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Tiffen vest fit?


Mark Schlicher

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I've noticed a fit problem with many current Tiffen vests (LX, Ultra2, now the Zephyr), where the chest strap ratchet buckles dig uncomfortably into my ribs. This appears to be because the pads don't come around far enough to keep the buckle lifted away from my body, creating a pressure point.

 

I'm curious as to whether this is a common complaint or something that is somewhat unique or distinctive to me.

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I get this too with my LX vest, I think it probably doesn't help all that much that I have a 44 inch chest.

Tried a Pro Vest at optical support a little while back, and an ultra 2 vest at the London Tango demo, neither seem to give me this problem, Pro vest was the nicest fit by far for me, just a shame I don't have the £4k spare right now to buy one.

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Mark,

 

i'm very similar in body height/weight, have to tell you, this is my experience too. Same with light vest from Pilot , same with ultra2, though Old Ultra vest didn't give me that

pressure on chest. Thus the reason i went to gpi pro vest, for me , nothing can beat the lightness and comfort.

 

I'm fairly slight of build, 5'7", 160lbs. Anyone else care to share their experience with this question? Even if it's "no problem here". Thanks, much appreciated.

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I've noticed a fit problem with many current Tiffen vests (LX, Ultra2, now the Zephyr), where the chest strap ratchet buckles dig uncomfortably into my ribs. This appears to be because the pads don't come around far enough to keep the buckle lifted away from my body, creating a pressure point.

 

I'm curious as to whether this is a common complaint or something that is somewhat unique or distinctive to me.

 

Ok. Mark.

I had some problems with my Ultra2 vest.

The back w. panel (plastic made) was broken two times.

NO PROBLEMS...

With Tiffen´s warranty it was free repair (zero cost for it and part sending over seas).

 

Ultra2 vest, is very confortable and strong, anyway sweet... I feel myself inside it like in my clouuuudy bed...

Of course, the vest is too personal choice for operator, but all problems in my vest was quickly and right resolved for Tiffen..

Best regards.

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I've problem with ultra2 vest,

Also the my black panel are broken in two point (construction problem),

problem... out of Tiffen warranty!

:angry:

 

I've noticed a fit problem with many current Tiffen vests (LX, Ultra2, now the Zephyr), where the chest strap ratchet buckles dig uncomfortably into my ribs. This appears to be because the pads don't come around far enough to keep the buckle lifted away from my body, creating a pressure point.

 

I'm curious as to whether this is a common complaint or something that is somewhat unique or distinctive to me.

 

Ok. Mark.

I had some problems with my Ultra2 vest.

The back w. panel (plastic made) was broken two times.

NO PROBLEMS...

With Tiffen´s warranty it was free repair (zero cost for it and part sending over seas).

 

Ultra2 vest, is very confortable and strong, anyway sweet... I feel myself inside it like in my clouuuudy bed...

Of course, the vest is too personal choice for operator, but all problems in my vest was quickly and right resolved for Tiffen..

Best regards.

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Same here. I dont have this issue with my old master vest. The Ultra 2 vest has this problem, also the padding is different, so i feel locked up in that vest. ( wich is still for sale )

Never try'd the pro vest, but would love to try it. Never seen one on ibc overhere. To bad, pro should visit europe :lol: Como'n pro, first beer is on me.

 

Perhaps a small home made sleeve would do the trick to avoid that buckle pressure?

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The LX vest never felt good to me at all but the Ultra2 vest was more comfortable so I paid for the upgrade to it. In fact, when I bought Tiffen rig #3, the Clipper 24, I actually kept my old vest since it was finally broken-in and sold the new vest along with the old rig. I'm 5'11" 175 lbs so not quite as "ribby" as you are Mark. The pressure point for me was the spar into my breast bone so I took the padding out of that bit.

 

Vests are very personal and like a set of shoes they take some time to break-in, or you may have to have some custom foam cuts or modifications made. As for the clips and metal components there's no reason I don't think why you couldn't bend or adjust those out if they are bothering you.

 

Ultimately, I found the PRO vest to be a better fit for me; it's built for your body, has minimal bracketry and the foam is thin so my arms lay flat to my side. That's the one thing when I put an Ultra vest on now is I feel like I'm wearing a life preserver.

 

Hopefully I'll get enough time with Chris to get a proper fit with his new vest at some point. It has promise but we didn't have enough time at NAB for a good fitting.

 

Don't be afraid to customize your vest to fit you.

 

Robert

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Not sure why this old thread popped up, but I thought I'd shared what I did to solve my particular vest problem.

 

Per Peter Abraham's suggestion, I bought two additional chest spar pads for the Zephyr vest. Tacked the pads under the chest straps, by tucking the velcro tabs between the existing pads and plastic shell. This creates an extension of the pads underneath the buckles, eliminating the pressure points. It is a suitable workaround, but the spar pads are a little long. One day I may have them modified.

 

Robert was kind enough to let me try on his PRO vest at 2011 Cinegear, and it was indeed very light and very comfortable.

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