Hesco L210 vs AR500 level 3+ LW

[MegademiC]

Both are the same price and weight.
The AR500 advertises 308 while hesco does not.
Hesco advertises 7.62x39 API while ar500 does not.

Any reason to pick one over the other?
Right now Im leaning towards AR500 for the 308 protection.
Thoughts?

Edit- anyone know the thickness of the ar500? Im assuming its .5-.7”... seems the trade-off with the 3810 is thickness for weight?

[omegajb]

Is this the AR 500 plate you're considering?
https://www.ar500armor.com/ar500-arm...ody-armor.html

The pros are it's durability for being able to leave it in the trunk of your car etc and the cost.
The cons are the lead time, if you select multi curve (a must) and the spall protection it says 8-10 weeks.

The L210 is in stock on T-Rex arms, is the same cost per plate and is ceramic.
Ceramic plates aren't dainty little tea cups but you wouldn't want to leave them in your trunk for extended periods.

I'd lean towards the L210's or better yet look at Mrgunsngear's YouTube channel, he's done some reviews on ceramic and polly plates that are pretty impressive and cost less than either option.

Sent from my SM-T860 using Tapatalk

[MegademiC]

Is this the AR 500 plate you're considering?
https://www.ar500armor.com/ar500-arm...ody-armor.html

The pros are it's durability for being able to leave it in the trunk of your car etc and the cost.
The cons are the lead time, if you select multi curve (a must) and the spall protection it says 8-10 weeks.

The L210 is in stock on T-Rex arms, is the same cost per plate and is ceramic.
Ceramic plates aren't dainty little tea cups but you wouldn't want to leave them in your trunk for extended periods.

I'd lean towards the L210's or better yet look at Mrgunsngear's YouTube channel, he's done some reviews on ceramic and polly plates that are pretty impressive and cost less than either option.

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I think its the same just a different cut: https://www.ar500armor.com/ar500-arm...ody-armor.html

This is for something to have forever (no real shelf-life).
I wont be storing it in my trunk.

My requirements:
handle all intermediates, including 193&855.
Last forever
Cost =\<$300 per plate

Nice-no haves:
308 protection
Thin
Light

My main concern is buying from a non-reputable company. I know hesco is good to go, dont know about anyone else.
I also understand I cant get good, light, thin, cheap protection, just looking for the most practical balance from a reputable company at a decent price-point.

[omegajb]

Steel will give you that last forever armor ceramic will say it should be replace in about 5 years but thats a CYA move.

Be careful on plates that are too thin, they can flop around in plate carriers as most are designed to be universal fit the pocket tends to be roomy. There are some tricks to keep it from moving in some carriers.

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[gaijin]

Verify ceramic plates are “stand alone” or not.
I use level lll soft armor with ceramic, rather stand alone or required.

I run trauma pads, or level lll soft armor with steel lll+ as well.

[Inkslinger]

I would check these out also.

https://drmorgear.wordpress.com/products/spall-guards/

The biggest argument against steel is spalling. These combined with the coating eased my mind a bit. And as far as steel being loose in the pocket, with these and trauma pads, there will be no movement in the pocket.

[MegademiC]

Interesting. I was thinking thin for concealability. A pad would negate that.
Im likely putting the plate in a spiritus systems covert carrier.

[SouthernPhantom]

Interesting. I was thinking thin for concealability. A pad would negate that.
Im likely putting the plate in a spiritus systems covert carrier.

Trauma pads are usually around 1/4" thick. They do not add appreciably to the bulk of the carrier, just make the plates more comfortable and fit tighter in the plate bag.

[hotrodder636]

Check out Kota Outfitters...they have the 210s for $300 for a set of two plates. I just picked up some 4401s in shooter cut for my Mayflower APC.

Both are the same price and weight.
The AR500 advertises 308 while hesco does not.
Hesco advertises 7.62x39 API while ar500 does not.

Any reason to pick one over the other?
Right now Im leaning towards AR500 for the 308 protection.
Thoughts?

Edit- anyone know the thickness of the ar500? Im assuming its .5-.7”... seems the trade-off with the 3810 is thickness for weight?