My New ******* 993 CA

[Jim]

Now many of you know that I have gone thru my fair share of CA’s.
This one out of the box surprised me a lot. It is very, very lightweight, yet it seems to be built like a tank.
I called about this CA when I saw on ******* website an upgraded shoulder protection.
Something my style of play needs.

First impression:
It is very flexible out of the box. I can do the touch the tip of your nose test. No problem. It feels comfortable. I really like the color almost all white. It comes with very nice embroidery; the NHL SPEC logo and the 993 logos.


Construction:
It is an unreal CA. It feels comfortable right away. Wearing the unit around the house it seems very solid. The arms are built as well as any others I have tried. The chest area sits nice and flat. I really like the elbow pads they give complete coverage without feeling bulky. The chest plate can go over or under the shoulder floaters.

The quality is second to none. Not one stitch out of place. And most areas are double stitched and I noticed leather near the adjustable arms.
The CA sits right at my belt level. So this one doesn’t not hang down too, it fits just right for more mobility.


Customer service:
This area was outstanding. I called Mark at ******* to ask about the removable/additional shoulder guards. He took the time to talk to me about my style and what CA would best for me. He recommended the 993.


I think this CA will fit the bill... very protective, yet very light so i am assuming will be very mobile. Again what drove me to get this CA was the new shoulder protection. I can’t wait to try it and give an in use review.
This is just my first impressions right out of the box. I will up date this thread as the CA progresses.

Now on to the good stuff.. pics


Cheers
Jim

[RichMan]

I saw the M3 up close...any arm stingers on this one? Did they also upgraded the M3?

Those extra wings...do they get in the way when you close your arms in front of you?

[Jim]

Originally Posted by RichMan

I saw the M3 up close...any arm stingers on this one? Did they also upgraded the M3?

Those extra wings...do they get in the way when you close your arms in front of you?

Rich this baby is just out of the box. and i am loving the it.. cant wait to use it next week.. i doubt i will get any arm stinger.. the arms are like tanks. very Battram like and i never got a single arm stinger with it. so again i doubt it.

And i have no problems at all with arm movements.
From using a ******* years ago to this one is night and day. it appears that alot of effort went into upgradding the arms and yet keeping it light and mobile.
Once you put the CA on you forget there is anything extra on it.
I doubt i will ever remove the removable extra shoulder protection.
This thing is awesome.. I love that out of the box total adjustment time was 5 mins not hours.. like some others ca's to get it just right.. this is gotta be one of the best out the box CA's i have ever owned.

And best part.. it cost a heck of alot less than the other CA i was saving to buy.
The quality being just as good if not better. Awesome stitch work on this.


Jim

[RichMan]

So what of your "MALT-TTRAM" c/a you worked on...your back-up?

The 993 looks built like the McKenney 755. I think you tried that one too if i recall. Similar in feel?

[kohomcm]

Oh man I was so right! lol

When will I see the Battram in the classifieds?


Battram CA

But the search i believe is finally over.. The Battram CA is just as protective as miller was.. but without the bulk.

It is by far the best CA i have used.


Jim I think you have a problem and need an intervention!

[RichMan]

Originally Posted by kohomcm

Oh man I was so right! lol

When will I see the Battram in the classifieds?


Battram CA

But the search i believe is finally over.. The Battram CA is just as protective as miller was.. but without the bulk.

It is by far the best CA i have used.


Jim I think you have a problem and need an intervention!

LOL...i think MANY of us here suffer from NGAS...New Gear Addiction Syndrom

I too am on the quest for the perfect c/a.

[Huntster]

Originally Posted by RichMan

LOL...i think MANY of us here suffer from NGAS...New Gear Addiction Syndrom

I too am on the quest for the perfect c/a.

More like an overdose of the ds cool-aid.

[RichMan]

Originally Posted by Huntster

More like an overdose of the ds cool-aid.

Hunt, don't start that please. Different strokes for different folks. This thread is about the c/a, NOT DS.

Just wanna enjoy the review.

Thx

[jets_wall]

More like an overdose of the ds cool-aid.

Ahh the good stuff.

Good luck with the set Jim. I will get that same model soon.

[Jim]

Koho,
Your did call it.. and yes.. the Battram is a awesome unit.
Not until i played my style ( old school ) did i realize it needed more shoulder padding due to my extensive use of the double pad slide.
I modded the battram a bit (added 1 inch foam to the shoulders) and it had been fine ever since.
But i never thought i would get another CA. I actually hate getting new CA's.
And Yes if the Battram shoulder area different.. i would have never gave it up.

I was saving my pennies for a new brown 2200 to resolve my shoulder issues.
I missed 3 weeks with a torn right rotator cuff due to landing repeated on the shoulder. OUCH!

So when i saw ******* made a new CA with upgraded shoulder protection at fraction of the cost of the Brown i jumped at it.

I really do believe that i could continue to use the battram now that it is modded without issue. The Battram never left me stung. Not once. and no bruises.
For a butterfly goalie (new style) it would be perfect and i still highly recommend the Battram.

So, no sale of the Battram for now.. it will serve as my backup till i break in the new one and then if the ******* performs the it appears it will.. then yes.. the Battram will move on like the rest. Keep an eye on the Classifieds or PM


Rich, i never had the pleasure of trying a Mckenny ...

Hunster,
I can only report on my first hand dealing with Mark at *******,

Cost unreal.. much much less than you would expect to pay for this quality.
if i put the CA in front of you with no labels or logos you would thinks its a top of the line big name company CA like a Brown or Vaughn Epic.
The quality i can not stress is perfect. i examined this thing... looking for a flaw a mis- stitch.. something to complain about... i cant find one.

Mark, was awesome on the phone asking all the questions a fellow goalie would ask.. How did you hurt the shoulder? What style are you playing? Were are you playing? What level shooters, who I might know them? We talked like old teammates.. And he recommended the 993 becuase he believes it will fit my style best and offer me the best protection. Again.. I give ******* customer service
A+

So, no busting on ******* here.. and no boosting about something that isnt real and honest.. real and honest, I couldnt be happier with the price, Love the look and feel of it; quality made, mostly white in color.. it looks good. And I spoke with Mark the owner.. great service.. i couldnt ask for more for a company.


Jim

[Huntster]

Originally Posted by RichMan

Hunt, don't start that please. Different strokes for different folks. This thread is about the c/a, NOT DS.

Just wanna enjoy the review.

Thx

I think it is relevant though to point out Jim's obvious biased opinion toward DS. Personally, I feel his review means nothing but more BS DS hype. I think people should be aware of his undying loyalty that will effect his credibilty when talking about their stuff.

[Jim]

Originally Posted by Huntster

I think it is relevant though to point out Jim's obvious biased opinion toward DS. Personally, I feel his review means nothing but more BS DS hype. I think people should be aware of his undying loyalty that will effect his credibilty when talking about their stuff.

Hunster,
what makes you believe that i have a bias to *******?

My last purchase from them was 25 years ago. i was 15 and used my paper route money to purchase my very first set of new pads.. Kay 32 inch brown/natural leather pads. Which i used till first year of college.

Then after 15 years off of hockey i came back with a used pair of ******* matrix 2 32 inch pads. they were nice.. and when i had a chance to get another used set 35+1 TPS pads i sold them.
I have a ******* matrix jock also bought used.
So, i have not purchased anything from them in many years till this week.

Look in my bag:
all used gear except my Smith gloves i bought new 3 yrs ago now.
I did buy new kneepads from PAW last year.
And i bought a new throat guard from Batram
pants pro return from Edmonton
pads are TPS goaliecrease ultralight summits used
Bauer 7000 used with graf cowling i bought and added.
mask used Van Veldon
Battram used CA


I have loyality to no single company, I simply let everyone who wants to know what i like and what works for me.
I love the Smith gloves.
Battram CA
Paw Knee pads
Nine o wicking long johns
******* jock
Battram throat guard
TPS Summit pads Goaliecrease version

So, hunster dont go questioning my crediblity when i speak about gear.
If it doesnt work for me i will let you know and tell you why.
As you know i have ran thru a few CA's and i always say why.

If i say my smith gloves are great does that stop me from giving a honest review of smith pads? NO!

You may have issues with ******* but that doesnt mean you need to attack me because i like my new CA.

[Jim]

As i sit breaking in the new CA watching the Sabres game.
I noticed a nice feature. the two gray loops on the backpad of the CA
are perfect pulldowns. Your thumb fit in the loop and you can then
pull the back down pretty easily.. nice

[DarkCage]

Hey Jim,

Congrats on the new C/A.
Forgive Hunster . . . he's never been the same since he lost the Viper Poll.

I had been thinking about the DS C/A myself but I finally moded out my CCM to the point that its working great for me now.

Peace!

[Jim]

Originally Posted by DarkCage

Hey Jim,

Congrats on the new C/A.
Forgive Hunster . . . he's never been the same since he lost the Viper Poll.

I had been thinking about the DS C/A myself but I finally moded out my CCM to the point that its working great for me now.

Peace!

DarkCage,

I modded my Battram
Modded my Battram CA - Battram World Headquarters

But this new CA takes my mods and makes them nicer.. well, pro-done.
This CA is Double stitched in all the right places.
This is one of the least expensive Pro level CA's i have ever seen.
At only $275
That is $365 less than the brown 2200 I was saving to buy.
And about $125 less than the unit I am coming out of.
I am sitting hear looking at this CA and still cant believe the price I paid.
Dark, if you want/need a new CA this is diffently worth the money.
Jim