- Joined
- Jun 28, 2017
- Messages
- 1,125
- Reaction score
- 238
- Location
- N. Ireland
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 30+
Thought I'd do a first thoughts on my new suit, after my beekeeping buddy ordered one she was impressed so I thought I'd try it out.
I ordered the Sentinel Pro II from Old Castle Farm Hives on Tuesday night. I received a call from Ian the following morning to check the measurements; good thing he rang as I mistakenly clicked on the hat rather than the veil so the order was amended.
Arrived this morning so good dispatch times. Was a bit miffed at first as on opening the packaging I seen that disposable cloth that they use for disposable boiler suits but turned out that was only the back of the carry pouch.
I've owned a STBK cheap (£60) Breeze mesh suit for the last few years, the veil had ripped at the side last week and the groin was about to go so I've a mesh suit to compare it to. First thing I noticed is it's a lot lighter than the breeze suit which has a different construction style, its like a rubber/silicone waffle encased in a cloth mesh on either side. The SPII is a cloth mesh over a sponge type material.
There was a YKK tag attached to notify that it uses quality zips, which is promising as both the zips around the leg of the STBK had failed fairly quickly.
Putting the suit on was easy enough, its a bit snugger than the Breeze suit as I went for a better fitted size; the biggest benefit is that it's a lot more manoeuvrable than than the Breeze suit which almost snagged on itself. I was on the ground; something I never would have tried in the breeze suit as movement was so restricted.
I particularly like the double velcro fastening for the veil which is a big improvement on my last suit which only had it on the outer side. Another big positive is that the veil doesn't touch your face; I had to wear a cap in the Breeze as I have got stung on the nostril and chin in the breeze suit as I leant forward.
The big deep pockets are also useful; the last suit was poorly thought out in many ways but this suit allows you to slip a hive tool in your pocket without it tumbling out. The upper zip pockets are also a great place for the phone which always inevitably will ring when you're in the middle of going through a hive.
The weather was rather nice this evening, about 21°c with very little wind. I had a few jobs to do around the apiary so had it on for about two hours. Had I my old suit on I reckon I would have been a lot warmer, especially having to wear the cap underneath.
Despite the light breeze it kept me fairly cool.
My only reservations so far with the suit is the velcro fasteners around the sleeve. The sleeve is extremely wide so the strap to tighten it nearly overruns the end of the velcro. Elastic foot loops would have been nice as well, it helps get the suit down inside the wellington boots.
Price was £146 delivered; expensive but a bargain when compared to some other offerings. Looking forward to trying it out further however.
I ordered the Sentinel Pro II from Old Castle Farm Hives on Tuesday night. I received a call from Ian the following morning to check the measurements; good thing he rang as I mistakenly clicked on the hat rather than the veil so the order was amended.
Arrived this morning so good dispatch times. Was a bit miffed at first as on opening the packaging I seen that disposable cloth that they use for disposable boiler suits but turned out that was only the back of the carry pouch.
I've owned a STBK cheap (£60) Breeze mesh suit for the last few years, the veil had ripped at the side last week and the groin was about to go so I've a mesh suit to compare it to. First thing I noticed is it's a lot lighter than the breeze suit which has a different construction style, its like a rubber/silicone waffle encased in a cloth mesh on either side. The SPII is a cloth mesh over a sponge type material.
There was a YKK tag attached to notify that it uses quality zips, which is promising as both the zips around the leg of the STBK had failed fairly quickly.
Putting the suit on was easy enough, its a bit snugger than the Breeze suit as I went for a better fitted size; the biggest benefit is that it's a lot more manoeuvrable than than the Breeze suit which almost snagged on itself. I was on the ground; something I never would have tried in the breeze suit as movement was so restricted.
I particularly like the double velcro fastening for the veil which is a big improvement on my last suit which only had it on the outer side. Another big positive is that the veil doesn't touch your face; I had to wear a cap in the Breeze as I have got stung on the nostril and chin in the breeze suit as I leant forward.
The big deep pockets are also useful; the last suit was poorly thought out in many ways but this suit allows you to slip a hive tool in your pocket without it tumbling out. The upper zip pockets are also a great place for the phone which always inevitably will ring when you're in the middle of going through a hive.
The weather was rather nice this evening, about 21°c with very little wind. I had a few jobs to do around the apiary so had it on for about two hours. Had I my old suit on I reckon I would have been a lot warmer, especially having to wear the cap underneath.
Despite the light breeze it kept me fairly cool.
My only reservations so far with the suit is the velcro fasteners around the sleeve. The sleeve is extremely wide so the strap to tighten it nearly overruns the end of the velcro. Elastic foot loops would have been nice as well, it helps get the suit down inside the wellington boots.
Price was £146 delivered; expensive but a bargain when compared to some other offerings. Looking forward to trying it out further however.
