"Official" Vortek thread

[glude01]

As requested and probably a good idea -

Craig

[VisionQuest]

Ill kick it off with a question.
Smith Vs. Vortek.
Which, and why?

[glude01]

Originally Posted by VisionQuest

Ill kick it off with a question.
Smith Vs. Vortek.
Which, and why?

ahhh....very interesting...a question that I had to settle in my little mind before placing my Vortek order...

question back to you...what are you looking for? ...pads? trapper/blocker? full set?...what do you value in your current equipment...what would you like to upgrade...

one thing is for sure...both are awesome on quality...as I am sure the whole board will back...

Craig

[VisionQuest]

I know both are great, for sure. Im expecting quality work regardless.
I'm expecting to order a full custom set come summertime. Possibly of the upcoming Vortek 2K6 pad. Possibly some 4000s from Smith.

Keeping in mind Im a relatively new goaltender...
Currently I wear a pair of ••••••• 992's, 36+1, which I do like, but I feel like Im having a hard time getting the thighs to come closer to closing off the 5 hole.
Id like to eliminate the need for thighboards if possible.
I do very much like the knee wings in the 992s, I feel like my knee is well protected on every butterfly move. And being 6'3" and over 200 pounds, that's definitely a concern.
In terms of other possible mods, Im not quite sure yet.
Gloves...
Im interested in trying a thinner board for a blocker, with good protection around the wrist. As far as catcher, this remains to be seen. I have a Healite Z Sr. that Im starting to like in terms of break, but do not like at all as far as protection on the back of the hand etc goes.
Im interested in keeping the gloves as light as possible, and the pads as light as, if not lighter than, my 992s....even if I do eventually add another +1 to the thighrise.
Hope that helps someone point me in a better direction, however I have a feeling Im going to mostly hear "you cant go wrong either way" which isnt bad either

[SirSavesAlot]

Wow thats interesting, I would PM me or Glude or someone. I have used both and wrestled with the same question, Smith v Vortek. As for lightness I weighed a Vortek Glove 2.0 lbs v my Smith glove 2.5 lbs and thats all around for Vortek, its the lightest stuff I have ever worn or seen.

Aside from that, PM me and we can talk.

[Evoq]

indeed this is a good idea.. we were getting flooded.

if anyone is available to play in vancouver monday night..
goalie needed Vancouver

[SirSavesAlot]

On another note:

[bc30]

If you want a Velocity style pad made by the guy who designed the Velocity, then Smith is what you want. If not, then consider Vortek.

As for gloves, the Smith blocker is virtually identical to the Velo (again, Pete is the original designer) - I don't know enough about the trapper to comment, except that from reading here and elsewhere, guys seem to love it right away or can't get used to it.

The Vortek catchers are the best I've used, bar none, and I go back to the mid 70's GM12's and 21's The blockers are light and well balanced. The pads are light and rotate beutifully.

Both are durable, well designed, and well made. It comes down to what type of gear you want, rather than pitting one vs. the other.

[Gregan]

"It comes down to what type of gear you want, rather than pitting one vs. the other."

I don't understand this comment as both pads seem to be very similar in style. Both are flat faced, both are butterfly pads with good rotation. I don't see any fundamental differences in the two.

[hrosenberg33]

Well, when in Rome.....



Hans

[Gregan]

I love Vortek's customizer, I just wish it gave a more realistic image... They should take some shots of the actual different materials and incorporate the real material textures into the customizer....

[oldgoalie]

In my opinion the SMITH pad represents what may have been the evolution of the Velocity, I would not characterize them as a clone.

From the few pair I have seen, Pete Smith builds a pad with quality that rivals Vaughn, who are hard to dispute in this area. I also feel he's made a lot of changes and innovations to his designs as well.

[glude01]

Originally Posted by oldgoalie

In my opinion the SMITH pad represents what may have been the evolution of the Velocity, I would not characterize them as a clone.

From the few pair I have seen, Pete Smith builds a pad with quality that rivals Vaughn, who are hard to dispute in this area. I also feel he's made a lot of changes and innovations to his designs as well.

I would certainly not call them a clone after talking to Pete about them and the desing since the V1 came to market.

After talking to him, I still decided to go with the VK5 as it was better suited to my game.

My order thread can be read here: Vortek Order for Glude01

[Hero 34]

Originally Posted by Gregan

I don't understand this comment as both pads seem to be very similar in style. Both are flat faced, both are butterfly pads with good rotation. I don't see any fundamental differences in the two.

Smith pads are all similiar/based on the original design of the Velocity, they all use the basic design although all the different models have slight differences from one another.

Vortek creates several different design pads, for example I own an original VK5 pad set which is similiar to the Koho 580/590 design crafted with Mark Agatone's own touches. The new VK5 Oracle pads are similiar to the CCM Gatekeeper pads with Mark's lovely touches. Vortek has several other past designs, Smith focuses on one basic design.

It comes down to actual design of the pads between the brands rather than simply how they perform

[glude01]

Originally Posted by Hero 34

Smith pads are all similiar/based on the original design of the Velocity, they all use the basic design although all the different models have slight differences from one another.

Vortek creates several different design pads, for example I own an original VK5 pad set which is similiar to the Koho 580/590 design crafted with Mark Agatone's own touches. The new VK5 Oracle pads are similiar to the CCM Gatekeeper pads with Mark's lovely touches. Vortek has several other past designs, Smith focuses on one basic design.

It comes down to actual design of the pads between the brands rather than simply how they perform

do you have pics of your original VK5's?...if so...please post...thanks