Trying to review the new Force3 V-3

[Recontra]

Trying to honestly review the new Force3 V-3, but I can’t seem to get hit. Have been hit in the inner thigh, in the wrist, in both arms, and have tracked at least a couple into my mask, but my chest and abdomen remain untouched. My Force3 V-3 CP remains untouched.

But here’s what I will say so far. This CP is light. Incredibly light. Lighter on my body than the original Force3 V-1, and lighter on my body than my Douglas 3 panel hard shell or my Wilson Platinum. Feels as light as the Cobalt I purchased and then gave away because of the lower extension design deficiencies. Maybe F3 is using a lower density (and lighter) Kevlar layer under the new thicker hard plastic/hard plate “Blast Shield” than the original version that just relied upon Kevlar and high density foam with no hard plates. I don’t know. But the F-3 V-3 is super cool temperature wise and has the same “don’t even know it’s on” feel as the original. It fits tight and hugs the body like the original version, and feels even lighter.

I need to get hit hard so I can report. I know what that report will be (when it finally happens), but I can’t honestly say till it does. I anticipate I’ll be reporting that the hard plastic blast shield over the Kevlar layer resulted in “I didn’t even feel it!” protection superior to the V-1 which caused a bruise above about 85 mph. I can just tell that the V-3’s hard plates over the Kevlar layer are going to be that cat’s meow. 

[kylejt]

I've never understood the use of Kevlar in umpire gear. It's used for penetration protection, or layered with composites to provide strength. But just putting a layer of Kevlar fabric in our gear seems like a marketing ploy of some sort. Unless you're actually worried about gunfire from the dugouts. 

And what point in the evolution of this rig are the plastic plates going to be put on the outside, like all the others? It seems to be the best solution to flying baseballs as the first layer of energy dispersion. 

[Scissors]

I don't have the V3, but took my first shot with the V2 yesterday in the shoulder. Felt it, but didn't really hurt. I do wonder how much different the protection of the V3 is though with the kevlar and all.

[SeeingEyeDog]

2 hours ago, kylejt said:

I've never understood the use of Kevlar in umpire gear. It's used for penetration protection, or layered with composites to provide strength. But just putting a layer of Kevlar fabric in our gear seems like a marketing ploy of some sort. 

This, this, this, this...and that! Yes! All of all that junk! Thank you!

I'm guessing adding kevlar is how you get to a $280 price point...

I'm sure it's a fine cp and I'd love to own one but, it's over-engineered and over-priced.

~Dawg

[wolfe_man]

I currently have a black Douglas, a WV Gold, a The Ump navy blue and an F3 V3 CP.

The F3 is the most form-fitting (read low profile in appearance) CP of them all.  It is cooler than most other CP's on the market also.

I took a bounced pitch off my chest on Saturday while wearing the V3 and you know you are impacted, but no pain.  To be perfectly honest, I would have probably not even noticed the impact in my Gold at all due to the thick padding; however, I am trying to go low profile and not a la linebacker anymore, so this is a trade-off.

If you cut open the CP or the F3 pads, you will find that the layer of Kevlar is so small that it alone is not what is stopping or spreading out the force/impact.  I am not a scientist, but I believe you could remove the Kevlar and have the same results for force distribution.    And now that it has hard impact plates (which poke through the neoprene cover since they have sharp corners), it is only a matter of time before it too is moved to the outside of the "jacket". 

All things considered, I think $200 is a fair price for this CP, but F3 is very proud of their products.  I won't pay $199 for the mask and I won't pay $279 for the CP either (I buy used or heavily discounted).  It is good stuff, but I wouldn't put it in the "great" category just yet.  There are still some improvements I'd like to see made before it is worth the current pricing IMHO. 

Now, if you take this and a couple of bucks, you can get a coffee!

[Aging_Arbiter]

18 hours ago, kylejt said:

I've never understood the use of Kevlar in umpire gear. It's used for penetration protection, or layered with composites to provide strength. But just putting a layer of Kevlar fabric in our gear seems like a marketing ploy of some sort. Unless you're actually worried about gunfire from the dugouts. 

And what point in the evolution of this rig are the plastic plates going to be put on the outside, like all the others? It seems to be the best solution to flying baseballs as the first layer of energy dispersion. 

Kyle,   I see where you are going, but doesn't the "penetration protection" also double as impact dispersion?   

[Scissors]

Update for me, took another hard foul in the neck extension last week, and it hurt more than it should've. I felt the sting for the next 15 or 20 minutes. I lost confidence in it after two shots that I really should not have felt with most other CPs... just sold it and got a Douglas 15", I feel a lot safer behind the plate now.

[umpstu]

10 minutes ago, Scissors said:

Update for me, took another hard foul in the neck extension last week, and it hurt more than it should've. I felt the sting for the next 15 or 20 minutes. I lost confidence in it after two shots that I really should not have felt with most other CPs... just sold it and got a Douglas 15", I feel a lot safer behind the plate now.

What is a neck extension?  I have the V2 and have taken a lot of shots with no issues.

[Scissors]

3 minutes ago, umpstu said:

What is a neck extension?  I have the V2 and have taken a lot of shots with no issues.

The little detachable pad at the very top 

[umpstu]

1 minute ago, Scissors said:

The little detachable pad at the very top 

I removed that and shortened the straps to pull it tighter.