If you appreciate the practicality of a photo vest but aren't really into the beige or khaki safari design of most traditional models, the new COOPH photo vest might be worth a closer look.
The vest features a more modern reversible padded design and comes in several color options. There are plenty of storage options for gear, accessories and smaller lenses. COOPH also says the vest is easy to fold and carry when not worn. The outer material is a rip-stop fabric and sheep wool is used for insulation.
Despite the attractive design touches, the vest's real highlight feature is smartphone controlled built-in heating. The optional THERM-IC Heating System warms the hand pockets and heats kidney, back and stomach regions.
It is compatible with any 5V USB power bank and can be used as a simple "dumb" heating system. However, if you add the THERM-IC bluetooth dongle into the mix, it becomes smartphone-controllable. A dedicated app lets you control the temperature and a motion control mode provides more heat when you are static and reduces power while you are moving. An eco mode delivers a constant level of heat for best energy efficiency.
COOPH claims an approximate five hours runtime with its own THERM-IC 5200 mAh battery. Vest and heating system (including battery and dongle) are available as a bundle for approximately $440 (389 Euros). More information can be found on the COOPH website.
I expect the zipper is plastic but nevertheless a good photo vest should be completely smooth down the front and particularly over the belt to protect gear slung around the neck. I agree with what others have said, the sling over the shoulder looks remarkably uncomfortable and insecure. Time to design a MkII.
Much ridicule and some of it is deserved (phone app?) but many fail to understand that sometimes photography involves sitting still for long periods in cold, often nighttime conditions; e.g. wildlife, landscape/nightscape (waiting for the right light) and astro. Sometimes a heat source is very welcome regardless of "bundling up".
This could be useful though expensive and not the only solution.
I will give them some credit for trying. I have a "regular" photographers vest that quite frankly I'm a little embarrassed to wear. Aside from that, I don't really have a good use for a photo vest. I think a small camera bag works better for most things.
How about straps on the shoulders to keep the camera strap from sliding down the arms. Some of us oldies still carry cameras on their shoulders like the model in the photo.
What keeps the cam and strap on shoulder when moving? The vest looks slippery. I use a small hook on shoulder to prevent the cam to fall. The lens should to towards the body when carrying. In the picture it is outwards which means it clashes with ... say...furniture or walls etc.
What happens if your phone is updating or if your phone dies? and in cold weather, battery life sucks...useless vest. spend $400 on real outdoor clothing...
Can someone tell me what happens if it gets wet? What if it snows? Is it waterproof? Will it short out or start a fire? Can i use it as kindling then? Is there an option to have arms on this vest? Can I get an app for my smart watch to turn it on and off? How close do I have to be to the jacket to activate it? Is it blue tooth compatible? Does it work with Andriod and iOS?
Seems semi legit. But i don't think it'll work too well in practice. You wear a vest over a jacket because of heavy work and the stop start nature of it. The heating helps with long periods of down time. But i don't see photography as physically demanding as some sort of labour, like being a removalist or builder. And I don't see it holding up to the wear and tear it would take if for some reason you did. Heated clothing is tops in the right application. Don't think photography qualifies. If it gets that extreme you resort to proper layering of clothes. But hey maybe vests will become fashionable, and everyone knows Bluetooth makes things better
Good grief! A decent utility shell with multiple big pockets, worn over an insulated vest or sweater, worn over a base layer shirt, will keep you plenty warm. Stash your batteries in the shirt pocket.
The need for extra heat is for heated over-gloves or over-mitts to cover thin liner gloves, so that when you have need of dexterity, the hand in liner gloves starts out being warm. Everyone has their own preferences. I throw a disposable chemical hand warmer into the over-mitt (some over-mitts / over-gloves have pockets to accommodate standard-sized hand warmer). I like to have the hand warmer loose in the mitt so that I can stick it at the fingertips and still use hiking poles.
Is it April 1st already? A few decent base layers and a good down jacket would be a much better bet and you wouldn't look like a right t*@t plugging your jacket into a power source. And who designed it to be sleeveless!! Obviously they have never been in proper cold weather before.
5 volt USB is a fail for hearing. How many amps? At 2 amps / 10 watts you’ll barely know it’s turned on and the battery will be dead in no time. They need to advertise performance specs. Silly idea.
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