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The Crye Precision CAGE (Crye Assault GEar) Plate Carrier (CPC) is an alternative to the CAGE Armour Chassis for the user that may not need the amount of ballistic coverage that the CAGE Chassis provides, and can sacrifice some coverage for weight savings. One of the differences between the Armour Chassis and the CPC is that the CPC utilizes unarmoured flanks and an external cummerbund system, and is made from 500D Cordura instead of 1000D. Besides a host of new features, the CPC also incorporates Crye’s new Structural Kinetic Support System (StKSS) that transfers the weight of the CPC from the shoulders to the hips when worn with their new low profile belt.

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My goal at the range was to get an initial/general feel for the CAGE Chassis, overall comfort, mobility, etc and see what changes, if any, I had to make to my shooting style. I’m obviously not someone who uses this gear for a living, but I write from my limited point of view and experience in order to (hopefully) provide useful information to those who might. For this first range session with the CAGE Chassis, I also had the CAGE Shoulder Plates on hand, and the Ops-Core Bump Helmet.

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Back at the 2008 SHOT Show (I missed the 2009 one), prototypes of Ops-Core’s new helmets were on display, along with their Head-Loc Retention System. The FAST (Future Assault Shell Technology) helmet prototypes caught everyone’s attention, as they incorporated a lot of new features and modularity no other helmet offered. Well, the FAST Helmets are finally available, and if I had to pick one word to describe them, it’d be ‘WOW!’. The FAST Helmets take helmet technology to whole different level and have set the bar at a new high.

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This is the Crye Precision CAGE (Crye Assault GEar) Armour Chassis, which is the central component of the CAGE product line. The CAGE Chassis is an evolution of the original (Gen I) Armour Chassis that was arguably the most innovative ballistic vest design that most of us had ever seen when it was first introduced. With its distinctive tire-tread molded shoulder panels and Crye-shaped plates, it is still one of the most unique-looking pieces of body armour produced to date.

The CAGE Chassis has a more conventional look from the outside at first glance, but actually retains much of the original Chassis’s design heritage and features. The predecessor to the CAGE Chassis was seen at the 2007 SHOT Show, and is commonly referred to as the ‘Gen 2 Chassis’. Note that there always have been numerous variants of the chassis, with only a few making it into the public eye. The CAGE Chassis is essentially the same as the Gen 2, with minor differences/updates. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a ‘Gen 3′, but more of a Gen 2.5. Anyways, Crye calls it the CAGE, so that’s what it’ll be.

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Diamondback Tactical has updated their BattleLab line of tactical nylon for 2008-2009, which includes a complete re-design of their tactical vests, like the BattleLab Advanced Warrior F.A.P.C., reviewed previously. Shown here is the R.B.V. Predator ballistic vest, 2nd Gen, which incorporates these upgrades and new features.

The Predator is essentially the non-cutaway version of the Praetorian Rapid Cutaway Ballistic Vest, which is designed for over-water operations. The Predator is for users who do not have a need for the cutaway feature. It is designed to meet the operators’ need for a versatile, modular tactical vest with increased load-carry capacity, mobility, speed and ease of adjustability. It is currently being fielded in the govt, LE and military arena.

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Originally designed for ice climbers and telemark skiers, the Arc’Teryx Military Kneecaps are now available in a tactical black/grey-green colour from the Arc’Teryx LEAF division. At only 5.4oz a pair, there are possibly the lightest hard-shell tactical knee caps/pads on the market. They provide low profile protection for the patella that can be worn over or under a set of trousers.

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With the introduction of their new vest platforms, Diamondback Tactical has introduced their BattleLab Accessory Platform Pouches which are designed specifically for use with those platforms (Praetorian, Predator, AW-FAPC and FAPC Gen 2). All of these platforms have an accessory pocket that comes standard on the front panel. This pocket is inside the flap which lifts up for attachment of the FAR cummerbund. The opening is kept closed by velcro and two snaps. There is additional hook velcro lining the inside front of the pocket. The velcro and snaps provide the mounting base to which the Accessory Platform Pouches attach to, which greatly increase the utility of the pocket.

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Diamondback Tactical has introduced not one, but two new versions of their Battlelab Fast Attack Plate Carrier (FAPC) previously reviewed above. One is the Gen 2 FAPC which is a more basic version like the original FAPC, and the other, shown here is the Advanced Warrior FAPC. The main difference between the Gen 2 FAPC and the AW-FAPC is that the AW-FAPC features special padding and open mesh lining for additional comfort, and is also available with integrated soft armour packages. The Gen 2 FAPC is just the plate carrier, available without any inserts. The new FAPCs are still a low-profile plate carrier designed as a high-mobility platform that’s expandable with the Fast Attack Rack (F.A.R.) cummerbund for additional load-bearing capability.

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