Lozart

Protection for your eyes, yes they'll be fine but make sure you have some anti fog treatment with you too. Also - you WILL need full face protection if you're under 18 (some sites are under 16). If you're going with glasses then make sure you get a lower face mask too.

Reliable spring testing? https://www.ametektest.com/materials/spring-testing-solutions Actual, real world spring testing? Buy a chrono and get used to swapping out springs. Unfortunately, an M140 spring from one manufacturer can have different gauges of wire, different tempering, different materials etc so there really isn't any hard and fast rule that you can apply to all of them to tell you what your spring is. What FPS are you getting with the stock spring? I'm pretty sure these are supposed to do 485-500FPS out of the box so you could just cock it and leave it that way for a week. Depends on how low you want the FPS to be.

Have a look on Etsy for "cosplay Armour" There's loads of stuff on there like this: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/615391652/apex-mk4-upper-armour-combo-sci-fi-armor?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cosplay+armor&ref=sr_gallery-2-7&col=1

To be fair, they are pretty good until they go wrong. Then there's a lot of proprietary parts, issues with the receiver cracking and supply problems through Shield Sights.

That^^^^ Plus the Chinese brands all tend to be sized around a SMALL SAPI plate so bear that in mind too.

A stock will help with aiming but again...shotgun. It's got reasonable range I suppose but I only really intend on keeping for..close encounters

Horses for courses, dude. If he wants £200 worth of 3D printed fancy stuff, let him crack on. "Better" is very subjective.

Not had any issues so far but I've not actually used it that much. As for "optimal range" - it's a short barreled gas shotgun not a sniper rifle, how much range do you want? It's still green gas, no plans to fit mag adaptors or HPA.

How much do you want to spend?

The ESS has a two speed fan, I run mine on low unless I get spectacularly sweaty then I jack it up to high for a bit and it clears fine. I managed to pick up a boxed pair second hand on ebay for about £60 but new and full price they ARE expensive https://www.tactical-kit.co.uk/ess-profile-turbofan-goggles-9892-p.asp worth it though.

Welcome to Airsoft!

Spiritus et al never designed their micro rigs with re-indexing mags in mind. In fact if you look at the FAQ page on the Spiritus website they make that very point. The Haley M2 inserts rely on having something for the little wings on the top to tuck under to stop them pulling out when you grab a mag so you're a bit limited on what you can use to retain them in micro rigs that just use the elastic adaptors for mag organisation. Kydex inserts with velcro on the outside work pretty well in micro rigs, and people have already copied the various kydex adaptors and make them for cheap. I'd suggest also looking into a small molle chest rig that you can then use regular "highspeed" pouches on if you're determined to re-index mags. Something like the Tactical Tailor Mini Mav for example. Or get a dump pouch.

I have the ESS ones. I also sweat like a glassblowers arse. One cold days, after I've been running about and then stop still for a bit I get a bit of fogging in the top of the bridge area but it clears pretty quickly once you start moving again. The only issue I have with mine is that the foam gasket on the inside that goes up against your face disintegrated and relacing it is nigh on impossible. Another one to consider is the Revision Desert Locust Fan Goggles https://www.tactical-kit.co.uk/revision-desert-locust-fan-goggle-essential-kit-15381-p.asp

What would you call "stupid expensive"? Flecktarn isn't terribly common among the cheaper pouch makers, MFH do some lidded ones that you could just fold the flap back on though. Otherwise you're probably into something like these: https://www.zentauron.de/en/113-quick-draw-magazine-pouches which are a bit spendy but not really in HSGI territory! Or maybe these: https://www.recon-company.com/en/templars-gear/?p=5

I have the top one. Is good. That was easy! NEXT!!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Disguise-Sniper-Coat-Viper-Hood-Chimera-cape-shortened-Multicam-XS-XL-/154098312466?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 Should do the trick for the ghillie hood. The reason I was pushing to see the pic is that we can probably find links quicker because most of us have seen this all before! Don't feel bad about asking for help!

I feel for the OP as he's clearly got a lemon but I've had no issue with them myself and to say that an entire company is shady off the back of one purchase is going a bit far. As for hiding where they're based, if you don't notice that all the shipping options are China/HK based at checkout then that's on you.

Ah but a four pack is about the same size as four EG18X smokes so...

Nice. I usually use my various selection of drop down pouches for pyro but the size and lack of organisers does annoy me a bit. Might have to take a look!

If it's that new, take/send it back. Getting a replacement latch will be hard if not impossible unless you can find a boneyard one to strip (I am - as ever - happy to be proven wrong of course).

What's it like inside? Is it divided, can it take velcro organisers? It does look like an actual useful size so I'm intrigued, especially as they've designed it to be roll up and stowable!

They do take PayPal. I've bought a few things from them and they've been absolutely fine. Their website does have a co.uk domain but it's not hard to work out that they're based in China!

You're dangerously close to breaking Life Rule No1 - don't be a dick. It's not on the person with photo sensitive epilepsy to "do their research" and avoid YOU, it's on YOU to do YOUR research and not use it when you're told not to. Likelihood is that they will check during the safety briefing and ban their use on the day if anyone says they have an issue with strobe lighting. Well, that's a budget then, isn't it? Night Evolution, Element, Aim-O copies of the M300 or M600 weapon light would be your best bet. Some versions come with a head that allows you to select strobe or constant and have built in mounts for picatinny rails.

It does look like it was made from an old gas mask satchel though.