Riddell Power

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by BretMan

I watch a lot of stuff on eBay and that one had me scratching my head, too.

What about this protector makes it that much better than any other hard-shell? It looks to be constructed about the same as the various Wilson models. Thicker padding, maybe? Thicker plastic panels?

It certainly is a long sucker though! Not only would that one cover my chest, but it looks like it would be tucked down into my pants below the belt line.

By the way, did anyone notice that several pieces of Carlucci gear were on eBay this week?

When I asked him, Joe West has said that the Riddell is "weaker" than his protectors because the padding is sewn through, where the Wilson products (Gold & Platinum), are not. He might have just been puffing up his products, but with the Power off the market for 10+ years now, why would he?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

When I asked him, Joe West has said that the Riddell is "weaker" than his protectors because the padding is sewn through, where the Wilson products (Gold & Platinum), are not. He might have just been puffing up his products, but with the Power off the market for 10+ years now, why would he?

Joe West has been running this smack since before he sued to get the Riddell taken out of production. Because of Mr. West's lawsuit, umpires everywhere have been denied the superior protection that the Riddell Power afforded. This is also why I've never owned a West Vest (stupid little protest, really). At the time I traded my Power for some other gear, I did not know that they had been pulled off the market. The guy I traded it to did.

[kylejt]

The reason this is getting bit so high is the same reason some joker paid about 2 bills for my Douglas West Vest. They're collectors items, and MLB umpire groupies want to just like their heroes. Trust me, that Douglas was nothing special, and the $29.95 West Vest we all got off of Amazon.com last December (you all did get a couple of those, right?) is just as good, if not better.

I've had the Riddell in my hands, and wouldn't take it over my Gold or Platinum. IMO, it's the geegaw factor of wearing a collectors item, as opposed to a superior product. And that's ok. I drive a '67 Mustang for probably the same reasons. A '07 Shelby is better in every way than my old car. But I like my old sled because it's cool.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by kylejt

The reason this is getting bit so high is the same reason some joker paid about 2 bills for my Douglas West Vest. They're collectors items, and MLB umpire groupies want to just like their heroes. Trust me, that Douglas was nothing special, and the $29.95 West Vest we all got off of Amazon.com last December (you all did get a couple of those, right?) is just as good, if not better.

I've had the Riddell in my hands, and wouldn't take it over my Gold or Platinum. IMO, it's the geegaw factor of wearing a collectors item, as opposed to a superior product. And that's ok. I drive a '67 Mustang for probably the same reasons. A '07 Shelby is better in every way than my old car. But I like my old sled because it's cool.

You've had the Riddell in your hands. I've worn and trusted it for a couple years. It took every shot imaginable, and I never felt a thing. That's good enough for me. I wouldn't want one for a collector's item, or any "geegaw" (like Grandpa Jones, I don't know Gee from Haw anyway) factor. I really wish Riddell would come out with a new, non-patent infringing model, and just go ahead and put ol' Joe out of bidness.

So, that's your opinion of the guy that bought your DWV? Remind me not to buy anything off you!

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

So, that's your opinion of the guy that bought your DWV? Remind me not to buy anything off you!

I'm not slamming the Power or the Douglas. They're fine rigs.

Are they better than the thirty dollar WV I bought on-line? I didn't see it. Perhaps they fit some builds better than others. That would certainly be a plus. The Douglas is the exact same thing as my $30 WV, that someone paid me nearly $200 for. And it was old and used.

But I was just poking fun at the bidders on my Douglas. Much like the guy who paid huge money for my old +POS SUL.

Again, nostalgia is great. I wish I had my '67 Shelby GT500 again. Although I'd probably sell that too, seeing that it would fetch $100K+ now.

[tiger49]

Same seller has a Carlucci up for sale as well

http://cgi.ebay.com/Umpire-Chest-Pro...QQcmdZViewItem

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Joe West has been running this smack since before he sued to get the Riddell taken out of production. Because of Mr. West's lawsuit, umpires everywhere have been denied the superior protection that the Riddell Power afforded. This is also why I've never owned a West Vest (stupid little protest, really). At the time I traded my Power for some other gear, I did not know that they had been pulled off the market. The guy I traded it to did.

Don't blame Joe West for what happened to the Riddell. As someone who has designed and patented products that are currently in the market place, I have to back him up. Joe was simply protecting his intellectual property, and revenue source. I would do the same thing, if it came down to it.

If Riddell wanted to, they could have designed a product that would have been defendable against his patent. Believe me, it doesn't take much. My guess is they didn't have the stomach for the effort, or decided there wasn't enough profit in chest protectors.

I wonder if they tried to license their product from Mr. West ? You see, although a good product was lost (in some opinions), do you really think Riddell looked at it that way ? They could care less if the absolutely best chest protector that could ever be designed never makes it to the market, if they aren't the ones reaping the profit.

We on the other hand, WANT the opportunity to buy the perfect product, and do get PO'd when we can't. Been there also, so I feel for ya.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by nickrego

Don't blame Joe West for what happened to the Riddell. As someone who has designed and patented products that are currently in the market place, I have to back him up. Joe was simply protecting his intellectual property, and revenue source. I would do the same thing, if it came down to it.

If Riddell wanted to, they could have designed a product that would have been defendable against his patent. Believe me, it doesn't take much. My guess is they didn't have the stomach for the effort, or decided there wasn't enough profit in chest protectors.

I wonder if they tried to license their product from Mr. West ? You see, although a good product was lost (in some opinions), do you really think Riddell looked at it that way ? They could care less if the absolutely best chest protector that could ever be designed never makes it to the market, if they aren't the ones reaping the profit.

We on the other hand, WANT the opportunity to buy the perfect product, and do get PO'd when we can't. Been there also, so I feel for ya.

From Joe West himself:

Riddell had a dishonest employee who was involved in making the Powers. They ended up admitting they were infringing, and paid him for every one they sold.