Something we are looking for some feedback on.

[Fingersmuldoon]

I am retired LEO.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with some of the other posts here. At least back in my day the Kevlar was a superb insulator and reflector of body heat, no matter what the outside temp. By the end of the shift you were usually drenched in sweat under the vest. An additional heating pad would not work in this situation IMHO, at least not for the majority of LEO's (there is always the exception to the rule I suppose). I would guess that this would be far more useful for hunting in the fall, or snow mobile use, or Skiing...

[homer76]

I can see the benefit in a product like this. I am not ERT but have been in containment positions where I cannot move very much for hours on end and gotten very cold while doing it. I used to always pack a toque and gloves in my duty bag just in case. Just because this is inside your vest does not mean that you have to have it turned on all the time.

I am interested in getting one. What is the warranty like? What are the dimensions? How much are the spare battery packs? If you can do a video that would be very helpful.

I sent an e-mail as well since I am very interested in getting one.






As a side note to those of you who are tired of sweating while wearing a vest I would recommend getting a Maxx-Dri Vest from 221B Tactical. The company is owned by an LEO and the vest is a mesh honeycomb which allows air to circulate under your vest and sweat to evaporate. I have owned one for the last year and can't say enough great things about it. They are expensive but you only need one.

[Grumpy Wolverine]

I can see the benefit in a product like this. I am not ERT but have been in containment positions where I cannot move very much for hours on end and gotten very cold while doing it. I used to always pack a toque and gloves in my duty bag just in case. Just because this is inside your vest does not mean that you have to have it turned on all the time.

I am interested in getting one. What is the warranty like? What are the dimensions? How much are the spare battery packs? If you can do a video that would be very helpful.

I sent an e-mail as well since I am very interested in getting one.






As a side note to those of you who are tired of sweating while wearing a vest I would recommend getting a Maxx-Dri Vest from 221B Tactical. The company is owned by an LEO and the vest is a mesh honeycomb which allows air to circulate under your vest and sweat to evaporate. I have owned one for the last year and can't say enough great things about it. They are expensive but you only need one.

I'll try and get one up next week and get the info you're looking for.

[stuckon308]

Read my other post (post #60). You will see that I agreed with what you said about blood being kept to the core and reduced blood flow to the extremities. The BS part is where you said keeping the core temperature constant will keep increased blood flow out to the extremities; the link you provided does not support THAT part of your statement because THAT part of your statement is incorrect.

Keeping the core warm is important! No question at all. But if the manufacturer claims this product will keep the extremities warm then that is, as I said, either BS or wishful thinking, neither of which will lead to happy customers. That's why I thought this kind of feedback would be of value to you but maybe it's not.

You've spent a lot of time out in the bush and taken several winter survival courses, that is great. I've spent a lot of time studying the human body, much of that at the post-grad and doctorate level. If you don't want to take my word for it, talk to a vascular specialist and see how well the theory of heating the core to warm the extremities holds water.

Are you sure you know what you're talking about?

[DocShay]

As a side note to those of you who are tired of sweating while wearing a vest I would recommend getting a Maxx-Dri Vest from 221B Tactical. The company is owned by an LEO and the vest is a mesh honeycomb which allows air to circulate under your vest and sweat to evaporate. I have owned one for the last year and can't say enough great things about it. They are expensive but you only need one.

Nice to hear a positive review - A couple of guys at my work say they have tried one or know someone who has with typically negative reviews. If Wolv brings em in I may have to test it out myself for the summer heat. I believe the effectiveness has to be if you have any sort of breeze - Stationary with no wind won't help much in terms of venting.

[WaterlooRifle]

How long for a full charge?

Could definitely see this being useful for hunting if it wasn't too expensive (~$150 is max I'd go).

[Max4]

In regards to the price, just what do you think production costs are these days? What do you think the battery packs cost? a new company starting out certainly can't purchase with the same buying power as someone like Milwaukee.

If a whole coat is what someone needs then great, but there are lots of application that a whole coat is not viable, not allowable.

I have already listed the battery use times and those conservative.

You asked for feedback on a new product. I gave you my initial impressions based on the limited information at hand and my experience with items made directly for my field. I'm sorry that you took it as some kind of attack on small business. I see in your post on page 4 that the price would be around the $200 mark. I'm actually pleasantly surprised by this as I expected it to be a fair bit high than that. Had I read that post prior to posting my "initial impressions" I may not have even mentioned the Milwaukee coat at all. All that being said if you are going to be "grumpy" about negative initial feedback on a new product why ask for people's opinions? No matter what you ask there will always be a "nay sayer" in the crowd.

[madcow]

One issue i would be concerned about is how well is the battery holds in extreme conditions. The 8 hours claimed are they in ideal conditions? Batteries drain faster in cold conditions.

in extremec cknditions, the extremeties are where heat is needed. Feet, hands and head. Cold hands on a sniper laying on the ground is less effective if he lost the feelings in his hands.

there are cheaper alternatives, I wouldn't buy.

[Fundy1]

Id definitely by one. Gets pretty cold in the forests of NB in the winter when out for coyotes.

[CHEMMY]

To mimic what others have said....if wearing plates, I wouldn't want the added weight and trying to store a controller/batt that big. That takes up valuable real estate on your rig.

Now if it were a smaller unit that wrapped around your kidneys with a smaller controller/pack....you might be onto something with the carriers. Kidney/Lumbar heat is always welcome.