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re: Pistol belt/duty belt questions

The Velcro duty belts are pretty much as described above except the garrison belt that goes through your belt loops is the soft fuzzy one and the rougher, hooked part is on the backside of the duty belt. All the various accoutrements slide onto the belt through loops as normal. The purpose of the Velcro is twofold; first it is to replace the belt keepers that were originally used to hold the duty belt on the waist. This didn't work as over time the Velcro would loose its holding ability, especially under physical exertion such as running or fighting. Because of this belt keepers are still used. The other benefit, though I don't think it was planned, was the Velcro keeps the various items kept on the belt from shifting around. This is accomplished by the Velcro hooks engaging the pile where ever the various holders aren't. Even after 20 years, the Velcro backing of my duty belt still has enough holding ablity to keep my radio, cuffs, baton holder, spare mags, OC spray, flashlight holder, and stun gun in place.
As for carry at the range, it depends on the range rules. If I'm qualifying or shooting for work, I'll carry my handgun in my duty rig which I'll be wearing. If I'm shooting recreationally I'll carry the gun(s) I plan on shooting properly cased as the rules at the public ranges I often use states emphatically, "cased guns only" until on the firing line. Off duty, I feel I feel I am not much different than any other citizen and should have to follow the same rules. I carry my ammo in a shooting bag in which I also commonly carry my cased pistols.
Clip on and "permanent" attachment styles have their different uses; the clip ons are quick and easy to get on and off when needed such as for comfort when sitting or if you are a private citizen and have to enter a place you are prohibited from carrying. They are not the most secure means of carry as they can and do slip off the belt at inopportune times. I have several and where them as the situaton dictates. The looped holsters are much less likely to fall off the belt but it can happen, mainly when the belt is unfastened for some reason.
I'm not overly familiar with Uncle Mike's lines though I do use their products. I think the difference between the Deluxe and Ultra is that one is a leather imitation and the other is something like 1000 denier (or denser) Nylon mesh. This is becasue some departments require leather or leather look a like for their duty wear as an appearance requirement. Hope this helped.

re: Pistol belt/duty belt questions

A duty belt is designed to be worn over another belt, not through the belt loops. The latter is often called a garrison belt or dress belt by civilians. The whole purpose of the duty belt is to carry all the tools of the trade in one package in an easy to donn/doff manner rather than looping them through the belt loops individually. With a standard belt I would not have enough room to fit all my tools, even with the duty belt and the options it offers I have it pretty filled. Having Velcro is only an option, I feel belt keepers are necessary with either as the velcro does lose its grip over time. I have both styles and found this to be true with either.
As long as you use belt keepers, the garrison belt does not need to have Velcro either. I had one when I first got the Velcro system but have gone with standard belts since. I prefer the look of them when the duty belt is off and they also do double service as an off duty belt for concealed carry. Any stiff, thick leather belt that fits inside the belt loops is fine for what I would consider recreational use where only a couple items are placed on the belt. The little I've seen of Blackhawk's products have been favorable but some venders have them much higher than an equivalent belt bought at a common store. I have not seen any 5.11 products except in a catalog and they seemed rather pricey for mass produced products. I often carry this way when hunting or hiking as I am generally only carrying a holster, some extra rounds, and a knife. For work, where I am carrying spare mags, key holder, gun w/holster, Mace, stun gun, folding knife, cuffs, baton w/holder, radio, flashlight, gun mounted light, second set of cuffs, and maybe a couple other things I can't think of off hand. It would be a PITA to have to remove and add all these items every time I went on or off duty or even used the bathroom. I wold also need a bag to keep it all in; with a duty belt I just unhook four keepers, unbuckle it to remove from my waist, buckle it back up, and now it is all kept together and can be carried easily on its own strap.
So, in a nutshell, for carrying several items on a daily basis I would go with a duty belt over a standard belt, for occasional carrying of a couple item, then using a standard belt would be fine.