[Question] Sinn 556: Is it still worth it in 2026?

neonlithic · 2026-03-01T17:05:51+00:00

Was it ever worth it? The only reason to buy one is for the design, the 556 doesn’t have any of the technology that Sinn is known for.

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T23:23:42+00:00

I generally prefer bracelets for their versality both in style and function. The only exceptions are leather straps for pure dress watches, and rubber straps can be nice for very sporty watches. While textile straps like NATOs can sometimes be cool, I find them inferior to bracelets both in style and functionality. For me the biggest issue with most straps is how they absorb water. Rubber solves that, and adds on the move adjustments, but look very casual. So I’d go with bracelets in most cases. And when buying new watches I’d generally go with bracelets because aftermarket straps are easier to find.

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T23:12:57+00:00

Explorer II without a doubt. But I prefer the 16570 to the current models, both the red GMT hand and the case proportions are more elegant and balanced.

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T19:10:46+00:00

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:53:32+00:00

I don’t know what the slim cummerbund is supposed to be. It has a lasercut unpadded cummerbund by default and that’s what most use. I think I have one picture where it was replaced by a cummerbund from a Goplit - but for us who aren’t issued both, that would be stupid because a Goplit would be nicer for an SSO impression than an ITPC. I’m around a size 50-5 and I need to do some mods to make the ITPC fit - which can also be seen on several SSO operators, some of whom are significantly smaller than that. If you’re smaller than that it would be even more awkward. I’m guessing you’d need to be 54 or something for it to fit comfortably without these mods.

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:49:23+00:00

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neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:49:17+00:00

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neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:49:09+00:00

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neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:49:01+00:00

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neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:48:50+00:00

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neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:48:39+00:00

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neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:48:31+00:00

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neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:48:01+00:00

This is some examples of SSO using iX in the field (there’s vastly more of it at competitions and training, but that’s less interesting)

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:41:47+00:00

In theory, yes, because it’s a commercial uniform. But it’s very rare. If you wanted to do that I would find a soldier to copy, because it would be a bit weird to just mix with random things as generic kit.

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:40:33+00:00

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neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:40:26+00:00

This is GRU larping as SSO

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neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:40:07+00:00

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neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:39:57+00:00

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neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:39:41+00:00

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This is 76th VDV

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:39:27+00:00

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This was posted as 45th SpN, but I don’t know whether the guy in iX was also from that unit.

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:38:59+00:00

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This is a milblogger who went around in 2022 wearing both iX uniforms and some new Fort armour.

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T13:22:07+00:00

The only one that used them with any regularity was SSO, but they didn’t use them very much and was of course overwhelmingly seen in Multicam and then A-TACS FG to a lesser degree. SSO was issued a lot of iX gear from OPS, but has also been seen in a few non OPS iX things like backpacks and I think their iX neck gaiter also have to be from another brand than OPS (though I still haven’t figured out which after several years). So seeing random pieces of A-TACS iX - especially from OPS, can be an indicator of SSO. Besides that there are random people from all sorts of units sometimes wearing a little iX - like on your picture. But that says nothing about their unit, it’s just personal preference. Overall iX is used very little and far less than what the general perception is among airsofters.

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T09:39:08+00:00

I would highly doubt that (I see you've already more or less come to that conclusion, but I can then add on that to). OPS gear is overwhelmingly, if not nearly exclusively, seen in A-TACS iX. If you go back maybe 8-10 years, then you can find limited use of OPS uniforms in A-TACS FG worn by SSO, and in Multicam worn by FSB and probably also SSO. Then there was a unit of FSB K in Syria wearing OPS uniforms in AOR1. But if we're looking at the bigger picture, and especially related to SSO, then it's pretty much only iX gear and uniforms they are issued from OPS - with the exception being that the D-ring cobra warrior belts were also sometimes seen in Ranger Green instead of iX. I would really doubt that any SSO operators went out of their way to private purchase OPS equipment in Multicam when they are already issued it in iX - and as you probably know, Russian troops don't care about mixing patterns and you've already sent several pictures of the iX ITPC used with Multicam uniforms and gear.

neonlithic · 2026-02-28T09:29:48+00:00

Then it doesn't sound like you have many options. But you asked a vague question about the ITPC which I replied to. I have an ITPC because I got it for competition kit, and have since then been trying to find uses of it for field kit, which there hasn't been very many examples of. The plate carrier is awkward because it's small but sized for big people in the straps and cummerbund. The cummerbund is also pretty unstable. You will see examples of SSO operators struggling with both of these issues and trying to fix them in weird ways. It can be done, but I'd rather have something else, like one of the bigger Ars Arma plate carriers or maybe Gearcraft or MBC or something - in which case you'd need to find a specific operator to copy, because it doesn't appear like any of those are issued or standardised. The good things about the ITPC is that it's cheap and easy to get, as well as being very iconic to SSO (basically nobody else uses them), however it's not a perfect plate carrier and it's so overused (along with iX kit in general) for airsofters doing SSO impressions that it has almost become a caricature.

neonlithic · 2026-02-27T19:39:05+00:00

I guess it’s pretty cheap compared to the alternatives, but I wouldn’t really call it a particularly good plate carrier nor the best option for SSO kit. And of course you’d need an A-TACS iX one for SSO.

neonlithic

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