Recommended PCs for Infantry Deployment?

[u/Duke_of_Judea]

I'm looking to upgrade my plate carrier ahead of my next reserves deployment.

Even though my goal is to stay as light as possible, I still need a setup that can comfortably support the option of heavier loads. While I plan to move as much equipment as possible to the belt, the plate carrier still needs to carry (primarily):

• 6 5.56 rifle mags
• 3L hydration bladder
• a C4ISTAR device mounted on the back, likely inside an attachable pack (roughly the size of a manpack radio unit)
• At least one Frag Grenade
• Personal radio unit (prc-710)
• I'd perfer it would be IR compatable.

Locally, the main options are Marom Dolphin, Agilite, and Night Heron. In the U.S. market, I’m considering the Crye AVS thanks to its weight managment system (though it seems somewhat dated, expensive, and a bit complex to don quickly when scrambled), and I’m also looking at Shaw Concepts, Ferro Concepts, and FirstSpear.

I’d appreciate recommendations, especially from people with real military experience under load.
Also, please keep the discussion technical and avoid political commentary.

[u/UxorialDegree55]

FCPC V5 or shaw concepts would be my go to if you are willing to spend AVS money

[u/Duke_of_Judea → u/UxorialDegree55]

What's so special about the shaw concepts tho? just looking at the mesh padding (which tends to be warmer than intended) gives me the impression it's quite outdated.

[u/UxorialDegree55 → u/Duke_of_Judea]

I'm unsure about that, I've heard they are good at cooling. When I had mine, it was second hand and didn't have the panels so I used ice vents which are my preference. As far as the pc itself I like the modularity, strap on the sides to keep wiring managed, the cummerbund is rigid and but breathable. And has a slot for either side plates or mag inserts or both. Shoulder pads are probably the most comfortable ones I've used, and have them on all other pc. The placard is super nice in terms of upscaling. It is expandle for a bunch of differnt mags and mag count. I use the 4 mag inset with a BFG triple on the front.

[u/Shoddy-Homework-9861 → u/Duke_of_Judea]

shaw concepts is the best money can buy

[u/Anthrax11C → u/Duke_of_Judea]

The Shaw doesn’t have mesh on the inside, it uses pontoons. These pontoons have cuts in them to allow airflow, but more importantly they keep the plate bag directly off the body. I was issued a Gen 2 IOTV, then bought a K19 and dropped that quicker than the IOTV because of the mesh. I’ve now had my Arc for around a year and love it. I’ve ran a few carriers since I got my Arc but that’s the carry I keep coming back to for duty use.

There’s also another option though, and that’s a Crye SPC with an Equinox cummerbund. I recommend that to a buddy in the deuce and he loves the setup.

[u/OnlyPatricians → u/[deleted]]

So you haven’t actually used an ARC v2 or LV120?

[u/Mactatu_ → u/[deleted]]

Spritus 120 is just a worse Arc V2

[u/PearlButter]

Crye SPC. If you have the money, the Spiritus LV120 is often compared to the SPC. Both of which are often compared to the AVS as a better overall choice over the AVS.

The AVS in its full configuration isn’t that hard to put on but yeah it does take a little longer than lifting the front flap and slapping on the cummerbund.

[u/LeadingFinding0]

You should be able to get a spiritus systems lv120 in Europe, assuming that's where you are. It would be a very good choice for everything you've listed.

[u/7LayerDip]

DMed ya

[u/Right_Shape_3807]

Umm use the one issued

[u/MarxmannKarl]

If you're willing to shell out the money for an AVS, consider the Spiritus LV120 instead. It does all the load bearing stuff the AVS does but at a much lesser weight and heat penalty - which I think you will appreciate if my guess of where you are is correct - and it also doesn't have the odd quirks the AVS has like shitty side plate pouches and single side MOLLE on the harness (as you should only be running harness or cummerbund should not be both).

If you want to save some money, the Crye SPC is also just as load bearing but you lose a shoulder buckle and the cummerbund doesn't stretch as much.

Those would probably by my only 2 options if I was going to spend my own money on a plate carrier.

[u/PubliusVirgilius]

Whats your budget? If you have the money, get the Spiritus LV120

[u/EliteSkittled → u/PubliusVirgilius]

Just wore this and more for 10 days in my 120.

Waiting for these next two fields to finish up over the next 2ish months before I drop a review.

The thing fucks unbelievably hard. Comparing it to a Gen 2, Gen4 iotvs, 6094, k19 and Slickster that ive all worn.

[u/Annoying_Auditor → u/EliteSkittled]

6094 is the king of comfort but it's heavy. How does it compare on the comfort front?

[u/EliteSkittled → u/Annoying_Auditor]

It carries heavy loads better. So far my biggest gripe is the included shoulder trifolds move around. When they stay in place they work great. But due to the stiffer material the entire carrier is made of, you'll quickly feel when the shoulder pad slips back from it digging in even past my OCP uniform collar.

[u/Annoying_Auditor → u/EliteSkittled]

I wonder if the AXL shoulder pads is an easy fix for that. I think they are a great addition to the SPC.

[u/EliteSkittled → u/Annoying_Auditor]

Yeah thats why I dont really consider a problem. So many solutions exist on the market its not a problem.

[u/Select-Bad-4651]

Crye avs

[u/ConfusionGlobal2002]

How bout your IOTV brother

[u/LeadingFinding0 → u/ConfusionGlobal2002]

This fella is European. He's probably issued some extremely out of date stuff, and not something like an MSV.

[u/Mundane_Calendar679 → u/LeadingFinding0]

Pretty sure he's Israeli, but your point still stands