EMR2 Mods

[bcimport]

After much deliberating I made some mods to emr2. I really liked the size and the center zip. What I suspected when I bought it and confirmed after I received it was I didn't like the wing pockets. They were too much of a pain to access to use routinely and if they were for blow out storage when loaded up with meat they rode kind of weird almost slanting forward with a stuffed main bag. I also figure I can just as easily strap an existing dry bag or stuff sack down with them without without the weight penalty of carrying them all the time. Out came the knife and the wings were gone. Their is even a guide for the upper compression straps sewn to the main bag like kifaru anticipated this mod by some.

Mod 2 - I much prefer to pull against the frame than the middle of the pack when tightening compression straps. I used a normal male female buckle on one side and sewed the u shaped kifaru metal connector into the other side of some webbing. Now I can kneel on the bag and pull against the frame to tighten. I also switched to a solid color webbing which feeds much nicer than the printed camo webbing.

All in all I'm happy I made the mods, lost some weight and retained the functionality of a great bag. Always a little nerve racking hacking away though.

 

[mrbillbrown]

Would love to see some pics.

Drop me a pm if you're looking to get rid of the wings and parts you've cut off.

Thanks, Bill

 

[Wileycoyote]

2nd on the pics, now that you've done the cutting you could add pals webbing like the amr on the sides and top. Then sew 1" tri glides on the pockets and make them removable like spotting scope pockets on the side of the amr but still have center zip of the emr2. Mr bill saw you're post first, but I'd be interested in the pieces also if it falls through.

 

[bcimport]

For me the idea was to cut weight and retain functionality I have no need to add anything back on now. The sleeve pockets on the sides grab tripod legs perfectly and the two pouches on the back are perfect too. I'll run a belt pouch on either side down low and I have all the organization I need at a better weight than before.

The cut off sections are already gone, sorry.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I found the same thing when I ran mine. Used the main bag, pockets on the main bag, and the med belt pouches I put on the lower sides every time I took it out. The wings were never used and just a floppy nuisance for me. However.....never had the stones to cut the wings off.

 

[SethCalkins]

After much deliberating I made some mods to emr2. I really liked the size and the center zip. What I suspected when I bought it and confirmed after I received it was I didn't like the wing pockets. They were too much of a pain to access to use routinely and if they were for blow out storage when loaded up with meat they rode kind of weird almost slanting forward with a stuffed main bag. I also figure I can just as easily strap an existing dry bag or stuff sack down with them without without the weight penalty of carrying them all the time. Out came the knife and the wings were gone. Their is even a guide for the upper compression straps sewn to the main bag like kifaru anticipated this mod by some.

Mod 2 - I much prefer to pull against the frame than the middle of the pack when tightening compression straps. I used a normal male female buckle on one side and sewed the u shaped kifaru metal connector into the other side of some webbing. Now I can kneel on the bag and pull against the frame to tighten. I also switched to a solid color webbing which feeds much nicer than the printed camo webbing.

All in all I'm happy I made the mods, lost some weight and retained the functionality of a great bag. Always a little nerve racking hacking away though.

I would be interested in seeing some photos of the modifications you did! I was thinking similar thing but keeping the usability of pockets by either
A) Adding a zipper to remove when unneeded
B) Adding molle loops similar to dock & lock system

 

[goatboy]

Glad someone had the stones to do what I've wanted to do for a long time! This and put the open pockets on the back of the pack on the sides so you can use them to their full potential.

 

[rhunter424]

Pictures would be helpful. I don't have an EMR2 but am interested in the mods.

I cut the wings off my nomad too because I didn't like them.

 

[colonel00]

I cut the wings off my nomad too because I didn't like them.

Uh, so you just had the back panel? Wasn't the whole point of the Nomad the wings? Just seems it would have made more sense to sell the Nomad and get a Cargo Panel or something else rather than basically turning into nothing.

 

[7mag.]

Uh, so you just had the back panel? Wasn't the whole point of the Nomad the wings? Just seems it would have made more sense to sell the Nomad and get a Cargo Panel or something else rather than basically turning into nothing.

Ha, ha, I was thinking the same thing.

 

[rhunter424]

Correct, I just had the back panel and all the tab loops and straps.

I was looking for a lightweight day set up. The pictures below have 2 medium belt pouches and a guide lid. If I'm carrying something below the panel I run a grab it 2.

You could do this with a cargo panel. However, running it this way is much more "tighter". Especially with the cargo panel the guide lid attachment points (see the last pic).

 

[rhunter424]

Bump for pics from the OP since mine left 'em speechless

 

[bcimport]

I'll figure out how to post pics and get some for you guys. Converted the buckles all to wave lock g hooks tonight. Pack is just about perfect now.

 

[7mag.]

Bump for pics from the OP since mine left 'em speechless

Yours did leave me speechless. You completely answered the question and left me with nothing to offer.

 

[colonel00]

I'm not hating on people making mods to gear. I just don't get "destroying" a perfectly good "pack" when you could have probably called Kifaru and gotten the same simple panel for minimal cost. But, I'm always impressed when someone finds what works for their personal usage and if it works for you then I cannot judge.

 

[rhunter424]

I'm not hating on people making mods to gear. I just don't get "destroying" a perfectly good "pack" when you could have probably called Kifaru and gotten the same simple panel for minimal cost. But, I'm always impressed when someone finds what works for their personal usage and if it works for you then I cannot judge.

No you're fine. It'd be awesome if Kifaru did that but out of my 9 years of using kifarus I have not once had any luck getting something custom done. So I did it myself.

Not all mods end up good though I hacked up a mountain rambler hoping it would be better but it's still crap. Looks like that's been discontinued anyways.

 

[ridge]

What did you do to the rambler?

 

[7mag.]

I'm not hating on people making mods to gear. I just don't get "destroying" a perfectly good "pack" when you could have probably called Kifaru and gotten the same simple panel for minimal cost. But, I'm always impressed when someone finds what works for their personal usage and if it works for you then I cannot judge.

I agree completely. Personally, I have a hard time cutting up a several hundred dollar pack, but that's my opinion. Everyone has a right to do whatever they want with their own property, and if makes it more useful for their needs, have at it. I admire the guts it takes to do that.

 

[bcimport]

Pics, not on the frame at the moment. View attachment 32504

 

[bcimport]

View attachment 32505