Acmeguy's Nexus Combo (Custom Graphics)

[acmeguy]

This will be a running review from first impression to post break-in. I'll try to keep things as short and as sweet as I can. A lot more could be said I'm sure but I'm only going to hit on some key points.

Originally I had planned, only to order a new set of Nexus pads from Scott. My Flite gloves (made by McKenney) were in great shape and I am still very happy with them.

I live about an hour away from Battram HQ. After planning a date and time I headed over to get sized up and have a first hand look at a Nexus set that Scott had just finished up. I was very impressed with the pads that were shown to me and the gloves I tried on. So impressed that the next day I added gloves to my order. I'm not a huge "gear nerd" but the quality of the gloves was obvious. They were comfortable and felt solid-very protective.

The ordering process was easy and went smoothly. The price if you really think about it, is incredibly fair or better. This gear is entirely hand made-here-by the person who designed it. For pride's sake, I believe, not ego, his very own family name is on it.

This one set of equipment was made, just for me. As yours will be just for you.

OK, moving on... First Impression...

Just Awesome! Scott added some special touches that I just love. I can't say much more than that, I think they're stunning and am totally happy with them, they are more than what I expected. The custom graphics are highly detailed and skillfully attached.

483 Scott Thank You!

Set Up...

The Nexus pads feature quick release buckles and nylon straps at the knee and thigh area with multiple alternate locations for strap placement. I took advantage of this and moved some things around to where I think they will serve me best. I also removed one strap all together and reduced the amount of hardware. I love the adjust-ability options in this area (and I like to tinker around) I also removed one of the knee stacks.

Removed straps and hardware 484

[Moving Target]

Great set Mr Skull-man :p

[c0nquistad0rian]

You should have Junior hook you up with one of these skull and crossbones jerseys;)

http://cgi.ebay.com/SKULL-AND-CROSSBONE-GOALIE-CUT-RBK-SZ64-FREE-SEWN-ON_W0QQitemZ230297563627QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item23 0297563627&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

[acmeguy]

Junior's got way too many kool options to choose just one.

[acmeguy]

Last Friday was my first opportunity to try out the new gear. I have had the set for about three weeks but was waiting for my shinny group to start so I could break it in without any pressure.

No matter what piece of new equipment, be it skates, C/A, pants or jock I don't enjoy the break-in process. Everything feels stiff and awkward and perhaps a first time use review isn't all that fair but this will be an on going review and we must start somewhere.

Pads:
32 + 2 1/2 No complaints. I might try loosening them up a little this week, but if this is the worst of it, Fabulous! Marvelous! I'm looking forward to this Fri. The Nexus pad is not as thin as my (second hand) Cerberus 10's
but felt just as light.

Glove:
The Nexus glove has the same dimensions (visually) as my Flite glove, with a similar breaking point. Weight is also similar, but the Nexus glove feels as though it has more mass. It feels as if there is an extra layer of padding between hand and puck. I think finger "stingers" are a thing of the past. I also believe breaking in this glove will take a bit longer, it is quite stiff, yet still comfortable. In spite of saying that, puck handling was not a problem. Shooting/passing even back handers were surprisingly good.

Blocker:
When you slip on a Nexus blocker you immediately think WOW, well I did anyway. The padded palm feels like a dream, snug, but not over tight. Very comfortable. The break-in for the blocker will be easy. At first I found the palm material to be a little slippery, holding the stick was a chore. This went away after a quick squirt with the water bottle, and buy the end of the night was not an issue. There is more than enough protection around the fingers and thumb. Good stuff.

All in all, the first night went very well. Of course the new gear was stiff and at first, awkward, but I found getting use to it wasn't a huge deal. I am very happy with my purchase and looking forward to a new season.
Although I wont wear the new gear in my league games until I am finished breaking it in.

[O'leary]

Nice to hear scott made another stellar set. Good luck with them.

[goalie33]

nice looking set Ron enjoy,also fantastic job Scott.

[cuprajake]

thats some crazy detail in there, bet they really confuse the shooters haha.

glad you liked them. just out of interest how light are these pads, i did hear they were some of the lightest on the market

[Scott Battram]

I will have to get my review of the awesome gift Ron brought for me as appreciation for the board and doing his special custom graphics!

Here is the story, Ron did that sketch for a contest the board was having, and I thought he went that extra mile doing a pen and ink sketch then nothing more had happened with the jersey's so when Ron came down to order pads, he was going to use a stock Nexus graphic, I thought, I just cant have an artist wearing something stock.. he needs something that shows what he is about... so I figured the SKULL MASK would be perfect... I called Ron up or PMed him... and told him he cant have a stock graphic he needs something a little more personalized, after all he is personalizing goalies masks daily! I think Ron got freaked out by what I had in mind as I wouldnt tell him what I was going to do, then he asked about cost etc... I told him, hey dont worry about it, this one is on me, its something I want to do...sometimes I see custom graphics and I just need to do them to prove I can! (Someone, I think it was Chakal maybe sent me a KISS graphic of Gene Simmons, in the paint or something similar to that, and I will eventually just make that set up because it was so cool! - same as the skull pads, I just had to do it!) I sent the skull mask sketch to my right hand graphics man Chakal, he set it up on the templates and the rest was up to the Battram team to make it work on pads and gloves!

Again, I cant thank you enough Ron, and I certainly was not expecting you to do anything for me, I just had to do that graphic on a set of pads to showcase some of our skills here at Battram!

Over the years, lots of customers have sent me, or brought me gifts of their appreciation of my work, I certainly appreciate all of those items/drinks/food etc...etc... but I never would have expected to get a mask and a custom paint job!

Thank you my friend - the mask is now positioned in my shop office on display!

A funny story... one customer once brought me a case of beer for finishing a set of pads for him really fast, it was an emergency type of situation where his pads were stolen or damaged (I cant remember the details) but he came to me on a Monday and was playing in a Tournament on Saturday and needed the pads for Friday morning to leave for the tournament. Giving me 3 days basically to fit them into our schedule, I think I stayed up all night on Thursday to have them ready for him...

He came and picked them up, and to show his appreciation, he brought me a case of beer! It was a great gesture on his part, I thankfully accepted and told him he didnt have to do that etc...etc... He must have assumed that I drank! which of course I do not, so I was left with 24 bottles of beer... my employees had fun that weekend drinking some free brews from me!! I thought, damn, he could have saved himself some money and brought some Coca Cola instead!!

[acmeguy]

Thanks Scott, you are so right about me being freaked out (a little). Not having any clue as to what the finished product will look like 'cuase really you could have gone in so many different directions. I think they're beautiful and am very proud of them.

When it's time, when I come to pick up the next set, I'll keep a case of pop in mind.

Ron.

[acmeguy]

Another Friday has passed so here I am as promissed.

I think this break in process is going better than expected. I must say the new gear is very easy to get use to.

I tried loosening the pads a little this week and that went perfectly. No rotation problems what so ever. No strange rebounds (as others have reported) either. No complaints.

Originally I requested no boot strap on the pads, Scott talked me into keeping it on (there is only one on the Nexus) I use it through the middle of the skate and just snug it up. I'm glad it's there.

No complaints about the gloves either. For me the Nexus combo is a real winner, after this second use everything already feels very natural.

I have one more week of shinny before my league resumes after Thanksgiving. I know I'll be sportin' the new pads and gloves for my next league game.

[kevinsane]

Looking forward to my Nexus set! acme, do you notice a difference in the palm with the Ultima(sp) brown instead of the usual?

[acmeguy]

If you mean on the glove? No. Other than just giving it a different look and breaking up all the white, which I really like.

I think it's the same material used in the palm of the blocker, which at first is quite slipery on the stick. This soon goes away though so don't get too worried.

I've seen your new gloves, the white on white looks fantastic. Keep in touch, let me know what you think once you've tried 'em out.

[acmeguy]

Ten or twelve games in and I am very use to the new stuff now. I've had lots of comments on the graphics from kids walking past me in the rinks, players from the other teams and even a couple refs.

I'm sure things will continue to break in just fine.

I'll give another update around Christmas and post another pic as well.

I've already got plans for graphics on my next set 2010.

506

[BKLYNNetminder]

I've already got plans for graphics on my next set 2010.

Why wait? Get 'em for '09!!!

[acmeguy]

Why wait? Get 'em for '09!!!

Oh, just because I like being married and stuff. Y'know? Perhaps not.

I wasn't trying to be a goof when making mention of my future graphics plan, it was more a statement of satisfaction implying another purchase of Battram products.

[acmeguy]

606

Playing a minimum of twice a week and sometimes as much as five. Let's say around forty uses so far. I know that's not a lot. Things are continuing to soften up nicely.

[chakal]

The puckmarks gives a hand drawn look to the graphic, I can finally say that I've made a graphic who's looking better when the pads are used! LOL

[Moving Target]

606

Playing a minimum of twice a week and sometimes as much as five. Let's say around forty uses so far. I know that's not a lot. Things are continuing to soften up nicely.

that’s actually pretty reassuring to see… hopefully my own set will mark in the same way

[jambon]

that’s actually pretty reassuring to see… hopefully my own set will mark in the same way

You'd have to actually place the gear in front of the puck, so your point is moot.:p

[acmeguy]

Hate to admit it, some of those marks may be from stuffin' the gear into the truck of my car, only some though.

[Moving Target]

You'd have to actually place the gear in front of the puck, so your point is moot.:p

damn you :mad:













:rolleyes:

[VirtueTech]

I keep getting this error trying to view your picture links:


VirtueTech, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
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[acmeguy]

after a couple uses...

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww199/acmeguy/batts.jpg

after a couple months...

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww199/acmeguy/3months.jpg

[acmeguy]

I need to post a better pic than that second one, they don't look that used.

After eight months of constant use (average twice a week) the gear is holding up and breaking in nicely. No complaints, no regrets.

[2Four]

How are the pads now? Do you still use them, or did 2010 actually bring a new set?

I have a pair of Fury Rage pads, see my avatar, and i really love them. Scott really does make the best gear on the market, in my humble opinion. I have tried gear from most major makers, including a few smaller names, and I love my Battrams!