Trends/new-hotness for 2012?

[rob_s]

Perusing the various blogs and posts, it appears that there are a couple of trends from this year's show, but oddly not really being recognized as such yet. I'm seeing quite a few new Brazilian rails (you know, slick), looks like there's a few new cans, and everyone and their mother is putting something out in 300 (but not sure if that's real or just perception due to the 300 marketing machine).

Anyone there seeing any trends popping up across various manufacturers.

[vicious_cb]

Anyone there seeing any trends popping up across various manufacturers.

Yeah, ****ing zombies. I can't believe that even a company like eotech would jump on zombie bandwagon.

That and featherweight plate carriers.

[Ironman8]

That and featherweight plate carriers.

I'm not sure I understand this trend at all...why would a plate carrier be marketed for its "reduced weight"??? I can understand if they were saying that its primary goal was to be lower profile or better air flow for breathability, but once you add armor, pouches, mags, and all the other sh*t people put on PC's, how the hell will you tell the difference in 8oz worth of less material??

[Treehopr]

I'm not sure I understand this trend at all...why would a plate carrier be marketed for its "reduced weight"??? I can understand if they were saying that its primary goal was to be lower profile or better air flow for breathability, but once you add armor, pouches, mags, and all the other sh*t people put on PC's, how the hell will you tell the difference in 8oz worth of less material??

Because manufacturers make more money on big mil contracts than they do on individual purchases.

And "military" is almost synonymous with SOCOM since they're the only folks who actually have money to spend. Also, what SOCOM uses eventually filters down to the rest of the military.

Ounces add up to pounds, whether you're patrolling at 10,000 ft in Afghanistan or working with aircraft (that may also have to operate at high altitude thereby reducing performance)

Nylon is much easier to reduce weight compared to trying to cut weight from things like batteries or anything made of metal.

I spoke to a guy who wanted to change his unit's procurement process so that everything would have a weight listed so that you can do an immediate comparison with all items in a particular category. For example; HK M4 mag vs Magpul PMAG- but this would filter down to any and everything an end user might be using to include the weight of a wrist watch...

[HeavyDuty]

The one I've noticed recently has already been mentioned - slick smaller diameter rails with add-on panels. Look what Troy started!

[rob_s]

The one I've noticed recently has already been mentioned - slick smaller diameter rails with add-on panels. Look what Clark/Hiperform/PRI started!

fixed

[justlikeanyoneelse]

Yeah, ****ing zombies. I can't believe that even a company like eotech would jump on zombie bandwagon.

Can you elaborate on eotechs zombie involvement? A link too it would be nice, Its kinda disappointing to hear a lot of companies are trying to cash in on the zombie craze. I bought a case of Honradys zombie ammo but that was a one time joke purchase.

[ForTehNguyen]

the zombie thing is all in good fun

Why so Serious?

[justlikeanyoneelse]

I was just wondering about eotechs involvement with zombie merchandising, zombie ammunition was fun but seriously some items just do not make sense. Like what would eotech do with their hws? Paint it green and make the reticule a skull and crossbones? I'll admit that would be cool but who honestly has several hundred dollars for just a cool hws.

[ForTehNguyen]

they just replaced the standard reticle with a biohazard reticle

http://www.ondutygear.com/control/pr...=EOTECH-XPS2-Z