Vaughn 3700 C/A Review

[Old Swiss2]

Nice review.

[Robert N]

I have been wearing the 3700 medium (I am 5-9) and can agree with everything. I have taken plenty of shots from college players and upper level beer leaguers. Very few stingers. I also have great mobility.

Since this is the only C/A I have worn, I cannot compare it to others.

Robert

[oogs]

convinced.. i ordered one.. a size small (i'm 5'3") and i really hope it fits..

[royfan33]

I was convinced as well, mine is on the way.

[oogs]

royfan- who'd you end up ordering from?

[oogs]

Ok well i can't post a full review yet, but here are my first thoughts.

i got it from goaliemonkey.. size small.. (not that this matters)

First impressions:
High quality.. doesn't look 'cheap' at all.
Light, yes its comparably lighter to my velocity.

So i put it on...

I'm HUGE.. the shoulders go straight out...
but the flexiblity is awesome ,i can bend my elbows, move around... i haven't tried my mask on with it yet, so that may change

Adjustablities- the high back is laced.. to adjust. the elbows w/ elastic, and the 2 buckles on the sides.

As far as keeping it: i Do not know yet, i will need to try on my mask with it and gloves to see if the arms are ok.

[rpringle@grants]

Oogs, what about the bulk factor?

Would the Junior Large be a better choice?

[oogs]

bulk factor is very little. i can't see a protective c/a without any bulk. this one has some, but its not that much. what parts of bulk were you curious about?

shoulders, the shoulders are wide.. but theyare only an inch wider than my heaton 6's shoulders...

There is only 1 set of caps, and then 1 set of flap things.. less bulky than the velo which had 2 caps and a flap.

the "heart" guard thing on the sternum isn't bulky at all, its very streamlined.

hope i answered your ?

[rpringle@grants]

Oogs,

Yes, thanks, you answered my question. I am shopping for a new C/A for my daughter and, like you, I was impressed with the 3700 review that led to your purchase. There was a Sr. small on an eBay store site that has a retail outlet not too far from my home. Went there last weekend and they had sold the small - only had a large left.

Right now, she has an older Heaton model that is VERY heavy and the arm padding really limits her mobility. So I am looking for something reasonably light, not too bulky and offering good protection.

It seems to me that there are two models of 3700 - the (apparently) older one is all black while the newer(?) one is grey. To my eye, the newer one seems a bit bulkier but it could just be the photos I've seen.

What did you get?

[oogs]

i got the newer one.. the older one seems less protective... (just in pics.. )

i needed more solid protection.. i was coming from a heaton, which has been ripped open and inside out... and since it was a sr model.. i didn't think it would last for more than 3 years.

oh and if anyone needed this: i'm 5'3" and fit a small.

and since i'm 5'3" i know i wouldn't fit a jr large. (i could fit a jr xxl-but they don't make those in 3700's)

ADDED: i decided to shorten the arms by making them lace in.. at the shoulders.

i may or may not shorten them at the wrists too.. i don't see the need for protection to the wrist when the cuff of the glove covers it

[royfan33]

Someone earlier asked for pics with the C/A on.

I'm not Goose Man, but I do agree with everything he's said about the 3700. It's a great unit. I'll post a full review when I've used it long enough to feel comfortable doing so.

A quick word about mine: I took the loop used for attaching the C/A to pants and moved it down one row of blocks, and the tape you see on the back is to hold down the laces for the top of the back plate.

My 3700 is a 2005 model, size adult large. I am 6'0" and around 190 lbs.

Please excuse my face .

[Cal28]

I had trouble finding one but luckily ordered one yesterday. I can't wait to compare it to the 5500 I sold not too long ago. Thank you all for the review, input and pics.

[oogs]

royman- How is the wrist length.. that is how mines fit, but i find it interfers with my gloves....

do most ppl wear their c/a's like that.. or do i just want short arms on mines??

[royfan33]

No glove interference here, but I use gloves with very big cuffs (Battram Myst catch with cuff that allows for variable opening size and 5001 blocker with a big opening)...I also cinch the wrist straps pretty tight and the last elastic strap pulls the pad closed a little bit the way I have it.

[Goose Man]

Glad to see some members have taken a liking to this C/A. Royfan, great pics there. I think they really show the fit and profile of the unit well. I use a Vaughn Klava/vest collar and find that both pieces mesh nicely with no interference. Also, about glove interference, I use a Velo blocker and either a 5500 catch or a Heaton 10 catch and none of these items becomes restricted or entangled even though I don't tighten the C/A wrist straps very tight. Oogs, maybe you got a size too big. Hopefully you can make it work for you.