore Player! Line up all the ones you like and compare features and prices. Then go from there.

[tate0301]

Flurry vests might not have all the features that SO vests have but they are very reasonably priced and well made

[Little Bear]

Pap4 'cause it was 40 dallors used.

[atomic stapler8]

If you are tight on money, I would look into GenX Global vests. I won one at a game and love it. It has all of the things you will probably look for in a vest(seeing as they pretty much copied the Flurry)

[Omnicool]

I've use most of the common vest out there, but it's like gfgjester said. It's a personal choice, what feature your want and how much you have to spend. Personally I'm using a custom COP911/Special Ops vest and a RAP4 Tactical Ten Vest.

For the money I have to go with the RAP4 Tactical Ten. The more I wear it the more I like it. Special Ops are great, but my RAP4 seems to fit me better than my custom and it reminds me of what I used in the service. Hope this helps.

Play safe and have fun,
Omnicool

[dead eye Chuck]

I've played with both and prefer the Rap4 over the Opsgear. To me it is more player friendly.

[gfgjester]

To add a few more points. Some of the vests have the pod mounted on the front. Make sure you are comfortable with this setup before you spend money on it. I've had quiet a few customers get vests with the front option say they don't care for them. Seems that when the went face down in the woods, the pods were an unwelcome intruder on their BELLY!

Omnicool mentioned the GenX... It is almost an exact copy of the Flurry. The biggest difference is the rear hydration pocket/pouch. The Flurry will fit a 3 liter camelback and is split with a Velcro divider in case you have a small pack or want to put the pack in the top/bottom and storage in the same. The Gen X has a small pocket.

PCS also make a vest that is nicely featured for a decent price. They have 3 models to choose from; 2 have front pod mounts and the 3rd has rear mounts. I WILL post post that feature. Others might enjoy it.

Cops 911 is gone, absorbed by SpecOps. Was an excellent and durable product. I did a product review feature article about three years ago on the Cops 911 vs. Flurry. I might repost it here for you. It generally said that they were both great vests and the choice was made according to your personal requirements. Oops! I think I already said that!

If you, (or any PBJ member), decide you WANT a Flurry, PM me. I have a special PBJ member price on the vests.

[gfgjester]

Sorry for the double post, but here's the article I promised...

Playing Close To the Vest – The Battle of the Big Boys
By Jes “Jester” Sharai

“Laaaadies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the Saturday Night Paintball Fights! This bout is a fight to the finish in the tactical vest class. To my left in the red corner… in black heavy-duty nylon with a ton of storage… the COPS 911 Tactical Vest! And to my right in the blue corner… in Woodland camo and lots of Velcro…the Flurry Ultraback Emissary Vest! Gentlemen, let’s keep it clean. Now go to your corners and come out with your best foot forward!”

It’s not uncommon for scenario players to play their cards “close to the vest”. But that’s not what we’re up to in this instance. As paintball grows and recreational and scenario paintball players look for new ways to carry and use their gear on the field, we narrowed it down to the two leading manufacturers of the increasingly popular mil-sim or SWAT type vests and made a head-to-head comparison.

Tonight’s Card

COPS 911, less commonly known as Custom Oregon Product Supplies, is located in Mosier, OR, and has been manufacturing custom nylon products for Law Enforcement, Military, Paintball & Airsoft for almost eleven years. Owner, Robert Daugherty, is a fifteen year veteran of Law Enforcement who saw a need for quality custom nylon gear produced in the United States. Thus was born the Cops 911 tactical paintball vest. In addition to paintball vests, Cops 911 produces a huge line of paintball, law enforcement and EMT/Fire services gear.

Flurry Industries is the scrappy “new kid on the block”. Located in Aurora, IL, Flurry produces the Ultraback paintball vest and a line of accessories designed to compliment that product. Owner, Chris Maury, started Flurry about three years ago while still in college. A paintballer since 1993, Chris saw a need in the market for a dedicated paintball vest and created his design from there. They also produce the Flurry Barrel Condom, packaged in a unique box that actually appears to be a real condom. While it may look questionable in the taste department, it does a great job stressing the importance of barrel safety and using a barrel blocking device.

In THIS Corner…

The flip of the coin goes to COPS 911 for the starting position. The vest we had for review was a DBD-1 “Dead by Dawn” pre-configured model of the C.O.P.S., or Component Oriented Pack System. COPS911 calls it the “ultimate scenario paintball vest”. According to www.cops911.com, the vest is based on a top-grade black mesh frame, this vest represents the finest in materials and craftsmanship, built with the demanding scenario player in mind.

The DBD Tactical Vest features:

• Flip-Down ID and Specialty/Role-Card pouch
• Flip-Down Map and Mission Card pouch
• Collarbone Radio Pouch with anchor points for PTT gear
• Double-Layer Breast pocket for squeegee, barrel sock and essential tools.
• Snap-Lock Mask-Hanger (left ribcage)
• Snap-Lock Marker-Hanger (right lower edge)
• Side-Mounted adjustment straps to accommodate all-weather clothing,
from T-shirts to layered sweatshirts.
• Velcro-based team-name and personal name strips (shoulder blades and breast pocket, respectively) with additional Velcro-strip (on flip-down Map/Mission Card pocket) for specialty skill strips such as DEMO,
PILOT, MEDIC, ENGINEER, etc. (Specialty Skill Strips sold separately)
• Platypus™compatible hydration pocket in center of back (water bladder not included.)
• COPS911 custom Interlok™ Velcro-based mounting system, lower front
and rear, that insures NO pod/pocket tear-aways, even in the thickest
underbrush.


In addition to the above features, the Basic vest comes with:

• Two 6x8' Interlok™ utility pockets (shown on the front, lower)
• Two 'Deuce 150' Interlok™ Pod Pockets, (each capable of holding twin
150-round paintball pods combined), two Deuces put you on the field
with 600 rounds!

The DBD Tactical Vest can be customized with any number of additional
accessories, including -

• Two zippered inside pockets
• Integrated Web belt with additional belt-keepers for a positive,'no-bounce' fit.

Extra Deuce 150s, 12gr bandolier pockets, Remote air bottle pockets, utility pockets, grenade pockets, and more. All pockets Velcro or zipper shut-- no more losing pods, props and cards somewhere in the woods!

The DBD Tactical Vest is available in Black, Camo, OD, Superflauge
Game, as well as other Custom Colors (call to determine availability of
specific colors)

Suggested Retail Price on the DBD-1 is $139.95.

(NOTE – COPS 911 IS NO LONGER IN THE PAINTBALL VEST BUSINESS – SEE SPEC OPS FOR SIMILAR PRODUCT)

And In the OTHER Corner…
Flurry Industries entry into the ring is their Ultraback Emissary Vest. From what I could gather, this is the second generation model. Flurry’s website, at www.flurryindustries.com, describes the system:
The new Ultraback Emissary Vest has features that will help you become a self contained one man army on the paintball field. The Ultraback Emissary Vest has all of the same core design features of the original Ultraback Vest: Comfort, Utility, Versitility and Kickass Style, but now they are even better than before.
The new version upgrades:
• Hydration Unit Sleeve - Zippered sleeve to place a hydration bladder. Sleeve can be partitioned off to fit up to 70oz bladders. (Bladder not included.)
• Removable Contouring Foam - The foam can now be easily removed and replaced back when needed.
• Flip Down ID & Card Holder - Chest pocket now has an extra panel which flips down to easily display ID and view maps & info.
• Movable Radio Pouch - A separate pouch made for FRS type radios. Can be placed on the front or back of the shoulder straps.
• Redesigned Shoulder Straps - Shoulder straps now have nylon loops and D-rings for attaching and routing gear.
• Longer Side Straps - Side straps are now longer to fit larger players more comfortably.
• Front Belt Keepers - Now they are there if you need them.
• Larger Tank Holder Attachment - Tank holder is now wider and taller than before. Can easily fit stubby style tanks & tanks with neoprene covers.
• Extended Attachment Area - Easier to reach your tubes and more surface area for tube and tank setups.
• Optional Custom call sign and Team Names - Add a custom call sign and/or team name strips to your Ultraback Vest.
Standard Features:
• Original design made specifically for paintball and not modified from some other application. The contouring design wraps around your body for a snug fit which promotes increased mobility, distributes the weight and helps keep a low profile.
• Modular design lets you configure your setup how you want. Whether you want to wear the packs horizontal or vertical it's very easy to switch the setup. You can also add or take away the tank holder attachment if you want to run a remote setup!
• Interchangeable and Re-arrangeable tube holders.
• Removable Tank Holder for Remote Setup.
• Clip to Carry Your Mask When Not Playing.
• Side Zipper on Chest Pouch for Radio Headset Wires.
• Pockets and Pouches For: Keys, Tools, Money, Etc.
• Padded Design Helps Eliminate the Sting of Getting Hit.
The Ultraback Emissary Vest comes with:
• (2) Tube holder attachments w/ ripcords which can hold (3) 140 round tubes each. (One tube fits in the flip out elastic sleeve.)
• (1) Tank holder pouch to run a remote setup.
• (1) Moveable Radio Pouch
The Ultraback System's (patent pending) modular design empowers the player to configure his/her pack to their current situation on the fly. This allows the paintballer to take as much or as little paint onto the field as needed and remove any unneeded attachments.

(Authors note - The Flurry now comes equipped with a securing strap that fits the vest securely to the abdominal area similar to a speedball pack.)

Suggested Retail Price on the Ultraback Emissary is $89.95.

So that’s the website specifics, according to COPS911 and Flurry. Let’s go with a hands-on player inspection.

There’s a Right, then a Left!

The Cops 911 DBD vest is definitely heavy-duty. The stitching and Velcro panels are of superior quality. Design places the hydration pack inside the vest. The innovative lockdown system for accessories such as pod carriers and remote tank setups is absolutely bulletproof. The pockets are roomy and the vest can be set up in a variety of different ways. If you like a front zipper traditional vest, you will like this unit. In the Ladies Department, this vest is worth considering because of the more complete coverage afforded the breast area.

The Flurry is an “over-the-top” design, well-made with multiple front pockets having zipper access; moveable radio pocket and a huge Velcro back panel that allows literally ANY configuration the wearer desires. Available in camo, olive drab or black, it is for the player who wants to be different from the mainstream without sacrificing quality or convenience.

We tapped the members of the Hired Gunz Scenario Team for opinions and spoke to long-time COPS 911 player-user, Andy “Tippy” O’Malley. Andy gets his handle from being a recognizable hardcore Tippmann fan. His second most recognizable asset is the fact that he is a diehard COPS 911 customer. Andy has been wearing a DBD vest for as long as this writer can remember. “I like the versatility and durability of the COPS setup. It’s easy to take on and off and it holds his mask and gun in the accessory straps”. Paint storage is not a problem with the amount of pods it enables him to carry. As far as Andy is concerned, his COPS 911 vest is the best around.

On the Flurry side of the ring, Hired Gun Daniel “Stinger” Scott gave us his thoughts as an Ultraback Emissary wearer. He sports a black vest. “I like the way it fits and I like the way it holds my pods. I can position the pod carriers on the back in a way that it’s easy to grab them”.

The Tale of the Tape - Ladies & Gentlemen, We Have a Split Decision!

So just who is the clear cut winner in this match? Daniel and Andy each have his own opinion. In talking to a diverse group of vest owners I found that each vest has its own advantages in the eyes of its wearer. All are valid points that make each vest attractive to any player considering purchasing a vest.

I remember the first time I saw one. I HAD to have one. James “Ashe” bell of the Woodcreek Mafia Scenario Team had a first generation Flurry. Ashe would fill his pods and put them in the carrier, then reach behind his back and slap the Velcro on in the most comfortable position to reach the pods. I thought that was great. Then I saw Andy’s vest and started to see the things that were neat on the COPS 911. Again, the final decision can only come from one judge.It has to be you!

The player definitely comes out on top of things here. If your budget is of a big concern, then the Flurry is on the more economical end of the tape. At a suggested retail price of $89.95, it is affordable for most serious scenario or woods players. Construction wise, both vests are put together more than adequately to resist the toughest punishment that any player can dish out. Both vests are available in a multitude of colors, with the COPS 911 even available in MARPAT digital camo. Feature rich and durable, both units have optimal accessories to enable the wearer to set up his own personalized version of each respective vest. Either vest would make a fine addition to any scenario players gear. The choice is yours. Ask Andy, Daniel or James. The winner is definitely you. Consider joining the ranks of players sporting their favorite tactical vest. You can’t lose!

Custom Oregon Product Supplies
P.O. Box 249, 1103 Fourth Avenue
Mosier, OR 97040
(541) 387-2677
www.cops911.com

Flurry Industries
1152 Brunswick Ln.
Aurora, IL 60504
(630) 851-9481
Paintball Vest - FLURRY INDUSTRIES - Dynamic Paintball Gear for the Harcore Player!

(Copyright 2004 Jes Sharai/Paintball 2Xtremes Magazine, All Rights Reserved)

[drewcif]

Ive heard a lot of negative things about both vests in my personal interviews. Most of my team uses JCS vests and seems to like them. I however prefer a Redz harness... Specops = really cool website + questionable gear = great sales equation. Rap4//similar... my 2 cents