Introduced at SHOT Show in 2023, and expanded throughout 2024 for various hard case types, the GRID Organizer is part of the Daka line of organizational products by Magpul. The GRID allots for customized compartmentalization of the case’s interior to match any desired rifle or accessories, and ideal for those wanting to ensure their items are secured.
Currently offered to five different hard case types (and in this review configured for the Pelican 1720), the GRID comes as a modular base panel made of Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) that replaces the bottom foam layer of the case. This base panel comes as two end segments, and two center segments. The overall length of the hard case will affect the number of center segments included, but the interlocking grooves ensure a positive lock between all.
The GRID also comes with 12 removable EPP spacers (six 3-slot, six 2-slot) that are 1.5” in height and used to configure the GRID’s interior and isolate the rifle safely, as well as compartment the space for other accessories.
Lastly, the GRID comes with a replacement foam insert used to replace the hard case’s factory foam (which is wider), and adjust the overall height of the base panel inside the case to meet the foam in the lid and secure its contents.
Sold as separate add-on items for the GRID, Magpul also has an expansion pack of the block spacers (used to double the number available to the user), a V-block spacer kit (used specifically to support barrels), DAKA Bins (used to store loose accessories, ammo, or tools).
The GRID organizer and its spacers are currently only available in black.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Good (4/5): The list price of the GRID ($139.95-159.95) is dependent upon the model case needed, with obviously larger cases requiring more of the EPP material to facilitate in production. For the Pelican 1720 version used in this review, with the provided segments, foam, and spacers the cost was at the lower end. That said, the GRID was fundamentally unique within the market, as no other alternative exists aside from cutting the provided foam that comes with the hard case. Moreover, once that foam is cut, it would necessitate a replacement foam set (costing $108) should the configuration for the contents ever be changed. Given that the GRID can be configured endlessly, the cost benefit of using it becomes a good value for the consumer considering it.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): Considering the GRID itself replaces a layer of the hard case’s foam already present, and the spacers weighed so little, little was changed from the overall weight and comfort of the hard case itself. The segments fit snugly into the provided grooves, and only minimal spacing was left between the GRID and case itself. Once pressed firmly into place, the spacers maintained a firm lock and at no point became loose of shifted inadvertently. This ensured the rifle and any sized contents were also firmly locked into place. Per the instructions, once the initial 24 hours was given after configuring the interior spacers, the remaining foam layers adjusted to the differences in height and the case easily closed without issue.
- Durability – Average (3/5): From a durability aspect, the largest degree of wear on the GRID was to the EPP panels themselves. The continual action of placing a rifle and accessories in/out left some impressions on the foam’s surfaces, but beyond that no cracking or flaking of the material was observed over multiple usage. It is likely that over time these panels would settle in, just as any foam layer, but typical usage was not an issue. It was important that the correct number of spacers were used in contact between the rifle and the interior of the hard case, to ensure proper impact mitigation was maintained. Doing less would obviously mean less protection to the rifle and its components if dropped from a typical height. In the end, the EPP are still foam panels and can be torn or broken if bent or mishandled, so its durability is appropriate for material and something the consumer should bear in mind.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the GRID offered innumerable ways to configure the interior space of the selected hard case, so that the rifle and other accessories would be protected. This was provided the items fit within the slotted “grid” pattern, and could be supported against the spacers. This worked out well against the rifle, however to correctly do so uses most of the provided spacers with little left for customizing space further. Consumers interested in the GRID will want to consider purchasing extra spacers to fully complete any customization desired (as well as leaving a few extra for spares). Magpul does offer a few instructional videos that explain setup of the GRID, as well as recommendations on how to pack a rifle in it using the spacers accordingly. For the most part, the GRID can accommodate any configuration of rifle imaginable. However, it was noted that side-mounted accessories (such as a WML) or larger-bulk laser devices were left to protrude excessively above the top of the spacers. This caused the given object to press into the lid of the hard case and the foam. It wasn’t impossible to close, but notable. Per the instructions, the end-user could remove an entire center-segment, or cut out a corresponding space of the GRID to allot for the bulk of the accessory, but it should only be done as a last resort. In doing either of these options, the GRID will lose any ability to use the spacers in the area removed, so it was somewhat a drawback for those with fully configured ARs. A recommendation for Magpul would be to find a way to make one of the center-segments modular and allot for WMLs and lasers to be easily accounted for within the GRID and spacer profiles.
- Weight – Good (4/5): The weight of the GRID segments and spacers varies based on which case and configuration is needed. Those with longer cases will require the end-segments (2.0 ounces each) and more center-segments (2.0 ounces each), and correspondingly have more weight in terms of spacers and other items for the complete system. In the end, each segment was made from EPP, which is just a type of Styrofoam and very lightweight. The replacement foam layer also had approximately the same weight as the one in the hard case it replaced. The spacers (8-12 grams each) themselves are not off-balancing or significant enough to notable weigh down the case. The true weight of the case will be after adding the GRID and all contents inside. As such, the GRID had a good light weight to it.
Overall Rating – Above Average (19/25)
Product Link: https://magpul.com/daka-grid-organizer-pelican-1720.html
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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