My New ******* 993 CA

[RichMan]

WartHog...you tried out at 36?! Awesome stuff!!! I was trying to get my shot at the Québec Pro League in my mid 30s. I'd still go if they'd only reply to my inquiries

Even your 6 years the elder of me, our profiles are quite the same, in hockey terms.

As for the c/a price argument...i couldn't agree more...unless you DO have a chance to land a Brown one. They can't be beat IMO. Imitated/duplicated maybe, but never beaten.

[warthog01]

I have to say RichMan, that it was a blast! When we had a team, they use to put the ice down in Sept., so I would get to practice with alot of the players before training camp opened up. Talk about fun. Plus I was the backup for two games at home, and I could have gone on the road, but my job prevented me from doing that.
I had a friend that had a Brown C/A that thing could stop a train!
Good luck, and If you have any other questions PM me.

[efstratios1]

I just got my 993 and out of the box I was impressed with everything!

Thing I loved the most was the customization of the sizing. Within 10 minutes of fiddling with the straps I got it to fit nicely! And for the first time ever I can reach over my head and clasp my hands together. The mobility in this piece is amazing!

The adjustable elbow pad is very nice and it helped get an optimal fit in regards to the hands. Finally got some rotation in the wrists without obstruction from the c/a now.

Another cool thing is the adjustable floaters...I'm concocting ways I can get optimal coverage without sacrificing arm mobility. So far I love this thing! The mobility is second to none!

I can't wait to give it a whirl on the ice...I'm sure there will be some growing pains as I adjust to not covering as much space as I did in my tank of a C/A...Also my jersey from highschool fits me again, this is the goalie's version of the subway diet lol.

[RichMan]

Cool...what size did you get, and did you shorten or lengthen the arms?

[efstratios1]

I shortened the arms. I bought it in Medium...being 5'9 , 185lbs that seemed to be the best fit...and it actually was! My large itech was too big in every aspect...killed my recovery after a scramble.

I suspect I will be much more nimble now lol.

[Jim]

efstratios1,
Do not forget the Beer test

the best way i found to adjust the arms for maximum comfort was to unstrap
all of the strap on one arm. even the velcro elbows.. then put your arm in it.

Once you have the pefect postion of the elbow pad, attach the velcro.
then reattach the straps one by one. going from the armpit area to the wrist.

It worked very well for me.. i played with the arm adjustment for a day on the blocker till i did this way.. and now the elbow on the blocker fit/feels perfect.

congrats
Cheers
Jim

[Kael]

Originally Posted by Sprawl

Steve, Seems to be a thing with the itech C/A's I've noticed. I'm in the Prodigy Pro and less tha a year with it and stingers are comming through the mid section. Been left winded by guys in the damn D level.

I have a box here with a brand new C/A in it, but i dont play till sunday to try it out. Went custom as well and this thing is tank. hopefulyl it'll fix the stingers in the midsection

But you're now like the 3rd or 4th person i know with an itech C/A that has had issues with it within a year or so

Sprawl, ya might be right. I have an Itech Profile 8.8 right now. It was great at first, but as it broke it I started getting stingers in the chest area. I did notice that as it broke in, the blocks slide down enough to reveal areas that left puck sized "gaps" in padding. That allowed for a direct impact against me with very minimal protection in some rare occasions. Enough to second guess it only 8 months later.

I also always received arm stingers in the thing. Not exactly confidence building when you're facing ECHL level shooters on some nights.


See now ya got me pondering these things. I was going to go with the Epic in a few months or so, but for the cost, I could get this thing nowz0r.

QUESTION .. anyone got photos of them in the CA (M3 and 993) with a jersey on? I want to size these beasts up. How do they fit jersey wise? My itech fits in a Men's Medium jersey. I'm trying to decide (sent them an email) whether I want maximum coverage or mobility. How is the coverage in the 993 compared to the M3? Is it still fair?

For reference, I've always been an angle goalie with high agility. Using quickness to recover in desperation. I'm not really one to "pad stack" over using the butterfly slide though.

[RichMan]

Kael...the way they describe the units are like this:

if you play like Raycroft/Huet/Price...the M3 is recommended.

if you play like Brodeur/Hasek/Thomas...the 993 is recommended.

But i have the same thoughts as you...i sometimes play like Huet...sometimes like Brodeur...so what to choose

[Kael]

Originally Posted by RichMan

But i have the same thoughts as you...i sometimes play like Huet...sometimes like Brodeur...so what to choose

Interesting. By their definition I'd be an M3 (I've always used the smaller-more-mobile CA's though), as I use the butterfly consistently. Pad stacks, roll overs, and backflips are saved for desperation .. "oh-crap I just rebounded that to the wrong spot" type of deal.

Didn't we have a "show off your ChestProtector" thread where people posted their C/A's with them in it? I can't seem to find it. I'm trying to judge the bulk of the M3. I don't want to look all Giggy like out there, lol. I can't stand oversized goalies.

[home0006]

Originally Posted by Kael

Interesting. By their definition I'd be an M3 (I've always used the smaller-more-mobile CA's though), as I use the butterfly consistently. Pad stacks, roll overs, and backflips are saved for desperation .. "oh-crap I just rebounded that to the wrong spot" type of deal.

Didn't we have a "show off your ChestProtector" thread where people posted their C/A's with them in it? I can't seem to find it. I'm trying to judge the bulk of the M3. I don't want to look all Giggy like out there, lol. I can't stand oversized goalies.

I think I have a pretty similar game from your description, and when I talked with Mark about it he said go with the Matrix over the 993. I'm having the same reservations as you are as to pulling the trigger on a new C/A.

[Jim]

Kael,
I am as old school as you can get.
I play stand up mostly.. with butterfly only when needed for coverage during traffic in front situations and when i cant see anything due to many screens.

And i went with the 993 because 1 its extremely light in actual weight.. the lightest CA i have ever used..
and 2 because Its not that much smaller than the M3
3 the new shoulder protection

They have to both be similiar in size because they are both NHL Spec.
So your not going to look like Snow in the M3 or Pee Wee Herman in the 993.

I feel i cover just as much net in the 993 as i have in other CA's its just this one is much lighter and mobile than most.

I would see if any local guys has a 993 for you to test drive.. but i would lean towards the 993 over the m3. Unless, your a beginner goalie and need as much coverage as possible.

Just my take on the 993.
Jim

[kohomcm]

Too much talk not enough Pics!


get some pics on here with Jerseys on! We need to see how they look


Remember to be in front of the couch!

[efstratios1]

I forgot to comment on the weight....it is very light! Hard to judge because I always used the now illegal sized chest protectors and now this one is legal so obviously it's more contoured.

I will see how it is protection wise and I will follow up.

[Jim]

As requested 993 with SP brand goalie jersey

[kohomcm]

Originally Posted by Jim

As requested 993 with SP brand goalie jersey

Oh man your ugly!

My PC Froze!




The C/A looks good, very small I like it