I’ve always been a big fan of Tubes on PCs, so I’d long fancied the idea of having the same quick-release on a chest rig. So when SC released this setup back in 2022 I had to grab a couple right away and I’ve used them a few times since.
As a product it was extremely well made as always and I especially liked how they bridged the stiffened PALS fields over the top of the Tubes, minimising gaps. Many, many ways to set this up to include PALS or velcro pouches on the insides of the wings if desired.
With very big and chunky release cords on the Tubes this thing is super easy to take off just like a jacket. That said, it can end up twisting quite easily when you go to put it back on. I’m still on the fence personally about that aspect as just releasing the 1″ buckle of the back strap on a normal chest rig is plenty quick enough to my mind and there tends to be less of a spaghetti situation.
Overall I was (and am) a fan, but this product didn’t remain in their catalogue for too long. I believe the original goal was to have something that could quickly go from chest rig to PC and this jusy didn’t offer that function. However, it was quite flat on the back on account of the metal hardware, so sat better with packs than most similar rigs.
The new V2 using the S-LOK sides and EUD bridge that is incoming, will fill the original intent infinitely better by comparison. But as an expansion and chest mount for a central placard, this V1 was still great.
You did get quite an assortment of individual pieces with this rig. It required a standard of some kind to make up the main/front section, though with this V1 that placard was not required to be Tubes compatible as the males Tubes flaps were included (right side of image).
A thermoplastic insertion tool (probably Tegris at the time) was included to aid with getting the front of the shoulder straps in to the rear section of the shoulder harness, as without that then the velcro would bind during insertion and you’d never get the rig built. Any piece of cardboard cut to shape can always be used in such situations though, naturally.
With the included section all assembled, you ended up with the above. The 1″ female SRBs attached to the shoulder harness were removable and G-Hooks could be used but I don’t think they make a lot of sense on a chest rig setup.
You then added your placard and of course standard PALS pouches to the 4-column side wings and you ended up with something like the config shown in the header image of this post.
Nice simple packaging, as should always be the case with serious-use personal equipment.
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