Tank you for the responses, thoughts and information. So, as I understand it, the orange gear I collected between levels 11 and 17 could possibly be used all the way to 50. Understandably, there are special gear sets out there for PVP, Social, etc., but when compared to 'regular' gear with a higher minimum level, orange gear has the potential to outshine them. I guess I better go buy some mods.

I'm fairly new to the game and enjoy playing it so far. I have collected several pieces of orange armor and weapons across my different characters. Often, I have other non-orange items which have higher base damage or a better armor rating and very similar on the ability bonuses. I understand the the orange items can be upgraded with better and better mods, hilts, barrels, etc, but does this offset the difference in armor rating or base damage? Do those base numbers increase when the mods are applied? I have kept the orange pieces, but I am currently using other items in their place. Am I doing it incorrectly? Thanks in advance.