Monday, November 10, 2003
SCOTTeVEST TEC Windshirt Reviewed
Posted by Dave Beauvais in "HARDWARE" @ 11:00 AM
Most visitors to Pocket PC Thoughts share a common problem: how do we carry all of our stuff while maintaining our cool appearance? Pocket PCs, mobile phones, MP3 players, mobile phone headsets, headphones... the list goes on. This problem is especially bad for men because it's simply not fashionable for a man to carry a purse and the "Bat Belt" look isn't much better. I've found that one's level of attractiveness is inversely proportional to the number of devices clipped to one's belt. ;)
In response to this problem, SCOTTeVEST created the eVEST, a marvel of clothing engineering which provides pockets and pouches for nearly any gadget you can imagine while not looking bulky and awkward. The drawback to their jackets and vests is that they are not well suited to warmer weather. Would you want to wear a jacket on a 75 or 80 degree day? Neither would I. To address this, SCOTTeVEST created the TEC Windshirt, an innovative lightweight windbreaker-style jacket which combines some of the best features of their vests and jackets with a garment that can be worn in warmer weather.
SCOTTeVEST has managed to create a lightweight, attractive, windbreaker-style jacket that is more comfortable to wear in warmer weather than their heavier jackets and vests, while remaining functional enough to carry our Pocket PCs and an assortment of other gadgets. Once I got up off the floor after recovering from the massive static shock I received while removing the TEC Windshirt from its plastic bag, I was immediately impressed by the jacket. :)
Description and Features
The TEC (Technology Enabled Clothing) Windshirt is made of black polyester with a CoolMax mesh lining in the vented back. The mesh combined with the concealed vent in the back allows heat to escape more easily. The armpit area is also vented. Another welcome feature of the Windshirt is the fact that it's both water and wind resistant. Indeed, I wore the Windshirt during a pretty heavy rainfall and rain beaded up and rolled off the fabric without soaking through at all. I was grateful for this as I had forgotten an umbrella and had a job application and resume tucked inside the Windshirt. I was able to deliver it with no water damage and my shirt remained dry. (If only they made TEC Windpants...)
Figure 1: Photo of the TEC Windshirt with Sony earbud headphones and my iPAQ h5455 in the pocket. Note the reflective piping is quite visible.
The jacket has the SCOTTeVEST logo neatly embroidered on the front below the left shoulder and on the center of the vent flap in the back just below the neck. The Windshirt has a quarter-length zipper in the front and the two pockets also zip closed. There is reflective piping around the neck and pocket zippers as well as along the bottom edge of the vent flap in the back. The elastic drawstring waistband is also a nice touch, though I found myself not tightening it at all. There is also an epaulet -- a strap on the left shoulder -- to which you can clip a mobile phone or other small device equipped with a belt clip. This could be especially useful if your phone or two-way radio has a hands-free speakerphone mode.
Pockets!
The most important aspect of the Windshirt, however, is its pockets. True to its eVEST heritage, the TEC Windshirt provides pockets and what SCOTTeVEST calls a PAN, or Personal Area Network. This "network" allows you to connect your Pocket PC or other device to a headset or headphones inside the jacket without having to worry about wires hanging loose and getting snagged or pulled on something. Since everything is concealed within the jacket itself, your devices are somewhat protected from the elements, as well. Headphone or headset cords run down the inside of the jacket from elastic loops in the collar, through slits inside, and down into the pockets, where they can then be plugged into the devices inside.
Figure 2: An "X-ray" view of the Windshirt showing headphone and headset cords routed through the PAN. (Photo illustration courtesy of SCOTTeVEST.)
There are two zippered side pockets as well as a third pocket between them accessible via a zipper inside either of the side pockets. This feature, which SCOTTeVEST calls "Zipper-Pocket-in-Pockets," or "ZIP-PIPsTM," is really cool. A suggested use for this pocket is for carrying a beverage bottle. I tried this, but found it too heavy, making it awkward to carry. I think a good use for this pocket would be for carrying a wallet or loose cash. It's secure because you can't get to it directly from the outside, and most people don't carry a wad of cash so large that it would be too heavy. ;) The right pocket also has a removable key holder that securely clips inside the pocket but can be detached with one hand when you need the keys to drive or unlock your house. Very nice touch! Finally, between the three pockets and the front of the jacket is a single large open area. I'm not sure if this is intended to be a pocket, but it's large enough to hold a folder or some sheets of paper. This is where my job application was tucked safely away during the rainstorm. You can see a sheet of paper peeking out of this pocket in Figure 3 below and in Figure 4 a couple paragraphs down.
Figure 3: Close-up view of the inside of the TEC Windshirt showing a headphone wire going through the eyelet into the left pocket.
Gotchas
While I do like the Windshirt quite a bit, it does have some very minor flaws, in my opinion. First, unlike its eVEST siblings, it lacks a full length zipper in the front, which means it goes on over your head. This isn't a problem while wearing it, but it can add a slight challenge to putting it on and taking it off with headset or headphone wires running through the inside. I found that my choice of headphones made a big difference in terms of ease of use. The first headphones I used with it were Koss "The Plug" earbuds which have a traditional "Y" cord. I found that either my glasses, my chin, or an ear would get snagged on the headphone cord while taking the Windshirt off. (Pesky ears, always getting in the way...)
The next headphones I tried were an old but great-sounding set of Sony Fontopia earbuds that I've had for several years. The reason these are different is that the cord has what Sony calls a "neck chain" design. Instead of hanging down in front of you, the cord goes into the left earbud and from there continues on to the right. With this design, the cord goes behind your neck and down one side, making it much easier to deal with inside the Windshirt.
Figure 4: Photo of the TEC Windshirt turned inside-out. You may be able to see the headphone cord going through the eyelet into the left pocket as well as a sheet of paper in what I call the "document pocket."
Another drawback is that because the Windshirt is made of such thin, lightweight material, anything you put in the pockets pulls down on the whole garment a bit. My iPAQ h5455 in its Vaja Morpheus III case is a bit on the hefty side compared to some devices you could put in the pockets and it pulled that side of the Windshirt down a bit. When trying to carry a full water bottle in the center pocket, I found the whole jacket was being pulled down, making the collar very tight and uncomfortable on the back of my neck. As I said before, I think a better use for the center pocket would be lighter weight items such as a wallet or storage cards.
Speaking of the collar, my last issue with the Windshirt is a purely subjective problem with the collar. Simply put, I think it's too tall. The collar is three full inches high and stands up too high for my tastes; it just doesn't look right on me. The front zipper is too stiff to fold the collar down like a shirt so it pretty much stands straight up. If it were at least one inch shorter, I think that would make a big difference. On someone a bit bigger than me, it may look just fine.
Where To Buy
The SCOTTeVEST TEC Windshirt can be purchased directly from the SCOTTeVEST Web site for a sale price of US$39.99.
Specifications
The TEC Windshirt is black and is available in six sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, and XXXL. It is machine washable.
Conclusions
The SCOTTeVEST TEC Windshirt makes a fine outer layer for cool fall and spring weather. While it has nowhere near as many pockets as the other eVEST jackets, it's great for hiking, walking the dog, or even raking the fall leaves while listening to some music on your Pocket PC. Since headphone cords are safely tucked away inside the jacket, there's no risk of getting them snagged on something.
Download this Review
If you'd like to download this review for reading offline, here it is in RepliGo format (File size: 133 KB). You can view the RepliGo file on your mobile device or Windows desktop using Cerience's free RepliGo Viewers. When reading in Flowed View on your mobile device, I suggest a font size of "smaller" or "smallest."
Photo Credits
"X-Ray" photo illustrations courtesy of SCOTTeVEST. Animation by Dave Beauvais.
In response to this problem, SCOTTeVEST created the eVEST, a marvel of clothing engineering which provides pockets and pouches for nearly any gadget you can imagine while not looking bulky and awkward. The drawback to their jackets and vests is that they are not well suited to warmer weather. Would you want to wear a jacket on a 75 or 80 degree day? Neither would I. To address this, SCOTTeVEST created the TEC Windshirt, an innovative lightweight windbreaker-style jacket which combines some of the best features of their vests and jackets with a garment that can be worn in warmer weather.
SCOTTeVEST has managed to create a lightweight, attractive, windbreaker-style jacket that is more comfortable to wear in warmer weather than their heavier jackets and vests, while remaining functional enough to carry our Pocket PCs and an assortment of other gadgets. Once I got up off the floor after recovering from the massive static shock I received while removing the TEC Windshirt from its plastic bag, I was immediately impressed by the jacket. :)
Description and Features
The TEC (Technology Enabled Clothing) Windshirt is made of black polyester with a CoolMax mesh lining in the vented back. The mesh combined with the concealed vent in the back allows heat to escape more easily. The armpit area is also vented. Another welcome feature of the Windshirt is the fact that it's both water and wind resistant. Indeed, I wore the Windshirt during a pretty heavy rainfall and rain beaded up and rolled off the fabric without soaking through at all. I was grateful for this as I had forgotten an umbrella and had a job application and resume tucked inside the Windshirt. I was able to deliver it with no water damage and my shirt remained dry. (If only they made TEC Windpants...)
Figure 1: Photo of the TEC Windshirt with Sony earbud headphones and my iPAQ h5455 in the pocket. Note the reflective piping is quite visible.
The jacket has the SCOTTeVEST logo neatly embroidered on the front below the left shoulder and on the center of the vent flap in the back just below the neck. The Windshirt has a quarter-length zipper in the front and the two pockets also zip closed. There is reflective piping around the neck and pocket zippers as well as along the bottom edge of the vent flap in the back. The elastic drawstring waistband is also a nice touch, though I found myself not tightening it at all. There is also an epaulet -- a strap on the left shoulder -- to which you can clip a mobile phone or other small device equipped with a belt clip. This could be especially useful if your phone or two-way radio has a hands-free speakerphone mode.
Pockets!
The most important aspect of the Windshirt, however, is its pockets. True to its eVEST heritage, the TEC Windshirt provides pockets and what SCOTTeVEST calls a PAN, or Personal Area Network. This "network" allows you to connect your Pocket PC or other device to a headset or headphones inside the jacket without having to worry about wires hanging loose and getting snagged or pulled on something. Since everything is concealed within the jacket itself, your devices are somewhat protected from the elements, as well. Headphone or headset cords run down the inside of the jacket from elastic loops in the collar, through slits inside, and down into the pockets, where they can then be plugged into the devices inside.
Figure 2: An "X-ray" view of the Windshirt showing headphone and headset cords routed through the PAN. (Photo illustration courtesy of SCOTTeVEST.)
There are two zippered side pockets as well as a third pocket between them accessible via a zipper inside either of the side pockets. This feature, which SCOTTeVEST calls "Zipper-Pocket-in-Pockets," or "ZIP-PIPsTM," is really cool. A suggested use for this pocket is for carrying a beverage bottle. I tried this, but found it too heavy, making it awkward to carry. I think a good use for this pocket would be for carrying a wallet or loose cash. It's secure because you can't get to it directly from the outside, and most people don't carry a wad of cash so large that it would be too heavy. ;) The right pocket also has a removable key holder that securely clips inside the pocket but can be detached with one hand when you need the keys to drive or unlock your house. Very nice touch! Finally, between the three pockets and the front of the jacket is a single large open area. I'm not sure if this is intended to be a pocket, but it's large enough to hold a folder or some sheets of paper. This is where my job application was tucked safely away during the rainstorm. You can see a sheet of paper peeking out of this pocket in Figure 3 below and in Figure 4 a couple paragraphs down.
Figure 3: Close-up view of the inside of the TEC Windshirt showing a headphone wire going through the eyelet into the left pocket.
Gotchas
While I do like the Windshirt quite a bit, it does have some very minor flaws, in my opinion. First, unlike its eVEST siblings, it lacks a full length zipper in the front, which means it goes on over your head. This isn't a problem while wearing it, but it can add a slight challenge to putting it on and taking it off with headset or headphone wires running through the inside. I found that my choice of headphones made a big difference in terms of ease of use. The first headphones I used with it were Koss "The Plug" earbuds which have a traditional "Y" cord. I found that either my glasses, my chin, or an ear would get snagged on the headphone cord while taking the Windshirt off. (Pesky ears, always getting in the way...)
The next headphones I tried were an old but great-sounding set of Sony Fontopia earbuds that I've had for several years. The reason these are different is that the cord has what Sony calls a "neck chain" design. Instead of hanging down in front of you, the cord goes into the left earbud and from there continues on to the right. With this design, the cord goes behind your neck and down one side, making it much easier to deal with inside the Windshirt.
Figure 4: Photo of the TEC Windshirt turned inside-out. You may be able to see the headphone cord going through the eyelet into the left pocket as well as a sheet of paper in what I call the "document pocket."
Another drawback is that because the Windshirt is made of such thin, lightweight material, anything you put in the pockets pulls down on the whole garment a bit. My iPAQ h5455 in its Vaja Morpheus III case is a bit on the hefty side compared to some devices you could put in the pockets and it pulled that side of the Windshirt down a bit. When trying to carry a full water bottle in the center pocket, I found the whole jacket was being pulled down, making the collar very tight and uncomfortable on the back of my neck. As I said before, I think a better use for the center pocket would be lighter weight items such as a wallet or storage cards.
Speaking of the collar, my last issue with the Windshirt is a purely subjective problem with the collar. Simply put, I think it's too tall. The collar is three full inches high and stands up too high for my tastes; it just doesn't look right on me. The front zipper is too stiff to fold the collar down like a shirt so it pretty much stands straight up. If it were at least one inch shorter, I think that would make a big difference. On someone a bit bigger than me, it may look just fine.
Where To Buy
The SCOTTeVEST TEC Windshirt can be purchased directly from the SCOTTeVEST Web site for a sale price of US$39.99.
Specifications
The TEC Windshirt is black and is available in six sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, and XXXL. It is machine washable.
Conclusions
The SCOTTeVEST TEC Windshirt makes a fine outer layer for cool fall and spring weather. While it has nowhere near as many pockets as the other eVEST jackets, it's great for hiking, walking the dog, or even raking the fall leaves while listening to some music on your Pocket PC. Since headphone cords are safely tucked away inside the jacket, there's no risk of getting them snagged on something.
Download this Review
If you'd like to download this review for reading offline, here it is in RepliGo format (File size: 133 KB). You can view the RepliGo file on your mobile device or Windows desktop using Cerience's free RepliGo Viewers. When reading in Flowed View on your mobile device, I suggest a font size of "smaller" or "smallest."
Photo Credits
"X-Ray" photo illustrations courtesy of SCOTTeVEST. Animation by Dave Beauvais.
