differences in the new Wilson vests?

[mac266]

I love the new magnetic buckles on the sides instead of the metal "T" hooks I have on my Wilson Gold.  But there are two new chest protectors, and I don't really understand the difference between them, other than the $50 difference in price. 

[ErichKeane]

The more expensive one used a memory foam that gets similar protection but is 3/4" thick instead of 1". Makes it quite less bulky.

[MadMax]

It’s called the Wilson Ignorance Tax. 

The sole reason they’re charging $10… $25… $50 more than X is because they can. 

[The Man in Blue]

[poke poke] If the foam in the more expensive one is 1/4" thinner, they are using less material and should be charging less, not more.  [poke poke]  😉

[BT_Blue]

Just so you know... you can go onto Amazon and find those same magnetic clips. Then if you want, you can put then on your CP of choice 

[TheRockawayKid]

On 10/25/2022 at 12:07 AM, BT_Blue said:

Just so you know... you can go onto Amazon and find those same magnetic clips. Then if you want, you can put then on your CP of choice 

So if someone had a standard-buckle CP -- like a F3 -- how impossible would it be (scale of 1-10) to change it to magnetic clips or J-hooks or something of the like? 

[MadMax]

25 minutes ago, TheRockawayKid said:

So if someone had a standard-buckle CP -- like a F3 -- how impossible would it be (scale of 1-10) to change it to magnetic clips or J-hooks or something of the like?

If 0 is impossible, and 10 is factory-quality? 9. A solid 9. I could do an 8 with my eyes closed. 

[834k3r]

On 10/24/2022 at 9:07 PM, BT_Blue said:

Just so you know... you can go onto Amazon and find those same magnetic clips. Then if you want, you can put then on your CP of choice 

Anyone have a link to the magnetic clips?

[ump7tony]

Here are the Amazon links to various "Fidlock" buckles...

https://www.amazon.com/Fidlock-Magnetic-Snap-Buckle-Replacement/dp/B087TMJXK3/ref=asc_df_B087TMJXK3/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459567493631&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15523755600019447665&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007473&hvtargid=pla-945355905758&region_id=674469&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Fidlock-Magnetic-Buckle-Slider-Replacement/dp/B07TRHK57R/ref=sr_1_3?crid=160S88WEFFHUM&keywords=fidlock+buckle&qid=1675396413&s=arts-crafts&sprefix=fidlock%2Carts-crafts%2C95&sr=1-3

https://www.amazon.com/Fidlock-Magnetic-Buckle-Release-Replacement/dp/B08R5QYTG8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=160S88WEFFHUM&keywords=fidlock%2Bbuckle&qid=1675396680&s=arts-crafts&sprefix=fidlock%2Carts-crafts%2C95&sr=1-2&th=1

 

[TheRockawayKid]

On 1/29/2023 at 7:31 PM, MadMax said:

If 0 is impossible, and 10 is factory-quality? 9. A solid 9. I could do an 8 with my eyes closed. 

Thanks! I'm thinking about having it changed. I also have metal J-hook shin guard, and I'm thinking about turning THOSE into plastic clips so they don't get all rusted. 

I'll look at a tailor to get it done. 

[Aging_Arbiter]

On 1/29/2023 at 7:31 PM, MadMax said:

If 0 is impossible, and 10 is factory-quality? 9. A solid 9. I could do an 8 with my eyes closed. 

.....says the anti-W Vulture

[BT_Blue]

16 minutes ago, Aging_Arbiter said:

.....says the anti-W Vulture

I can vouch for Max's craftsmanship. Though I did not hold onto it for long, the MaXV he did for me was wonderfully done.

[Aging_Arbiter]

Just now, BT_Blue said:

I can vouch for Max's craftsmanship. Though I did not hold onto it for long, the MaXV he did for me was wonderfully done.

I don't either.  I've just been away for awhile and need to catch up on busting his chops a little.

[mac266]

On 2/2/2023 at 9:01 PM, ump7tony said:

Here are the Amazon links to various "Fidlock" buckles...

https://www.amazon.com/Fidlock-Magnetic-Snap-Buckle-Replacement/dp/B087TMJXK3/ref=asc_df_B087TMJXK3/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459567493631&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15523755600019447665&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007473&hvtargid=pla-945355905758&region_id=674469&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Fidlock-Magnetic-Buckle-Slider-Replacement/dp/B07TRHK57R/ref=sr_1_3?crid=160S88WEFFHUM&keywords=fidlock+buckle&qid=1675396413&s=arts-crafts&sprefix=fidlock%2Carts-crafts%2C95&sr=1-3

https://www.amazon.com/Fidlock-Magnetic-Buckle-Release-Replacement/dp/B08R5QYTG8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=160S88WEFFHUM&keywords=fidlock%2Bbuckle&qid=1675396680&s=arts-crafts&sprefix=fidlock%2Carts-crafts%2C95&sr=1-2&th=1

 

How do you fit that onto an existing West Vest with the T-hooks? 

[wolfe_man]

11 hours ago, mac266 said:

How do you fit that onto an existing West Vest with the T-hooks? 

Not to be rude, but you don't.  It's an either-or type of thing.  You either use t-hooks or this new way, but you really shouldn't do both.  Just because you can - doesn't always mean that you should. YMMV

[834k3r]

7 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

Not to be rude, but you don't.  It's an either-or type of thing.  You either use t-hooks or this new way, but you really shouldn't do both.  Just because you can - doesn't always mean that you should. YMMV

True, but if I were to consider (and I am--maybe an off-season project this fall) switching from T-hooks to the Fidlock, I think I'd start by riveting the strap to the front of the CP over the slot into which the T hooks are inserted.

[Umpiresrock74]

On 3/1/2023 at 7:56 AM, wolfe_man said:

Not to be rude, but you don't.  It's an either-or type of thing.  You either use t-hooks or this new way, but you really shouldn't do both.  Just because you can - doesn't always mean that you should. YMMV

No offense Wolfman, but I think you can easily attatch fidlocks on a pre existing west vest. I do it. I can attest.

[wolfe_man]

51 minutes ago, Umpiresrock74 said:

No offense Wolfman, but I think you can easily attatch fidlocks on a pre existing west vest. I do it. I can attest.

To my point, how do you attach the female Fidlock to the vest?  Sure, anyone can put the male end on the strap... but you'll have to mod the CP to put a female one it - especially so when the female end has T-hooks and not an existing female clip end!

FWIW, I'm not offended... just think it through. 😇 

[Umpiresrock74]

I have done it. Want to see?

[Umpiresrock74]

You just put them on the end. A strap, and have it sewn on. That’s what I do. I also offer that as a service as part of our small business starting up. 

[Umpiresrock74]

Or you can try a local upholster. 

[wolfe_man]

38 minutes ago, Umpiresrock74 said:

I have done it. Want to see?

Sigh... Nevermind... I'm basically brand-new to this equipment thing, so I'll leave it to you guys.

[Umpiresrock74]

I’m sorry. Lol. Wasn’t trying to be dismissive. 

[Umpiresrock74]

On 10/23/2022 at 1:36 PM, MadMax said:

It’s called the Wilson Ignorance Tax. 

The sole reason they’re charging $10… $25… $50 more than X is because they can. 

So true! I like my 1/2 inch foam. Lol. They are to cheap!

[MadMax]

I’m pulling up this old thread because it is the most recent, relevant thread to CP Pr0n, without being CP Pr0n. 

Do ya read Playboy for the articles? 😅 

On 2/26/2024 at 11:30 AM, DerekGDS said:

I think this is the most polite thing I have ever heard about the DaviShield.

The product was significantly flawed, a fact I will openly acknowledge. We've learned our lessons from it and can assure you that we will not replicate the shortcomings of DaviShield.

Yes, there were significant shortcomings. Perhaps the biggest was linking it to the Wilson lineup. Sure, it secured legitimacy, increased retail sales channels, and likely was conjoined in production resources (materials, manufacturing, packaging, shipping, support, etc.). However, it also served as a millstone around the DaviShield’s neck. Development and progress was stunted, and the “protective expectations” – conveyed by the step-sibling WestVests (Gold & Platinum) and their (over)thick pads and MLB logos – often relegated the DaviShield as underwhelming, underperforming, and unable to operate on the same playing field – literally and figuratively. 

18 hours ago, Umpiresrock74 said:

This looks really cool! Kinda looks similar to a Wilson.

Don’t insult it. There is nothing, no characteristic, to a Wilson that makes it “the ideal CP”. All Wilson did “right” was to secure Joe West’s endorsement, secure MLB’s endorsement, and patent the Velcro anchor tabs, thereby throwing all their chief competitors (at the time) off the board, justifying the elite price tag, and cementing themselves as the rival-less (not “unrivaled”, there’s a difference) standard for all baseball CPs for 20 years! 

The DaviShield became the odd, risky sibling. The price point always had to be lower than the (inflated) WestVests, and there wasn’t any motivation or latitude to alter or improve it. 

On 2/26/2024 at 10:43 AM, wolfe_man said:

The trend though is thinner and leaner.  The new foams don't have to be as thick as they used to be to offer the same, or better, stopping power.   Plastic plates really only need be thick enough to withstand the impact and refrain from splitting like a Champion plate might.

The DavisShield played a part.  We learned from it.  There are good teachers and there are teachers that hurt you so you won't do that again.  I think we know which one this was, but it still taught us something.  Feedback, almost any feedback, is useful and can be used to improve if you apply it with thought. 

The original DaviShield had some innovative, dynamic features: 

• Segmented, scale-like torso carapace plates; created a conforming fit for a variety of body frames.
• A (simple) laminate foam; closed-cell foam for energy absorption, open-cell “sizing” foam for body contact. 
• Technical wicking mesh on the body-contact side; much more comfortable and better performing than crude nylon. 
• Connecting (elastic) splines from shoulder arch to an ailette+pauldron combination that protected the outer shoulder different than every other CP at that time. 
• A tank top-like harness, far better than the disc-&-nylon Y-yokes the other Wilsons employed. 
• Plastic, indexed hooks; much, much more survivable than side-release buckles, non-corroding, and much less likely to tear or bruise one’s shirt on an impact… like T-hooks are notorious for. 

No, it wasn’t perfect, but it made for an exceptionally low-profile, athletic silhouette. I now believe, that had it been freed from the by-Wilson shackles, it may have been improved to a point where it could have waded into the same waters as the WestVests, Douglas, and Riddells… ie. Professional Baseball. As it is, the Force3 UnEqual could have been so much more ready-to-go had Force3 modeled it after the DaviShield. 

Quote

If thicker was better, we'd all be going up there with 2" thick pillows strapped to our chest and arms. 

Oh, but we do! We still have colleagues go out there and use rafts / balloons! Why? 

• Heat / ventilation 
• Implicit (false) belief that pad thickness = protection 
• Proper fit cannot be achieved with existing units (esp. for women) 
• Protection to the lower abdomen, arms, hands, or specialized protection (such as, for the sternum specifically, or a pacemaker)