Let`s get to some written loadout info!

This Gentlemen is an USMC Infantry Corpsman:

He gave interesting information about his loadout that changed a lot from the beginning of his tour to end. This is another good example that theory on paper and heavy usage of gear in combat differs very much!

In the beginning he loaded up everything he could ever attach, carry, or mount. At the end just the bare essentials. The Eagle plate carrier was recommended without hesitation as a great piece of kit. He started with 8 mags and at the end it was only 4! Talking about frags: started with two, at the end it was 0. Same with smoke. What worked best for him was 3L water, med gear, 4 mags, and a couple of odds and ends, but as little as possible.

He said that a lot of guys carried hand grenades at first. At the end of their tour not a single person carried one! Just as carrying an M9 made no sense for him at all, too! Not once did he ever carried a pistol and not once he wished he had… (but I LOVE MY MARUI M9!!! )

I think that`s pretty interesting info, especially that he states that the closest he got to the enemy was about 100 meters. Non the less, on every patrol there were at least 2-3 frags.

Unfortunately there have been no more pictures (or info) of his loadout, especially some showing his gear at the end of his tour (all pics are from the beginning!).

I hope you did enjoy this litte post as much as i did. Suddenly I am infected with the USMC virus, so i will continue with more infos about USMC gear in action, soon!

And then we had Modern Warfare X with all that crazy dot versions, stupid colors and ugly modding possiblities that is still so fuckin` uncool. It`s not Geardo, it`s for d4 y0uNgst3rz, only!

And then it was January again and another Shot Show started. I am a great fan of this giant fair and was happy to see all that new offerings, video blogs, interviews, tons of pictures and discussions everywhere about new gear and amazing things to come.

And now the circle has closed. Eotech in a XPS2-Z Zombie Edition?

CoD MW3? WTF!

On one hand it`s funny and entertaining, on the other hand pretty cheap, isn`t it?

It`s time for another poll! What do you think about it?

Have fun!

Today i answered the doorbell:

Front print:

Back print:

NYPD shirt #1 with logo on arm (back is plain):

NYPD shirt #2 with logo on left chest and large Police print on back:

These tees are pretty basic but i enjoy them because of their low price tag and good quality. BTW, you can never have enough t-shirts, isn`t it?

So, what do you wear Summer 2012?

Kelty Products (in the business since 1952!) have a good reputation throughout many communities, e.g. backpacking, hiking, sports, military, law enforcement etc., so i decided to pick up a Kelty 1800 Peregrine backpack, because of its bargain price (officially they are selling for US $90.00 but on Egay they are available for around US $40.00) and cool looks.

Kelty 1800 Peregrine Backpack Data:

Kelty Tactical Products are most famous for its 3500 MAP backpack that can be seen in use by US Soldiers in A`Stan for years. I thought about getting this one, but i wanted to buy something smaller, a nice daypack for carrying a laptop, a rainjacket and other smaller gear for fighting my everyday megacity struggle. On the other hand, i already own so much backpacks that this one is absolutely unnecessary, but it`s a new year and as a Geardo i need something fresh for the new gear-season!

It`s 2012 and everybody is talking about the end of the world. If so, should i really life my last year with an old backpack?

First i thought about which color to take. It`s not an easy task if you have to judge colors by pictures on the internet only (you`ll see below!).
Coyote looked quiet nice but i had 3 coyote packs already.
Black is a classic but without any PALS, it`s too conventionally looking for me.
Tan was the third option which was rather interesting, because not many companies are into Tan colors any more. After some research i decided Tan to be too light (perhaps), so i sticked to the good old coyote version (a bit boring, but a sure shot).

Don`t get confused by the colors – it`s 100% COYOTE!
Lighting conditons are very annoying due to bad weather conditions today!

The pack is brand new and i used it for a few days only, but i really like it so far.
Overall carrying capacity is good and i underestimated it in the first place.
The straps are fine and everything can be adjusted easily.

The waist strap (non removable) is more like a “in an emergency case strap”, resulting from its undersized dimensions:

Opening on top back for bladder tubes etc.:

Bottom:

Side-Mesh-Pockets (here with 1L Nalgene Bottle):

Let`s take a look at the different compartments.
The first one is the most outer one that can easily hold an handgun like a P226 plus two M4 magazines without being crammed.
The green line pictures the overall dimensions of the compartment:

The next one can be zippered open nicely! There is a regular admin layout feat. many small pouches and a lanyard like you`ll see in the photograph:

There is also a hand-sized compartment made out of fleecy material – perfect for goggles, cameras and other important stuff:

Main storage compartment with typical hydration bladder space:

The curved bar which goes around down to the bottom (visible above the tube opening) is giving the backpack overall stability and form. Not a good substitute for a frame sheet insert but better then nothing.

At the end i`d like to say that i really enjoy this pack so far and recommend this little punk to everybody looking for a new and affordable backpack! With the street price of around US$ 40.00 you can`t make a mistake and don`t forget it is lightweight, versatile and not a fuckin ugly mainstream-ish Eastpak!

Is it really love?

Let us begin examining the gear that a member of the Canadian Army Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) has used in Afghanistan in 2008.

Let`s check out his guns and NVG: (click to enlarge all pictures!)

- C8 Flat-Top, Heavy-Barrel Carbine
- Magpul CTR stock with rubber buttplate
- Magpul MIAD pistol grip
- Magpul Enhanced Trigger Guard
- GG&G MAD BUIS
- Spectre MOUT single-point sling
- JLD Enterprises Gen 1 Redi-Mag
- Magpul Ranger Plates
- Insight Technologies MX3 Tactical IIluminator (issued item)
- Trijicon Accupoint TR-21R 1.25-4x scope with Larue Tactical SPR 1.5 QD mount
- Knights Armament RIS (unit-issued) with Magpul Rail Ladders
- Tango Down VFG
- PAQ 4 IR LAD
- Marconi Personal Role Radio remote switch

- Inglis GP-35 Hi-Power 9mm Pistol:
- Aussie-issue Mk III grip panels
- Aussie-issue Mk III ambi safety
- Blackhawk lanyard

- AN/PVS 14 Night Vision Monocle & helmet mount

Most of the carbine accessories are personal purchases, but there were no complaints as the various bits and pieces are simply bolt-ons, vice permanent modifications.

- Canadian Gallet helmet with CADPAT AR cover, TAG  strobe, IR helmet band, IR reflective patch, Petzl Tactikka headlamp, AN/PVS night-vision monocle
- Pacific Safety Products Gen 3 frag vest with CADPAT AR cover and SAPI plates
- Revision ballistic eyewear (issued with clear, smoke and yellow lenses)
- Whitewater DC 786 gloves
- Blackhawk knee pads (not shown in picture)

The 2nd line rig (based on TT 2-Piece MAV with X-Harness and Centre Adaptor) is non-issued but approved for wear as part of an ongoing Canadian Army “Operational Load-Carriage Trial” (Year 2008).

- HSGI quad mag pouch with raised rear carrier
- PX Gerber knife
- TT Admin Pouch
- Maxpedition Medium RollyPoly
- TT Nalgene Pouch with custom Molle & attached Single Frag Pouch
- Solingen CAN 2000 C7/C8 bayonet
- Camelback 3L Thermoback with CADPAT AR Cover
- C8 Cleaning Kit
- TT Large Utility Pouch with attached Single Frag Pouch & Single Smoke Pouch
- TT Single Smoke Pouch
- TT Flashlight/ Multi Tool Pouch
- TT Single Mag Shingle with Double Pistol Mag Pouch (used as rig holster)
- Blackhawk Pistol Lanyard
- HSGI quad mag pouch with raised rear carrier
- Marconi-Selenia H4855 Personal Role Radio,
- Garmin Legend C GPS,
- Surefire EP3 ear-plugs
- TT Single Mag Shingle behind HSGI Quad Pouch (not shown in picture)

Let`s take a closer look!

- PX Gerber knife
- Staedler map-marking pens
- 4 x 28-rd mags loaded with 3 x tracer on bottom, 3 x tracer on top
- OMLT tactical Aide-Memoire,
- Spare AA and Surefire batteries,
- 3 x mini-Chemlights (IR, green, red),
- Suunto compass (mils)
- Steiner 8×30 binos
- C13 (M67) frag grenade

- C13 frag grenade
- Reversible Blaze Orange/Pink Marker Panel
- ACR/M|S-2000M Distress Strobe
- Pains Wessex Red marking smoke (45 second)
- HCC1A1 White screening smoke (60 second)
- Surefire flashlight with IR filter
- Gunshot Reside testing kit
- BHP 9mm Pistol mag
- 4 x 28-rd mags loaded with 3 x tracer on bottom, 3 x tracer on top
- Combat Application Tourniquet (attached to mag pouch)
- Inglis 9mm GP-35 Hi Power Pistol

Kelty Falcon MAP with internal AN/PRC 117F Tray and Spare Battery Holder:

- Ridge-Rest reversible Tan/Green sleeping pad
- AN/PRC 117F radio with spare battery
- CADPAT zip-up Ranger Blanket
- Survival Aides lightweight Hooped Bivvy Bag
- Drop Zone CADPAT AR Recce Smock
- Snugpak Sleeka reversible Tan/OG “puffy jacket”
- 2 x MREs

Accessory Pouches:

- Kifaru Claymore Pouch (1 x MRE, Shemagh, Right knee-pad)
- Kifaru Long-Pocket (MSR Whisperlite International multi-fuel stove, canteen cup, MSR 1L fuel bottle, 1 x MRE
- Kifaru E&E Pack with “Dock & Lock” QD buckles (2 x 2L MEC water bladders, survival kit, 1 x MRE, energy bats, silk escape map (K’har Province), etc.
- Kifaru Long-Pocket (2 x spare socks, 1 x spare t-shirt, 1 x spare underwear, 2 x MREs)
- TT Medical Pouch (issued, with TCCC contents – CAT, large & small NPA tubes, Israeli pressure dressings, CERLEX gauge packing, Needle Decompression kits, Asherman Chest Seals, disposable AR barriers, Surgical Gloves, etc.)

The 3rd Line pack is non-issued, but approved for wear again.

To get an idea of the whole MIL-package, it is time for crazy horsepower!

RG-31 (Nyala) 4 x 4 mine-resistant personnel carrier with stabilized Remote Weapon System including thermal and day sights, 2 x banks of grenade dischargers, etc. Capable of mounting C6 (MAG 58) GPMG, .50 cal HMG, or Automatic Grenade Launcher.

***

I hope you enjoyed our little Canadian gear-trip and be back for more, soon!

Perhaps you have realized already that it is a bit quiet on my blog lately. Yes, i have much work to do, also moving to a new flat (incl. renovating the old and new one!), and got some annoying health issues last month, too!

But many things are done and more quiet times are coming, soon.

I am looking forward doing much stuff on my blog in 2012: new categories and fly projects are on the rise! Besides several impressions and (finally finished) loadouts (2x Pararescue, CCT/JTAC, A-TACS, British Para… ), you`ll enjoy special videos and trailers showing me in action during my time as a weekend warrior.

On the other hand, Geardoshit Music will be launched and patriotic vids will see the day of light!

I don`t like to talk about too much about things to come, because i am a bit undecided about specific formats and release dates, but i think it`s time to leave ordinary nylon reviews and 0815 blog stuff that you`ll find everywhere.

Stay tuned and thank you for your interest and patience!

Happy new beer,
*GS*