Gerry Davis Chest Protector Testing
 

I stumbled across this on the GD site:

Gerry Davis Sports: Chest Protectors

Look at "Protection Comparison" at the top of the page.

I read their comments a few times and find it pretty hard to believe their "Davishield" is more protective than the Wilson Platinum. My hunch would be the Platinum absorbs the impact while the Davis protector does not. We have had multiple people on this forum and others saying they wouldnt wear the Davis protectors (the current one and the previous one) for anything at the high school level or above. Any comments on this "study" by GD?

I'll just tell you I did my own, independent testing, using the Davishield, a platinum, a WV original, a Cooper, a K1, and a Douglas.

I was the test dummy, and my 6'4" son was wielding a graphite golf shaft tipped with a Gorilla Glued baseball. I mean, how much more scientific do you want?

The Davishield faired the same as the Cooper, and nowhere near the Douglas or the WV models. Not even close. I took repeated blows with my platinum ("BRING IT, KID!"), but had enough with two shots to the Davishield ("F@#!").

I wouldn't use the Davishield for anything but softball. I find their chart, well, interesting.

When it comes to chest protector testing, I put Kyle up above those Mythbuster guys.

I purchased the WV Platinum last winter, and I personally think it's my best protective equipment purchase so far. Properly fitted, it rests square on the chest, and is large enough to cover your collar bone in the front, too. I took a few foul balls directly off of it, and barely felt anything.

I worked with someone in spring that used it, I think it is just a bit too thin, even though it appears to fit nicely around the upper body.

And I think most people on this board will say that when it comes to chest protectors and masks, don't skimp on those. Get the best you can, it will certainly pay off.

Amen!

The best mask and chest protector combination costs around $300. A horses--t combination is around $125. For a mere $175, you make a supreme effort at protecting your head and heart, rather than a perfunctory one. Let me think that over for about a second.

That is a great testing procedure stated above. I am sure your son thought of all the times you grounded him and had a blast with it. LOL. I bet you two have a great relationship or this would have never worked. Good to see a family working together.

Just to get this out of the way: No, there will be no combination Nutty Buddy/Plate shoe testing anytime soon.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4oai2QUlbU...n_the_nuts.jpg

You boys (your boys) are on your own.

I conducted my own personal test, personal experience in a varsity game. I was wearing my K1, catcher was expecting a curve ball and the pitcher threw a heater. Needless to say, I took a fastball square to the chest. The thud when I was hit was rather quiet, the effects were major. I had a loss of breath and was rocked backward. It took me several minutes to get my wits back. I swore from that point on to never wear anything but my WV original in Varsity and above games.

I have taken much the same shot with the WV, the sound was a horrendous 'crack' that brought 'awws and gasps' from the crowd and coaches from the bench. My response was, 'what's the big deal, lets go'.

Unfortunately, I think Davis' little "testing" study is potentially putting less experienced or knowledgeable guys in some danger by overstating the protection of their protectors compared to the Platinum.

I have (dont wear) the previous Davis-Wilson Chest Protector. I wouldnt trust that thing for freshman ball.

Honestly, all the protectors are far better than those ribbed radiators we wore a dozen years ago. But when you have a choice, choose wisely.

I've had the same situation. I'd much rather here a loud "CRACK" than a lower toned thud against a softer protector and have issues from that.

anybody going to try the new one from Honigs? I knew something was up when they had their K1 on sale for $99 this fall...

http://honigs.com/images/detail_lg/ZG.jpg

Why? I mean it looks like a K1 with a big hunk o' white plastic jammed on it, like an "Opps, we should have been a hard shell all along". Plus you'll look like a '58 Edsel is trying to drive through your black shirt. At least the Davishield is cool looking.

http://images.drive.com.au/drive_ima...1Edsel_m_m.jpg

I think Honig's makes a big mistake trying to directly compete with the Wilson Platinum & Gold in terms of price. Without knowing specifics about their sales volume, I would have to believe they would be more successful selling the K1 or this one at around $99 or so. Although they finally reduced the K1 price, they introduced this one. At a price of $150, theres no reason to buy this product IMO.

Any thoughts of getting a patent on that graphite shaft with a Gorilla Glued baseball? Could be a formitable weapon for self defense if the right coach comes out...;)

JJ

I can get a platinum for $135. So any competitor has to prove it's A. Better than a Platinum/Gold, B. Be a better deal. This rig is neither. And a big white oval on your chest just shouts "STUPID!"

I don't care what that dopey Davis chart says, I know better.

Now, if All Star integrates the ideas I gave them into their new c/p(carbon fiber, mesh backing, velcro adjustments, Cool Max, washable) THEN I'd consider changing. The Honig's and Davis models have missed badly. No soup for them.

I look forward to a new and improved All-Star. After working about 30 plate games in the Fall NABA league and serving as the test dummy for the CPU30, I am extremely disappointed in the protection that it (doesn't) provide. A longer model would also be another great suggestion, perhaps offering 3 sizes like many hard shell models do (13, 15 and 17" would be about right). I took quite a beating and felt nearly every shot that hit the CPU30, and that just shouldn't be the case for a $140 + protector.

Go for the Gold, baby. Go for the Gold. The Platinum's great too. But the Gold is the sh!t.

The others don't need to exist.

I've been using a drilled out baseball glued to a stick for years as a teaching aid. When umpires are behind the plate, it's easy to demonstrate ball position, to make sure they aren't blocked out.

I had an old graphite golf shaft hanging around, so I Gorilla Glued (good stuff) a ball to the end of it. It's got a nice grip, and works well for instruction.

When I got the Davishield, I really liked the fit and construction. But, I was dubious of the thickness of the padding, and whether the panels would lock up on impact. I could have had someone throw balls at me, or fired up the Jugs machine and hope for the best. Naw. To test it properly I needed to take hits in specific places.

My son is a decent golfer, and a long (300+ yd) ball hitter. So I had him dial in on certain parts of the chest protector, and increase the velocity of the shots. The Davishield worked okay at straight blows to the sternum. It seemed to flatten out, lock up the plates, and spread out the energy. But shots to the rib cage, or off center shots, had painful effects.

So here's my take on the testing. If laid flat, the Davishield will interlock the panels, and disperse the energy as designed. But, if wrapped around a torso, the side shots won't lock up the panels, and one small panel will transmit the energy through the thin pad. So I can see where the Davis will out perform the WV, but only if laid flat. Unfortunately.................

I've seen and held a Davishield. Lets just say I would even consider wearing this to call the balls and strikes from behind the mound let alone behind the plate. ;)

The guy who bought one said they (Gerry Davis) were getting a lot of complaints about them and they weren't allowing people to return them even if they hadn't worn it. Sad.