Could anyone comment on this?

[Jeannot]

Saw this on the Maplin website

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=47715&U=08P11-6_L42BQ&C=Newsletter&T=-11087900

Would it be any good for the winter, using rechargeable batteries?

Thanks for any comments
JC

 

[G.C.]

Tried one of these a few years ago, much better spending your money on an additional layer, micro fleece /thermal HH type of thing. IMO

 

[ovenpaa]

Maybe for a short commute on a January morning if you are using rechargeable batteries however some thing like a Gerbings is a better option or as said before bung another layer on.

 

[Schtum]

I'd guess that 6 AA batteries have the potential to make a hell of a dent in your ribcage, should you come off......

 

[stolzy]

40-50 mins battery life sounds piss poor.

 

[alimey4u2]

this should be used in the following way; turn on the power for a few minutes to warm up the jacket - turn off. It is not deisgned to be powered up constantly and if used in this way the batteries will last no more than 40 to 50 minutes

This would be the case for pedestrian use but the continuous flow of chilled air & the body core not warmed by activity would reduce the battery cycle considerably...

 

[(RIP) spongey]

I know a couple of people who have tried them; the large size is very snug! OK for short trips (commuting?) but I suspect the average size tosser would have problems doing it up.

 

[Slowdown]

40-50 mins battery life ......

Tops!


Get a thin down jacket - it's much warmer and doesn't need batteries!

Obviously, take the detachable hood off. It removes all of the gaps and draughty spaces but doesn't leave you feeling like michelin man(or woman)

 

[Jeannot]

OK guys catch the drift.

but I suspect the average size tosser would have problems doing it up.

I am not the average size tosser, I look like a Greek god statue...
Not

Thanks guys for the heads up

JC

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

if you don't need a heated jacket that often
why not just buy these and stick one at the arch of your back and smaller ones near your wrists they work great

http://www.uniheatproducts.com/health.html
http://www.uniheatproducts.com/warm.html


You'll get quite a few of these for the price of a proper heated vest

 

[PIGGLET]

Buffalo Mountain shirt
Superbly warm bit of kit and once you've got one you'll never take it off in the winter. It will keep you warm without the need for batteries or bike power

 

[ovenpaa]

Another vote for the Buffalo mountain shirt - incredibly good bits of gear and they sued to be reasonably priced as well.

 

[nick.ct]

AA batteries, say 2 Amp hour each, and 6 of them means 9 Volts

9x2 = 18 Watts for an hour max, thats not much heating really especially on a cold day sat on a moving bike.

Now if you were to connect the jacket up to the bike's 12V supply......

Nick

 

[littleredrooster]

......Now if you were to connect the jacket up to the bike's 12V supply......

Nick

Yup - got one and I've just done that. Wired the elements in series and stuck a ISO plug on it. Burnt me nipples red raw in about 3 minutes flat. Feck, it gets hot with all them volts flowing. Now I need a power transistor to control it. Off to see a mate.........

 

[Lord Snooty]

Does anybody want to see Colin's red raw nipples?

 

[ovenpaa]

Actually my nips were bloody cold this morning after the ride in, best eat more pies I guess

 

[brianmaslen]

OK guys catch the drift.



I am not the average size tosser, I look like a Greek god statue...
Not

Thanks guys for the heads up

JC

Doesn't that make it difficult to ride without any arms...a la greek God statue?

 

[Slowdown]

Doesn't that make it difficult to ride without any arms...a la greek God statue?

I think they meant 'Body of a God --- Budda'

 

[twisticles]

For less than the price of that garment you can get the DIY heated jacket here:

http://heat4jackets.com/purchase.html

I wired up an old fleece jacket a couple of weeks ago, very toasty it is too!

 

[vilguy]

I know someone else that used a maplins one as a base, hooked it up to the bikes 12v with digital temp controller, works a treat for 1/4 the cost of a "proper" one

I would have a go with the diy sew in ones but... im a real man... i cant sew for toffee. Id end up using a staple gun or something after getting pee'd off with the needle.