Custom Gear Report

So it’s been a while since you’ve seen any new content, for that we apologize. But this is not without reason.

The big news is we have a new member to the CGR family, my wife gave birth to our son last week. So the week before and week after were hectic. The good news is that everyone is doing well.

Since my wife helps me out with the business I am now short handed while she recovers and gets into a routine with the baby. In the meantime I am on my own and trying to catch up.

However just prior to this I was able to shoot a couple videos. One is the Update Video posted below and there will be two follow on gear reviews already filmed that I still need to edit and a couple other planned in the near future.

Part of the reason for this update is to announce that we are now going to be using YouTube as well as viddler to serve the video content. You will be able to access our channel here: http://www.youtube.com/CustomGearReport Be sure to subscribe if you are a YouTube junkie like me.

Of course we will be adding easy to recognize badges to the site soon among other new features so keep an eye out for that.

We are also working with a new camera and new editing software so please be patient while we figure that out.

We’ve been hinting at running a contest for a while now and have finally gotten to the point where we can manage it.

First I want to give a big thanks to the great folks at Bearse USA. Bearse has been kind enough to donate a Blackwater Gear Discrete rifle case in Ranger Green to give to the winner of our first giveaway contest.

Entering is simple and you have the opportunity to gain multiple entries into the drawing.

Here is how you do it:

1. First entry is to register at the custom gear report. Just click the register link here or in the login box in the top right  of the page. You must also confirm your registration though the automatic email that is sent to you.
2. Next, sign up for our free newsletter. By default this box is checked during your registration so all you need to do is leave it checked at which point you will just have to confirm your email by clinking the link in the separate newsletter message that’s sent to you.
3. Be one of the top 5 points earners for the site.  Of course you need to know how to earn points, that’s pretty easy. You get 10 for registering, 2 points for logging in daily (24 hour period), 5 points per comment and if you choose to write an article for the site 20 points per published post. In order for you to gain points for commenting you must be registered and logged in.

The top 5 points earners will also receive an additional small token of our appreciation for your support of the blog. This will be a monthly prize, the only down side is your points reset to 10 when you win. You will have the option of keeping your points in lieu of the prize if you choose.

The Contest will run until March 1, 2010 at which time we will complie the list into a spread sheet and use a random number generator to pick the winner.

About our sponsor:

At Bearse USA, we are sewing contractors to the core. We were established in 1921 and have been partnering with our customers to make the finest sewn products available. We serve a customer base of over 250 companies. Our main product areas include tactical bags, custom bags, cases, pouches, and other non-apparel items. We also carry a wide selection of in-stock bags that you will find featured on our website. Cutting, imprinting, and sewing… we are your turnkey solution.

Any questions feel free to comment.

Ok these came in last week so some of you have already gotten you hands on them. But as we discussed here and here we have our first of several morale patch designs in the shop. Quality is excellent and they come with a pre-sewn hook backing so it is ready to stick wherever you want it.

What we need now are pics of it on your gear. When you get a chance snap a photo for us and send it on in.

On the T-shirt front we are pleased with the response so far in the DIY Tactical/CGR Zazzle Store we set up. We have several Skull and Needles Shirt designs up also have a mouse pad and coffee mug up there too.

We want to introduce the first in a new series of shirts we’re working on. As a proponent of being prepared for the coming Zombie Apocalypse we are proud to announce Zombie Response Team gear.

The first Zombie Response Team shirt has is inspired by a line from a recently popular movie. Back of the shirt has a nice graphic and the phrase “You got a purty mouth” a nice way to show a little love right before you bash the suckers head in.

Front of the shirt has a logo we’ve come up with to represent the organization. Is containst the biohazard symbol on top of which is a face wearing a helmet and pro-mask, around this is a triangle made from three of the most often used Zombie eradication tools, a shotgun, a machete and the always popular baseball bat. This bat has been modified with some nails to give it a little extra pop. Finnaly the initials ZRT which of course is self explanatory.

Anyway, leave a comment, let us know what you think if you pick up any shirts or gear please send us some pics of it in action.

We’re looking at starting an article series based on customizations done by individuals in the field. Everyone that’s been in the military has at one time or another taken a roll of 100 mph tape and some 550 cord and used it to “fix” a piece of gear or built something to make life easier in the field. Whether it was taping extra padding onto your shoulder straps or more skilled rucksack mods with a sewing machine.

Well we want to see it. It doesn’t matter what it is. It can be related to your gear, taped up boots, a way you build a shelter, cooking ramen on the back of your M1, or some outrageous redneck engineering done on your FOB. Now we understand that there may be some ummm… modifications that you might not want to be associated with, don’t worry just let us know and we won’t mention names if you don’t want us to. We’re all about protecting the guilty.

Now in order for this to work we need your help. Send your pics to hack[at]customgearreport.com, if the response is large enough we will attempt to run regular “Hack of the Month” contests with prizes for the best “customization”.

Let us know what you think in the comments and more importantly send us your pics.

As noted in our previous Morale Patch post we ordered some morale patches and they should be in our hands at the beginning of next week. Here is a quick peek at the proofs we were sent.

On the T-shirt front, we’ve gone ahead and setup with a print on demand service with Zazzle.com They will be printing our t-shirts designs as well as other products from now on. I recently ordered one of the cheaper skull and needle t-shirts from them and was very happy with the quality of the shirt and the graphic, even on the lower priced product. I wanted to do a video to show it off but my video gear isn’t playing well with me right now, Once it’s sorted I’ll get something up.

The only caution I will note is that I ordered an XL which usually fits pretty loose on me and the shirt was snug. So I’d recommend ordering a size larger (maybe two if you are on the edge).

The cool thing is you can customize your shirts however you want as far as color, brand and type of shirt, style, size etc. I’d also encourage you to take a look around their site and other stores, they have some pretty cool stuff.

buy unique gifts at Zazzle

Another thing to note is they we have no control over your order placed through this service. Actually we don’t even know who orders, we just know that an order was placed. So if you have a problem with a product please follow the customer service instructions outlined on their site. We do ask however if you have problems drop us an email so that we can track the service they are providing and determine whether or not we want to continue doing business with them.

Lastly, I will be transferring over all of DIY Tactical’s T-shirts t this site as well this way we will never have to worry about running out.

Let us know what you think in the comments.

As you may have noticed we’re doing a bit of remodeling. This is just the fist step in the process and we will continue to customize the site as time allows.

First, I want to thank everyone for the support over the last couple weeks. Since we’ve started posting regularly again, our stats have grown significantly and we want to keep that up.

However as much as we wish to be all knowing with what is going on in the tactical gear community, we haven’t mastered the technique yet. We have a “how to” DVD on order but until it gets here we rely on any feeder info from the community. Again we are trying to support the little guy, there are enough people out there writing about the major players.

So if you have something to share shoot us an email. If you are a company and want to make an announcement let us know we’d be happy to help you get the info out there.

Also we aren’t all business here, if you have got some good military or gear related humor shoot that our way too and of course hot chicks with guns is always a bonus. Also a fan of redneck engineering and mullets always gives me a chuckle.

Oh, and follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/customgear that is all.