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Sunday, January 20, 2013

A Sunset and a Heated Jacket

On the Friday before we left for San Francisco we gave SpartanBabe (aka Meg) a ride to Eugene to pick her beloved Bella up from the Triumph shop.  Bella has been in the shop waiting for a new gas tank from England since October.

I did take one picture as she was suiting up for the ride home, but since Meg doesn't really like her picture taken I'm refraining from posting it on the interweb.

THE SUNSET

Meg was lucky in picking her day to ride Bella home, as I think it was the only sunny day we've seen in a month.  Since we had a box full of parts in the trunk and the original gas tank we followed her home.  While Troubadour was driving I managed to catch a few pictures of the sun setting across the valley.  I couldn't resist.  It was the most brilliant sunset I'd seen in the valley in months.  

(Sunset over the Willamette Valley - January 4, 2013)




THE HEATED JACKET

(Very similar jacket)
While at REI the weekend prior to this I'd looked at some jackets made by Columbia, North Face and Marmot, but I couldn't justify the $150-$200 price tag.  I thought if I was going to spend that much money on a jacket, it had better be heated.

While wandering around the Triumph shop waiting for the last minute details to be taken care of I spotted an Ansai heated jacket I'd admired last year.  I've been searching for a new waterproof jacket for the last month or so since the one I have is too big around, the arms are too short and I hate wearing it.

I tried on the Ansai Softshell Heated Jacket.  Meg decided it was 'definitely a Brandy color'.  I liked the way it fit so I brought it home. I wanted something comfortable and waterproof for the trip to San Francisco.  And In fact I think I am wearing it in every picture taken of me in San Francisco except while eating lunch.


(Picture brazenly stolen borrowed from Bobskoot)
Not only is it nice to have a mobile heated jacket, but notice the long cuffs that reach part way down the hand. They have a thumb hole stitched into them to keep your sleeves in place which is a feature I appreciate because I have really long arms and it is very difficult to find jackets with the sleeves long enough. It is also a nice feature when wearing gloves.

(Nice stretchy cuffs with thumb holes)
The jacket is powered by a small 7.4v/2.2Ah lithium ion rechargeable battery.  

(Rechargeable lithium ion battery has 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% power)

The left pocket has a small inner pocket closed by a Velcro tab.  If you open it up and pull out the wire you can plug in the battery and tuck it in the pocket which leaves the main pocket area open for your hand, camera, keys or other goodies.

(Long enough cord to pull it it out and see it to change the temperature setting)
The battery pack is also the four-setting controller.  At 25% the battery will last 10 hours.  The longest day I used the battery was Sunday and it was starting to run low by the time we got back to the hotel.

There are three heated panels in the jacket.  One on the upper back and one on each side of the upper chest. 

It was nice to have that bit of heat while wandering the city.  It especially came in handy while waiting in the chilly airport terminal for 5 hours.  Troubadour was chilly and there were only so many times he could put his hands down my jacket to warm them up without getting kicked out of the terminal.  Maybe we should have picked him up a jacket too.

I paid $179 for the jacket and feel it was a good value compared to what a non-heated jacket of equal quality is priced.  I haven't found the exact same model online but I think this one is last years model.  Did I mention it is machine washable too?  

I think for cold weather riding I will stick to my Tourmaster heated jacket liner since it has full heated sleeves and a heated collar, but for general purpose trying to keep warm when walking around or hiking in the cold this jacket was the perfect choice.

Did I mention they have heated gloves too........

- Au Revoir

"Every mile is two in winter." - George Herbert
.

34 comments:

  1. I thought that jacket and color looked familiar!

    Sounds like a great option and imagine that heat can feel awfully nice.

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    1. It was nice to have that little bit of warmth while walking around the city. Kept me from getting too cold. My hands were still cold though as I usually forgot to bring my gloves with me.

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  2. I noticed this jacket in the pictures and loved the colour then...but to find out that it is a heated jacket makes it even better. It won't take long for you to get your money's worth out of it! Nice sunset too...

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    1. I was happy with how well the jacket fit and it's ease of use. We take good care of our things so I am sure it will last for years and if the battery goes kaput for some reason I can buy a replacement.

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  3. Beautiful sunset photos! The clouds and color are wonderful.

    Nice review on the mobile heated vest. Sounds like it will come in very handy for you...and Troubadour. ;)

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    1. Thanks Lori. It was handy to have. I haven't needed to plug it in walking around Corvallis yet, but I have worn the jacket, just haven't used the heat.

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  4. Hi Brandy,
    Ref Non Slip Seat, we will have to wait and see, the GT aint touching
    Tarmac until all this here Snow & Salt has done a dissappering act.

    I was taliking to Roger the other day on Skype, he siad that he had met up with you and had a very good time, he did say that you lot don't drink like the Kiwi's LOL....
    All the best TT

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    1. Snow and your Sprint do not mix Tony. Good thing you aren't riding it. We are lucky and they do not use salt on the roads in Oregon.

      We may not drink like Kiwi's, but did Rogey tell you who felt better the next day?

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  5. Having seen the jacket, I know how bloody good the thing is! AS for the sunsets, just stunning. Often to, you have only a brief moment to take the shot and it is gone.

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    1. It worked like a damn while in SF.

      There was just a brief window on the sunset. we were almost at Meg's when I took the pics and by the time we left her house to head towards the sun, it had already set.

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  6. There is nothing nicer than the beauty of a sunset ... lovely pictures!
    The heated jacket must be welcome, as well as the Tourmaster heated jacket liner, but at that price I can only put it on my wishlist :-(

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    1. I think the Ansai was the same price we paid for the Tourmaster jacket liner. The jacket liner is a must for me in late fall and winter riding around here. The mountains can be so cold and it is like wearing an electric blanket while I ride.

      I will only use the Ansai while off the bike I imagine since it doesn't have as much for heating elements.

      Worth the money. Add it to the wish list and save your pennies.

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  7. I really like the sunset photos. I'll have to practice shooting into the sun like that.

    No problems in the airport with a jacket with wires and a battery pack??

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    1. Thanks Erik. I took quite a few pictures in hopes some would turn out. Some had the glare off the car window and others had telephone poles in the way but I managed a few good ones.

      I was expecting an issue at the airport because of the jacket. I took it off and put it in the bin with the battery in the pocket and they never said a word at either airport. They are used a lot to watch college football around here and any outdoor stadium sports so I wonder if they see them on a regular basis.

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  8. Sigh...... I've just bought another riding jacket. If I'd known how reasonable heated jackets were, I'd have bought one for winter. Don't think I'll get CEO permission right now :-(. Will mentally tuck it away thanks!

    Just gorgeous photos - I'm a total sucker for sunrises and sunsets!

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    1. With only two elements in the front and one in the back the Ansai might not be the best for under your riding jacket, but it is the same price as the tourmaster liner.

      Glad you liked the sunset photos.

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  9. Heated jacket? What's a heated jacket?

    I certainly don't need one at the moment - very hot out riding yesterday.

    I know a few guys over here who have heated gear (serious long distance, all weather riders) and I guess it would be just like heated grips - once you tried it, you'd never go without.

    Nice pics!

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    1. What can I say, I am a weather weenie as I get older.

      Brad had a heated jacket liner for at least 2 seasons before I bought mine. It took that long for him to convince me to get one. Yep, once you get one you'll wear it on low just because you can. It is nice to keep your core warm as that helps to keep the blood flowing and everything else warm. And just like my heated grips, it gets used on cold summer mornings too.

      Even PolarBear just bought a heated jacket liner and is enjoying it. Of course he showed up at coffee on Saturday with ice on his jacket from riding in the freezing fog. The rest of us drove. He is a die hard.

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  10. Beautiful sunset photos. Nice cloud patterns as well.

    And the portable, heated jacket seems like a great option. If you are on the bike can you power it from the bike as well? And maybe charge the battery as well?

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    1. Thanks Richard. I thought the clouds were interesting too.

      I don't think it can be powered by the bike. It came with a wall plug for charging. You might be able to splice something into it, but would be better off with two jackets. One for off the bike then a liner for on the bike. You might want a jacket like this for your walks in those frigid temperatures you see.

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  11. What a nice looking jacket. I am still not ready to add one to my gear, but if I were to I would rely on what you said about it. It is not only pretty but functional. Good find!

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    1. If you find yourself out walking or hiking in the cold you might want to think about it. Of course the more we walk the warmer we get as the cardio goes up, so maybe not. Good for strolling though.

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  12. Gorgeous photos! Heated jacket that sounds heavenly. Love the colour!

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  13. I've never tried heated grips or heated jacket. Never saw the need here really. It doesn't get anywhere near as cold as it is in your neck of the woods so to speak.

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    1. Now you are just bragging about your weather Steve - and rightly so. It is the cold mixed with the humidity that soaks right into the bones. It is nice to take that chill off. That and I have horrible circulation so I am cold a lot.

      We woke to 28˚F (-2˚C) and freezing fog again this morning. Not terribly cold especially compared to other parts of the country, but with the freezing fog it sure seems colder.

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  14. The sunset was breath taking and what timing for her ride!

    Heated jacket? Dang! What will they think of next? LOL...I've been too long living out in the woods and missed out on some of the high tech clothing out there. I might have to get me one of those!

    Cool! Er, HOT!

    :=)

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    1. She couldn't have picked a better day to pic up the bike. It really has been the best weather we've seen in a month. The sunset must have looked pretty in her rearview mirror.

      We were surprised the first time we saw the jackets. People are buying them for sporting events and I guess for under your armored riding jacket. When you get off the bike you still have heat so you don't get cold at the scenic stops. More than one shop in Eugene sells them.

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  15. Trobairitz:

    I liked that heated jacket. I would like to buy one for Mrs Skoot. She is always cold but I don't think anyone has them up here

    we should be able to take sunset photos soon. It is getting brighter after work

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast


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    1. This time of year the in stock jackets are picked pretty clean. I was surprised to find one in stock that fit me. You might have to find one for Mrs. Skoot on the internet. Some places have a free exchange policy if the size isn't right.

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  16. Lovely, lovely sunset.

    I thought you would enjoy this. I have no clue how to link this!


    http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/ars/article/Kawaii-The-Power-of-Cute342?origin=FK_Trivia_1-21-2013

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    1. Thanks Martha. I didn't need an excuse to look at cute cat pictures at work, but now I have one.

      And I never can remember how to link in comments either. I have to google it and follow instructions each time and it is a pain.

      Delete
  17. That heated jacket sounds like the ticket for just hanging out - bike or no! I have to agree the damp cold is much worse than dry cold - seems to go right through you. (I'll never give up my heated grips or vest on the bike - or my heated seat in the SUV!)

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    1. It is nice for just hanging out. We drove to the coast yesterday in search of sunshine (post to follow in a few days) and I turned it on while we were watching the sunset at the beach.

      Mmm heated seats. By far the best feature on our Subaru Forester. And yes, any bike I own has to have heated grips, damn hands get too cold without them.

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