Just a little background. I’m currently issued a Paraclete TMV/RAV with a manufacture date of 03/12 (Now made by PPE). The hook/loop on the internal cummerbund and external cummerbund have weakened after 6 months of hard use (Constant don-doff/running/rappel/fast rope/call outs/etc.) The internal cummerbund no longer sticks together. And the external cummerbund sometimes falls out of the flap. I’ll contact Paracelete tomorrow morning and hopefully have them fix it… I’m currently using a spare we have in inventory.
In my position, I get asked a lot of questions about equipment. I’ve made the recommendation, prior to me having problems, for the Paraclete to our regional task force members. This resulted in them ordering a 100+ units. They are still waiting for their vests to come in. I hope they don’t have the same problem as myself and a couple team members do with our vests.
Now I’ve been tasked with finding some more vests for another unit. They operate on/around the water and support us when necessary. Their supervisor wants us to be as similar as possible. I did not recommend the Paraclete this time, and told them I would get back to them on it.
I was looking at the Eagle Industries Maritime-CIRAS. I know this vest has been around a while so something has to be good about it. I don’t know of any teams in the area that use the vest so I haven’t had the chance to look at it in person. Every now and then, I see post about the vest only to have the response “If you look around there are better vest out there.” So what are the better vests out there? What are the Navy SWCC teams currently using?
The LBT 6094B-RS is something else I’m looking into as well.
Cost really isn’t an issue. What I need: preferably an ambidextrous release point, the possibility to insert buoyancy panels, carry soft armor AND plates.
The First Spear offerings with the Tubes seem pretty good, I recently ordered their cummerbund retro-fit for my PIG PC. I’ve heard nothing but good about the London Bridge offerings.
Paraclete’s warranty on those carriers is 6 years. Call them up and demand a replacement. They’ll get you one, you just might have to wait for it (they’re way behind on orders).
They’re fixing the vests. I just hate that after 6 months half of the vests in use are having problems…It makes me wonder about the other ten I have in inventory…how long will they last?
I am not recommending Paraclete for purchase again.
I am getting a LBT to T&E. I’ll see how that holds up and see if the other unit likes them.