I can only imagine the splint mail and locked gauntlet idea working after you have already caught and captivated your victim. In other words, manacles could be used in the act of captivating (i.e. grappling) and the splint mail would be the next step to keep them subdued after you have them. I was just wondering how you could possibly use the splint mail/locked gauntlets during the initial act of capture. If there are any ideas I would be open.
I use the grapple rules for "tie up" on page 200 of the CoreRulebook for the manacles. This of course requires a successful grapple, then a successful pin and then use the manacles in place of rope OR successful grapple and then use the manacles with a -10 penalty to the combat maneuver.
An optimized 14th level Hunter from AEG Mercenaries (one of my favorite bounty hunter classes) however could knock a victim out and then potentially place the splint mail and locked gauntlet on them with the manacles while they were unconscious for the 2d6 minutes that is specified on page 32. I just wonder how long it would take to don splint mail/locked gauntlets on an unconscious victim??