Compare hard armor plates
What is the difference between PGD plates?
|
|
PGD U-line* |
PGD Berserker* |
PGD LW |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Price |
Avarage |
Lowest |
Low |
|
Weight |
Light |
Avarage |
Lightest |
|
Edge-to-edge protection** |
Yes, ceramic |
Yes, ceramic |
Yes, Polyethylene |
|
Single curved |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Multi curved |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Side plate add-on |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Which plate is best for you depends on whether you prioritize price, weight or protection the most and which sharp situations you expect to be in.
- PGD U-line is a light plate that provides high protection. It has ceramic edge-to-edge protection, is multi curved and side plates can be added. The downside is that all that protection and flexibility makes it a little more expensive than the others.
- PGD Berserker is the cheapest plate. It also provides high protection and has ceramic edge-to-edge protection, just like the U-line. On the other hand, it is heavier (weighs 3.4 kg) than the other plates, is only single curved and has no possibility of side plates.
- PGD LW is a cheap vest with very low weight and good protection. It is multi curved and side panels can be purchased, but it does not protect NIJ level 4 threats.
* If you choose a PGD U-line or PGD Berserker plate, they both come in both NIJ level 3 and NIJ level 4. You can compare which shots the different vests stop here and you can read about what the difference is between NIJ level 3 and level 4 here.
** Edge-to-edge protection (edge-to-edge) means that the plate protects all the way to the edge of the plate, which means the entire area you can see. There is a lot of money to be saved for the manufacturer by not making the plate edge-to-edge protected, but it will make the plate cover approx. ⅓ less of your body because the edge is just foam. Protection Group Denmark’s boards all have edge-to-edge protection and both U-line and Berserker are made of ceramic, which protects extra well.
What shots do PGD plates stop?
The list below shows some of the calibres that PGD plates stop. The list is not exhaustive.
|
Kaliber |
NIJ level 1, 2 and 2A, 2 & 3A |
PGD U-line NIJ level 3 |
PGD U-line NIJ level 4 |
PGD Berseker NIJ level 3 |
PGD Berseker NIJ level 4 |
PGD LW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7.62×51 NATO, M80 |
n/a |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
7.62×39 MSC, AK47 |
n/a |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
5.56×45 M193 |
n/a |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
5.56×45 mm SS109/M855 |
n/a |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
7.62×63 AP / .30-06 Springfield |
n/a |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
- 7.62×51 NATO, M80
- 7.62×39 MSC, AK47
- 5.56×45 M193
- 5.56×45 SS109 / M855
- 7.62×63 AP / .30-06 Springfield
What is the difference between NIJ level 3 (III) and NIJ level 4 (IV)?
The NIJ standard is the only nationally accepted standard for protective vests and helmets in the United States. NIJ tests whether the equipment meets their minimum standards in terms of shots, stabs, blows and fragments.
NIJ is a standard for how powerful projectiles, the bulletproof vest or the plate can stop. The higher the level, the more powerful the projectiles are stopped. The highest NIJ level is level 4. There is no level 5, although some online stores try to make it look like this.
NIJ level 3 stops projectiles of the type:
- 7.62×51 NATO, M80
- 7.62×39 MSC, AK47
- 5.56×45 M193
- 5.56×45 SS109 / M855 (PE plates cannot stop these)
NIJ level 4 stops projectiles of the type:
- 7.62×51 NATO, M80
- 7.62×39 MSC, AK47
- 5.56×45 M193
- 5.56×45 SS109 / M855
- 7.62×63 AP / .30-06 Springfield
The advantage of an NIJ level 4 plate is that it stops Armor Piercing bullets, which a hard armor in steel or 100% PE cannot stop.