New AHG/Anschutz catalogue out!

Sparks

Click the link to peruse

Most interesting I think is the new jackets/trousers using synthetic materials (EVOTOP and EVOMIX, which is just the EVOTOP material everywhere but the sleeves, which are regular canvas):









Handiest thing about the new synthetic materials? You can clean them... unlike the canvas, you can wash them down (by hand, but still...) without destroying their stiffness properties. And for anyone going to international matches in warm climates (like Milan or Georgia or Korea or Sydney), it's handy because it doesn't change stiffness with temperature, so you don't get wierd changes in your position because the jacket goes from being frozen stiff to loose and floppy during the trip from here to there.

It wasn't me!

Jaysis, those are the most horrific colours I've ever seen kit in. Catalogue isn't loading for me, annoyingly enough. The new stuff looks nice, but wow, pricey! New suit most likely over the summer, but somehow I doubt I'll be stretching that far.

sfakiaman

And to think some ranges ban DPM!

Sparks

Yeah, I don't think I'll be trying the EVOTOP stuff because of the price - but if AHG are starting to carry synthetic stuff, that's yet another manufacturer to stop ridiculous plans to ban the stuff!

And yes, the colours are awful (well, that green is anyway, looks like you got too nervous before the match and puked on yourself...), but you can choose your own colour scheme. In fact, you're better off choosing it yourself, lest you trust someone else, who winds up kitting you out in the N.Ireland colours for over a decade without you realising it....

It wasn't me!

Sparks wrote: »

Yeah, I don't think I'll be trying the EVOTOP stuff because of the price - but if AHG are starting to carry synthetic stuff, that's yet another manufacturer to stop ridiculous plans to ban the stuff!

And yes, the colours are awful (well, that green is anyway, looks like you got too nervous before the match and puked on yourself...), but you can choose your own colour scheme. In fact, you're better off choosing it yourself, lest you trust someone else, who winds up kitting you out in the N.Ireland colours for over a decade without you realising it....

On the synthetics issue, did you read Kurt Thune's press release on why he won't be making synthetic kit? Now, obviously since he's made a decision not to market it, you've to read that into the statement, but it's an interesting idea. Not sure I agree with him, but hey, extra perspective never did any harm. If I'm out in Munich this year, I might get measured up by the manufacturers themselves. Still not sure who to go with. I do like my KT, but the Equipment Control fun and games...

Sparks

Didn't see it IWM, have you got a link?

It wasn't me!

NO PLASTIC JACKET FROM KURT THUNE! - March 24, 2010
Dear rifle Shooter,

We have tested jackets made out of several different plastic materials. Some have been similar to what other brands are using and some has been quit different.

We have succeeded in developing a material which fulfils the rules of the ISSF concerning both thickness and the required minimum ‘3.0mm’ stiffness. However, we will NOT put this material into production for the following reason.

Every experienced rifle shooter knows that canvas jackets have to be ‘broken in’ to form around the body and according to the individual shooting position. When canvas is broken in it behaves like when you bend the corner of a paper: It says in the broken position.

When the plastic material is bent it sways back instead of staying in the broken position. Our test shooters report that it feels like having a metal spring (or maybe a plastic spring?) between the shooters back and the wall behind the shooter. The plastic never find the final, correct position. As the shooter never is completely motionless the press from the ‘spring’ changes continuously and is never consistent. The movement never stops completely. The result is a hold which never comes to a stop.

Several well known world class shooters have tested different brands of plastic jackets the last years. The majority of these shooters seem to have gone back to canvas and fewer plastic jackets are now seen in international competitions than before. I have personally noticed this when comparing what the world’s best air rifle shooters used at the IWK matches in Munich in January 2009 and in January 2010.

We never sell a product which not is tested properly and accepted as good by several of our test shooters. That would have been both unfair and dishonest. For this reason none our test jackets has been sold or seen in any competition.

We thank everyone who has showed interest in or helped us with this project. In the meantime most of the shooters and teams who have been interested in our plastic jacket have ordered canvas equipment in Xpert II model and we’re very grateful for your confidence. The conclusion is then that:

REAL CANVAS IS STILL THE BEST!

Good Shooting!
Kurt Thune

There's the text of it. Couldn't find a useful direct link from the site. Now, personally I don't really sway one way or another. Certainly the material would be a negligible concern in the decision making process for me, provided it was going to be ISSF-legal of course, but I've no issue with sticking to canvas and leather either. I do like the KT Expert, might well be my next suit. Of course I also like the Sauer, the Stenvaag (canvas and leather one) and a couple of the Kustermann ones. Tough call!

Sparks

We never sell a product which not is tested properly

That's a bit rich from Kurt, whose kit's most infamous feature is that it tends to have less than a 50:50 chance of passing equipment control when new and has to be cut or beaten until it passes

And to be honest, I think he might not be making synthetic jackets because he's a small operation and couldn't afford the retooling
It's a shame - Geoff still has his agency in Ireland and it'd have been much easier to get a synthetic jacket from him. I think I'll stick with my original decision

(found the link on his site btw)

It wasn't me!

Sparks wrote: »

That's a bit rich from Kurt, whose kit's most infamous feature is that it tends to have less than a 50:50 chance of passing equipment control when new and has to be cut or beaten until it passes

That did give me a chortle alright. I will say, I like the KT jacket I have, it just doesn't fit right anymore. Once I get to where I'm going in terms of weight and build, I'll get a new one, and KT is a strong contender for it. I like the Expert and it's not like he's not well represented internationally.

Sparks

Well, the Xpert and Xpert II were the jackets all the WTSC air rifle shooters were wearing for years - there's not much to say against it, other than that the default colours are a bit naff and that it takes a fair while to get one made up (even in standard sizes). And I love the look of the new evolution standing shooting boots - my own anschutz ones are getting a bit tired at this point and I might trade up when I get the new jacket/suit. But I'll be going synthetic - I'm sick of not being able to clean a jacket and trousers that has been in use since 2000...

intershoot

Quite like the colours meself!


Does that make me a pervert?

Sparks

No, just wierd

Coronal

This is my favourite cycling jersey...


...and I wouldn't be caught dead in that jacket or pants

Sparks

AHG just sent this round, the list of new stuff they're showing off at the IWA fair...