I'm looking to buy a new base jacket and would like some input from the forum. I'm looking at the:

Honig's (K17B - HONIG''S MAJOR LEAGUE STYLE JACKET BLACK with WHITE TRIM) http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Cat=2&Sub=42&Item=353
vs
POS (MLC2 - PRO-STYLE UMPIRE JACKET, Lined, Pullover with Half-Zipper) http://www.pluspos.com/product.asp?which=673

or

Other recommendations.....

thx

I'd say it depends on how quickly you need it. Speaking from some limited experience, Honig's will have it to you in a couple of days. +POS on the other hand seems to have indifferent deliver times and can take quite a bit longer.

That's about all I can help with.

probably could flip a coin.....
 

having had gear from both of these manufacturers, I expect you could flip a coin and do well....Both are high quality.

Having said that, I guess since I wear +POS gear and uniforms, I'd go with the +POS since I have a thing about mixing logos....But I'd feel comfortable wearing both.

As a matter of fact I had the opportunity to see a comparable jacket made by Dalco this weekend and it seemed very servicable........It would probably come down to who could get it to me fastest. If it was backordered with +POS, and I could get it from Honigs right away, I'd go with Honigs in a heartbeat.....

The last thing I'd recommend doing is doing a quick check of your association and doing brief survey of your partners....always found that is a good thing to emulate the uniform of choice of the chapter...

Stan

I have ordered plenty of things from +POS, and unless it is backordered, you will receive the item in timely fashion, just like with Honig's. I am wondering how someone who has never ordered from +POS can make a statement about having to wait until next year? Just asking, please don't blow a gasket.

OK San Diego Steve...I work five miles from the +POS warehouse and they single handedly make it impossible to do business with them. Their equipment is dated, their service is horrible, and unless you are a Minor League umpire they don't want your business (or at least come off that way). I have tried sending our umpires there because I want to make it work, just because of their proximity to our 325+ umpires.

Out of principle, I dumped all of my POS gear and uni's and deal with only Davis and Honigs. I don't think I'm in the minority here.

To add another vendor to the mix....I use the Davis Replica pullover. It's a great jacket and I find that it keeps the wind and rain out during the early season.

Lawrence

MY experience
 

FVB9,
Now thats an opinion I can respect since you ordered the gear and had issues.

I know that people have had issues with +POS but to be honest I have not. I have ordered a large amount of product over the years and have gotten it all. Any issues I had with product was resolved timely. I ordered a new pair of plate shoes during the december sale and they were on back order, but I recieved them a few weeks ago and Im very satisfied.....

I also have a good selection of Honigs gear and find them excellent to deal with as well......coming up here in the next month or so, my favorite uniform item will be my long sleeve Honigs jersey......

Stan

Be careful and make sure your state or association rules permit the stripes on the shoulders.

Okay Fox Valley Blue 9,

I have been ordering from +POS for 20 freakin years, and unless they are out of an item, their service has always been good for me.

You have done business with them, so my question wasn't for you. It was intended for the person who said "I've never ordered from them" and went on to give an opinion as to when you would see the jacket arrive. It was a cheap shot at a company of which this person has no personal knowledge.

Unless a query is directed at you, let it go, at least until the person it was directed at has an opportunity to reply. Thank you.

[Edited by SanDiegoSteve on Feb 20th, 2006 at 06:00 PM]

Dude, you need to relax. I was simply responding to your guarantee you WILL receive your items from POS in a timely fashion. I wish that were true Steve. If you've had no problems with them, then you are one of their happiest customers. But I think if you took a straw poll out here, the overall satisfaction of the big 3 (Davis, Honigs and POS) would be largely in favor of Davis and Honigs...and don't think that the guys running those two businesses (Scott Ehret and Bill Honesey) don't realize that.

+POS has claimed they had my order ready to pickup before (i dont live that far away either, 25 minutes maybe) and then i got there and no one had any idea what i was talking about, and then i was eventually told that the order was shipped. quite a few days go by and i call and the order wasnt shipped like i was told, nor was it at the store like i was originally told, and they ended up not even having the size shirts that i wanted (they were backordered for months before i even ordered, XL shirts must be popular).

they dont seem too organized to me, but sometimes things come at the drop of a hat, and most of the time if you go to pick it up things are alright. ive taken my business to honigs for the most part, which is where i got my pullover from which i like very much, so thats my recommendation.

edit: excuse my bad grammar, the flu is getting to me

You are not alone, my friend. I've dealt with +POS since the 1980's, but haven't purchased anything from them in many years. Their customer service is what drove me away. Their quality is subpar, and they make you feel like it's a privilege to buy from them.

Davis and Honig's all the way.

------

Lawrence, the major league replica from Gerry Davis I find to be awful. A couple of my D-II partners last year wore it, and compared to the Honig's K17, the Davis one is far inferior. Its vinyl-like material makes it feel as if one's wearing a loud, crunchy, plastic thing.

The K17 from Honig's is by far the best type of pullover I've worn in a very long time. Note to those considering it: the K17 plate style--the one with no elastic bottom--runs quite large and roomy. Trust me, you'll feel like you're swimming in it. The K17 base style is more fitting. It's comfortable when you pull it on and isn't as roomy. I would not recommend it when doing the plate. If you're going to buy just one, get the plate style and tuck it in (as you should be doing anyways). BTW, the plate style has the pocket while the base style does not.

Re: Same old same old
 

I'll join you, Steve, in making comments about +POS. As a Chicagoland resident, I'd love to say this Chicago area based company was great. They're not, and this is coming from someone who has known Buck and Sylvia Parsons for years (Sylvia, of course, having passed away not too long ago). When I worked in the northwest suburbs, I used to stop by there and have lunch with them, oftentimes with Joanie, too. Our Association at that time had a 20% discount program with them--not too shabby. We purchased 90% of our stuff from them for many years, myself since 1982.

Sadly, their customer service went to hell, their products' quality went south, and things changed, dramatically.

Truthfully, I don't give a rat's @ss if someone blasts me for criticizing +POS.

[Edited by Brad on Feb 21st, 2006 at 01:11 PM]

thanks to ump25 for a relevant and informative response. you guys get hung up on such nonsense.
any other base jacket recommendations are welcome.
thanks.

You're quite welcome, ggk. Wise and objective I am. Petty nonsense and ranting posts I do not like. :D (even if Brad DID have to be a bit puritanical and erase my statement of what the +POS acronym actually stands for. :p )

[Edited by UMP25 on Feb 22nd, 2006 at 10:21 AM]

Re: Re: Same old same old
 

How the heck are they still in business and making money?

The same way a lot of American companies are still in business making money.

Would that be on the backs of empoverished children from third world countries?


Tim.

Uh, no. My statement was nonpolitical; rather, it had more to do with ignorant consumers buying poor quality items because they've been doing it for years when they don't bother to seek out possible alternatives.

I have bought most of my gear from Honig's. I really like their service and quality of equipment. I recently purchased the pullover from +POS and like it alot. Have called 5 or 6 games with it so far this season. +POS sizes run smaller than Honig's in shirts and jackets.

I'll add my experience with Plus POS.

Two years ago I wanted to give my son some new plate pants for Christmas. He like the Plus POS pant.

I called and place my order, (this was around the first of November.) I also added a few items, like ball bags and indicators.)

I asked the saleman directly: "Do you have these items in stock?"

He answered "Yes."

I asked, "When will they be shipped."

He answered, "As soon as I get off the phone."

Three weeks later, nothing has arrived, I call again. This time I'm told everything was shipped "yesterday."

Two weeks later, about two weeks before Christmas, I call again. This time I'm told the pants are out of and indeed were out of stock when I first ordered them.

I was told that they will be shipped around the end of January. I told the young man he was mistaken. "They won't be shipped, because I am cancelling the order."

I called Honigs, placed the order. Three days later, without any extra charge for shipping, the items arrived.

I find fault with Plus POS not just because I didn't get the items, but because I was lied to twice.

The only thing I've purchased from them since is my Zero Gravity mask and that was because they sent one to my association unsolicted for a trial. Since I had one in hand, I bought it.

Every company is going to have screw-ups from time to time. +POS, on the other hand, seems to make it the norm rather than the exception.

I have always dealt with Honigs, but +POS had the quilted jacket I wanted for the first couple of weeks in March. The jacket was on BO but they sent my plate shoes out, no problem. I have them, It has been three weeks, call +p, jacket will be in last week of Feb, receive first week of March. If I do not receive my jacket by mid-March, they can eat it.

Honigs did do a couple of things with my orders, belt broke, they sent me another, wrong shoes, no problem, lost order twice by shipping, replaced. Here is what I find to be the best.

Football-Honigs, best stuff, buy from no one else
Baseball, Gerry Davis, Honigs, Ump-attire
Basketball, Purchase Officials

I just had luck with those folks.

[Edited by irefky on Feb 26th, 2006 at 10:24 AM]

Well, it's official, I calle +POS this morning, jacket is still on back order. Not sure when I will receive it. He would not even give me a date.

Cancel the back order and order one from Honig's. The K17's are the best.

+Pos MLC2 vs Honig's K-17
 

I am a newly certified Umpire in Kentucky after bootleg umpiring for several years. I have invested a large amount of cash this winter in gear from almost all of the big suppliers. I originally bought the +POS MLC2 in navy with red stripes. It was delivered in less than two weeks from web order date. I wore it for the first time last Saturday in 40 degree weather with strong wind in the face. Worked and looked very nice. Has a pocket in the left chest for notebook and no side pockets. I just took delivery today of a Honig's K-17 in navy with sky blue stripes. The fabric is very soft and no pockets whatsoever. They are both size large and the +Pos is a little larger fit but not too noticeable. The Honig's seems to attract lint a little bit which means dust will also stick and collect. The +Pos wiped off cleanly after six innings of scrimmage behind the plate. No need to wash or anything but hang it back up. Obviously no sweat on the jacket due to weather and temperature.

I like them both but at this point the +Pos gets the nod as my favorite due to 1)chest pocket and 2) fabric used seems more durable.

I will say that I bought the Honig's due to +POS not having a navy MLC2 with light blue striping (they use black) and other umpires in my association have the Honig's and rave on and on about them. Some guys I expect to call with wear the light blue and wanted me to make sure I had one so we would match up on the cold Kentucky April nights.

Hope this helps anyone wanting a comparison. You really won't go wrong with either choice. Price is comparable and so far, +POS did not seem to be unusually slow or hard to deal with to me. Honig's is definitely faster on shipping though. Ordered Sunday 2/26/06. Delivered Thursday, 3/2/06

Re: +Pos MLC2 vs Honig's K-17
 

i never saw the point of the navy jacket with light blue over the shoulders. navy with red over the shoulders is what i think 99% of the world wears.

the reason +POS uses a black jacket with light blue over the shoulders is because that is the MLB style jacket.

Honig's K-17 Navy with Light Blue Stripes
 

Our local association has two official shirts-navy and powder blue. We also have two hats-both navy but with red lettering and red button. We also have powder blue lettering and powder blue button. Why, you ask? I don't know. I am the rookie. I am very serious about being a good umpire. I have coached in this area for a number of years and have decided to switch to umpiring for several reasons. The need for competent umpires with the physical ability to move and make calls for one along with the maturity to not toss everyone as soon as they make a comment or question a call.

Anyway, I want as many games as I can get. Game assignments are a little political- I have surmised and the phrase look like a duck, act like a duck, especially when you are the new guy, comes to mind. They mentioned I should get one and several of the guys wear them as optional gear. I want to fit in and they are already talking varsity and post-season assignments if I pass muster in the appearance and competence categories.

There you have it. We are the 1% of the world wearing the Honig's K-17 in navy with powder blue stripes.

Re: +Pos MLC2 vs Honig's K-17
 

Re: Honig's K-17 Navy with Light Blue Stripes
 

My last post message is hidden inside yours, sorry.

What region do you belong?

+POS MLC2 vs Honig's K-17
 

10th/11th-CKUA The KHSAA Ump Attire jacket is the official one and you must wear it during playoffs/post-season, etc if you wear one at all. I understand that only navy shirts and the KHSAA hat, not local association logo hats, are required in playoffs too.

However, most of our local association does not like the ump attire jacket and this is the last year it is required. The KHSAA contract with Ump-Attire expires this year. Not expected to be renewed. The owner of Ump Attire is a friend of mine and she says it doesn't hurt her feelings if the contract expires without renewal. At our first two meetings we discussed jackets and all seemed to be in agreement not to buy the KHSAA official anymore.

I do agree with you, I am in the 14th, and the jacket is horrible, nice one for the wife to wear to the ballgame. I am sure KHSAA will go to Honigs next season.


I am not sure, but my brother joined an association this year and his meetings are in Georgetown. Is that you guys?

Georgetown, Scott County is in the 11th for the first time this year but the old scheduling secretary for the 8th region is Jay Asher and he lives in Georgetown, I think. If he is KHSAA. There may be some college or league type association that meets there. We have several guys from Georgetown in our association. It pays more and definitely has a slightly higher level of baseball than most regions with all of the Lexington schools and Harrison County. Almost all of the fields are top notch and the players are very well coached. The fans know their baseball, too. I am not putting any other region down just there are so many more elite programs in one region. 14th, does that include Leslie County? I have great friends down there in Wooton.

Yes, Leslie is in the 14th. I am in Hazard, my brother lives in Shelbyville. I call football in the 15th, Pikeville area.

Fans know their baseball, you actually have fans? Not many folks come out to baseball, parent, girlfriends of players, that's about it.

They do play some good baseball in that area, good facilities.

Lexington's high schools routinely schedule double headers at a neutral school amongst the in-town schools. Big crowds and big revenue. Some of the games are at Lexington Legends stadium-Applebee's. No wonder a Lexington school has been in the state finals for the last several years.

Are any of these place near Pixley, or Hooterville?

No. That must be where you live or where you're from.

Kyle, you just won the award for best line of the day!

Well, gotta run. I'm taking the missus up to Mount Pilot for a night on the town...

Bret, buy Otis a round for me. And watch the little lady around Floyd, he cuts a mean rug.

Dave, "That must be where you live or where you're from." Is that anything like "I know you are, buy what am I?"

Got to get to bed now. I've got a plate in the morning, and Arnold is my BU.

I crap you not, we do have a Hooterville!!! Ever since we got the 911 system, you should read some of these street names.

I do like the commentary to our beloved Mayberry folks in honor of the great one, FIFE!