tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post9165381349664287318..comments2023-05-31T01:35:22.440-07:00Comments on Midwest Ump: Umpire Chest Protector ComparisonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-10109566467019754382011-10-23T08:16:02.472-07:002011-10-23T08:16:02.472-07:00I have used the Wilson grey, the Douglas (my prefe...I have used the Wilson grey, the Douglas (my preferred CP) and the Champion which I use for lower level games. All 3 have served me well. I have occasionally used the Champion for college level summer softball and it did the job. For new umpire looking for great protection I would absolutely recommend the Champion, especially at under $50.00. But whatever you choose make sure you feel comfortable with the amount of protection.Joe Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-68166716920027331072010-02-16T10:37:19.435-08:002010-02-16T10:37:19.435-08:00I will say, however, given the fact that perceptio...I will say, however, given the fact that perception is so often treated as reality (and many will not see the ZG as a hard shell protector), that Honig's was not wise in making the price point so high.<br /><br />Ray HernandezAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-11463429094071499942010-02-16T10:12:42.357-08:002010-02-16T10:12:42.357-08:00The Wilson CPs do offer tank like protection but t...The Wilson CPs do offer tank like protection but the problem of slippage (particularly in the Platinum) and their shortness prompted me to explore the Honig's Zero Gravity in spite of significant skepticism in the online umpire community. Here are my initial reflections The fit is excellent, the mesh vest harness keeps the CP snug and secure, no slipping and sliding here. The vertical breaks do in fact help the CP conform to the body. While unbelievably light. It is bulkier than I thought it would be, particularly around the shoulders but it feels like great coverage in that area. The shoulders seem to have been tweaked forward similar to the WV Gold. The extra plate over the sternum provides another layer of hard plastic and padding which both adds protection and increases bulk in the chest area. The availability of a torso extension provides additional coverage that the Wilson's do not.They did upgrade to a harder material for the plastic plates in this years models (Zero Gravity and K1) but it will be interesting to see the effect of the Vertical breaks in the Zero gravity (which add to the fit) on impact dispersibility. I'll just have to see how it performs over the season. <br />Ray Hernandez<br />rt.hernandez@verizon.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-88232685748768211382010-02-16T07:14:43.657-08:002010-02-16T07:14:43.657-08:00Pete,
First, I REALLY appriciate the data. No one...Pete,<br /><br />First, I REALLY appriciate the data. No one else, aside from the insane Gerry Davis test, is doing this. <br /><br />A suggestion: Instead of laying a CP flat on a concrete floor (of course you're going to dent and crack plastic) strap these things to a punching bag to simulate a human body. And instead of dropping a weight straight at it, swing it from a pendulum above the bag. <br /><br />I hope I don't come off as too negative, as I really REALLY appriciate the time you took to test these rigs. It saved me a C note on the Schutt, which looked like it had promise.KyleJTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-3883591477075045702010-02-16T06:42:06.075-08:002010-02-16T06:42:06.075-08:00Thanks for the encouragement!
Warren, I agree th...Thanks for the encouragement! <br /><br />Warren, I agree the AiR Flex design IS promising. It is very comfortable and is adjustable for a custom fit.<br /><br />Arik, I invited several manufacturers to participate in this test. In the future I hope to have the opportunity to test CPs from Honigs, Gerry Davis, and CPs with foam covered plates.<br /><br />Kyle JT, the goal of this first experiment was to measure the forces of a straight chest shot. The center of my chest is flat, not round, which is why I opted for laying the CP on the ground rather than strapping it to a test subject. <br /><br />My equipment limitations forced some compromises. I have access to a piching machine, but no radar gun to guage speed for a controlled experiment. Gravity, on the other hand, is constant. In the future I hope to have more equipment and different experiments.Pete Reiserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02875000584094721627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-70898195879706015102010-02-15T23:06:52.628-08:002010-02-15T23:06:52.628-08:00A straight shot to the center of the CP is not whe...A straight shot to the center of the CP is not where you get hurt. It's the hard, glancing pop over the heart, lower ribs, or collarbone that rings your bell. Plus, you laid it flat on the ground. I'm not built like that. <br /><br />Next time, cowboy up, and get in the batting cage. Me, I'll keep using the baseball at the end of a graphite golf shaft for my testing.KyleJTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-14865766780405883372010-02-15T22:56:21.002-08:002010-02-15T22:56:21.002-08:00I agree that this was very well done. However I wo...I agree that this was very well done. However I would have liked to see the Honigs K1 or the new Honigs CP reviewed here as well as the WV Gold as the other protectors are of a very similar type.<br /><br />Just my two cents. But keep up the good work.Arikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15389225900582557981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-11706734804843349852010-02-15T21:07:38.096-08:002010-02-15T21:07:38.096-08:00Another great review and post. I was very interest...Another great review and post. I was very interested in reading about the Schutt. I think the premise of vented plates and Brock beads is promising and hopefully they/somebody can perfect it. <br /><br />Warren<br /><a href="http://umpire-empire.com" rel="nofollow">Umpire-Empire</a>Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02772065098262248075noreply@blogger.com