Help with Canadian TV....

[4CDO PARA]

Any advice from Canadian troops on how they have loaded out their issued Tactical Vests would be appreciated. Any modifications/additions? From troops that have been using this for a while, what have you done to compensate for the missing load carriage ability of the old butt pack?
So far I have tried attaching the available utility pouches to BOTH sides and discarding the canteen and holder in exchange for a camelback. I have also rigged bungee to the upper straps on the back for quick access to gear ( rain gear etc ). I have also attached a tiny red LED to the top of the zipper flap and the female end of a small fastex buckle loop to the shoulder loop, the male end being attached to my helmet strap so I can click it onto my vest when I need it to hang somewhere. There still just isn't the room we used to have with the buttpack. What have you guys been doing? :oops:

[scm77]

I don't know if you know about www.army.ca/forums There is an equipment forum there and alot of people who'll be able to help you out.

[RSK]

Any advice from Canadian troops on how they have loaded out their issued Tactical Vests would be appreciated. Any modifications/additions? From troops that have been using this for a while, what have you done to compensate for the missing load carriage ability of the old butt pack?
So far I have tried attaching the available utility pouches to BOTH sides and discarding the canteen and holder in exchange for a camelback. I have also rigged bungee to the upper straps on the back for quick access to gear ( rain gear etc ). I have also attached a tiny red LED to the top of the zipper flap and the female end of a small fastex buckle loop to the shoulder loop, the male end being attached to my helmet strap so I can click it onto my vest when I need it to hang somewhere. There still just isn't the room we used to have with the buttpack. What have you guys been doing? :oops:

All i did was get a civie backpack and keep most of my big stuff in it. To hold me helmet i just got a cheap civie carabiner and put it on a shoulder strap. The back pack is pretty big and on my last ex it actually kept my back warm and protected from the wind while on a 10 hr patrol in cold weather! I like the vest and I dont mind the backpack to compensate for the butt pack. I can even take my jacket for the cold stops in the ORV and even some energy bars or extra socks and etc.

Cheers!

[4CDO PARA]

I considered that, but in my unit we have a tendency to hump our rucks around almost EVERYWHERE with us, nowhere to stow a backpack and if you did pack one in your ruck, you would have to continue to pack and unpack it.... hmmmmm keep the ideas coming, I will update when I come up with something clever.

AIRBORNE!

[DANJANOU]

scm77 is rright, at last check there are several threads going on at army.ca in the equipment and Infantry forums re the TV and it's pros and cons.

[4CDO PARA]

Much appreciated.

AIRBORNE!

[Yeoman]

I just bought a camleback HAWG. works great for me. holds a three L camelback, and is basically the size of a rucksack, so it's all good. I've got beeners on both sides of the vest. there's not really much you can do with the kit lay out, although the way we've got it in my unit is pretty good, so I don't complain. I'm getting the day pack issued to me next week, so hopefully that'll do the trick for carrying a rain jacket and what not.
Greg

[Hoplite_V]

Especially considering Canadian methods, you'll never fit everything you want into the TV. Theres just not enough room.

Unless your going to Afghanastan I wouldn't really bother with modifying it too much. best thing is to do like everyone did with the 82 webbing, put **** into a small nuke bag. that you can hook up to your ruck easily. If your always with your ruck sack just find a way to put the crap in your ruck. Do people here post pictures of their set up?

[Bombtrack]

For now we're kind of in limbo until the small pack system comes out; http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/Chief_Land_Staff/Clothe_the_soldier/hab/2/272_e.asp designed to work with the Tac Vest

I just use my nukebag for extra ****, Ive seen someguys attach the spare canteen and c9 pouch where the gas-mask attachment peices are, but really well all have to way until the small packs come out

[Hoplite_V]

Wow, that looks kinda complicated.

I know it's better to have too much kit than not enough (maybe) but i would rather see the new rucksacks issued then yet another nuke-bag type set up. I have 5 "nuke bags" of various styles (3 issued, 2 bought) and 11 pairs of boots, just for examples. (2 combat, 2 desert, 2 jungle, 3 goretex, DEU boots, winter boots). I guess it will be nice once we get it (and if it works) but i'm happy with my US alice pack.

[Bombtrack]

Wow, that looks kinda complicated.

I know it's better to have too much kit than not enough (maybe) but i would rather see the new rucksacks issued then yet another nuke-bag type set up. I have 5 "nuke bags" of various styles (3 issued, 2 bought) and 11 pairs of boots, just for examples. (2 combat, 2 desert, 2 jungle, 3 goretex, DEU boots, winter boots). I guess it will be nice once we get it (and if it works) but i'm happy with my US alice pack.

the smaller packs are made to be able to attach to the rucksack and TV using the Daisychains on the back

[Hoplite_V]

So the small pack isn't just a backpack style thing like a nuke bag? You gotta piss around with attaching it to your TV and taking it off?
Not sure if i like that idea, especially if you have to take your vest off, take your small pack off, attach it to your ruck, ruck up and move somewhere.

[Yeoman]

hoplite- I should be able to tell you this week about how the small pack works (it's either this week or next week that I get it issued to me)
I'm not even sure how it's going on yet, it's always gotten me lost.
Greg

[Bombtrack]

looks like a backpack with modular buttpack sized packs you can add to it or your TV or your new ruck

[Yeoman]

I had the small pack system issued to me earlier today.
the first reaction I had, is that, the damn thing ain't small. it's basically larger then a camelback motherlode bag. the size of the small pack is 22 liters. it has enough room to accomodate a 522 radio system (which will be a nice, considering those manpacks bite) as well as room to fit some other kit in there as well with a radio in there.
to me; it's litterally a 3/4 sized rucksack. the add on pouches are very large as well.
there is compression straps for the bag as well.
the straps on them are VERY comfortabale; I'm sure they'll feel nice if you're going on a couple km patrol. the padding system on the back of the bag is like you see on most civvie backpacks that are somewhat shaped to a persons back.
the thing is bloody huge; if this was the standard for a rucksack, I wouldn't complain at all. I'll probably end up throwing the sleeping valise on the bottom of the bag and end up using it as my ruck for the two exercises that I have coming up. I'd hate to see the size of the new ruck whenever it is we get them.
a very cool piece of kit indeed, the army made a wise choice for the set up they've got for the bag. I know it'll put my camleback motherlode bag out to pasture for sure if it can take the types of beatings that I'll give it.
I'll give another review after I use it for both exercises I've got coming up.
Greg

[simple jumper]

4CDO,
My friedn put the old butt pack on hthe bottom straps. I dont quite remember how either normally or with some para cord...Sorry

Check your PMs

[RSK]

Ok, If you really want the buttpack on your vest I found a solution. Recently we were told that we have to have our gas mask as FFO so instead of having the chest strap we took the gasmask carrier and attached it to the bottom left side of our TV's you can do this with the old buttpack also.

Here's how:

Look at the back side of the butt pack (pun intended!)

See those two velcro straps

Good!

Run them through those plastic black loops at the bottom of the TV

Velcro that **** on and problem solved.

RSK