Thread: Eagle CIRAS
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Old 12-31-2005, 20:55   #3
The Reaper
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Join Date: Jan 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Surgicalcric
Was wondering what the deciding factor was with you on the Mar version and how you like it?
Availability and the fact that it would appear that 7th Group is going with the Maritime version for reasons that escape me. I like it fine, once I got it assermbled, The instructions suck and require a lot of backtracking. The accessory pockets vary from great to mediocre, I would suggest looking at the various ones available before deciding. The release seems well thought out and is ambidexterous, but if you pull that handle, you will need at least five minutes to reassemble the components, even if you have packed parachutes before. It is also fairly easy to install the armor (hard and soft) in, and is comfortable to wear with a load. It does tend to pll down in the front if you have a full load of mags and frags and no counterweight like a ruck or a hydration system in back.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Surgicalcric
I looked one Mar ver over at the LF store in town but the side opening design wasnt as much to my unexperienced/uneducated liking as the front opening. Seems it would be more difficult to don with a GP pouch, BOK covering the velcro/PALS flap than having mags on the front opening of the Land ver. I also like the placement of the Pillow in the upper center chest area on the Mar vs the placement on the Land version.
The front opening Land version of the CIRAS appears to require a split front shingle, if you run one, versus the side opening not disturbing your front load. I tend to carry ammo on the front, and GP pouches, radio pouches, or holsters on the sides. The side cummerbund version is pretty quick to don and ditch, once you get used to it. It takes a day or two.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Surgicalcric
Speaking of carriers in general I like the mesh material used on the body sides of the CIRUS as opposed to the use of Cordura by other manufactures. Not as stiff as the mesh HSGI uses on the MESA tac vests, but heavy enough to be durable. The mesh promotes better ventilation under what I have found to be a heat generating piece of kit.

Crip
Agree. I prefer the mesh liner for coolness, which is a real concern where most of the systems are being worn. Eagle also thoughtfully uses a fairly soft version, instead of that hard mesh some others use.

All in all, an excellent, pretty well-though out piece of kit. The quality is, as expected, superb. This would be my first choice of quick release armor carriers. For quick availiability and utility, I think that you can build the MOLLE components out of a variety of makers and have a better selection of configurations to fit your needs. I am running a couple of pieces of Eggroll's gear on mine, and would probably add a few more, along with one Paraclete piece, along with some of Eagle's.

TR
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