BODY ARMOR: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

[Buffman]

I'd like to see the botach 3+ plates tested by buffman
4.25lbs and .8" thin, for $129
almost seems too good to be true

I've been trying for months for them to return my email. Maybe I'll try to get with LongFri directly..

[Buffman]

Anyone notice the reason why the LAPG and Botach plates are cheaper and lighter than other plates is probably because the ceramic does not take up the whole 10x12 plate? The ceramic stops at least 2" from the edge of the plate. So these are really 6x8 plates. Its kind of false advertising. Really sneaky.

Correct. They aren't the only ones that do this, but if a plate is generally lighter in it's category, look for them stating it has a full strike face. They "get away" with it because the NIJ spec calls for a MIN edge shot distance of 2". You can see in the LAPG thumbnail where I've outlined on the plate where the ceramic ends on the LAPG

[crufflers]

So the 10x12 are “6x8” ??? Hahah, suuuure. Pay for plates, get side plates ? Funny no one testing these ever notice. All I see is them stopping everything... even stuff they aren’t rated to stop. IMHO. Also makes zero sense if you look at the solid UHMWPE plates that are similarly dirt cheap
and stopping more than the rating...

[Buffman]

So the 10x12 are “6x8” ??? Hahah, suuuure. Pay for plates, get side plates ? Funny no one testing these ever notice. All I see is them stopping everything... even stuff they aren’t rated to stop. IMHO. Also makes zero sense if you look at the solid UHMWPE plates that are similarly dirt cheap
and stopping more than the rating...

Because most testing don't bother to go into the details

[crufflers]

So start shooting the edges of those $99 plates, AND the edges of the $1200 plates

[crufflers]

It is also not rocket science. Deconstruct a plate.

Just saying, how can you say there is a 6x8 ceramic surface inside a inexpensive plate if you pulled that statement out your butt? Do you work for Hesco? AHAHAHAHAH.

The are cheaper because they are made with imported material whether they are assembled here by Longfri or not.

[crufflers]

The 11x14 plate is $159 shouldn't this one be $1200 ???

https://botach.com/battle-steel-level-iii-11x14-ballistic-plates-m855-5-56mm-ap-protection-shooters-cut/

[crufflers]

Because most testing don't bother to go into the details

I've seen Mr. Guns and Gear reviews on Botach plates where he shoots the edge and it shows ceramic and also stops the round

[Buffman]

So start shooting the edges of those $99 plates, AND the edges of the $1200 plates

sure can, as soon as those $1200 plate companies offer one to me

Don't get me wrong, full strike face is the way to go, and that's what's in my carriers. Some vendors are moving away from reduced strike face setups and using better and lighter materials to come out close to = weight. I'm guessing this one stop until the NIJ starts requiring edge shots in testing protocols..

Also there may be some confusion here. I never said the 10x12 cheap plates only had 6x8 ceramic strike face. That was someone else. I was only pointing out that yes most of the cheaper plates have reduced strike faces, and you can generally use your finger to find out where the foam on your particular model starts/ends.

[crufflers]

Take a couple Battle Steel 11x14 III+ plates and put them in a BOTACH $15 carrier front and back. $335 setup. Compare them to a HESCO $1600 III+ (LARGE 3810) 10.25 x 13.25 setup. Shoot the center, up 7", and down 7" etc... right 5", left 5"... which one is a better value with better coverage?

That would piss off some people hahah, but get some views.

[Buffman]

Likely would. I've been trying to test Hesco stuff for quite some time, but they don't want to play ball, so I have to save up $$ to play..

[crufflers]

I never said the 10x12 cheap plates only had 6x8 ceramic strike face. That was someone else. I was only pointing out that yes most of the cheaper plates have reduced strike faces, and you can generally use your finger to find out where the foam on your particular model starts/ends.

For sure. Someone else pulled that measurement out of somewhere.

Your Botach level IV review clearly shows the healthy amount of coverage from the solid ceramic strike face in those plates. I have a few sets of those level IV.

That's a hell of a lot of protection for $99

[crufflers]

The ACTUAL measurement of the ceramic strike face on the BATTLE STEEL level IV is 9.75" x 11.5625

Anyone with a plate and a tape could tell you that. Why people make tish up, I have no idea.

I can also tell you that if these plates had an ACTUAL strike face that was 10"x12" and the foam edge to protect the ceramic... they would not fit in the Slicksters. SO, who makes the CERAMIC strike faces that are full 10x12 and what is the ACTUAL overall plate measurement ? Do they have any foam?

If you get a 10x12 plate, that is the plates overall measurements. I would expect cheater plates to either be smaller overall than advertised or have an unusually thick surround. Having some surround when ceramics are used is not cheating. it is a feature.

[DrjonesUSA]

Hey guys,

Can't I just use a phone book taped to my chest & Back?

[crufflers]

Hey guys,

Can't I just use a phone book taped to my chest & Back?

Sure, but use decent packing tape and measure the strike face first.

Hahah. Yeah, level IV plates are comparable to phone books if they are inexpensive level IV plates.

If you can't afford $1372 you don't deserve armor