Hi VIz Vests
Brian Prangle
Public
Seen by 43
Back in the early days it was possible to purchase a hiviz vest emblazoned with OPENSTREETMAP SURVEYOR and the logo and website. I can't remember who organised it but I vaguely remember they were available at mapping parties.
Mine has proved to be invaluable in avoiding those awkward (and potentially hostile) situations where people are rightly suspicious of you taking notes and photos. It has also helped with over-enthusiastic security guards. Other advantages have been: it engenders lots of extra volunteered information from people you meet; it advertises OpenStreetMap; and is great for road safety when cycling or walking. There is one disadvantage however- in some deprived areas you might be seen as representing "officialdom" and engender a hostile response (all I've received are gentle rebukes from old folk accusing me of planning to take away their postbox or bus stop!)
So the question is: would it be good idea to revive supplying these with a preferential purchase price for members and a higher price for non-members?
RobJN Mon 26 Nov 2018 9:32PM
For the OSM UK ones we are probably best to take orders upfront. A few would also like a general OSM (i.e. non-UK) one. Here we can probably order a batch as we can sell excess stock at more events (e.g. SotM).
Gregory Marler (former Director) Wed 28 Nov 2018 2:06PM
I'd like to also say "increase the annual subs". Might not be completely a silly idea.
RobJN Sun 6 Jan 2019 5:57PM
Test print arrived and checked by my fellow Mappa Mercia members on Thursday. Passed their quality tests so we are close to launching this. I'm just waiting for a board member to test the payment system to confirm that is all working as expected. At which point it's over to you to place order :-)
lakedistrict Sun 6 Jan 2019 6:13PM
Do you have any photos of someone wearing it? I know it's "just a reflective vest with a logo on", but it would be good to see what it looks like in real life. :)
RobJN Mon 7 Jan 2019 11:30PM
Sales now live. Get yours online: https://osmuk.org/product/osm-uk-hi-vis-vest/
Because we're running this on a volunteer basis at cost, I shall collate a few orders and send them to fulfilment in bulk. I'll send the first order at the end of the month for delivery in early February.
Robert Whittaker Sat 12 Jan 2019 11:40AM
Based on the sample you have, do you have any advice over the sizes? Presumably most people will want their hi-viz to fit over a coat, so should we go up a size from our normal? How does the (presumably) chest size quoted related to the actual circumference of the jacket when done up?
RobJN Sat 12 Jan 2019 6:05PM
If you have a particularly large coat, then the larger size would be useful. For this sort of thing slightly too big is hardly a issue (it's not fashion wear after all!) but too small / too tight is. If in doubt, go up one size. I didn't but that's because I'm on the smaller size of medium anyway. If you get what I mean!
Gregory Marler (former Director) Sat 12 Jan 2019 6:18PM
My "original" OSM high-vis is a large (102-110cm) and with even a light coat on it's a struggle to keep together the tattered velcro. With the current OSM UK make it seems this would only be a medium.
I definitely would recommend leaning on the larger size of options you consider. The alternative is to wait till an OSM event and hope someone ordered one that you can try for sizing.
RobJN Sat 12 Jan 2019 6:48PM
P.s. the label on medium reads: chest 38-40" (EU 48-50). Hope that helps.
RobJN · Mon 17 Dec 2018 11:45PM
Hi all. I've just ordered a test print. If all works out well I will set up a order form on the osmuk.org website. I think we will process in batches - i.e. place your order and we will collate and pass them on to the supplier (timelines will be made clear when we go live).