Blackhawk OTV / Comercial OTV covers - Help Needed

[Sabre]

Quick question for the mp.net geardo's and kit perverts (like myself!):

I have a set of Interceptor armour (ie the old OTV, three part armour) and some ESAPI plates and I'm after a comercial carrier to hold them.

So far I've only heard of the TAG Spartan, and the Blackhawk OTV.

I've found a source for a cheap BH OTV, so my question is this:

Does this model of BH OTV carrier hold the old Interceptor armour, or the new IOTV armour?

[Catch22]

Nein, its for BHI own's enlarged BALCS variation, 2 panel. Not suitable for 3 panel soft insterts. Go for Spartan II or a BCS carrier - none of them are cheap sadly.

[Sabre]

Ah, just the man!

I thought so, just doesn't look the right shape. Couldn't get a straight answer from the BH website, thanks!

Yeah, I've seen the spartan II, I'll check out the BCS, but I'm not after spending muchos dineros!

mp.net provides the answer again...

[Vince S]

Spartan I can be found for 125USD on Ebay and quite easily I must add

[SIG2f3]

Heres 2 more as well. Might might be a little pricy.

http://www.veltye.com/inc/sdetail/1863

http://www.awsin.com/productdisplay.asp?Pid=50987

[Catch22]

The Veltye's "Hugger" is a very good design, although price is little over the top for a low profile vest.

[SIG2f3]

Your not going to be to low profile when rolling around with a full size vest. Maybe if you had a plate carrier set up you might be able to get away with it. Also depends on what you plan toload it out with. He also has a multicam version he can make if you call him. And you get a dsicount for military.

[Catch22]

We could probably argue what can be called low profile vest and what not. For me there's a distinction between that and concealable - the latter in most cases is only soft armor with eventual trauma inserts, and its main purpose is to be worn underneath clothing such as shirts, blouses without bringing too much attention - the cut of the concealable vest is generally reduced to lower the weight and printing when worn, its carrier made of mesh and soft nylon etc, often with tuckable skirts at the lower hem. Low profile vest on the other hand is the vest using full standard cut soft armor - such as BALCS and typical hard plates - its just much less bulky, less agressive looking, can be worn under loose outer garments to conceal it. The carrier sometimes features limited PALS webbing, and its usually made of lightweight Cordura (300,500D), it fastens and unfastens simply - there's no need for QR system in most cases. It works well with typical tactical webbing such as beltkits, lbv's or chestrigs. It has a diffrent role than concealable but still fills a gap between concealable and heavier integrated outer vests or typical modular plate carriers.

[lt tahoe]

I have a BCS carrier (slick version) and like it a lot. I had a friend re-stitch the side adjustments so they're easier to handle, but otherwise use it stock. It is far too bulky to wear concealed, of course.

[Catch22]

IBA (3 panel) and IOTV (2 panel) type soft inserts are too bulky to be used with concealable vest, with BALCS type soft inserts worn a size smaller to your normal size it should do the trick - maybe not as well as dedicated cut but quite okay.

[Sabre]

Hi, thanks for all the help.

@vince, I spotted one medium spartan on fleabay, but now I've found the ones for $125. Cheers. I'll look into that!