Zook 3.0, Season 5 Plans

Zook 3.0

Planned changes for Season 5

Well, I'm at it again with changes to my setup for Season 5. However, I think I'm getting to the point where big changes in the equipment I use will be less frequent, especially with the significant investments I've been putting into my stuff these days. Thanks to my introduction and involvement in Airsoft, things are getting a little more "serious". I don't think this is neccissarily a bad thing, but now, more than ever, I'm finding what works and sticking with it.

Elements I've discarded
1: Night camo. At first, I thought with the OLCA's nighttime style of play that this would be a keeper. In fact, though, Night Camo only works at ... well... night! I stuck out like a sore thumb. Though it has been good for some indoor settings, this style of camouflage in general has not worked out.

2: Pistols. While good for close quarters and much lighter/smaller/easier on the body, I've found that for my style, pistols just don't work out much for me. Especially considering that I use V2 sensors, getting in close all the time means using up my sheilds quickly and then being succeptable to fire very easily. I will still always have a pistol on me as a sidearm for situations when I need it, but the days of the run and gun are over for me.

3: Sniper Rifles. During Season 4, I put my building skills to work to make a sniper rifle unlike any the OLCA has seen. The whole idea was to emphasize range and abilities while making the weapon large and intimidating. This, however, made it bulky and a pain to use in anything BUT sniper combat. I also found the sniper rifle to be very useless during night games, as it was nearly impossible to find targets at a distance a Sniper would use. The weapon was used, more often than not, without the scope and as an assault rifle and eventually was cut down in size. Having a great range is a good thing, but emphasizing the rifle's performance while disregarding the weapon's inability to act as anything else was it's downfall. The days of the Sniper Rifle are over for me.

Elements I'm Keeping
1: MARPAT! I've always had a soft spot for the Marines, be it modern day forces or futuristic interpretations seen in Aliens or the Halo video games. But I'm also in love with their camouflage pattern, known as MARPAT (MARine PATtern). This woodland digital camo has served me well every time and works well to blend in with the settings we usually play in. Although it can be tough to track down good MARPAT camo items, it's always been worth it. In this picture you can really see the MARPAT pants going to work, blending in with it's surroundings, while the rest of me is pretty easy to pick out still.

2: Flashlights! These guys have always been a favorite of mine to use. Not only have they served me well in many situations, but they've also served my team well. I'm known for carrying more of these than I need and during "searches", I can hand out lights to my team to aide them. While they can be a dead giveaway for the user, I think they have more positive uses than not. I've also been a fan of mounting them on weapons, making searching a breeze and also adding a kick to close combat attacks as they usually blind my opponent.

3: Mid-Long Range! This has been my preferred combat range for just about any game type, and I think that I've really gotten the hang of it. It's idea for leading teams (which I often end up doing) and it usually still offers some kind of "reach out and touch" range for the weaponry. It offers the good range of a mid-class Sniper while still offering the ability to engage enemies in normal combat. Rifles like the M42B, M43AR, and the M41A have filled this area out nicely for me.

Elements I'm adding
1: Radios! We've used them on and off in the past and radios have been lost/broken/malfunction all the time. Still, I think they're a valuable asset and I intend to at least make radios a normal part of my personal equipment. It's important, especially in a game where one shot can hit several people who are close together, to keep your distance. It is also important to keep each other informed, making radios essential to good battle plans both for offense and defense. Hopefully others will strive to get good radio setups so we don't run into snags like we have in the past.

2: More MARPAT! I've noticed that some of the better players in the OLCA use camo more on Top than on bottom like I do. The more I see pictures of myself in combat, the more I think "Man... you can't see my legs, but that's not what's important!". The MARPAT is an excellent camouflage pattern and it only makes sense to make full use of it for my gear instead of only having a section or two of me camouflaged by it. So goodbye Halo T Shirt, and Hello Combat Shirt!

3: Multi-Use Setup! Because I'm now straddling the fence with both Laser Tag and Airsoft, I'm aiming (literally and figuratively) to make more modular gear that can be used both for Airsoft and Laser Tag outings. My M41A is designed to be used as my main battle rifle for both games, the CSS-01 is designed to be mounted on a MOLLE Rig, which I will use to also mount pouches needed for Airsoft. My camouflage I intend to use will be used for both airsoft and laser tag. Just another reason why I think the Zook 3.0 plan will be the last major change I make to how I play these sports.

To follow elements of the Zook 3.0 Plan, use the links below

Weapon> M41A Pulse Rifle
Sensors> CSS-01

This is my basic loadout right now. It has yet to be combat tested, so it's subject to change for the moment. Designed to work both with Airsoft and Laser Tag setups. Obviously, when I'm playing Airsoft, more ammo pouches and such will be added to the MOLLE. When I play Laser Tag, the CSS-01 will be mounted.

I definitely like it. I actually wanted to ask about that. Could I bring a set or two of radios for use in teams? I can get up to four, but I wasn't sure about that sort of thing. And you might want to check out this flashlight. I'm definitely up for coordinated teams, hell, even organized teams.

Where can I get some of this MARPAT? I could have uses for this outside of OLCA, so it has become very appealing to me.

This post has been edited by Bazookafied on Sep 17 2009, 01:14 PM

Since I'll already be using a headset boom mic, I think having a head-mounted flashlight would kind of get in the way. Plus, I've personally never been a fan of headlamps. They just look goofy to me is all.

Radios are more than fine to bring, as long as the people you loan them to don't lose or break them. I know Ninja Haro lost one of my little ones in The Pit that we weren't able to recover. Mission Park West is pretty forgiving for finding dropped equipment though.

As for getting MARPAT... here in town you can either go with TRU Spec Camo at Canfields (84th & Center) or you can find it at A&M Army Surplus in Bellevue. There are also great website where you can get it from. The best one I can think of is BDU.com.

Getting There!



Still need to meet up with the seller of the MOLLE Rig so I can start work on my new vest, but the MARPAT Combat Shirt and Knee Pads are working great!

Also splurged a bit and got some custom nametapes. Check out my right arm!

Some shots with my new Combat Shirt. Only stuff on there that isn't standard is my "Bazookafied" custom-made nametape from US Cav and a subdued version of the Delta Patch seen on Colonial Marines in the Aliens Movie.

Next up...

Now the rig starts coming into play. It's been a real pain trying to contact the seller of the MOLLE Rig that I want to get as he lives in Lincoln and I need to go out and meet him to get it. Been trying to meet with him since August. If it takes much longer, I might consider bailing on him and just getting it myself.

Assuming that I do get the rig from him, I'll only need 1 more thing to finish the vest part of this... and perhaps a second too.

First and foremost, I need a way to mount the CSS-01. For that, I'm getting a Map Pocket to fit the main console inside.

Because the vest doesn't have anything on it's back other than straps to hold on the front parts, I've been thinking of getting a hydration pack. Granted, it won't get used very much in the cooler months, but I think something in general to cover my back would be a wise choice. This OD Green Hydration Pack looks to be a good canditate. It also has the same MOLLE webbing on it so I could even mount things on that!

I'm finally set to pick up the MOLLE Rig, which is the last big item needed for the Zook 3.0 equipment plan. I've also got newer gloves on the way to replace my deteriorating pair of OD Green PVC Armor gloves. I'm pretty much set to do a test combat run of the main components in the Zook 3.0 Plan.

Also, since it's colder, in order to test out my Combat Shirt, I will probably want to pick up some Heat Gear to wear underneath it. Either that or some Thermals, since this October has been quite cold already. I still want to test and see how the Combat Shirt lets me perform in battle, but I don't wanna turn into a popsicle either!

Finally met with the seller of the MOLLE Rig being used as the base load-bearing system for the Zook 3.0 Plan. It's in excellent, like new condition and has adjustable straps to fit me like a glove!

This means I can finally start work on the CSS-01 that will be mounted on it. Now I get to figure out how to make use of all the mounting space I have... so my other gear like flashlights, extra batteries, emergency screwdriver, and other stuff can get on there.

Here's some shots of the MOLLE Rig.


Here's a quick preview of what the Zook 3.0 Plan will look like.



See this MOLLE Rig go to work for my CSS-01!

That looks absolutely wicked.

Zook 3.0 Plan Combat Results
Combat Test on October 19th, 2009

This is my report of the Combat Results of the entirety of the Zook 3.0 Plan. This analysis will look in-depth at each piece of equipment intended for this plan and how it performed during the Combat Testing it underwent. Below is an image of myself sporting the proposed Zook 2.0 Plan Equipment. The numbers labeled on each part correspond with the parts of the analysis written below.



1: M41A Pulse Rifle
The weapon's first full combat test ran quite well. Internally she performed to my expectations. I was able to position myself in places where the full range of the weapon could be achieved with no real problems. The Ironsight will still take some getting used to, but it works. The main problem I found was the weapon's hinderance on agility. Because of it's heavy weight, the Pulse Rifle really wore me down and was cumbersome to move quickly. As a result, it suffered in extreme close quarters situations. This is merely a problem I'll have to account for in gameplay. I don't anticipate any big changes to this part.

2: CSS-01This part of the system did not work well for me. Because it's stored inside one of the M4 Magazine pouches and it has a weak speaker, I was unable to hear myself getting hit and was taken out of action almost immediately. I removed this and fell back to my trusty CVP-03 for the remainder of the game. I'm also considering moving the front sensor slightly lower on the shoulder strap. As it stands, the front sensor sits too high on my torso and is blocked by my Fred Flinstone sized chin from the right. Changes to this experimental sensory system are obvious and will be covered in it's production thread.

3: MOLLE Chest Rig
This rig worked quite well. While it's certianly heavier than the CVP-style vests, I did not feel too effected by the bulk that it also adds. I was easily able to mount the CSS-01 plus several flashlights and equipment onto it with no problems. I'll just need to get used to the extra weight is all.

4: Combat Shirt
I was excited to finally test this in battle and it seemed to work well. We had unusually warmer weather that night, but the Combat Shirt kept me cool underneath all the extra weight I was carrying as part of this plan. It was breathable, easy to move in, and seemed to work well for camouflaging me during combat. There were several instances where it took players awhile to spot me while I fired from hidden locations where MARPAT thrives. I'll definetly keep using this, and I hope that because of it's excellence in keeping me cool that I'll be able to use it in the hot summer months too.

5: PVC Armor Gloves
Like my old pair, these gloves did the trick for just about every use. I prefer to use fingerless gloves since I like to feel what I'm actually using. Full Finger gloves tend to block that sensory, so I don't often aim to use them. My only complaint is the coloration. I've yet to find a good Green color PVC Armor glove that isn't too bright/blends with my MARPAT other than my old pair, which was in dire need of being replaced. I may replace these gloves if I find a better color, but funcionally, they work fine and I'll continue to use them.

6: MARPAT Trousers
I've been using MARPAT pants for awhile now, but these are a newer pair by Propper International. I found them to work extremely well and I much prefer their velcro angled cargo pockets to the button pockets my older ones had. They blended excellently and matched the MARPAT on my Combat Shirt almost perfectly. No wonder Propper supplies the US Military! These pants kick the pants off other pants!

7: BLACKHAWK! V2 Kneepads
I love these and hate these. I love them because they work extremely well as Kneepads. I did several drop tests on solid concrete and didn't feel a thing, so when I needed to be rugged, they certainly proved themselves. However, I hated what they did to my already questionable mobility. With the added weight of the MOLLE and my Pulse Rifle, the last thing I wanted was my knee mobility to be hindered. They also seemed to slide around a bit and make the pants above my knee bunch up while they pulled the lower portion higher and out of my boots that they were once tucked into. I either need to adjust how tight they are or find another solution for knee protection. About halfway through the night I eventually just took them off since they seemed to be causing more problems with my mobility than I wanted.

8: Nevados Boots
I have always liked these boots for normal wear, but this was their first time being used in combat. They worked well, as they weren't too heavy but provided good protection/traction when I needed it. I felt like they could be a little higher over my ankle to help keep my pants tucked into them, but that's not a huge issue. I was able to tread through some swampy parts of the park with no problems. They were water tight and at one point when I was walking along rocks of the creek, they held on to rocks that I had presumed to be slippery/treacherous. For boots that weren't designed for active combat in mind, they worked fine for me.


Overall:
The Zook 3.0 Plan could use some tweaks, but overall the main components of it worked well and I don't forsee big changes to the general idea of this plan. Items may be replaced or switched out for other products, but the basic idea of Camouflage and the equipment used will remain the staple of this Plan.

Good. Do you already have a different speaker in mind, or are you still looking?

No Sidearm? I thought that you would be using something for those close encounters.

I've installed a new louder speaker for now. I've tested it out while wearing it and it seems okay but it might still be a little too soft for my taste. I'll have to do some preliminary testing and a combat test to see for sure if it's my solution.

New Speaker installed and all, the CSS-01 is simply too glitchy/problematic to risk a combat test for this weekend's game. Therefore, I've cooked up a temporary solution for my sensory system.

During Fall Game #1, when my CSS-01 failed, I simply mounted my CVP-03 on top of the MOLLE Rig. This worked, but was kind of heavy and restricted movement since I was basically wearing two different loadbearing systems at the same time.

As my temporary solution, I've removed the USH and the sensors on the CVP-03 to leave me with this. I've mounted the sensors on the MOLLE rig as seen in the pictures below.



I've also consolidated/cut down on the amount of pouches I use on the MOLLE until I can actually have a need for that much storage on me (if it ever comes to that). Right now all that's mounted is the Admin Pouch, Double M4 Pouches, and my Collapsable Utility Pouch. Everything else with the Zook 3.0 system should remain relatively the same since my initial combat test. We'll see how it works this time around on the November 14th game.