Thread: Hotronic M4?

As far as these boot heating systems go is the one the shit or what? I think I'm finally gonna bite the bullet and give them a go. I just can't seem to make warmer liners like intuitions work for me. My Solly Guns fit like a glove, but I know I'm gonna hate life in colder conditions.

Anyone got a hookup on these. Not really amped on dropping $200 for something I might end up hating. I guess my biggest fear is the battery units getting broken off or being in the way in general, but they seem like they aren't too big on these latest models.

I remember my dad used to have these rear entry Lange boots that had heaters built in.

Edit: BTW, I don't want to have these so my toes are "warm" I just want to keep them from freezing painfully.

Originally Posted by bossass

Edit: BTW, I don't want to have these so my toes are "warm" I just want to keep them from freezing painfully.

Thats what you can expect.

I got a pair for a friend who has reynauds and a really hard time in the cold. She's been feeling great ever since, huge huge difference. She hasn't had any problems with the batteries coming off (asked her today, actually). She skied from 8:30-1 with them on and then turned them back on at home for a few hours to kill the battery and they were still going strong... so battery life is much better than before.

I think its a worthwhile investment

I've got some older hotrontics and they do the job, warm things up when it is cold out. I fucked a battery when a chairlift came round from behind and was sitting really low, ripped the lead right off. If you are a bit more careful than I am then you'll be alrite. Was definitely a worthwhile investment for me and my unnaturally cold feet.

My wife gets cold in July in the middle of a heat wave. About 6 years ago, I put a pair in her boots. The following week we went to Stowe. -15 all week. My feet were freezing. She was a happy camper all week. I installed a set in mine and now wouldn't be without them. You don't want your feet warm, you adjust the heaters so your feet don't get cold.

Ours are the 2.0 or 2.5 version I am not sure. The new ones have better batteries. Both sets now need replacement of the batteries. I was about to order them when I saw this thread. $200. is a great price for the newest version. Where did you find them at that price? I would upgrade her as a Christmas present. I shopped around here and they are closer to $300.

Oh yeah I forgot to add if you have custom foot beds, you need to order the Hottronics made for that. The difference is the version made for use with foot beds uses an oval heating pad about 2" wide that fits under the bed. I have custom beds my wife doesn't. Without question, her heaters are more efficient.

Definitely worth it. My wife also has the older 2.5 V and they work very well although getting tired after many years. She'll probably upgrade to the Plus 4s this year. She stitched their little brackets to some cheap power straps to give her lots of flexibility where she put them on her boots/lower leg. 1" velcro would also do the job.

If you get the new M4 batt, you will need a new charger too. Odds are that price will be about the same as a whole new set up.

Also the power strap adaptor kit is great, We sell that as included, and after that never a lost batt.

$250 CND for the M4 set up new. So about $200 US shipped.

Ive got some M4 packs (with charger) Ill sell you. virtually new, I bought them to get through a sufferfest season in some Atomic M110 ice boxes. They work. PM me.

I do have custom beds. I don't follow about the diff. between the two. Can you elaborate? MRW, are you saying the ones for the custom beds are worse? I guess I don't care as long as, like I said, me toes keep from getting painfully cold or numb.

remember that ours are 2.5 series so things may have changed. My wifes non-custom footbed version has an insert that sort of looks like a Dr Scholls insert. It goes the full length of the foot. Mine is sort of an oblong pad about 1.5 inches by 1 inch. Mine fits under the custom footbed which is cork so the heat has to radiate up quite a bit before I feel any warming action. That said, when the batteries were new, it wasn't a problem. many times at Whiteface it was -25 and my toes were a bit cold but not freezing. My wife had toasty digits all day.

The Hotronics website will tell you all about the stock VS custom footbed thing. My wife has custom footbeds and the heaters work great!

Last question:

What's the preferred way to mount these things? The little dealy you rivet on, strap clips? Seems the kit doesn't come with any method for attachment, you have to choose one and buy the accessory?

I just clipped them (with the attached clips) towards the rear of my powerstraps. Never moved and never noticed them there.

Also, $110 shipped for M4 packs and charger. Used 4 times.

I never liked the rivet on the back. Took up too much room and seemed more susceptible to chair damage. I always just clipped mine to the booster strap on the outside of my boots.

Just cleaning out the closet. Came across a pair of M4 batteries and charger. Free to the lowest bidder! PM if interested.

Originally Posted by bendtheski

Just cleaning out the closet. Came across a pair of M4 batteries and charger. Free to the lowest bidder! PM if interested.

Yup.....

What is more important than boot heaters is a DRY boot. Make sure all the moisture is out of the boot by the time you start. What I also like better than the Hottronics is my heated boot bag, I thought they were the most ostentatious item until I got one. It is great starting the day with a warm/dry boot.


*LOL, I am shocked this thread is over here and not on Epic..and the OP isn't getting jogged???

Maybe the fact it's 4 years old has something to do with it . . .

Originally Posted by biff chalupa

Maybe the fact it's 4 years old has something to do with it . . .

4 years or 4 minutes, Jaypowhound just got some free batteries and a charger.

I retired my hotronics when I retired my last pair of Langes. Kryptons fit better=warmer with intuition or Tru-fit liner. Lighter and shells don't crack every 1.5 seasons either. Win/win. Hotronics were the only thing that made my last pair of langes skiable, but I am much happier not to have to mess with wires, batteries, charging, etc. I owned several pair (langes/hotronics) and the M4 were the best of the lot. Haven't tried the e4.

Hotronics snap-dry is a good investment for drying liner without having to remove from shell. Wet liners were more of a problem skiing back east. Since moving to Colorado, my liners seem to air-dry overnight just fine. I credit lower humidity and radiant heat.

Late last year a chair took the connector off the heating element cable. Never mount the batteries on the back, lesson learned. Anyone got a dead heating element with a good connector on it you could send?

stevesmith7

I'll check my inventory and get back to you. There's an odd chance I might have an odd good heating element with a good connector, oddly enough.

It is never to soon to get your gear dialed in for next season.

Thanks for looking.

OK Steve, I've got two working heat units stuck to some old footbeds. By old I mean haven't used in a few years, but were working when used last. I've also got an assortment of the sticky backed fabric footbed and wire covers; enough for one pair of heating elements anyway.

Oh yeah; I've got one extension cable too; good connectors.