West Gold
 

Received my West Gold today ($99 from Purchase Officials, ordered it Sunday night). Upgrading from the Davis and I can't believe how light the Gold is! I'm tempted to tell my catcher to let a few past him just to see how it feels.

LEA,
What previous protector did you use?

I have been using the Honig's K-1 Pro Elite for years now and was wondering if anyone has used both and if you can tell the difference on those hot days where you do 2 or 3 plates?

I've used the Davis exclusively, but I don't work over HS. I've been pretty lucky so far with it but you all sold me on the hardshell.

Let's see. He posted: "Upgrading from the Davis ..."

There might be a clue there somewhere.

Let's see
Gerry Davis offers the Davis and the Davis-Wilson

Garth,
Why be a smart ***? Does it make you feel better about yourself? Unlike some, I don't have time to live on this site and when I am here I skim through all the posts.

Forgive me deeply for wasting 5 seconds of your time reading a post that he already answered, sir.

Apology accepted.

You are a gem... I giggle daily...;)

WV gold AND platinum on sale for 99 at purchase officials. great deals

Like I said in my post Sunday night, I don't know what there stock is but you're right - it IS a great deal.

Haven't tried it out yet, but my new Gold fits like a dream and actually feels about as light as my Davis. I was a very surprised because the posts here seemed to suggest the thing was bulky and heavy like shoulder pads!

By the way, Purchase Officials PA has the top-line Wison leg guards (A3409, the black ones) for $69.
http://www.pa.purchaseofficials.com/home.php?cat=180

I ordered a Platinum the night you posted that link. I'm looking forward to see how it is.

I got WV Platinum during the recent Gerry Davis sale.
I previously used the Wilson Gray MLU for over 5 seasons.

I like the Platinum alot , it is much lighter than the Wilson Gray.
However, it seems to push up & float over my shoulders when I go into my stance.
The 1 piece molded upper chest-collar bone plate isn't really shaped to my body yet. I've only worn it for about 10 games, so far.

I believe that I'm wearing it high and tight enough.

Maybe it's due to the fact that I'm only 5'8" (160 lbs), and almost out of harness adjustment.

I'm wondering if I should have bought the Gold. The upper chest & collar bone plates are seperate (similar to my old Wilson Gray).

Jeff

I just bought a WV Platinum today as well. I am not sure how much I will use it because I do like my Honig's K1 but I thought maybe the WV would provide more protection for the college games. Anyone that has both have any opinions?

I have both and won't wear my K1 for anything above JV baseball.

Another chest protector thread? http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_2_57.gif

Well Steve, it started as a "hey guys, check out these great prices!" post!:eek:

This is why i'm hesitant to buy a gold or platinum because it seems as though it wouldn't sit on your shoulders as nicely as the MLU since the MLU has 2 separate plates for the shoulder and chest.

I will stick by my Pro-Nine CP...I got blasted twice this weekend and no bumps or bruises...Price is right and it's pretty lightweight...and this was with pitchers hitting 86 - 88 consistently on the gun and hitters w/ some pretty decent bat speed...took two shots right to the collarbone area

Se(a)ms appropriate to me.

My experience is that the Plat rides higher on my neck, the Gold works out fine. Put them on and set into your various PU positions.

Thanks for the info on these chest protectors. I received the Platinum last week and it is most definitely better than my previous one.

Ok,
 

The pro nine is a good chest protector for small diamond umpires.

The basic rule for umpire equipment:

"You get what you pay for."

Regards,

I'm about 5' 10'' and 150 (160 while at college :D ) and have similar problems. The shoulder straps on my Platinum are tight as can be, yet I still feel as though when I lock in my collar bone is a bit exposed. I put everything on and stood in front of the mirror locked in and had someone with a baseball attempt to, while holding it, find a hole under my mask but above my platinum. Indeed, there was a hole, so I thought that my chin must be too high in my stance. I lowered my chin, and my collar bone on each side was still exposed.

Try tightening the straps that go around the sides of your body. You can get those pretty tight which then can hold the protector in place where you want it height wise.

i just got my plat last week. Same problem you had by finally after tinkering with the straps I got it high enough. I think I had to actually let out the shoulder straps, and tighten the back and side straps.
A huge improvement over the +pos armour.

I try telling that to umpires all the time, Tee, and many just don't get it. Then they wonder why they keep getting hurt.

I can understand some teenage umpire unable to afford the better gear, but those kids aren't doing college ball anyway.

pro nine
 

tim
i understand that you don't think the pro-nine can hold up to high level ball - i'm considering it for college ball - all levels. pro-nine's website claims it can take 95mph + and the guy who runs purchase officials in PA (a former minor league ump, recommends it as well) i'm not worried about price - i just want something smaller than my WV-Gold. have you used pro-nine and been disappointed with its performance?? if so, do you have anything else to recommend.

thanks.

Hey all,

You will be MUCH better off sticking with the Gold vs going to the Pro-Nine. I have used the Pro-Nine and will not go back to it unless it is an emergency. (such as my V-Sport breaks AND I can't fix it AND I can't keep it held together under my shirt AND my partner refuses to switch with me!)

LomUmp:cool:

40 games later and a couple of collarbone and center mass blasts on a big diamond (pitchers throwing low 80's)...still loving the Pro Nine

The Pro Nine is made by a manufacturer whose name eludes me, you can buy direct and it is also renamed by others, then distributed by them with very mnor modifications.

I have the +pos armour and am thinking of getting the w vest plat. Why do you say it is a huge improvement?

Lighter, thinner, more comfortable, breathes better than the +pos and protects as well or better.

Ordered the shins Monday, arrived today.

I can see that these things would stop a train, but they are bulky. I may stick with my existing shins which are lighter and less bulky. I will have to wear them around the house before I take them on the field and USE them.

I use the K1 for college games. You'll feel the direct shot, but the job of a chest protector isn't to make you immune to feeling anything, it's to protect from a damaging shot. And the K1 is much lighter that anything Wilson.

I've never heard of anyone breaking a rib with a west vest.

I know someone who broke his clavicle wearing one (I don't know whether it was the gold or the platinum)

There must be a story there. Do tell.

My M-I-L broke a rib coughing last winter.

It's all about risk/reward for me. As I see it, the reward for wearing the K1 (lighter, cooler) outweighs the risk. The equation clearly doesn't work out the same for you.

I would guess the Gold worn improperly. The Platinum goes over the shoulders and it would be pretty hard to leave a clavicle exposed with one.