McGrubbs, Do you really think for one minute, that a one inch diffence in where the velcro is placed on your mag pouch is going to allow you to live one more day, when the RPG rocket comes though the passenger door of your Hummer?
I belive that the statistics will bear me out, when I tell you, that almost no one, over in Iraq or Afghanistan, is getting killed because they could not get a new mag out of the pouch, one tenth of a second faster, with an Eagle vest as opposed to a Blackhawk.
This fine distinction, does not really seem to be an issue, with the REAL high speed types, who can be seen wearing both brands of vests and many others, in large numbers, over in Iraq and Afghanistan. No these subtle variations are usualy noted, only by internet gearphiles who wish to stroke thier own egos, by demonstration the depth of thier wallet as opposed to the depth of thier common sense.
I've spent quite a bit of time listening to old combat vets, from WWII, Korea and Vietnam. It's well worth your time, listening to these guys and you can glean a few lessons from thier stories of individual combat survival in wars that lasted quite a bit longer than Desert Storm or Iraqi Freedom.
I have never heard one of these vets, tell me, that his buddy in the next fox hole got killed because he was wearing brand X LBE as opposed to brand Y LBE.
When you say that we have entered "The Golden Age of Geardom" You are quite right, never have their been so many gear related choices facing the individual infantryman. So much so, that we may well have entered the age of Gucci war. Where we, promote a false sense of security in our young men sent off to war. "If you just spend a hundred more dollars on a marginaly better vest, Your life will be spared".
Of course, once our young Infantryman actualy gets over there, he finds that, as I have already stated, "RPG rockets and command detonated, roadside mines, don't give a shit, what kind of vest you bought or how much you spent on it.
Vests and LBS, are usefull for comfortably carrying you "right now" Personal kit around and thats about it.
There are few things in this world more personaly discusting, to me, than a $60.000.00 a year computer geek sitting comfortably in his cubicle, writing WTF posts, over some posted pic, of an infantryman overseas, who picked up a cheap scope or piece of gear, in the hope of expanding his effectiveness or comfort in the field, with the limited funds he had availible at the time of deployment.
He did'nt buy Leupold or Eagle, Well Damn, Excuse the hell out the poor guy.
I don't have any problem with gearphiles, I'm one myself. What I have a problem with, is the class of people, I like to reffer to as the little gear snots, of which there are many, both over here at AR15.com and at LF as well.
You average gear snot, is a slave of the advertising age, and happily gobbles up ANY new item that crosses his computer monitor, as long as it meets the "well it costs more than the other guys, so it must be better test" Then of course he must post of his huge expenditure/sacrifice and write degrading stuff about others equipment, in the misguided belief that laying down more cash, has elevated him to the pinnacle of gunfighting deadlyness and that all the rest of us morons should lick his combat boots, as though he were the warrior equivalant of the second coming of Christ.
I think thats what bugs me the most about the Eagle vs Blackhawk debate. It seems not so much about Eagle or Blackhawk, but more about a handfull of gear snots, who pound their chests and tell us they are greater warriors, because they bought Eagle.
I read their posts and find it hard to belive, these guys are for real. It makes you want to, yell into you monitor "It's a vest stupid. Not a Talisman"
And now, as a little post script Mcgrubb. Allow me to address your "Hey man, if you don't like it, get off the forums" comment.
Your chances of chasing me off of here, with my 1400+ posts are pretty much effectively ZERO. If you don't like my opinions and observations regarding gear, feel free to crawl back over to LF, with your tail between your legs, where I'm sure there are several members, who will dry the tears from your eyes while telling you what a great warroir mindset you have and how much more deadly you are, than all those who are your inferior.
Look to the mod over there. Report to him with wide moist eyes and trembling lip. Tell them how mean and awful F&L37 over on AR was to you and that a great warrior such as yourself has never been subject before, to that level of scorn. point back here and tell 'em the bad man over there was not conviced that you were a combat god and did not tremble at every word of your post.
God it must be awful to be a member on LF and not have everyone you meet FEAR your power and prowess.