HG2 Special or 3++
Two plates. The HG2 Special is the handgun and special threat plate for daily wear. The 3++ is the rifle plate. Most of the decision is that simple, and the rest of this page is about how to compare these two, or any two plates, without being misled by a spec sheet.
Side by side
| HG2 Special | 3++ | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Handgun and special threat, patrol, daily wear | Rifle threats, entry teams, vehicle work |
| Listed protection examples | .44 Magnum, 7.62x39 mm MSC | 7.62x51 mm NATO FMJ, 5.56x45 mm SS109 |
| Plate size | 8.66 x 11.81 in (220 x 300 mm) | 8.66 x 11.81 in (220 x 300 mm) |
| Thickness | 0.5 in (13 mm) | 0.7 in (18 mm) |
| Weight | 3.09 lb (1.4 kg) | 5.4 lb (2.45 kg) |
| Areal density, full plate area | 4.35 lb/sq ft | 7.61 lb/sq ft |
| Measured backface deformation | 7.9 to 11.2 mm | 0 to 2 mm |
| Plate warranty | 12 years | 12 years |
| Carrier | Fits the padded ArmorIQ carrier, no added padding | Fits the padded ArmorIQ carrier, no added padding |
Figures are for the reference size. Ask for the weight of the size you are quoting.
Which one
Take the HG2 Special if the threat you are actually equipping for is handgun and special threat, the plate is worn for a full shift, and weight on the body is the constraint that decides whether people wear it at all.
Take the 3++ if the specification names rifle rounds, if the team does entries or vehicle work, or if the plate is going into a bag rather than onto a torso for eight hours.
Most teams run both. A common load out is a rifle plate front, a rifle plate back and lighter plates at the sides, and the weight arithmetic works out differently once you count all four.
How to compare two plates fairly
Never accept a weight without the dimensions. A 3.9 lb plate that measures 10 x 12 in and a 5.4 lb plate that measures 8.66 x 11.81 in do not protect the same area of a body. The lighter number on the page is not the lighter plate per square inch of coverage.
Compare areal density, and ask for the basis. Areal density is weight per square foot of coverage. Ours are 4.35 and 7.61 lb/sq ft, computed on the full plate rectangle. Some manufacturers compute on an effective or curved area instead, which produces a smaller number for the same plate. When two figures disagree by 15 to 20 percent, that is usually the reason, not the armor.
Compare complete setups. A plate that needs an aftermarket pad behind it is a plate plus about an inch of bulk plus whatever the pad weighs. Ask what the wearer carries once the carrier and padding are in.
Compare deformation, not just pass or fail. Two plates can hold the same rating with wildly different backface deformation. The NIJ standard allows up to 44 mm. Ask for the millimeters.
Compare the warranty term against the replacement cycle. A five year warranty and a 12 year warranty are different purchases over the same decade.
Check that the report describes the plate in the quote. Ask which sample the report covers and what size it was. Testing is run on one size across this industry, so the right question is not whether that is true but whether the manufacturer will tell you.
What we do not claim
We do not claim NIJ certification, approval or equivalence for either plate. We do not claim either plate is the lightest in its class, because it is not. Our plates are heavier than several competing rifle plates, on the same cut, and we would rather you knew that from us. What they give back is a 12 year warranty instead of two to five years, a padded carrier that does not need a pad added to it, and the deformation figures above.
See the test reports and ballistic data or what the 12 years covers.
Products: HG2 Special and 3++.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the ArmorIQ HG2 Special and the 3++?
The HG2 Special is the handgun and special threat plate: 0.5 in thick, 3.09 lb at 8.66 x 11.81 in. The 3++ is the rifle plate: 0.7 in thick, 5.4 lb at the same size, tested against 7.62x51 mm NATO FMJ and 5.56x45 mm SS109.
How much do ArmorIQ plates weigh?
The HG2 Special is 3.09 lb (1.4 kg) and the 3++ is 5.4 lb (2.45 kg), both at 8.66 x 11.81 in. Areal density is 4.35 and 7.61 lb per square foot, computed on the full plate area.
Are ArmorIQ plates heavier than other rifle plates?
Yes, on most comparisons, and the reason we publish weight with dimensions and areal density is so the comparison is a fair one. What comes with the extra weight is a 12 year plate warranty and backface deformation measured at 0 to 2 mm on the 3++.
How do I compare body armor plates fairly?
Compare weight with dimensions, areal density on a stated basis, the complete setup including carrier and padding, measured backface deformation rather than pass or fail, and the warranty term against your replacement cycle.
What is areal density in body armor?
Weight per square foot of coverage. It lets you compare plates of different sizes and cuts. Ask which area the figure is computed on, because a full rectangle and an effective area give different answers for the same plate.