Widder Lectric Vest

[orbea54]

Does anyone use the Widder Lectric Vest? Do you have an a) on/off switch, b) Bimetal Thermostat or c)Electronic Controller? What has been your experence?

[taosports]

Kevin,

I've used one for two years now (the model with the high collar) along with the BMW coiled electronic controller. They are well made and certainly keep me toasty warm on my winter rides. I also bought the arm chaps and gloves for those extra cold rides. They all work as advertised.

If you are sure a vest is all you'll want, then I highly recommend the Widder vest. However, if you are like me and often find that your arms easily get cold, then I would look into the Gerbing electric jacket liner. The reason I suggest this is that the Widder arm chaps are a bit difficult to get into (you need to string each arm through two elastic loops) and they look just a bit odd. They do not wrap entirely around your arms. Widder claims to make them this way to reduce the bulk in the inside elbow area. I guess it's a valid reason but again, it's a bit awkward both functionally and visually.

This winter, I'm looking into buying the Gerbing electric jacket liner. I still plan to keep my vest however because there are days when a vest is all I need. I just wish Widder made an electric jacket liner so I wouldn't have to buy another thermostat controller.

Whatever you decide to buy, make sure it fits snug. It needs to be snug against your body to work most effectively. Also, I highly recommend the high collar - will keep your neck nice and warm.

[r1150rider]

I really like my Widder vest, I also have the "arm chaps". I've only used the chaps twice, both times it was in the mid 40's(f) and they were effective. But while I do agree they're kind of a pain and not the easiest thing to put on and take off, I do like the lack of bulk in my sleeves.

I have the thermostat heat controller, the on-off switch is less expensive but usually once I set the thermostat I rarely need to adjust it, which I find to be very convenient.

[dragonmojo]

I have both, only because I developed a tear in the Gerbing lining on my right underarm (stitching came apart after a couple of years of use). So, I figured going sleeveless with the Widder (ended up getting arm chaps too) and the coiled on/off cord. Had the cord replaced under warranty due to getting intermittent heat. As the others have said, it is a little cumbersome putting on the arm chaps, but on the less than coldest days I could just go with the vest alone. I have both the Widder and Gerbing heated gloves; my extremities get cold easily.

Gerbing ended up sewing my liner for me and cost $25, and was an excellent job. I like the ease of just putting on the Gerbing liner (vs arm chaps), and the sleeve bulk does not bother me. Gerbing has a lifetime warranty on their electrics; I believe Widder only has one year. I am relegating the Widder vest to backup status (due to my subjective preference); however, I have dealt with both companies and both provide excellent customer service!

As for the cord, an on/off would have sufficed for me (which is what I have for the Widder; the Gerbing has a 'stat) because I usually turn it up full blast, but if it ever feels too warm I can just switch it off.

[ebiker]

Does anyone use the Widder Lectric Vest? Do you have an a) on/off switch, b) Bimetal Thermostat or c)Electronic Controller? What has been your experence?

I have one (high collar style) with the Bimetal controller for the past five years, although it now doesn't get too much use in Arizona. I can also plug in an on/off switch in lieu of the controller. Both cords have the BMW style plug. I usually kept the controller in a vest pocket----seemed to work well. Wore electric vest over a light shirt and UNDER a light wool sweater and under a good quality motorcycle COAT. I was good for near freezing temperatures----for anything below freezing and a subsequent threat of ice due to water run off---I parked the motorcycle.

I used it extensively during SE Pennsylvania cold seasons as I commuted to work on a K100RS or R75/7. I believe I paid around $110.00 USD for vest and Bimetal Thermostat, during a Harley Davidson dealer end of season sale.

As I recall, at one time Widder made the BMW logo electric vest.

[Airman]

I have both, only because I developed a tear in the Gerbing lining on my right underarm (stitching came apart after a couple of years of use). So, I figured going sleeveless with the Widder (ended up getting arm chaps too) and the coiled on/off cord. Had the cord replaced under warranty due to getting intermittent heat. As the others have said, it is a little cumbersome putting on the arm chaps, but on the less than coldest days I could just go with the vest alone. I have both the Widder and Gerbing heated gloves; my extremities get cold easily.

Gerbing ended up sewing my liner for me and cost $25, and was an excellent job. I like the ease of just putting on the Gerbing liner (vs arm chaps), and the sleeve bulk does not bother me. Gerbing has a lifetime warranty on their electrics; I believe Widder only has one year. I am relegating the Widder vest to backup status (due to my subjective preference); however, I have dealt with both companies and both provide excellent customer service!

As for the cord, an on/off would have sufficed for me (which is what I have for the Widder; the Gerbing has a 'stat) because I usually turn it up full blast, but if it ever feels too warm I can just switch it off.

I have a question for you. Can you plug the heated gloves into the Gerbing jacket liner ? Would that work or do you need two thermostats to control the different pieces? I have the Gerbing gloves and find running wires up my sleeves is a pain. if I could plug the gloves into the liner then the liner to the outlet, that would be nice.

[dragonmojo]

I have a question for you. Can you plug the heated gloves into the Gerbing jacket liner ? Would that work or do you need two thermostats to control the different pieces? I have the Gerbing gloves and find running wires up my sleeves is a pain. if I could plug the gloves into the liner then the liner to the outlet, that would be nice.

The Gerbing jacket liner has the cord running between the outer shell and inner lining down the length of the sleeve (all stitched in). It exits on the outside of the sleeve just above the wrists through a grommeted hole (about 4" of insulated cord exposed). A single thermostat controls the entire system (jacket liner and gloves) and I believe that this meets your needs in your last sentence. It's a nice setup, since you do not have to deal with threading cords while putting on your motorcycle jacket (which I have done in the past with the Widder vest w/o the arm chaps). Hope this helps. Temps here are in the low 70s for the rest of the week!

[frbank6]

I have a Widder and the electronic controller. I've used it for about two and a half years. At one point the vest stopped heating and I sent it to Widder. It turned out to be the controller, which they replaced for free. I put a strip of velcro on the side of the tank and mount the controller box there while I'm riding. Regardless of which brand you get, remember that they need to fit a bit snug to work effeciently. I've ridden down in the 20's in relative comfort for short trips with the vest under a FirstGear Scout leather jacket. I can see the need at lower temeratures for heating in the sleeves and would probably look closer at the Gerbing offerings that include them if I were to start over.

[TonyT607]

I also have both: Wider Lectric 2 vest and gloves. The vest works great, well made. But like taosports said if your arms get cold consider a Gerbing jacket liner. The widder gloves heat up well, but are so bulky they're almost unusable (for me). The gauntlet isn't wide enough to tuck the cuffs of my Savannah 2 into, so I cut them open and had a tailor stitch them up neatly. I have the regular on/off switch.

I have the regular black Gerbing jacket liner as well. It too works as advertised and the leads for the gloves are right there at the cuffs. The Gerbing G3 gloves are awesome. Mich less bulky than the other Gerbing gloves. I have the thermostat controller which very neatly clips to the outside of your jacket. Easily actuated with gloved fingers.

Whatever you buy make sure it fits snugly. You should only wear a thin layer under the heared gear.

[Airman]

I have a question for you. Can you plug the heated gloves into the Gerbing jacket liner ? Would that work or do you need two thermostats to control the different pieces? I have the Gerbing gloves and find running wires up my sleeves is a pain. if I could plug the gloves into the liner then the liner to the outlet, that would be nice.

The Gerbing jacket liner has the cord running between the outer shell and inner lining down the length of the sleeve (all stitched in). It exits on the outside of the sleeve just above the wrists through a grommeted hole (about 4" of insulated cord exposed). A single thermostat controls the entire system (jacket liner and gloves) and I believe that this meets your needs in your last sentence. It's a nice setup, since you do not have to deal with threading cords while putting on your motorcycle jacket (which I have done in the past with the Widder vest w/o the arm chaps). Hope this helps. Temps here are in the low 70s for the rest of the week!

That's exactly what I meant. I can leave the Gerbing wiring harness in my First gear jacket as the liner loops at the cuffs will secure the plug, but it still makes you feel like there's wires up your sleeves. Then, the addition of the vest or liner would make you have two sets of wires to plug into the bike. The reason I asked this question was the idea that the resistance of the liner would be different then the gloves and perhaps cause one of them to run cooler then the other. It would seem that Gerbing has addressed this, otherwise it would be ill advised on their part to put those plugs in the cuffs.
As you can see from my revised profile, I've had to move to a colder climate where electrics are a survival issue.
The Gerbing gloves, by the way, are the final anwser to cold hands. I love them !

[orbea54]

Thanks everyone (especially Taosports) for the great feedback. I bought the Widder vest with the electronic controller.

Kevin