Vaughn 3700 C/A Review

[vinny]

Make sure you don't confuse the old Vaughn 3700 with the new one.
The old one is a piece of crap. It's such a bad C/A I'm surprised Vaughn would go ahead and risk the confusion by using the same name.



DO NOT BUY THIS !

[PENALTY BOX]

Hey guys,

I need to buy a new C/A (my old Vaughn VP880 is 12 years old) and I noticed that my local pro shop had the Vaughn Velocity 3700 for sale (yes, the new one, not the old one which was previously warned about this thread). I've read the reviews on this thread, and it does seem like a fairly decent C/A to buy. I had some specific questions, though.

1) When I tried it on at the store, it seemed like the neck area was a little too open (meaning it didn't seem to come up high enough) and the bottom of the C/A didn't extend down as much as my old one did. Maybe it does, and I'm just imagining things. Does this particular C/A provide adequate protection in the front?

2) I have a serious problem with pucks seriously bruising my funny bone and elbow area with my old Vaughn VP880, so I'm looking for a C/A that has superior arm protection. I noticed that there is a hard plastic shell in the elbow area of the Velocity 3700, which is good since I presume that helps to cut down on stingers in that area. Can those who've worn this C/A attest to its elbow protection?

3) When I tried on the 3700 at the store, I noticed there were some gaps in the protection on some areas of my arm which a puck could strike, even when I was facing completely forward. Is this something to be concerned about?

4) Finally, the price concerns me a bit. Now, you might all rip me for actually saying this, but I sort of expected to pay more for a quality C/A. $189.99 seems rather low. I thought I would have to pay at least $280-$350 to get a good, quality C/A. Is it so cheap because it's not as protective of a C/A, or simply because it's manufactured in China, where labor costs are cheaper (and the savings is passed on to us, the consumers)? I have read in other threads that goalies should be careful with purchasing C/A's that were manufactured overseas, due to lower quality control and cheaper, inferior materials. Is this something to be concerned about with the Velocity 3700?

Thanks!

[royfan33]

1) I found the neck area to be a little open originally, but a little adjustment on the backplate and it sits just fine (I do wear a dangler, but that's for 100% coverage). The belly length is about the same as my last C/A, I find that there are no gaps even with the 3700 outside my pants. See my picture on page 2 of this thread for how the 3700 sits on me.

2) Arm protection is the main reason I was in the market for a new C/A. My Itech 9.1, even as a pro model from a few years back, left me with plenty of stingers right in the break of the elbow and on the forearm. The elbow cap and pad on the 3700 does a good job of protecting the elbow, and the elbow floaters are nice & beefy, very protective without being bulky/large in area.

3) I haven't had any pucks find an unpadded area when facing forward, though there has been a time or two when I've lifted my arm to wave at a shot up high (crossbar height or higher) and had it clip the exposed back of my arm, but I'd imagine that would happen with any C/A.

4) There's nothing about the 3700 to me that suggests inferior workmanship. The materials might be a little less durable than a top of the line Vaughn unit, but the protection is superb, especially for the price. I'll note that a bombproof C/A is not what I was looking for when I found the 3700. I wanted something that was a snug fit (not sloppy like my 9.1), had a relatively small profile, solved my arm stinger problem and was mobile. I still get stingers on the shoulders from time to time with the 3700, but to me that's being part of a goalie. If you want solid protection and mobility from a modestly-priced unit, the 3700 is your C/A.

[oogs]

1- i actually removed the neck collar thing (part that says vaughn) i wear a dangler, have had no problems
2- funny bone? isn't that towards the back of your elbow? how does that face a puck !
3- only section could possibly be the upper inner bicep, maybe maybe rib area too...
4- forget the price.. the only reason why this is cheaper imo, is because it is fully stock, cna't be customized at all. the protection is excellent. compared to a velocity, the only difference is the extra shoulder caps the velo has, and the bigger elbow things. nothing else.

i played with some jr A guys recently, none of their slap shots to the chest hurt, i even took one off the shoulder, which was fine. no bruise

[Goose Man]

1) The neck area on my previous C/A (5500) was a little low too, so I had bought the Vaughn klava collar to make up for the gap and also because I've grown to hate danglers. The collar seems to interface just as well if not better with the 3700 than with the former unit. However, the backplate of the 3700 can apparently be adjusted to close the neck gap, as Royfan attested to. As for length, since I tuck mine into my breezers, there is no gap of coverage there either.

2) Since I got this C/A, I have had only one or two stingers to my blocker side elbow, which is where I would seemingly get stung on a nightly basis with my old unit. The elbow floaters have proven very effective in dampening the impact of shots there.

3) I'm not sure what you mean by the arm gaps. There is the standard three-fold protection on the shoulder and upper arm and then the large elbow floater. The only thing I could think you may be referring to is that it doesn't wrap around far enough. So far, I have had not a single shot hit the inside of my arm on an unprotected area and if I've felt a shot on the outside of my arm, it only grazed me. There is really no exposed area if your arms are in correct position.

4) I have had no durability problems with this unit. I don't know if it will last 10 years as some other brand units supposedly will, but for $180 it will surely last me a few years at least, and with my tendency for trying out new gear, I'm not sure if I wouldn't be getting into something else by then anyway.

[Chester]

Originally Posted by PENALTY BOX

Hey guys,

I need to buy a new C/A (my old Vaughn VP880 is 12 years old) and I noticed that my local pro shop had the Vaughn Velocity 3700 for sale (yes, the new one, not the old one which was previously warned about this thread). I've read the reviews on this thread, and it does seem like a fairly decent C/A to buy. I had some specific questions, though.

1) When I tried it on at the store, it seemed like the neck area was a little too open (meaning it didn't seem to come up high enough) and the bottom of the C/A didn't extend down as much as my old one did. Maybe it does, and I'm just imagining things. Does this particular C/A provide adequate protection in the front?

2) I have a serious problem with pucks seriously bruising my funny bone and elbow area with my old Vaughn VP880, so I'm looking for a C/A that has superior arm protection. I noticed that there is a hard plastic shell in the elbow area of the Velocity 3700, which is good since I presume that helps to cut down on stingers in that area. Can those who've worn this C/A attest to its elbow protection?

3) When I tried on the 3700 at the store, I noticed there were some gaps in the protection on some areas of my arm which a puck could strike, even when I was facing completely forward. Is this something to be concerned about?

4) Finally, the price concerns me a bit. Now, you might all rip me for actually saying this, but I sort of expected to pay more for a quality C/A. $189.99 seems rather low. I thought I would have to pay at least $280-$350 to get a good, quality C/A. Is it so cheap because it's not as protective of a C/A, or simply because it's manufactured in China, where labor costs are cheaper (and the savings is passed on to us, the consumers)? I have read in other threads that goalies should be careful with purchasing C/A's that were manufactured overseas, due to lower quality control and cheaper, inferior materials. Is this something to be concerned about with the Velocity 3700?

Thanks!

1) First, the 3700 is NOT a Velocity. The Velocity line is ONLY the 7000 series.
2) The 3700 is Vaughn's price point senior chest. It is a protective unit made mainly for the average Joe in a beer league. Although it is made in China they still have to conform to Vaughn company specs. It is a well made unit.
3) There are some gaps. The biggest is the lack of side rib protection and the belly is slightly shorter than PRO units. However, this said, you can adjust the crap outta the chest to get it to fit right.
4) In my opinion, the 3700 is made to be worn INSIDE the pants. The slight, and i emphasize SLIGHT, decreased belly area gives you better mobiltiy to crouch and move
5) The protection is ALL there. From plastic elbow caps, to extra shoulder flaps. Good sized blocks and soft internal foams.

Remember, this is a price point chest. It may not be of PRO specs, but the majority of rec. or up and coming kids dont need a pro spec chest. The 3700 is very well made to be a light, protective and mobile chest. Well worth the $180 price tag.

Chester

[wally]

Originally Posted by oogs

i played with some jr A guys recently . . .

. . . . and they were taking shots at your chest?

[oogs]

they were drills...basicaly shooting drills, like one timers, and shooting on stride type things. (ie. they were drills difficult for them to get high glove shots off each time, w/o missing the net)

i only took like 5 in the chest.. (5's good enough to prove me the protection)

[PENALTY BOX]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all of your helpful advice. I just got back from the pro shop and I purchased the 3700 for $189.99. I have 7 days to return it, and I will have three opportunities to try it out (league game, open hockey, and closed practice) between now and then. I'll make a decision as to whether or not I'll keep it after Sunday.

[oogs]

i'll bet you keep it

i kept mines after trying on 4 c/as before it

[PENALTY BOX]

Originally Posted by oogs

i'll bet you keep it

i kept mines after trying on 4 c/as before it

Looks like you're right, oogs. I finally got a chance to try out the 3700 during today's open hockey session. First impressions are very, very good. I felt a little stiff, but I'm guessing it's because it still needs to be broken in. Also, that little pad in the neck area is interfering with my regular neck guard. Would it be a bad idea to remove it?

I easily brushed aside some slappers that, had I been wearing my old, POS C/A, would've caused immense damage. I'm playing again on Sunday, so I'll post a follow-up review of it then, but so far, so good!

[royfan33]

Bwahahahahah! That's some good Kool-aid, ain't it?

[PENALTY BOX]

Okay, I played again with the 3700 yesterday during the closed practice. I must admit that the 3700 is one surprisingly good C/A. I feel very protected, and I feel that this will help my game because now I will not be so intimidated from facing certain shots. I'm glad I bought it! Thanks everyone for your advice and feedback.

[RebelGoalie27]

Originally Posted by royfan33

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

I am 6'1", 220lbs. Would you get an XL if you were me?

[royfan33]

Probably, especially if you're worried about wraparound protection (no extra rib protectors on the 3700, just the blocked chest pad that wraps around the sides).