I previously used the Hrt Maximus and still like it a lot but I switched to the defense mechanism placard system because I often carry different main rifles/sub guns for work and it makes it super easy to switch gear based on my needs.
I have the Maximus and D3CRM for my HRT RAC. The Maximus is definitely going to be a go to if I want to get more. I like the layout best and, as you said, its available.
You prolly dont care but if you are stoned like me atm you can stream pretty much all the latest movies on InstaFlixxer. I've been streaming with my gf recently :)
The Maximus is hands down my favorite placard. Has just the right amount of storage/organization, with enough mag slots to go around. I use the pistol pockets for a handheld light and a multitool. It's a great design in my opinion. I haven't been able to find anything that really could've been done better. Save for maybe, buying some kydex inserts instead of the elastic.
I had no idea that Esstac makes a placard!!! Honestly, my Biggest issue with all the placards is that they are all so freaking deep! I want a placard I can firmly, and consistently grab my mags with. I THINK what I’ll do, is go the ESSTAC route, and get some sort of admin pouch to hang off the front.
I wish I would have seen this video before I ordered the Spiritus Micro Fight 4. The HRT Maximus looks really nice. Took me 4 months to get the Spiritus because they were always out of something. On top of that, they charge $15 shipping. Don't think about ordering ala carte, as expensive as it is, it will cost you an arm and a leg. I forgot to order the back strap when ordering the harness. After all that, I called it quits on Spiritus and then I found your channel. Went with the Agilite plate carrier because I was fed up with Spiritus.
I have almost the exact same story. Even my k19 was bought out of frustration. I sold two lv119s. One complete and one I never finished. how you like the k19?? And the maximus is a favorite -Walsh
@@ThinLineDefenseCo Has not come in yet. I pre-ordered for the next batch. I purchased based on your knowledgeable experience. When I saw your review of the Maximus, it was already to late. I've already seen the Maximus video 4 times, lol. I think I would prefer it to the Spiritus. : ( -Sal
@@ThinLineDefenseCo Hey Walsh, have you seen the S&S Precision plate carrier? It's made of Kydex and carbon fiber and Hypalon. $1200 with no accessories.
@@scsc9311 haha I have and you crazies keep asking me to review that. Seems nuts but I don't think anyone is buying that. Email em and tell em we need to see one lol -Walsh
Placards are addictive LOL Check out some other great ones from Velocity systems, RDR gear, Shaw Concepts etc. One con you didn't mention for the HRT is that it's made overseas (SS and haley are USA made). Just personal preference but I prefer USA made gear, sure you do pay more but it helps support American jobs
Yea that's a good point. But if the American made takes 3 months to find...it's not getting recommended. And good call on the velocity systems. We actually have an RDR also...I probably should had grabbed that one too. Shaw concepts....as much as I like their gear. It's vaporware. It's been on presale for like a year. I don't like recommending gear if you can't even get it.
@@ThinLineDefenseCo True true, guess most Americans didn't have the proper mindset about preparedness/gear until the pandemic haha I never had any issues or wait times but I was buying gear/ammo years ago when friends were laughing at me...now who's laughing? hehe
Haha are we the smart ones? Lol I only regret not getting more when the times are good. I'll remember that in the future! The wait for crye is silly too but at least they're honest. "Mr. Walsh...your carrier will ship in on 6 July" "Bro! It's January!"
Glad you enjoyed it man! I appreciate the kind words. If there is ever more gear you'd like to see just let me know. I'll.....try....to get it lol -Walsh
I think the Spiritus inserts were designed like that intentionally; I remember someone mentioning that the guy who runs Spiritus isn't a fan of reindexing mags so that's why all their inserts and mag placards aren't super conducive to reindexing.
1st I’ve never tried a placard but seeing as I’m about to get the agilite plate carrier, I’ll give them a shot, out of the 3 you reviewed I’ll go with the 1st one you showed, now here’s my question, why are you carrying marine snacks in you pack?
lol I think true north sent me that with the modular holster adapter. It was a big crayon made of gum haha it was great. And the maximus is a favorite for sure! -Walsh
I got lucky with my spiritus rig. Local guy was getting out of the army and sold it cheap. Came with fat strap. Back strap. Ferro chesty. Ferro zipper pocket. Ferro admin. Axl half zip. Thing 2. 3 rifle mag insert and 2 single pistol inserts. Paid $250 for all of it. Be sure to check y’all’s local marketplaces and maybe get lucky too.
Walsh this video is awesome and f'n hilarious!I heard u can either run crayons or marbles, not both. 😆. This helps on my search for a placard for the LAPG plate carrier you so kindly guys gave me.
@@CRinJersey full disclosure...I was trying to find multicam. I ran across the black and was like....well....this is better than nothing. Then I found the multicam bits but no MK4 and couldn't find anything for the black one. It was very annoying.
@@Skoot_II yup! They fit. Just get the tall. And the old inserts didn't have velcro on both side so I added a bit from hobby lobby and adhered some strips on.
It does well, you just need the esstac insert adapters. It would probably be better to get the shaw insert as this video is kinda old and a lot of new gear has come out. The shaw insert has tegris sides and it's super nice -Walsh
The Spiritus shopping experience sounds like the Monty Python "Cheese Shop" skit. They never have shit in stock when I shop there. If you haven't seen it, check it out and thank me later. 😆
Question on plate carriers. I have had some people suggest I buy the plates first then the carrier to what size will fit the plates & others say buy the carrier that fits me best then the largest plates that will fit the carrier. What do you suggest?
We actually have an RDR also but I didn't have it with me for this comparison. As I wanted to do a top 3, I found it was good but I'd put it in top 5....and that means I would have had to jam two more placards into one video lol
@@ThinLineDefenseCo ya I bought Haley rig and rdr recently and wish I woulda seen your video before now and went with the hti. All well there's always next weeks party check lol
Great review! After this I’m leaning towards the Maximus. One question though since you mentioned the Maximus uses elastic 5.56 inserts. Are you able to use an Esstac kydex insert in the Maximus for the combo of both sweet pockets and sweet retention?
@@westleyhorne2192 I prefer the tall but other teammates like the mids. The talls go right up to the top where the mids are kinda hidden inside the placard. They both work similarly for retention, just a user preference really. -Walsh
Are you running your kydex rifle mag setup in the HRT? Wondering how well that would work in that.placard since I have an extra haley insert that I wouldn't mind using
@@joem8457 @Ray McMahon sorry this took so long to reply... I lost it. I did the test and yup, the esstac inserts work great in the HRT maximus. I recommend the talls. -Walsh
That holster is from 1441 gear. You can use discount code TLDco to save some cash too. The pistol is a p320 compact in a x-carry grip. Grey ghost Precision slide and faxon barrel.
Yes you can. I like the talls but other members liked the mids better. If all depends on if you want the Esstac insert recessed or right at the top edge. -Walsh
@@ThinLineDefenseCo THANK YOU! Now all I need to do is figure out if I want multicam black or just Multicam. VA would make me lean regular but the Multicam black is just so nice
Everything looks too bulky and pushed out. I would get the HS Micro out of those 3. But the TREX arms Kywi Placard plus their GP pouch could be a potential winner. Everything is velcroed on the plate, so if I ever want to go slick it is easy. I just Trex Arms would have the same Kywi Placard but for subgun CZ scorpion mags.
The esstac placard or DM placard with a base wrap would be a far better option in a slick setup. But a slick setup wouldn't use a placard at all so *confused look* Trex is what you buy when you don't know the name of the good stuff.
@@LoveLikeaHurricane I think they'd fit but they may not sit tight. I haven't tested that. The HRT maximus already has that integrated and their front pockets aren't just .... A mess... Of one big pocket.
@@ThinLineDefenseCo In my preference Haley has got the almost perfect one, but I prefer if they don’t come with chest rig strap, the side pockets, and a flatter front zip pocket. Their 556 insert can fit Ak 762 mags as well, and of course sub gun mags even though the 555 insert is not designed for that. I’m hoping qoreperformance if they ever expand their accessories on their plate carriers or Haley ever make a micro model 2
@@LoveLikeaHurricane the pocket of any of the placards shown can all fit the various inserts. The Haley inserts are subpar to the esstac inserts and both require different insert sizes for 556 to 762 The Haley rigs also don't include any inserts where as the HRT maximus comes with one already... And the kydex retention on the side pouches. I'm with you though. If HS changes almost everything and made an entirely new one, it may be good.
From the time I made that post till now I have purchased the new version of the k19 and currently run my hrt maximus placard on it. The k19 in my opinion is one if not the best plate carrier you can get.
"what's that" "oh..it's HRT and comes fully assembled and you can buy it without waiting" "yea...I'd rather punch myself in the face for months" and then somehow we think we made the wrong purchasing choice lol I REALLY like the spiritus but man...I have TWO incomplete mk4s. I'm moving on.
@@ThinLineDefenseCo I got one of Spiritus' slings and it doesn't come with attachments. Between that and The Thing which comes with nothing, I'm done with them cats.
@@zacharyfett2491 yea I just looked at the thing 2 after speaking with them but I need the axl adapters....ugh...I have them but that's another 40 dollar adapter that you have to have. I'm with you..I gave up. HRT is my primary recommendation to folks
@@johnathanpindak6167 I did! The placard and system don't line up perfectly but it's a non-issue. I just use the Velcro and have a little slack in the swift clips. I've been working out in that setup for a few months and have had no issues. I can carry stupid weight in that thing! It's so comfy.
@@ThinLineDefenseCo appreciate the response Walsh! I should have asked in the original comment. Would tall or mid size kywis work best? I just found the channel while looking for shot show coverage. You’ve got a ton of good info!
@@jstevens005 well badass! Welcome to the channel. And it's really a preference. The mids will be a little beneath the opening and be kinda hidden. The talls go right up the edge. I like talls but Cody likes mids. There isn't really any difference in the tightness as you kinda adjust it with the one wrap. Just a preference in the look mainly. Hope that helps! -Walsh
haha I don't think they even make that one anymore? I think they do the mk5 now which I don't love. I'd do the Shaw Concepts if you want Gucci, Defense Mechanisms if you want full customization -Walsh
That hrt seems to be the best choice, i just have a cheap 3 mag pouch on the front of my carrier. Did you just admit your a masochist? 😂😂😂 definitely don’t wanna be in battle next to a guy who smells like cat piss 😂
@@ThinLineDefenseCo If I had to. It is possible to run a Concealable carrier and a chest rig over top. Also, you should look at defense mechanisms placard system. Its 100% modular. I have one and will be doing a video soon.
@@bangersandmags6729 ahh yea we had a few folks ask us to try out their mag pouches. I haven't been the happiest with elastic after extended use. And it's possible to run a concealable chest rig and a chest rig over top...I'll go for that.
Lol in their defense, their inventory has been a ton better. Stupid ass drip marketing for gear is horrible though. "Let's make the experience absolutely horrible for the customer" "--alrigjt!" Lol thanks for watching -Walsh
I give them a lot of grief because I think what they do is great but their business model is just horrible. The increase demand at the cost of returning customers. But the BIGGEST value is returning customers. The customer service was nothing but great...but damn do I NEVER EVER want to buy anything from there again. The customer experience is just really really bad. They have gotten better with having things in stock and it looks like most colorways are in stock but I'm good. I moved on. Taking 6 months to build a placard and having to hawk stupid Instagram posts to find a half flap is unacceptable.
@@ThinLineDefenseCo Totally agree. Nickel and dimming your customers is a TERRIBLE business model that has failed repeatedly. Why you would CHOOSE to do business like that is beyond me. I’ve moved on as well.
Defense mechinisms is an amazing company, very affordable yet quality is just 🤌. Plus the entire placard is buildable so u could just build it to your exact needs.
I got them on eBay. Just search esstac velcro adapters and you'll see a few. Let me know if you have issues finding it and I'll get you a direct link -Walsh
