Equipment Opinions

[BT_Blue]

Originally posted by Steve Emerson
The Gerry Davis is made by Itech the people who make Hockey equipment and it will take a shot I work HS, JUCO, Div II and some Div I, it does take some getting used to because it is so light weight and form fitting, but I will wear nothing else now.

Ive actually decided to go with the Itech (now it is going to be made by wilson and I go that directly from Scott Ehret) for this upcoming season. Im going to check out the shin guards and the new patent leather shoes on Saturday. Its good to hear that the Itech gear is good though College.

Arik

[tw1ns]

All-Star CPU24
I just got this protector after trying the WV Platinum which fit me wrong, to rigid around the neck and collar bones. It stuck out funny in the back of my shirt.
My supplier, Sportsman's Corner of Storm Lake, recommended this one, and I love it.
I made the mistake of ordering on-line and getting it shipped to me and didn't like the WV. So I drove the 2 hours to try on what he had and was very happy that I made the trip. I tried on the All Star Ump-Armor, the +POS and some others.
The CPU-24 is cool and has plastic inserts in the collar bones covered by a "memory foam" that is semi rigid but soft at the same time. Thanks for listening. Win Twins.

[chris s]

[ The look part was taken care of by taking off the extra kidney pads (they made him look like he had a pair of brests). Also an advantage of the WV over the BB2000 is that the WV has built in collar bone protection where the bb2000 needs an additional piece you need to purchase.

Arik

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~
The "kidney" pads are actually "pec" pads, but in actuality protect the bicep area when worn using the box stance, I look like the terminator in mine!!!

Now this extra pad for collar bone protection???? My hard shell shoulder area goes completely over my shoulders and I have been NAILED in that area, no bruises or soreness. Now I am not knocking WV, very good stuff....But being as though I won't deal with +POS anymore, they may have changed the BB2000 from the original design that I have???/

[Jim Porter]

No additional protection is needed in the collarbone area of the BB2000. I don't know where he got that idea from. The BB2000 comes with a thermoplastic collarbone shield built right on there. I also have taken numerous shots in some pretty high level amateur baseball and not once have I even had a red spot under the BB2000.

In fact, I just checked the collarbone protector +POS sells. It says not required for use with the BB2000.

http://www.pluspos.com/product.asp?which=295

[Edited by Jim Porter on Oct 3rd, 2003 at 05:17 PM]

[BT_Blue]

I stand corrected about the collar protector and the BB2000. However, the headache in dealing with +POS is not worth the hassle of this whole conversation which leaves WV, Pro-Nine ( http://www.pro-nine.com ) which I highly recommend and of course Honigs. (and if you have the money I recommend Cece Carlucci, especially if you live in S. Cal. so you could go to Cece's house and get measured BY Cece.)

Arik

[johnSandlin]

Chest Protectors:

I currently use the original West Vest, but it has paid it dues for me and I am looking at replacing it this year with one of the upgraded West Vest protectors. Bar none, the West Vest protector is the best brand of protector I have ever used, hands down.

I have used the +POS BB2000 protector in the past before I went to the West Vest protector and I did not like it. It always stuck to me on the hot days, and some of the little plastic parts broke shortly after I used it, so I made decision to switch protectors.

Masks:

I currntly use the West Vest single bar mask and really like the way it fits, and the protection is great. I use the two tone kind(doeskin padding on the inside and vinyl paddding on the outside) and it is very comfortable and works really well.

However, my wife wants me to go to the umpire helmet with me moving up and working high level ball next season. She watched the Marty Foster(MLB Umpire) inicdent in Montreal on Sportscenter the next day, and advised me of her position of wanting me to switch mask styles.

Marty wears a regular single bar mask, and during a game in Montreal this year, when he was the PU for game, a high and hard fast ball got away from the catcher and hit Marty in the top of the mask(where that mask sits on your hat) and knocked him out. He was diagnosed with a concussion, so I am going to be switching to the umpire helmet.

I will always recommend the West Vest protector wise, and the West Vest single bar mask. I think there is no beating the West Vest line of protectors and masks.