IDF Recon Assault Vest

[TimW]

Benn

Nice find..I haven't seen those in a while.  Achidatex is the sister company of Export Erez, the export arm from which I purchase/import the Israeli vests.

[Farslayer]

Thanks Tim,

Here's a Reconnaissance SF Tactical Vest by "Marom-Dolphin"


http://community.webshots.com/album/70480590auvpYK

A newer version of the recon vest.

[TimW]

Benn

Actually, not newer, just slightly different.  the shoulder straps are fixed, not adjustable, and there's a slight difference in pocket design, esp. on the back panel.

There are only a couple "big" makers of IDF gear; Achidatex/Export Erez, Marom-Dolphin, and Rabintex.  There are a couple of other makers, which might fit in the "Big 5", but these are the biggies.

[elixar]

alright thanks for the info guys, its really helped a lot. For now I think ill be holding off on buying a new rig, perhaps later in the future ill reconsider buying another one.

[jamesch23]

when wearing it is it worn like a nomral jacket and secured at the front or whne putting it on do you put it on you chest and secure it at the back

hope someone knows

[TimW]

It goes on like a vest.  Open in the front.

http://www.practicaltactical.net/prosto ... est/Detail


For what it's worth, I FINALLY got my order in from Israel.  The newest version has a full-length slot-pocket in the back that will hold a Camelbak.

[jamesch23]

i have seen these pictures of girls in the idf which i have psoted to flickr what i am interestted in is what are they wearing as their outer layer bar their assault vests

please see the follwoing links for the pictures in question

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/183/4365 ... f94a_o.jpg
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/17148665@N00/436599521/

by my interpretation they are either flak jackets or normal combat jackets or heavy duty shirts

also does anyone where they can be bought or would i have to go to isreal

hope someone can help

[TimW]

They are Recon vests, likely the older style which isn't quite as overbuilt as the new style and doesn't have adjustable shoulders.

That is a crappy picture, however, and you really can't tell what she's wearing...I am going off the grenade pocket on her left side.  She's wearing it over her coat.

Finally, I only carry them in OD.

[jamesch23]

i asked a question about an hour ago on what female soldier was wearing unfortunately i used the same link twice to correct my mistake i have included a better picture. my question is the same barthe chest rig what is she wearing i think its a flak jaecket or combat jacket

hope people can help  
http://www.flickr.com/photos/17148665@N00/436600379/

[TimW]

It's not the same thing in both those pictures.  The one in your most recent message is a body-armor-based vest...you can easily see the armored shoulders and collar.

In your first picture, there is no armor visible, and if you look at her left shoulder, you will see much much thinner material and a small grenade pocket.  This is very much in keeping with the Recon vest and the EPHOD (though that would be a compass pouch and is slightly different).

That said, the armor vest you're looking for a) isn't readily available and b) would be easily $500-$800 even if I could get them from the manufacturer.

[TimW]

Actually, the more I look at the first pics you posted, the more it looks like an EPHOD/A-10 vest.  The pouch is much more square than the IDF standard grenade pouch, and you can see the padded shoulder strap/harness.  Additionally, because there is no material in the front portion of her coat, it's not likely a Recon vest, unless it's worn "open"...but then you'd still be able to see the upper portion of it.

EPHOD.

[jamesch23]

i was wondering in terms of use what is the difference what is the difference between the a-10 ephod vest and the recon assault vest ie whne will the army use one instead of the other

[TimW]

The A-10/EPHOD is more of a Load Bearing Harness (like the old ALICE system) than a the Recon, which is an assault vest.

The Recon covers a lot more of the body since it has many more pockets and pouches than the EPHOD.  Generally, the EPHOD had been issued to general riflemen/infantry, whereas the Recon was originally issued to more of the specialized units like the Golani brigage.

The Recon vest was designed so that a soldier could be out in the field for about 48 hours w/o worrying about resupply or having to carry extra backpacks, etc., that it would carry everything they'd need for such a mission.  The A-10/EPHOD is merely an LBE harness.


The company I deal with is no longer making the A-10/EPHOD (unless I order like 500 of them...hahahaha).  The Recon (and derivatives like the Medic, M203 and SAW Gunner's vests) are the main products.   Additionally, more body-armor-based vests are being issued (like that second picture of yours).

What are you trying to figure out?