I found a source for very low cost surplus IOTV shells, but they do not come with the ballistic panels, does anyone know where I can find the panels?

For that matter; where can I find complete vests?

Check out army navy stores abroad

That's where I found the carrier, but there are just so many of these stores, surely they must have a supplier?  I spent several hours last night digging through websites of about a dozen different stores, there has to be a more efficient way.

Get BALS armor and carrier. Far easier to find.

Or just use a plate carrier

In my opinion plate carriers are the way to go. I speak from real world use / experience. Full armor sucks and imo isn't worth the extra weight, heat (lack of ventilation) and reduced mobility in MOST situations. If there is a threat of shotguns or pistols the full armor might be worth it. But when you are wearing armor you WANT to show your chest anyway. You want to hide the vital, if your turned somewhat and struck in the side front and rear plates didn't help did they? And side plates don't cover your whole side the leave the upper portion unprotected unless you count your arms. You want the attacker to target the armor / center mass.

It's a compromise, and imo the reduced dexterity, heat, noise, and weight are not worth it in most in civilian applications.

The easiest way I know of to get IOTV panels is to join the Army. They will give you some to use for the next several years.

That's the problem, this vest is for a riot/Katrina civil breakdown type scenario in that case pistol and shotgun threats are a real possibility and probably more likely than rifle, and the addition of the soft armor could be of benefit.

Here are vests with the soft armor panels. Groin, neck, lower back, and deltoid protectors are available also and they sometimes have the hard plates. Might be a little more than you are looking to spend though.

http://www.qm-supply.com/products-page-2/body-armor/interceptor-vests/

Also, check Craigslist for the city outside the closest Army base to you.

Those appear to be Interceptors.