need advice on helmet/veil

[crazy8days]

I have a full body suit and a hooded jacket. Now, I like to pick up a helmet/veil combo. For the ones that have this setup do you recommend the vented plastic helmet?  With the veil I'm thinking the square style.  How's vision with the steel mesh? Thanks.

[Perry]

I have the old plastic hat with the steel veil, although the veil is pretty beat up. I don't use them much as I have other suits with attached veils, but I will say this, I can see better out of the old metal veil than any of the newer plastic mesh ones. Eggs are easy to spot with the old one as the mesh is not so tight. It also lets in blackflies though which the newer ones don't.

Easy to see out of, but lets blackflies in.


Keeps blackflies out, but mesh is so tight it makes seeing eggs harder.

[brooksbeefarm]

I have a full suite with a plastic veil and hat, but only use it with hot hives. I use the hooded jacket with my ball cap under the veil to keep the netting away from my face. Crazy8days, you have to remember all the mean bees are female and unpredictable, so dress accordingly. Jack

[Perry]

you have to remember all the mean bees are female and unpredictable, so dress accordingly. Jack

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[crazy8days]

Crazy8days, you have to remember all the mean bees are female and unpredictable, so dress accordingly. Jack

That's why I what a 3rd option!

[riverbee]

LOL jack, and perry that was quite funny!!!..... jack gets another checkmark?.......... √.........

crazy i have a couple of helmets, but they are not plastic, more of a woven material.  i have several different veils, and i do not like the square ones, the seams annoy me. i have a round veil that i like the most and can see out of it pretty good..... as far as the vision? i have to wear cheaters so it's all relative. 

[efmesch]

I like the plastic helmet-steel veil combination BUT, after a few years, the droplets of sweat that land on the metal cause them to rust through and break.  That doesn't happen with the nylon-screen veils, which as a result, last much longer and make them a better investment.
Truth be told,  I've pretty much given up using the helmet-steel screen veil combination since I find it so much easier to quickly don my hooded jacket with the nylon screen and get to work in half the time it takes to dress up with the plastic helmet arrrangement.

[crazy8days]

Truth be told,  I've pretty much given up using the helmet-steel screen veil combination since I find it so much easier to quickly don my hooded jacket with the nylon screen and get to work in half the time it takes to dress up with the plastic helmet arrangement.

That's one thing I didn't consider.  My thinking was on hot days and the bees were in good moods it would be nice to go short sleeve.  But, if it takes longer to suit up than throwing on my jacket it might not be worth it. 

[CpnObvious]

So I'm going to be buying a couple pieces of protective gear this year (on top of wanting more bees!)...  I don't want to break the bank, especially considering I won't be wearing it on a consistent basis.  Do any of you have the Mann Lake "Economy Hooded Jacket" found on this page: http://www.mannlakeltd.com/beekeeping-supplies/category/page124.html

What do you think of it?

I also want to get a couple of the pull-over hoods that have the elastic chest band with the arm holes.  I found them super easy last fall for $18/ea...  But now I can't find them.  Anyone know what I'm talking about and maybe where to find them?

Thank you in advance!

[iddee]

https://www.pigeonmountaintrading.com/shop/bee-wear/unisex/accessories-89/front-open-bee-jacket.html


I had several of these and liked them, until my wife washed them. The washing of the jacket was fine, but they said to hand wash the hoods. She put them in the sink and soaked them in bleach. When she picked them up, they fell apart. The bleach totally destroyed them.

Anybody need a couple of jackets without hoods??   :'(   

[CpnObvious]

Iddee,

Thanks!  How does that hood seal, velcro?  They also have the hood I mentioned... THAT'S where I saw it:

https://www.pigeonmountaintrading.com/pmtc-veil-with-shoulder-strap-pm9270.html

[iddee]

Two zippers on hood, one on jacket, and velcro on cuffs, waistband, and neck.