Quick Review w/ Pics: Vaughn V3 7500 C/A

[quicky32]

I had a POS ******* C/A for the past three years. Probably about 1000stingers later I get a big upgrade to this. In the store it felt huge compared to my old C/A. But that was expected. I tried on the X-Pulse but that just didn't feel right on me. This though does! On to the review






Let me start off by saying, THIS IS VERY ADJUSTABLE! Holy crap! The back is held on by velcro, but don't worry it won't come off. My first ice session I could barely move but I started playing around with it, now it sits up higher and tighter. With this C/A you need to wear it tight other wise the flaps on the side get caught underneath. Even wearing it tight you get the odd time it'll get caught. Also, the arms were a bit long, so thanks again to Jared at the hockey shop for helping me out. He stitched it up about an inch and a bit. Before he did, my gloves were almost being pushed out by the elbow floaters. Now they don't interfere at all. I've taken many many shots now on this and none of them hurt. This is very mobile. I was expecting it to be a pain to break in, but the only thing you have to do is play with the straps and your good. Not much breaking in at all. What else is there to say... great C/A.

Durability: 10/10 (looks like it'll stay together well!)
Fit & Finish: 9.5/10 (fit me well except for the long arms but thats just me)
Mobility: 10/10 (for it's size, you can move very well)
Performance: 10/10 (no stingers yet!)
Design: 9/10 (great how easy it is to adjust but the elbow floaters I think should be made about an inch shorter on the bottom)

[fleury]

Originally Posted by quicky32

Durability: 10/10 (looks like it'll stay together well!)
Fit & Finish: 9.5/10 (fit me well except for the long arms but thats just me)
Mobility: 10/10 (for it's size, you can move very well)
Performance: 10/10 (no stingers yet!)
Design: 9/10 (great how easy it is to adjust but the elbow floaters I think should be made about an inch shorter on the bottom)

My only disagreement... Even with added plastic in the arms I consistently get stingers.

No problems in the chest though.

[marvintpa]

Yeah, forearm stingers will still get ya with this unit, but same can likely be said for anything you can still move in.

[STLGoalieman]

Originally Posted by marvintpa

Yeah, forearm stingers will still get ya with this unit, but same can likely be said for anything you can still move in.

If we are playing at lower levels, how in the world do the NHL goalies do about it. Either there is a solution for them or there is a whopping load of pain involved. imagine Zdeno Chara's 102 Mph shot hitting you on the arm. I would think there is something they do to help with the protection. Any answers?

[Raptor]

Originally Posted by STLGoalieman

If we are playing at lower levels, how in the world do the NHL goalies do about it. Either there is a solution for them or there is a whopping load of pain involved. imagine Zdeno Chara's 102 Mph shot hitting you on the arm. I would think there is something they do to help with the protection. Any answers?

I think "catching the puck instead of letting it hit their arms" might be the answer to that one!

[quicky32]

alright, i lied I've had one stinger. But I've had a few shots to the arms and only one bruise so far. No pain that I can't live with though. After all this isn't golf

[STLGoalieman]

Originally Posted by Raptor

I think "catching the puck instead of letting it hit their arms" might be the answer to that one!

How about when it is unavoidable? We get hit in the arms so why wouldn't they. I want to hear a better answer.

[quicky32]

Originally Posted by STLGoalieman

How about when it is unavoidable? We get hit in the arms so why wouldn't they. I want to hear a better answer.

just live it with i guess, but for the NHL goalies that would suck.

[Spud387]

even if you guys feel this doesn't have enough protection, its going to feel like a tank (protection wise) to me considering what I currently wear. Can't wait
It all depends on the C/A your are coming from and what level you play at.

[Goalieman33]

i just bought one today. cannot wait to use it. my only concern is about the side flaps and will the arms be too big. well see thought i could bring it to any taylor place correct?

[BLADE]

I've had this C/A for about 3 months now. Mobililty is good...chest/shoulder wise, it's rock solid - no complaints, but the inside/outside of the arm floaters may be a little thin. Caught a close-in hard wrist shot to the inside of my left arm/elbow...little sting...even smaller bruise...no big deal. I figure every C/A is going to have some weak spots. That being said, I really have no problems facing shots in it (A + B 35+ league shooters).

[quicky32]

Originally Posted by Goalieman33

i just bought one today. cannot wait to use it. my only concern is about the side flaps and will the arms be too big. well see thought i could bring it to any taylor place correct?

If the elbow floaters are to big theres a spot on the top of the arms just below where your shoulder cap would be. Theres a spot that is just fabric. Jared aka fleury29 here stitched it up for me i believe an inch and a half. That or an inch and 3/4. Also, the side flaps, if you wear it tight enough it shouldn't be to big of a problem

[Goalieman33]

sweet cant wait

[Goalieman33]

Originally Posted by quicky32

If the elbow floaters are to big theres a spot on the top of the arms just below where your shoulder cap would be. Theres a spot that is just fabric. Jared aka fleury29 here stitched it up for me i believe an inch and a half. That or an inch and 3/4. Also, the side flaps, if you wear it tight enough it shouldn't be to big of a problem

so he put the arms up like a inch or so. correct.

could u get pictures. please

[tony20]

NHL goalies dont get hit in their arms because thats not where NHL shooters aim.

NHLers don't aim for the center of the net, they aim for the inside of the posts. If they have time for a full wind up, they are far from the net and they have time to aim. In close it's always a quick release. A full wind up in close gives the goalie and defense time to react.

I know. There are some deflections, and sometimes players miss their shots, but the next few games you watch, count how many times goalies get hit in their arms. Of the ones that are around near their arms, how many are full strength shots?

I've been lucky enough to have played against some bottom of the barrel NHLers, and I feel safer facing them than facing my regular team. When I face the NHLers, I know the only way I'm getting hit by the puck is if I manage to move fast enough to make the save. They dont hit me with the puck, I have to get hit by it. Regular players...they're the reason my cage is dented.

Also check out these pictures from NHL.com of Backstrom without a shirt. Looks like regular old arm pads to me. Not to mention the rules limit the size of arm and elbow protection. I'm sure some goalies have custom mods even on their C/A, but in general they are using pretty much the same stuff as us, just like the rest of the gear.

NHL.com - Frozen Moment
NHL.com - Frozen Moment