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Information Management (Battle Boards / Cole-Tac Playbook / etc)

blbennett1288

blbennett1288

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    • Apr 24, 2017
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    Hoover, Alabama
    For a while now I have been using a rite in rain notebook to record environmentals, dope, training, and round counts.I am pretty happy with is since it affords flexibility and the options are endless.

    For matches I have been using an index card w/ dope, the match booklet, and a kestrel to confirm dope in range card (just a feel good measure). What I am unhappy with is all these items are stored individually.

    What I am looking for is something like a battle board, playbook, or rite in rain notebook pouch to keep kestrel, notebook, match booklet, pens all in one spot.
    Talk me into or out of any of the above products. Feel free to offer new suggestions.

    My concerns with the battle board is there is no clip board nor a kestrel slot. My concerns with the playbook is it’s too flimsy. My concerns with the rite in rain notebook pouch is it is too small for a match booklet. Links below:

    Battle Board

    Cole-Tac Playbook

    Rite-In-Rain Notebook Pouch
     
    I have a battle board. I love it. But I usually just use a impact data book at the range. Keep a notepad in it for notes. When I’m mobile just a simple rite in rain does the trick then I transfer any pertinent data later.
     
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    I spent a good amount of time with the same thing and found the kestrel would just have to go one it's own. As it stands right now I have two systems- range/training and match.

    Range/training:
    -Battleboard scout with a rite in the rain and magpul data cards

    Match set up:
    -DA appropriate magpul card in my arm board, match book in a zip lock bag if it's raining which is then stuffed in my pocket, stage data written on a hawk hill board.

    As to the kestrel it rides in the top pouch of my backpack so it travels with me. At matches I try and use the kestrel as little as possible and spend the majority of my non shooting time on glass. If there is a drastic change I'll go to the kestrel but I try to avoid being glued to it.

    Tactical notebook covers (https://tacticalnotebookcovers.com/ )makes a lot of options so you can probably put something together.

    Going off your post it seems your needs are pretty much the description of the cole tac playbook.

    Hope this helps.
     
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    I have the battle board scout for my small record keeping/dear diary range stuff, which comes in handy when I don't want to bring my actual data book. The clear window on the outside of the scout is perfect for having a range card/match book page/drop chart accessible at all times. Plus you can write directly on it with a map pen or grease pencil if you need to make quick notes/changes on the fly. Holds everything you need and nothing you don't.

    I like the idea of the tactical notebook covers (never used one though) but I think the clear window on the Scout makes it the better choice.
     
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    M8541Reaper said:
    I have the battle board scout for my small record keeping/dear diary range stuff, which comes in handy when I don't want to bring my actual data book. The clear window on the outside of the scout is perfect for having a range card/match book page/drop chart accessible at all times. Plus you can write directly on it with a map pen or grease pencil if you need to make quick notes/changes on the fly. Holds everything you need and nothing you don't.

    I like the idea of the tactical notebook covers (never used one though) but I think the clear window on the Scout makes it the better choice.
    Click to expand...
    I agree with you on the clear window on the scout and it is where I keep my dope card. Overall I am a big fan of their products.
     
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    By pure coincidence I actually just put something together yesterday for this. Back in the military we used battle boards to help with patrols and managing information. Pretty simple to put together, and infinitely configurable if you want to add additional pockets, velcro, etc. All you need are some acrylic glass panels from Home Depot and some duct tape. I have my notes, dope, place for my range book, and a hard writing surface to write on. Total cost was about $19.

    unnamed 1.jpg
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    Forgot to mention the boards are also stiff and practically unbreakable. Extremely durable, and at ~$5/panel, pretty cheap to fix.
     
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    mtruong said:
    By pure coincidence I actually just put something together yesterday for this. Back in the military we used battle boards to help with patrols and managing information. Pretty simple to put together, and infinitely configurable if you want to add additional pockets, velcro, etc. All you need are some acrylic glass panels from Home Depot and some duct tape. I have my notes, dope, place for my range book, and a hard writing surface to write on. Total cost was about $19.

    View attachment 7320521View attachment 7320522
    Click to expand...
    Jesus Christ does that bring back memories.
     
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    mtruong said:
    By pure coincidence I actually just put something together yesterday for this. Back in the military we used battle boards to help with patrols and managing information. Pretty simple to put together, and infinitely configurable if you want to add additional pockets, velcro, etc. All you need are some acrylic glass panels from Home Depot and some duct tape. I have my notes, dope, place for my range book, and a hard writing surface to write on. Total cost was about $19.

    View attachment 7320521View attachment 7320522
    Click to expand...
    Arts and crafts time in the barracks always resulted in a shit ton of duct tape and a wide-eyed imagination. You went fancy with velcro on the outside, very nice.
     
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    I have been wrestling with the same thing. I've been using the Cole Tac Playbook and the Battle Board and to be honest they both leave something to be desired for matches.

    My ideal system would have a clear sleeve on the front exterior, like the battle board but accessible from the exterior with a zippered enclosure. The interior front would have pockets for data cards, a Sidewinder, batteries and pens. The interior of the back panel would have a pocket or zippered pouch for a 4.5x7 Rite In The Rain notebook.
     
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    I forgot. The covers would have some sort of kydex or hard plastic on the inside to add rigidity to the whole thing.
     
    RoterJager said:
    I forgot. The covers would have some sort of kydex or hard plastic on the inside to add rigidity to the whole thing.
    Click to expand...
    You could probably just secure a WP clear pouch to the outside of the BB scout. They sell the little clear WP bags too, so it’s just a matter of adding velcro.
     
    M8541Reaper said:
    You could probably just secure a WP clear pouch to the outside of the BB scout. They sell the little clear WP bags too, so it’s just a matter of adding velcro.
    Click to expand...

    The Battle Board Scout that I have is almost what I want except for two things. The clear pouch on the exterior is only accessible from the inside and the internal zipper pocket leaves a little to be desired.

    To be honest I'm kind of to the point of just using the match book bag from Fehu Outdoors and setting up the pocket in my pack for data cards and pens
     
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    RoterJager said:
    The Battle Board Scout that I have is almost what I want except for two things. The clear pouch on the exterior is only accessible from the inside and the internal zipper pocket leaves a little to be desired.

    To be honest I'm kind of to the point of just using the match book bag from Fehu Outdoors and setting up the pocket in my pack for data cards and pens
    Click to expand...
    Never seen that bag before, looks pretty cool.
     
    RoterJager said:
    I have been wrestling with the same thing. I've been using the Cole Tac Playbook and the Battle Board and to be honest they both leave something to be desired for matches.

    My ideal system would have a clear sleeve on the front exterior, like the battle board but accessible from the exterior with a zippered enclosure. The interior front would have pockets for data cards, a Sidewinder, batteries and pens. The interior of the back panel would have a pocket or zippered pouch for a 4.5x7 Rite In The Rain notebook.
    Click to expand...
    Have a look at the tactical notebook covers. A lot of their covers have pocket on the back and a lot of add on features you can add using velcro that's sewn on.

    RoterJager said:
    The Battle Board Scout that I have is almost what I want except for two things. The clear pouch on the exterior is only accessible from the inside and the internal zipper pocket leaves a little to be desired.

    To be honest I'm kind of to the point of just using the match book bag from Fehu Outdoors and setting up the pocket in my pack for data cards and pens
    Click to expand...
    That's to the point I'm at now except I use a small mesh pouch that I got when I purchased one of those McNett microfiber towels.

    9/10 for matches I just put the match book in a zilock bag if it's raining and just keep it in my pocket with a pen to update my dope for the stage. The cole tac playbook looks really nice but I hardly take my kestrel out unless there's a very noticeable change in atmospherics.
     
    elmuzzlebreak said:
    Have a look at the tactical notebook covers. A lot of their covers have pocket on the back and a lot of add on features you can add using velcro that's sewn on.


    That's to the point I'm at now except I use a small mesh pouch that I got when I purchased one of those McNett microfiber towels.

    9/10 for matches I just put the match book in a zilock bag if it's raining and just keep it in my pocket with a pen to update my dope for the stage. The cole tac playbook looks really nice but I hardly take my kestrel out unless there's a very noticeable change in atmospherics.
    Click to expand...

    I cut one of the pen loops out to expand the kestrel loop. It now how holds 20ish 3x5 note cards perfectly.
     
    This is what I used yesterday at K&M and probably until I sort out what I want. I don’t use a wrist coach as I have a Hawk Hill Spuhr Mount for dope. I had my dope card in the front clear pouch. Index cards in the second pouch for stages. In the arm portion the stage briefing, 5x7 Rite in Rain, and pens. Kept it in my back pocket all day.

    C1581FD9-8526-4E90-98EA-43CD55423034.jpeg
     
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    blbennett1288 said:
    This is what I used yesterday at K&M and probably until I sort out what I want. I don’t use a wrist coach as I have a Hawk Hill Spuhr Mount for dope. I had my dope card in the front clear pouch. Index cards in the second pouch for stages. In the arm portion the stage briefing, 5x7 Rite in Rain, and pens. Kept it in my back pocket all day.

    View attachment 7322088
    Click to expand...
    Going to copy this!
     
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    You know like 3 years ago I contacted Battle Boards, they had an ad on FB and I tried to see if they wanted to create a Precision RIfle data system - databook, etc, they said no,

    Their book is nice but plain, they can do so much more.

    Tactical Notebooks are nice too, they had different sizes to work with.

    I need to find a willing partner who understands we have idears we just need companies to execute, because if we had the resources to execute it would do it ourselves. But you have companies in these spaces that are not taking advantage of the changes and how we operate today

    We need an open mind because I think I can make this stuff better given the chance to work with someone open to it
     
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    @lowlight you are 100% correct. I'm tempted to take up sewing just to make my own book for matches. The Rifles Only data book covers paired with Impact Databooks works awesome for range trips and gathering hard data. It's just a touch off for matches, for me.
     
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    The Tactical Notebook gets the job done but the Battle Board is a major step up in design and quality. @blbennett1288, you can check it out the next time we shoot.

    Rite in Rain sells printable precut cards so you can make custom cards. Will be playing with designs suited for matches soon.
     
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    The biggest obstacle is dealing with match books. I want to pick up one of the battle board fist but I think the match book would be too thick so I would be better off using something like a ziplock to waterproof it.

    One idea I did get was just pick up a smaller clip board and keep the match book on one side and day's dope card on the other.
     
    A bit of an update.

    I ended up ordering one of the Tactical Notebook Covers leaderbook covers along with their pen loops and passport pocket. I also took one of my impact datebook binders and slid it into the pockets with some of the Snipers Hide Kestrel Truing pages that @lowlight had mentioned in the past. I put some come up sheets and round count sheets in their as well. Ordered up some notes pages to use for taking stage notes at matches. Just need to print off the updated wind rose.

    Its a little bit bulky overall but should serve the purpose Im looking for at matches.
     
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    @RoterJager I'm still running my battleboard scout notebook but I plan to buy a True North Raven Wrap in the near future. Lately for matches I've kept my notebook close by with my dope on a rite in the rain 3x5. I did also get some plexiglass to make a "battle board" like I used to have in the military. Here I'm thinking of keeping a copy of the data card/ wind rose sheet and keep that in the main pouch of the raven wrap.
     
    @elmuzzlebreak I looked long and hard at the Raven Wrap and felt it'd be a lot of messing around for how we run our matches here. Maybe if someone else is my shooting group takes on the $300 experiment first and I can see how they like it.
     
    elmuzzlebreak said:
    @RoterJager I'm still running my battleboard scout notebook but I plan to buy a True North Raven Wrap in the near future. Lately for matches I've kept my notebook close by with my dope on a rite in the rain 3x5. I did also get some plexiglass to make a "battle board" like I used to have in the military. Here I'm thinking of keeping a copy of the data card/ wind rose sheet and keep that in the main pouch of the raven wrap.
    Click to expand...

    are you planning on using the admin pouch on the True North wrap for your match book management? its just a soft pouch. When you fold the tripod to move stages Im curious how that would work with a hard board kept inside.
     
    AnimalMother224 said:
    are you planning on using the admin pouch on the True North wrap for your match book management? its just a soft pouch. When you fold the tripod to move stages Im curious how that would work with a hard board kept inside.
    Click to expand...

    That was a big hang up for me with the Raven Wrap. What do I do with all my stuff in that pocket when it's folded up and I'm moving between stages. Again, if I could see it in person before investing the coin, that'd be a big bonus.
     
    AnimalMother224 said:
    are you planning on using the admin pouch on the True North wrap for your match book management? its just a soft pouch. When you fold the tripod to move stages Im curious how that would work with a hard board kept inside.
    Click to expand...
    I was thinking this exact thing, upfront it seems like a good way to handle my data and match book but you make a good point. From the looks of it you could not fold up the tripod so long as the pouch is still attached. Unfortunately there isn't an email address on their site or a way to submit questions. I'll admit I am a total gear slut but this may be one of those things I have to see in action first. Looking at the design I think you should be ale to fold it up.
     
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    Someone needs to make a tactical trapper keeper (tm)...
     
    I think rite in the rain makes something like that but way too cumbersome.
     
    I picked up the Cole Tac Playbook of the prize table a couple weeks ago and used it a match this weekend.

    It’s a prefect match companion and that’s it. Holds the kestrel, a coupe of pens, and clip board for the match booklet. I liked having the hard surface for write on dope cards.

    I’ll be using the Playbook for PRS style match and Battleboard for everything else.
     
    I know you may have found your solution already, but I'd like to throw something into the mix. A fanny pack...

    I have a rite in the rain notebook cover for a 3x5 rite in the rain notebook. It holds my pens, notebook, and 3x5 cards that I have pre built for my wrist coach. I zip all that up and toss it in. I then can toss in my weather meter, spare batteries, range finder(sig kilo), and wrist coach. It keeps all of my "long range shit" in one spot, and I can grab it and go and have all my junk in one spot. Toss in the DA card you need and you're good to go!

    For wrist coaches, I use the sunrise tactical as well as the HDC handy. I like both.
     
    Better yet, a chest rig like the slim one from hill people gear. Kestrel, 3x5 cards, fix it sticks, etc..I think that small playbook would fit.
     
    rybe390 said:
    I know you may have found your solution already, but I'd like to throw something into the mix. A fanny pack...

    I have a rite in the rain notebook cover for a 3x5 rite in the rain notebook. It holds my pens, notebook, and 3x5 cards that I have pre built for my wrist coach. I zip all that up and toss it in. I then can toss in my weather meter, spare batteries, range finder(sig kilo), and wrist coach. It keeps all of my "long range shit" in one spot, and I can grab it and go and have all my junk in one spot. Toss in the DA card you need and you're good to go!

    For wrist coaches, I use the sunrise tactical as well as the HDC handy. I like both.
    Click to expand...
    I recently moved to the HDC handy and I am a big fan.

    Also it's not a "fanny pack", us cool kids call them nut rucks. That being said I did order one from spiritus systems.
     
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    I bought a Cole tac play book and it works perfect for my uses!
     
    So I finally got the Tactical Notebook Covers Leader book cover all set up and laid out the way I wanted it for matches. I wanted to have a place to write stage notes and or match notes within the book as well as have a place to keep my load data and hard copy ballistic data. The data book pages are from Impact Data books modular data book builder. Also needed a clipboard for my match book and a way to carry my index cards for my side winder. Pics below of how I have it set up. It is bulky but I think it will work for the intended purposes.

    106254275_2473802072723493_7572569562966678087_n.jpg

    106123561_353841462245676_2692772805080432593_n.jpg

    106210120_693837184733396_174607194187173052_n.jpg

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    79277695_757250305084696_8943302438984917323_n.jpg
     
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    I just spent a bit of time building some 3x5 tools out.

    Imgur link below to show a bit of a preview. Trying to figure out a download link for people. Snagged the sniper's hide wind rose for sure.



    DCXydDn.png
     
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    RoterJager said:
    So I finally got the Tactical Notebook Covers Leader book cover all set up and laid out the way I wanted it for matches. I wanted to have a place to write stage notes and or match notes within the book as well as have a place to keep my load data and hard copy ballistic data. The data book pages are from Impact Data books modular data book builder. Also needed a clipboard for my match book and a way to carry my index cards for my side winder. Pics below of how I have it set up. It is bulky but I think it will work for the intended purposes.

    View attachment 7360481
    View attachment 7360488
    View attachment 7360489
    View attachment 7360491View attachment 7360492View attachment 7360493View attachment 7360494Nice settup! Is your binder for the impact data pages the binder from tactical notebooks or the binder that comes with the impact data book? I cant figure out if impact data pages fit the binder from tactical notebooks...thanks in advance! They dont make it easy with all these binders having different hole patterns!
    Click to expand...
     
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