As you may or may not know, Al Iba (of I&I Sports) has been getting me to review various pieces of gear. A while ago, I was sent all the bags and cases Ronin Gear makes. While this proved to be all great stuff, individually they didn't have enough write-up for each of them to have their own review. I'm going to start with the small stuff and work my way up.
One of the most import pieces of gear you will own, along with your goggles. Goggles protect YOU, barrel plugs protect OTHER PLAYERS. The Ronin Gear Barrel Plug has three o-rings that hold it securely in the barrel and instead of the customary air hole the plug has an air channel on either side of the shaft that fits into the barrel. An added feature is the tank o-ring holder, so you always know where one is: it's on your plug! (The plug also comes with an o-ring.) Another nice feature is the fact that the end is large enough that (if you've forgotten to pull it out when the game started) it sticks up when you look down your barrel. (Personally I like this feature, it tells me, 'Hey stupid, your plug's in.') Also, Ronin Gear was smart enough to provide a hole so you can hang a streamer or 'fobs' on the plug or attach a clip to put it on your harness during a game. Something you don't normally see.
This plug stays in, thanks in part to the air channels (that prevents the pressure of the marker being fired from blowing the plug out) and that it has a point that breaks the ball, in the event the plug should come out.
Note the o-ring holder on the plug.
Be advised, no safety device is a substitute for personal vigilance. Do not fire your marker in camp, for any reason. The barrel plug is there to prevent a mistake from becoming injurious, not so you can let you guard down and get careless.
The goggle bag is simplicity in itself. It is a ballistic nylon bag with a draw-string and vented side panels. The side panels are made from the same mesh Ronin Gear uses for it's harness backing, so it'll stand up to repeated washings. The bag holds even the largest goggle systems; the Brass Eagle 'Bug Eyed Lens', I know because that's what I use. The bag is clearly marked 'GOGGLE BAG', so when you're packing your car you don't forget and toss your gear bag on top of it. When not in use it folds up into a neat little package.
See, lot's of room in the goggle bag.
The Stock harness and CO2 Wrist holder.
The Ronin Gear Stock Harness is like most stock harnesses out there. It has loops for tubes on the belt and loops for 12-grams on the suspenders. That's where the similarities end. The harness is completely adjustable at the waist and the suspenders. The suspenders adjust in the back, which is handy because you're not losing valuable 12-gram carrying space by the inclusion of an adjusting buckle. The waist belt adjusts in the back and also has a quick adjusting buckle. Snap the front fastex buckle closed and a quick tug of the nylon webbing belt and the harness is snug.
The Stock Harness holds twenty tubes (ten each side) and twenty 12-grams (ten on each suspender). That's more than enough for playing stock; even in all-day scenario games. With the adjusting buckles for the belt on the back, you can easily pull the webbing out and slide on a canteen or water bottle holder, or extra pouches for paint (should you require more than two hundred balls a game).
For stock players on a budget, this item is the ticket.
The CO2 Wrist Holder holds five 12-grams. Unlike most other wrist holders, this one doesn't have any elastic in the band that goes around your wrist. This is important because it won't cut off circulation, or cut into your wrist. I have also found that the elastic banded ones tend to loosen up as you pull 12-grams out. The CO2 Wrist holder can accommodate any sized wrist and stays put when you put it on, without cutting into your wrist. I have found, after using it several times, that it stays better if you wrap it on the outside of your sleeve.
These gun cases are identical, with the exception of the logos on the outside. (I suspect Ronin Gear makes these for I&I Sports.) The case has a long zipper around three sides, so it can be opened up and laid flat. Not only does it protect your marker, but when it's opened out, it makes a great workbench pad for working on you marker. (Don't forget to check that it is unloaded and not charged with gas before working on it.) The Padded Gun case holds even the largest marker, most times with the barrel still on. I use them for my semi auto pistols. If you're going to pack other stuff in them (say and extra tank or whatever) I'd suggest wrapping your marker in a towel or shirt to prevent it from getting scratch or dinged. Due to the cases' slim profile, they can be packed in your gear bag, so there's one less thing to carry separately. Incidentally Ronin Gear does plain and custom embroidered cases as well.
These cases are an ideal, and economical, way to carry your marker out of view of the non-playing public.
These cases even hold antiques, like my Tippmann 68 Special.
Cases come either with the I&I logo, Ronin logo or blank.
This is a major step up from the padded gun cases. The Deluxe Padded Gun Case is much larger and will hold a marker even with a bulky drop forward or bottom line. The great feature about this case is the elastic straps that hold your marker, a spare barrel and a tank. (If you don't have a spare barrel, it makes a good place to put your squeegee and/or an adjusting rod.) I even have space for my loader (although it's a small loader). On the outside is a small zippered compartment that's handy for holding a user's manual and other small, flat items. On the other side is a larger pouch that is big enough for a remote rig, barrel plug, tools, cable squeegees, a big loader and other items that have to go along with your marker. The case even has 'd'-rings so you can put a small lock on the zipper.
The case also opens completely and lays flat to make a good working surface.
The Padded Gun Case holds everything you need, very securely.
The large pouch on one side of the Deluxe Padded Gun Case
The smaller pouch on the other side.
These days, everything from hot dogs to waffle-makers seems to be 'extreme'. So it's understandable when folks get a little jaded and don't get too impressed with something that's labeled 'extreme'.
Believe me, this bag lives up to it's 'X-Treme' title. It is X-tremely well made and holds an X-Treme amount of gear. In fact, I found you could pack so much gear in it, it became too heavy to carry! When I hauled it out of the box, my wife was astounded by the size of the gear bag.
The X-Treme Gear Bag It has a compartment for your goggles (that has a reinforced panel to protect them for the rest of your gear), a large main compartment and a smaller compartment beside it. Each of these three compartments has their own zippered opening, so you don't have to go rooting through the entire bag to find stuff. The centre dividing panel is also a bag for 'stinky-gear-packing' at the end of the day. Not only could I pack all my gear, but I still had room for all three gun cases (mentioned above). The bag also comes with padded and stiffened dividers to further help you organize your kit. Admittedly, I still carry my goggle separately, but I'm paranoid about keeping my goggles in good shape. (I'm paranoid in other ways, too, but that's just because everyone is out to get me.)
The top of the X-Treme gear bag showing the separate zippered compartments.
On the outside of the bag are two pouches that can either hold water bottles or tanks up to 20 ounces in size. There's a large zippered pouch on the same end for other miscellaneous gear, in case you've packed the bag to capacity. I find it makes a dandy tool pouch, actually.
The small pouch is dandy for tools. The other two will hold water bottles.
I do a bit of paintball-related traveling and there's enough room in this bag for my paintball gear and my normal clothes (if you could call my clothes 'normal'). When I get an e-mail telling me to 'pack light' for an upcoming road trip -- on pick-up day I'm standing on the curb with one bag, which makes packing the vehicle that much easier. The bag is even sturdy enough to withstand air travel, unfortunately I can't say the same for me.
Look at all the crap you can stuff into this monster!
All the above mentioned gear is very well made and will undoubtedly last many, many paintball seasons. As for all of the Ronin Gear line, quality of manufacture is second to none.
Prices are as follows. Padded Gun Case, $9.95, inexpensive enough to get one for each marker (for those of you financially fortunate enough to have more than one). The Deluxe Padded Gun Case, $29.95, a bit pricey but the perfect companion to your $1,000-plus marker. The X-Treme Gear Bag, $69.95, expensive, but you'll only need to buy ONE. The Goggle Bag, $6.50, worth every penny, considering how much it is to replace a scratched goggle lens. The Stock Harness, $??.??, perfect for players who want to get into stock class but don't want to spend too much money on more gear. The CO2 Wrist Holder, $??.??, a bargain for the peace of mind knowing you have yet another five 12-grams at your disposal. Barrel plug, $??.??, what price do you put on safety?. Padded I&I Gun Case, $9.95, again -- inexpensive enough for you to get one for each marker.
They can be found at Ronin Gear (www.ronin-gear.com) and I&I Sports (www.iisports.com). For those of you still in the Dark Ages without access to the Internet, call I&I Sports at: 1-800-898-2042 (for retail) and 1-800-570-1659 (wholesale ONLY). You can also contact ACI at 1-877-832-6224.
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