Like all preview posts this one will be full of pictures and some info on how the item works but won’t be a review with a rating.
The Triple Aught Design Control Panel 1 showed up today and it is definitely an awesome accessory. It connects to the top of the a number of packs and hangs down in the back as an attachment point for more gear.
The length on it is built to fit the new Triple Aught Design Litespeed perfectly. You can see in this picture as it reaches the bottom perfectly.
If you pack has any kind of hooks in the top then there’s a chance that the Control Panel 1 will fit in it. The pack on the right is a Tom Bihn Smart Alec and you can see that it fits right in.
The only available clips I had were some slightly rusted small metal clips but they did the trick. I plan on picking up some Gate Keeper clips from Tom Bihn in the future to better strap this in.
Opposite to the MOLLE side are two zippered pockets that seem very useful. If you keep that side flat against the back then most people won’t even know there are items in it. Keep some spare money in there or something else you need to keep but don’t want people to find.
The sewing on this is spot on which is something I’ve come to see in most TAD items. The side Velcro can be used to either attach it securely to the pack or to hold in other items like pens, flashlights, or a knife.
It’s really easy to flip the Control Panel 1 in and out of the pack due to how it’s connected. If you have stuff on the back of it then your gear is only a flip away.
Here’s how it attaches inside the TAD Litespeed V2. There are some small clips that allow this thing to slide right in making it right at home.
Here’s how the foliage Control Panel 1 matches up with a Wolf Grey GR1. It’s a close match but it’s definitely not exact.
The Control Panel 1 can be attached to the inside of a GR1 using the one row of MOLLE webbing.
Due to GORUCK using a weird ~1.9″ column (while everyone uses a 1.5″ column width) this be three columns wide which means it will be off-center. Even though it’s not exact it still looks great and is completely usable in the pack.
Just like with the Litespeed or Smart Alec the Control Panel can easily flip out so that the back pockets can be accessed at a moments notice.
If you’re interested in picking up a Control Panel 1 you can check them out in Black, Coyote, and Foliage on the Triple Aught Design Website. They currently retail for $45.
Is there a way to mount this in a goruck Rucker???
I have the new version Litespeed with the control panel and it is the best edc backpack I’ve owned so far and I’ve had a bunch. I do have an Antero waiting for me after I get home from vacation so…
Awesome! The last time I took out my Litespeed it was a little short for me… I might have to give it another chance.
Right now I’m using a Tom Bihn Smart Alec and it seems to be holding its own.
A great addition the TAD ruck line up! I used Siamese Slik Klips (easy to find on eBay) to secure my Control Panel into my older version of the litespeed bag and it works great. I recommend that over the set up that TAD recommends on their site.
I was just looking at one of these the other day for additional attachment point inside my GR1. My work laptop is too large to fit in the laptop compartment and covers all but the very top of the upper molle row when in the elastic pocket inside. looking forward to the full review!
Dang! How big of a work laptop do you have?
Yeah, it is a beast. Some Lenovo ThinkPad with extra large battery pack – not sure of the model… the laptop sleeve i put it in fits laptops 15×10.5×1.7 and it is a snug fit. without the sleeve it barely fits in the laptop compartment, but not with it.
but when given the option to replace my desktop with a laptop, i jumped on it… more flexibility on where i do my work :)