What's everyone's opinions? Obviously bare plates are silly but how does everyone fee about just a base coat of anti-spall vs a full buildup? Worth the extra $, bulk/weight and thickness?

It's hard to say. I haven't been able to find any testing done on plates with just a base coat. On top of that each manufacturer may have different standards for how thick a base coat should be, and some use different products for anti-frag coats. There's a lot of variables involved.

Personally, I won't buy steel plates that I'm going to wear without a build up coat. Not worth the risk.

I have a pair of alloy plates for training but do keep them in the closet just in case. I placed old soft armor over the plate front, somewhat for spall and also for cushioning when working out (preventing damage).

Add a bunch of ceramic, then remove the steel.

Haha wish I could afford it, mate. Really do.

Ended up going with the Spartan III+ 8x10s with ATC triple curve and full coat of frag mitigation.

You just spent $260. These would have come to $280 and I bet you could have  found a 20% off coupon that's always floating around.

Highcom

Here's a set for $260 but I'm unfamiliar with the company.

Hoplite

If you looked I'm sure you could find a pair of small SAPIs for around $200

Yep, I got the 10x12 multi curved plates for ~$140ish/ea using a coupon code. And they're level IV protection as opposed to "III+".

I'd make a few Kevlar "socks" to put the plates in before I put them in the carrier.

RMA also sells NIJ Certified (yes on the NIJ list) 06 Level IV plates for $100/each right now. #1155. They're only single curve though :(

Well crap - why were the SAPI/composite plates I was looking at seeming to run $200+ a plate?

I originally decided on III+ because I realistically don't plan on encountering AP 30-06 and was more concerned about more likely threats (close range xm193 / xm855 / 7.62x39... .308 at worst). IV steel sounded way too heavy. Also wanted something not as thick - the ceramic/composite plates I was looking at were .8-1.00" thick and didn't sound much lighter than steel. These plates claim to be 6.1 lbs a pop and .5-.6" thick with the coating which is closer to what I was going for.

I WAS decided on III+ single curve but ended up selling a few things on craigslist earlier that day so I impulsively decided on triple-curve for the added comfort and body shape fit. Didn't realize decent quality ceramics weren't that much further off

I checked the site but only saw 10x12. Do they have 8x10s?

Point Blank Armor sells a Kevlar wrap for plates. It does add some weight and thickness though. My issued plates came with them.

Highcom and Midwest Armor both offer level IV ceramics for <$200, and both usually have additional coupon codes available. Granted, these are not the über lightweight UHMWPE plates, they tend to be 7+ lbs per plate. But that's the trade-off. You can have cheap/affordable or lightweight, but I've yet to find both.

Yup, but still lighter than steel

Just the 10x12 I believe right now