Opinions wanted.

[stinkbug596]

Im thinking about buying this vest, but I dont know if it is worth the money or if I should just buy an entirely different molle vest and invest in my own pouches. Well heres the link: www.evike.com/product_info.php?products_id=28536
All opinions wanted.

[Knief]

The vest is solid. Phantom/Pantac makes great gear. However, it's a pretty bulky design. I found that it got heavy and restrictive pretty quickly in the day, and that new designs like the EPC, SPC, and 6094 offer me much better mobility without compromising my carrying capacity very much.

Here's Pantac's EPC replica with pouches. I use this design and love it:

www.airsoftsmith.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=31_77&products_id=3208

Here's Pantac's 6094 replica. It doesn't come with pouches, but you can pick out your own from the second link below:
www.airsoftsmith.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=31_77&products_id=2986

www.airsoftsmith.com/store/index.php?cPath=31_75

I'd also recommend that you go with a color other than black. Black stands out like crazy in just about any environment. Either a green or tan will look better and blend in better wherever you are.

[Crapshoot]

I've heard from people on the 561 board that the Pantac EPC is unrealistic due to some extra MOLLE on the chest. But I would also recommend against getting it in black (or Scorched Earth if you're Kyle Lamb), it does stick out everywhere.

[Dallas]

While the vest will last you a good while, it's very bulky as Knief said, and black is essentially a sign that says "Shoot here.". I would recommend you take a look around AirsoftSMITH.com. They've got a good variety of Pantac plate carriers, which are made of the same stuff as the plate carrier you mentioned.

[Gimpalong]

The CIRAS, as mentioned, is a pretty big, bulky vest. It's a bit outdated as far as kit development goes. Most companies are now focusing on building smaller, lighter plate carriers.

That's not to say you shouldn't get the CIRAS if that is what you really want, but you might want to take some time to look at some other PCs. If you hop over to our gallery here on MiA, or the galleries over on Arnie's Airsoft you can get a pretty decent exposure to the many, many different PCs available.

Off the top of my head, the following plate carriers are a bit more low-profile and relatively popular nowadays:

MBSS
SPC
6094
Crye JPC
Mayflower APC
Paraclete HPC

Most of these are available as replicas from Pantac, Flyye or other reputable manufacturers.

EDITED: Changed EPC to CIRAS.

[Knief]

Nah bro, the EPC ain't that big. His link goes to a CIRAS, which is freaking huge. I'm satisfied with the size of my EPC.

[Gunny87]

I 2nd the CIRAS being a large and bulky vest. However I had on it one fake SAPI armor plate on the rear, what I'm pretty sure were magazines cut out in the form of a SAPI plate for enhanced weight by the previous owner on the front, a radio pouch with a Toy Soldier replica PRC-148, an Admin pouch, dump pouch, one triple M4 pouch, two dual M4 magazine pouches, and a MAP on the back. And I had stuffed two magazines per pouch so I was carrying a total of 14 metal mid capacity magazines, and at one point when I had my Polar Star I also had an air rig on my CIRAS with a 3lb aluminum HPA tank, and a 3L bladder. So I definitely had a full load on it.

I ended up selling my CIRAS, however I had a lot packed on it so if you have less magazines, and don't use an air rig and tank then you'll have less on it and it wouldn't weigh as much.

I ended up ordering a 6094, triple magazine insert and a smaller CLIPS style hydration carrier, and I did invest in 5 M4 dual magazine open top magazines, however I wont be putting those on the 6094 istelf, but on a battle belt with suspenders to redistribute the weight along with a dump pouch.

[YoYo-Pete]

AT the OP, I like how the price has been slashed down to the same price in that add. I have nothing else to say