New POS Chest Protector

[D62 blue]

I had some time tonight to finally check out the new plus pos CP . As with ALL equip , my experience will be different from others .

the straps are very large , i am a bigger than an average man (to say the least) , 6'4" 250 (i hope) . I had to adjust the straps almost to the point of there is no more adjustment . So if you are a wide body kinda man , no worries . collar bone "gap coverage" is about the same as my 15" douglas , length is about the same as well though the plus pos has wrap around pads at the buckles and under the arm pit area . I wear all my CP's up high against my throat , to minimize collar bone exposure .the CP is very flexible , it easily shapes to your body no break-in , let me explain  . when my douglas and AS sys 7 were new , they were very stiff (rigid) especially the douglas . it took many months to wear in the douglas , and develop the plates to curve over the collar bone area . not this plus pos CP , immediate contour to the the body and over the collar bone area . feels light weight on the body too , the padding is thick in multiple layers , softer against the body to stiff right  behind the plastic plates .  the eapulets ( small panel that covers the gap between collar panel and shoulder ) is connected to the underside of the collar panel . I think this should be on top of the panel , just like those who have added them to the douglas or other CP's . the plastic buckles seem to be wrapped well to the sides , out of danger from a ball . there is a small oval piece  , permantley attached right under the arm pit area . this piece (at least on my big frame ) sticks out too much . the AS sys 7 has a similar piece that is Velcro , i removed it on my AS CP . there is also a "gap" between the breast plate and this oval piece . not sure if any ball would find this spot anyway . i might be inclined to cut off this oval piece . when wearing a XXL shirt (plate) , the rather large rivet heads (there are a lot of them)  protrude through the shirt , very noticeable (at least on me ) so does the oval piece in arm pit area , more reason to cut it off . Hope there are no fashion police in the crowd if i wear in a gm .  the rivets should be flattened some how , and if possible reduce the amount of them . this Cp will cover a taller/wider man adequately , your mileage may very . I have a varsity summer league (2 man) DH thu night . I guess we will have to take a test drive ? and report back ...................

 

ps i will post some photos wearing the CP and my douglas for comparison ...........

[D62 blue]

When I saw your photos it reminded me of the old Champro chest protector that was on the market for a year or so.  I did a little Googling and sure enough the padding is from the Champro Plus Gold.  Our old friend Pete reviewed that CP in 2010 - http://midwestump.blogspot.com/2010/01/umpire-chest-protector-comparison.html - and wasn't very impressed.

 

Have no fear, I'm not turning into some gear junkie.  I just remember Pete wearing it at our clinic that year and seeing these new +POS photos jogged my memory.

Bingo , it is the same padding or a very very close copy to say the least . though the manner in which the plastic plates attach to the padding is lower profile

 

marc

[D62 blue]

well i wore the new CP last night , as excepted i didnt get touched . Both F2 were very good (big) catchers with low to mid 80mph pitching . The CP was comfortable  , and I felt safe if i would get hit . i didnt feel restricted in my plate movements either .

 

just for comparison i have photos wearing plus pos and douglas , draw you're own conclusions  . I have another varsity gm today , will see what happens ??

[D62 blue]

here is the douglas ...................................

 

 

 

 

[rjt6]

the +POS is almost too "bulky."

[D62 blue]

Well today , i took a foul ball point blank into the new plus pos CP from a pitcher throwing low 80s . ball off the bat 90+ maybe ??

very loud sounding , and gasp from the crowd , no harm done to me . weather in mid 80's , didn't seem any hotter that my other CP's .

also took a shot point blank into my nike mask @ the TG , tore the TG completely off !!   TG was attached with velcro straps , tore the straps in half !!    another good argument for wearing a TG ??

 

Marc

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Well I am sold, like what I hear enough to sell my backup chest protector(my WestVest Platinum) this will be my backup chest protector for now but if its "as advertised" it could be the protector I thought didn't exist, one capable of being better than my P200, only one I thought had a shot was a Douglas but perhaps this one will do it,

[BaltimoreUmpire]

I just ordered mine, can't wait to get it 1 game left this year and this protector is gonna be in it, hopefully it is as good as I hear

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Just got mine today, can't get it to fit even if adjusted, very "dainty" not solid probably returning it, given he told me if it won't fit he will refund my money, after this missing and the platinum not fitting I'm likely just gonna buy a second P200 to back current one up, I figure it works well for me so a second one insures I will love backup just as much

[D62 blue]

Just got mine today, can't get it to fit even if adjusted, very "dainty" not solid probably returning it, given he told me if it won't fit he will refund my money, after this missing and the platinum not fitting I'm likely just gonna buy a second P200 to back current one up, I figure it works well for me so a second one insures I will love backup just as much

unfortunate though not  uncommon , no matter the brand or design your mileage may very .

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Just got mine today, can't get it to fit even if adjusted, very "dainty" not solid probably returning it, given he told me if it won't fit he will refund my money, after this missing and the platinum not fitting I'm likely just gonna buy a second P200 to back current one up, I figure it works well for me so a second one insures I will love backup just as much

unfortunate though not uncommon , no matter the brand or design your mileage may very .I think it could be very nice for some, just not for me its not my style i guess is the way to say it

[mbkcoach]

http://www.homerunmonkey.com/homerun-diamond-umpire-equipment-dcp-ix3-cxtu-chest-protector.html

 

 

I had one of these and loved it.  I sold it and the shins to pay for my platinum which I also love.  I will get another one of these as a backup and for hot summer league games.  this price is way too high!!! I paid 50 for mine.

[mbkcoach]

http://midwestump.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-of-diamond-dcp-ix3-cxtu-chest.html good review

[Majordave]

@BaltimoreUmpire

I understand you don't like you WV Platinum. I didn't either. I never tried Champion but a lot of my partners over the years are using it.

Have you ever tried the WV Gold? They are very different CPs and have very different fits but both provide superior protection. I LOVED my WV Gold. Sold it to help out a fellow member on here but I sort of wish I'd kept it.

Just a thought.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

@BaltimoreUmpire

I understand you don't like you WV Platinum. I didn't either. I never tried Champion but a lot of my partners over the years are using it.

Have you ever tried the WV Gold? They are very different CPs and have very different fits but both provide superior protection. I LOVED my WV Gold. Sold it to help out a fellow member on here but I sort of wish I'd kept it.

Just a thought.

Have not tried a gold, love my P200 because it protects high and low, similar to the douglas which is what im saving game fees for, the gold looks ok but its not as long as I would like it to be

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Just got off the phone with Dan, really a nice guy, he's gonna let me return it for a full refund, said he has a few more coming out soon which should fit someone my size(short and wide) which I will be keeping an eye out for because I have a cooper soft shell I'll be able to use as a backup for my handful games left, but will certainly be buying a CP from Dan when one comes in my size because he is a good guy it seems like, for now though my P200 will have to hold up because the Cooper isn't that good. In the mean time I am using the money on an All Star helmet, but really feel like I will be giving Plus POS more buisiness  my family always has been a small business supporter and that's a tradition I want to keep  

[canadianump]

how did u get a hold of dan on the phone...I have called at least 5 times and left messages and have left at least 5 messages in his pm box where it says leave a message via email and we will get back to u as soon as possible...have never got any response from him...wow u must know him

[BaltimoreUmpire]

how did u get a hold of dan on the phone...I have called at least 5 times and left messages and have left at least 5 messages in his pm box where it says leave a message via email and we will get back to u as soon as possible...have never got any response from him...wow u must know him

I also email him alot, never had any communication issues, wonderful guy he gets a bad rap and until i started emailing him to talk gear I didn't help that which wasn't right he's a great guy its a tough job to reverse a reputation but he tries, you can tell by talking to him he's working hard to bring his brand a good name and provide quality gear

[amb1995]

how did u get a hold of dan on the phone...I have called at least 5 times and left messages and have left at least 5 messages in his pm box where it says leave a message via email and we will get back to u as soon as possible...have never got any response from him...wow u must know him

I also email him alot, never had any communication issues, wonderful guy he gets a bad rap and until i started emailing him to talk gear I didn't help that which wasn't right he's a great guy its a tough job to reverse a reputation but he tries, you can tell by talking to him he's working hard to bring his brand a good name and provide quality gear

I agree with the last couple of sentences. My dad has used pos since he got Into umpiring and I trust them to protect one of the most important parts of my body: my face, head and throat! And until they give me a reason not to, they will have my business.

[mbkcoach]

I was a plus pos everything umpire during my first stint 94-01 sul mask armor cp and armor shins. Now I have the zero gravity mask. Now I have Wilson platinum cp and shins. I would wear their shins. They are on sale now and look like the same type they used to sell. Plus pos was the big dawg in umpiring equipment back in the day. So no way you can compare them now to when they were on top.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Well im still awaiting a refund on this, was gonna buy their "coming soon" cp but after this wait? Nope, instead ill buy a douglas or all star cp when i buy my next cp, anyone know which is better?

[Thunderheads]

Well im still awaiting a refund on this, was gonna buy their "coming soon" cp but after this wait? Nope, instead ill buy a douglas or all star cp when i buy my next cp, anyone know which is better?

..........search..............

TONS of info on the equipment forum

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Well im still awaiting a refund on this, was gonna buy their "coming soon" cp but after this wait? Nope, instead ill buy a douglas or all star cp when i buy my next cp, anyone know which is better?

..........search..............

TONS of info on the equipment forumWas planning on it but figured id ask while i was posting in case anyone had specific info on those 2

[Thunderheads]

 

 

Well im still awaiting a refund on this, was gonna buy their "coming soon" cp but after this wait? Nope, instead ill buy a douglas or all star cp when i buy my next cp, anyone know which is better?

..........search..............

TONS of info on the equipment forum Was planning on it but figured id ask while i was posting in case anyone had specific info on those 2

 

fair enough......... but if someone did,......we'd head off course.

trust me, your answer is in the equipment forum!

[BaltimoreUmpire]

I'll bring it back to course, although the +POS didn't fit it is protective, had my brother(his teams best pitcher btw) fire a few into it and i felt nothing and he throws fast, well for a 12 yearold but thats the level i do so it sold me, very strong cp if it fits you, big "if" im a big guy(like 200lbs big)