Does anyone like throat danglers?

[rvboy]

Hey guys, give me some pros and cons of those dangler throat protection things. I've been thinking seriously of getting one and I need to know if the protection outways the reduction in visibility if any. I had one years ago and all I can remember from it was the fact that it fogged up and made allot of noise clanging against my helmut. Are they still the same?

[bedris]

I personally don't wear one right now (Kids, I'm a bad example. Don't follow my lead!)

I think the fact that it protects against potential life-threatening injuries is enough reason to wear one. I mean, come on, you should see how beat up my old dangler is from all the shots its taken. Imagine, just one of those could have hurt me seriously...

You know what, you've inspired me, rvboy. I'm going to put my dangler back on.

:: bedris

[Bryan]

Hate 'em. They are annoyingly distracting, they get in the way, they are noisy, grrr.

Almost all shots that hit the dangler would have actually hit your mask or your chest if it wasn't there.

[bedris]

Ooooookay, then. Bryan just de-inspired me.

I guess I'll stick without one.

:: bedris

[BrickWall]

Notice how he said "almost all shots"? What about the few that do not comply with those other shots. We're talking serious injury here. I personally don't like them, and I avoid wearing them whenever possible, but unless your getting paid to play, I believe personal safety and health (were not talking cut or bruise, but a possible 1 way trip to the hospital) outweigh a little fog and some noise.

[bedris]

Alrighty, Brick just re-inspired me...

We're just going back and forth here, aren't we folks???

:: bedris

[az]

No, bedris. YOU are going back and forth on this. Most of us have made a firm decision on this issue already.

I have one of those Itech-type danglers that hang off a helmet/cage combo. However, my dangler is made of steel wire, like the cage, so there is no, weight, fog or visibility issues--and it doesn't even clang a lot!

[RRG]

I wear my dangler even though I feel my chest protector comes up high enough and my cage low enough that I won't get hit. But the last couple times I went out there I have been hit so hard in the mask that the dangler strings completely snapped. I use a elastic type string in the front so that it gives a little. On the sides i attach the mask with some of that high strength fishing line. I wrap it around about 9 times ( a superstition deal) but I am gonna switch that over to the elastic strings too cause I really hate having the thing snap and then having to rip it off and worry about the next high and hard one.


Red Raider Goalie

[Tanner]

I wear a dangler, have done for the past year and a half. I think danglers are a MUST for butterfly goaltenters especially to stop the puck from riding up underneath your helmet. At first it was arkward, clangy, I couldn't turn my head to see behind the net but after a few weeks I forgot it was there. I don't evern hear it any more. The fact that it's foggy doesn't matter at all because you don't ever have it in your line of vision (if it is you are probably wearing it too high) that only matters if you want to look 'pretty'. I have taken some massive hits, snaped one about half a year ago infact, all I can say is when ever I see a goalie on the ice without one, i feel sorry for him/her thinking, "he's/she's gonna get one there soon or later", just my 2 pence!

James

[firefighter]

I've only been goaltending for about 3 months, but on Sunday I play against some really talented guys (roller hockey). I've only played once without my throat protector <had a throat protector on order> and had the puck barely graze the side of my neck. It left a red mark along the side of my neck for about a week and had a small bruise to go along with it. That wasn't even a direct hit.

I did my research in the archives here on the BB and decided to get a throat protector after hearing the horror stories and the Vets on here talking about what could happen if you took a hard shot in the right place. I love hockey and I love goaltending, but I'm not going to die for it.

Like others here I'm sure, I have plenty of scars: black mark from a red puck - I don't want to speculate too much, but I'm thinking it's a burn type of mark (spinning plastic puck - plastic neck guard).

Of course I have tried to persuade you to get a neck protector, I believe in them. In the end you should do what you want to do. Weigh the risks with the inconvenience and make your choice. You'll still be one of us.

[backup_goalie]

I have one dangler, but two masks. Actually, there's a reason why I didn't bother buying two danglers.

I only wear the dangler with the shorter chin style of my Heaton mask, but with the Eddy, I feel the chin is plenty long, and don't usually put it on.

PROS: More a sense of security for me, haven't really taken many shots to it, but still, I like to feel ready if it does happen.

CONS: Hard as hell sometimes to get the thing on until I like the 'hanginess' or tight to the mask. Also, it's pretty loud. everytime you move it bounces around and makes noise, but after a while, you get used to it and just listen beyond the noise.

Hope this helps. All personal preference, give it a shot.

[Arctother]

I've got and wear a dangler on my cooper sk2000/hm30 cage combo, and really wouldn't consider removing it. I've taken plenty of shots off it.

That said , I do not wear a throat collar (they are to dang hot), and I have a few times busted a string or whatnot and taken it off to finish the game. And my cage combo obviously does not have a throat drop.

The noise - I'm used to it. Visibility - yes, it can fog up and will get scratched up. But I find I am ok with it, can usually see through it on the rare occasions when i need to. If it's on right, I find the visibility is not an issue. If it's not on right, strings either too loose or too short, it can get in the way.

-Arc

[Aaron]

I like throat danglers because I like to live. I wear the Jofa kind like Irbe. I've already broken one, and I'm certainly glad it was there.

[AndyH]

When I was wearing my Itech I didnt wear one. The neck was low enough, an my C/A was high enough that there was virtually no gap. Now, though, Im wearing an Nxi with a shorter drop, and I got "brushed" like Firefighter. That was not pleasant, so now Im concidering a dangler. I did wear one once, but stopped because the noise was driving me crazy.

[Stephane Lawa]

Once again, if I have too I'll wear one, but if the league requires it, i'll wear it. Last year I had to wear one, and took a shot off of it and it snapped. But now I wear a VAUGHN neck protector, the 4000 I believe. Great protection for the neck and clavicle. But I would recommend that every kid wear one until they get to juniors or so!!

Lawa