Recommend some minimalist/low profile plate carreirs for medium SAPIs

[Defaultmp3]

Much obliged. Do you have a source for the tencate plates by chance?

I bought mine from AT Armor, who has a stellar reputation over at Lightfighter and the P&S network (Mike is the P&S armor guru more or less), though I'm still waiting on them to be drop shipped: http://store.atarmor.com/ProductDeta...ode=AT-STOP-BZ
Side plates here: http://store.atarmor.com/ProductDeta...-STOP-BZ-SIDES

Chase Tactical also offers them, along with most of the TenCate Cratus line, both with the Cordura cover and with the polyurea cover (AT Armor only offers Cordura on the website, though they might be able to special order if you request), though the 6400SA, along with several other Cratus plates, are LE/military only: https://www.chasetactical.com/shop/b...olyurea-cover/
https://www.chasetactical.com/shop/b...cordura-cover/

I've actually heard that the the Velocity Systems BZ SAs are just rebranded TenCate Cratus 6400SAs; not sure how true that is, as the dimensional specs are remarkably close, though not quite identical, although the discrepancy may just be due to more precise measurements than being different models, and the BZ SAs have M80 listed on their threat protection, while the 6400SAs do not (though I'd be surprised if the 6400SAs were defeated by M80). Either way, you can find the BZ SAs here:
http://store.atarmor.com/ProductDeta...Code=VS-PBZ-SA

I ran a pico carrier a couple years ago and it was well made.

FWIW, the guys at Tyr did try to steer me toward something else, I don't remember exactly what it was, but it was one of their newer products; might have been the PICO-DS. Something about how it had some features that made it for standalone plates, compared to the PICO. I declined, because I wanted the X-frame feature; might be worth calling in and asking about it, as the PICO-DS does have some pretty nice features over the PICO, IMO, depending on your load-out.

With all due respect....the PICO plates are half the price of the velocity for a reason. They don't stop the 7.62x39 API (armor piercing incendiary) Round. That's a significant difference. The decision should come down to whether one believes they will have to face the rounds that their plate is rated for. In other words, pick a plate that stops the threat you will be facing.

I'm not sure where you're seeing me talk about a "PICO plate"; if you're talking about the TYR-HA3/7, the only passing mention I made of them would be in the context of the PICO 6, which was brought up purely due to considerations of plate pocket sizing, not in terms of ballistic protection. In fact, I was talking about the TenCate Cratus 6400SA for the most part, which has been tested to almost the same threats as the Velocity System BZs (the only difference being that the BZ SA also claims against M80, while the 6400SAs don't, though I would surprised if the 6400SAs did not provide some measure of protection against M80).

When in doubt, just go with a stand alone level 4 plate and you will be good to go in any situation. I am LE and I use the Velocity BZ plates for the weight savings as I wear them every day. I know , however , that I'm giving up a little protection over a true level 4 setup.

I'd actually disagree with that to some extent; Level IV plates by definition only have to defeat a single round of M2AP, which means that it does not have to provide multi-hit protection. So, yes, a Level IV plate would probably provide the widest range of protection, but would only be guaranteed to do so for only one round. It would probably be able to defeat multiple rounds of, say, M80, but it's not guaranteed, unlike a Level III plate (which by definition must be able to defeat 6 rounds of M80); the question becomes, is "probably" good enough for you?

[jpmuscle]

I bought mine from AT Armor, who has a stellar reputation over at Lightfighter and the P&S network (Mike is the P&S armor guru more or less), though I'm still waiting on them to be drop shipped: http://store.atarmor.com/ProductDeta...ode=AT-STOP-BZ
Side plates here: http://store.atarmor.com/ProductDeta...-STOP-BZ-SIDES

Chase Tactical also offers them, along with most of the TenCate Cratus line, both with the Cordura cover and with the polyurea cover (AT Armor only offers Cordura on the website, though they might be able to special order if you request), though the 6400SA, along with several other Cratus plates, are LE/military only: https://www.chasetactical.com/shop/b...olyurea-cover/
https://www.chasetactical.com/shop/b...cordura-cover/

I've actually heard that the the Velocity Systems BZ SAs are just rebranded TenCate Cratus 6400SAs; not sure how true that is, as the dimensional specs are remarkably close, though not quite identical, although the discrepancy may just be due to more precise measurements than being different models, and the BZ SAs have M80 listed on their threat protection, while the 6400SAs do not (though I'd be surprised if the 6400SAs were defeated by M80). Either way, you can find the BZ SAs here:
http://store.atarmor.com/ProductDeta...Code=VS-PBZ-SA

FWIW, the guys at Tyr did try to steer me toward something else, I don't remember exactly what it was, but it was one of their newer products; might have been the PICO-DS. Something about how it had some features that made it for standalone plates, compared to the PICO. I declined, because I wanted the X-frame feature; might be worth calling in and asking about it, as the PICO-DS does have some pretty nice features over the PICO, IMO, depending on your load-out.

I'm not sure where you're seeing me talk about a "PICO plate"; if you're talking about the TYR-HA3/7, the only passing mention I made of them would be in the context of the PICO 6, which was brought up purely due to considerations of plate pocket sizing, not in terms of ballistic protection. In fact, I was talking about the TenCate Cratus 6400SA for the most part, which has been tested to almost the same threats as the Velocity System BZs (the only difference being that the BZ SA also claims against M80, while the 6400SAs don't, though I would surprised if the 6400SAs did not provide some measure of protection against M80).

I'd actually disagree with that to some extent; Level IV plates by definition only have to defeat a single round of M2AP, which means that it does not have to provide multi-hit protection. So, yes, a Level IV plate would probably provide the widest range of protection, but would only be guaranteed to do so for only one round. It would probably be able to defeat multiple rounds of, say, M80, but it's not guaranteed, unlike a Level III plate (which by definition must be able to defeat 6 rounds of M80); the question becomes, is "probably" good enough for you?

Mike is a great guy. He's gone above and beyond for me on a few occasions in the past.

I'll probably just roll with the STOP BZ plates then.

[henschman]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. FWIW my plates are actually medium ESAPIs. Yes, I already have them. I'm really digging the Tyr Pico... especially since I don't have soft armor backers yet, and it comes with them. With 15% off it's $500. I like that it also comes with the removable mag carrier.

[jpgm]

Let us know what you end up getting and how you like it.

jpgm

[Defaultmp3]

I've actually heard that the the Velocity Systems BZ SAs are just rebranded TenCate Cratus 6400SAs; not sure how true that is, as the dimensional specs are remarkably close, though not quite identical, although the discrepancy may just be due to more precise measurements than being different models, and the BZ SAs have M80 listed on their threat protection, while the 6400SAs do not (though I'd be surprised if the 6400SAs were defeated by M80). Either way, you can find the BZ SAs here:
http://store.atarmor.com/ProductDeta...Code=VS-PBZ-SA

As an update, I have been told that "[per] Velocity, the BZ SA plates are a 'modified' version of the Tencate 6400".

[jpmuscle]

As an update, I have been told that "[per] Velocity, the BZ SA plates are a 'modified' version of the Tencate 6400".

Interesting to know. Thanks for the update

[henschman]

Let us know what you end up getting and how you like it.

jpgm

Will do. I went ahead and ordered the Pico today.

[henschman]

Got the PICO and it is legit. Minimalist, comfortable, and comes with removable mag pouches for when I want to carry a loadout on the PC. Everything I wanted. Thanks for the advice fellas.

[jpmuscle]

Got the PICO and it is legit. Minimalist, comfortable, and comes with removable mag pouches for when I want to carry a loadout on the PC. Everything I wanted. Thanks for the advice fellas.

The DS variation or? Glad to hear it worked out for you.

Pics man lol

[Defaultmp3]

The DS variation or? Glad to hear it worked out for you.

Pics man lol

Given that he said earlier that the total was ~500 USD after the 15% off, I'm assuming the regular PICO; the PICO-DS would have been ~340 USD or else ~600 USD with the discount, depending on if it was the plain carrier or with the backers.

I got my PICO relatively recently, and while it has some provisions to make it somewhat low-pro, it's nowhere near as minimalist as a BFG PLATEminus or Crye JPC (with my STOP-BZ in my PLATEminus, I could wear my hard plates with a size small polo shirt and not be printing the armor, while the additional structure of the plate allows me to carry an AR magazine next to my pistol reload without printing). Still, probably a lot better than an LBT 6094 or Eagle CIRAS.

As an aside, the X-frame system is pretty damn pimp, really does take a fair bit of the weight off your shoulders (basically anything on the rear plate panel, such as the rear plate or hydration carrier).