I have no problem with removing sidearm slots to get a second equipment. Here's why.

With the cloak as a pretty much "must" on the scout that removes a lot of pressure to have a secondary weapon that could "handle" ranged encounters (ie SMG/ScrPistol) as an alternative to a close range weapon (shotgun/NK) in case we got caught out in the open. I'm assuming that the cloak is a viable method of moving across open territory etc... with a timer that is long enough to make it worthwhile.

I rarely if ever run with a sidearm anyways, preferring to use my fitting for additional modules or higher tier modules. Personally, I think that the extra versatility you get from a second equipment (especially in placing covert uplinks, so forth) is worth so much more than a "hold-out" weapon.

Besides this also means that (with the buff to scout profile to 35 dB) you can forgo the cloak in some occasions to get maybe a RE and nanohive or multiple prox mine fits. So many options are opened up with 2 equipment slots.

I do agree that some of the racials should keep their sidearm and 1 equipment slots. I disagree with the idea of having multiple configs of dropsuits within one race. There should be a cost to having the increased variety (that cost would be SP investment for a different racial suit).

My two biggest concerns over the proposed update have just been allayed. Other items are still concerning but less difficult to adapt to.

Actually, it wont be that dificult for a scout to avoid scans, still.
If they stick to the proposed 35dB default profile, then it only takes damping level3, and 2xadv damps, to avoid normal proto scanners, even with gallente logi bonus.

Your profile wil be 21.74dB, if I did the math right.

The focused duvolle will still be a problem of course. But if barely anyone runs them now, most likely barely anyone will run them in the future. I think CCP didnt do too badly with the scaling this time.

This part, actually IS a slight buff to scouts, in that it will be more difficult, if not impossible, for medium frames, to get under scans now. but not for scouts.

So in that sense, it would be good for scouts to see a bunch of gallente logi scanners in the field.

Except that being scanned doesn't uncloak you, and as a smart Scout, you're not making yourself an easy target. Also, the "stunlock" effect doesn't stop you from moving at all, just slows you from a full sprint, which you might not need anyway. And that's assuming the Scout in question didn't choose to stack profile dampeners along with our reduced base profile, making us MUCH harder to pick up even with that Proto Scanner of yours.

Those "health buffs" you're talking about are actually going to be nerfs to specific weapons to increase TTK - "not a blanket nerf on all weapons" means NOT A BLANKET NERF ON ALL WEAPONS, which means the weapons designed for instant-kill potential should retain that capability. My Shotgun still instant kills most non-Heavy targets like it should, and so do our Knives.

You're also assuming poor hit detection that is progressively more rare as the devs work on improving the game. And you're assuming that another player is not only reacting, but reacting perfectly as soon as they take fire from an enemy they didn't see coming, and somehow, in a slower suit, backing up while firing and magically moving faster than the Scout that's chasing them as they try and back up. If you can assume perfect reactions on the victim of a sneak attack, I can assume a perfect reaction from the attacker in response to the backpedalling, meaning that instead of getting out of range, you stay about 2m apart while the Scout is blasting away with an 8-round semi-auto Shotgun that takes at least 80% of its target's health per shot at that range. Pretty sure you're dead four times over before I need to reload, even with a worst-case scenario of half my shots missing you'd die twice.

Honestly, with how good many Scouts have already gotten at getting ourselves into position WITHOUT cloaking, frequently even when facing players with Scanners, it's wholly reasonable for Scouts to sneak into position using our current tactics, and only cloak on the way back out, after our attacks have alerted the enemy team to our presence.

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As for a cloak being "necessary", if we get 2 equipment slots, I'm going to have at least a few Nanohive/Repair Tool fittings. Probably running Shotguns on at least 2 of them.

I can OHK protosuits semi-regularly using a Militia Shotgun with no damage mods. If I don't OHK, either I missed (unlikely when hitting with the element of surprise on my side) or they're so close to death that I can go for the melee kill before turning to shoot the other guy.

When I bring a real Shotgun or my Militia fit with damage mods, only Heavies and supertank Logis take more than one hit.

You seem to be suffering under the interesting illusion that we actually have any power to say "NO".
It seems quite obvious that we're not going to get the pure addition.
It seems also quite obvious that if we cant make up our collective minds on what we'd prefer to trade... then CCP will pick the trade for us.

Man, i just spit out a ton of numbers. I hope you guys will read the two posts I made about speed and shotguns

RE's placed before you cloak in the path of a fall back position. The use of corners and cover. Contact grenade (you know the ones you don't have to cook). Looking at targets shield and armor vs the weapon you are using which leads to the should you move on to a different target or stalk them a bit till they are more vulnerable.
Having the ability to pick your fights is a BIG advantage.

im perfectly fine have 1 suit that -might- be able to scan me depending if im in super stealth suit or super scan suit. I believe in a counter and don't think I should be invisible to everything in the game. I suit counter out of 16 is not bad to me seems a little OP on my part to tell you the truth because I will be able to hide from even the proto gallente logi if i choose to.

I use Shotguns on their own on several fittings, and have a Swarm Logi fitting with no sidearm slot available. Swarms become reliant on squadmates when you don't have a sidearm, but they can be used on their own.

Shotguns have plenty of ammo, its the range and everyone running when they see it.

Last night I got five kills from my first clip on Venerable Phage. Then I went out and did scouty things like destroying uplinks. Finished 6/5 350... 8 uplinks, 2 hives.

I don't see a scout as a slayer role. They are best used to get battlefield intelligence and break the momentum of the reds. Mind you a scanner does better at intelligence and a heavy-logi combo is better at breaking a frontal assault.