The age old Mask debate

[sixtoes1313]

Well, it looks like im going to be selling my old empire helix mask(olive) to a friend for the same price i bought it for so he could use it (not bad eh?) Anyway i was thinking about upgrading to a higher end mask, but dont know which one to choose. I went to the local proshop and tryed on some of the newest high enders. The ones i came to choose is either an empire avatar mask or a dye I3 perhaps. First off I really didnt have a problem with the helix mask. I mean for $30 theres no way to beat it. I've never had it fog once with the thermal lense in hot humid summer days, rain, or cool spring temps. It fit my face nice and never felt like it would fall off. The only complaint i have is that it was made of hard plastic. While the visor got a uncounted # of bounces the mask itself didn't, and thats where to avatar comes into play. Essentially the same mask as the helix, but very soft, and comes with two thermal lenses in tinted and clear. Plus a long and short visor with silk bag. That would be $80. The only thing better in the Dye's is the comfort factor but for $100 they're a little to small i think, and dont trust them after my crappy 06 invision. So i dont know whether to fork over the extra $50 and get the avatar or buy a black version of my curent mask. I need some opinions.

[d4m4don3]

Well, it looks like im going to be selling my old empire helix mask(olive) to a friend for the same price i bought it for so he could use it (not bad eh?) Anyway i was thinking about upgrading to a higher end mask, but dont know which one to choose. I went to the local proshop and tryed on some of the newest high enders. The ones i came to choose is either an empire avatar mask or a dye I3 perhaps. First off I really didnt have a problem with the helix mask. I mean for $30 theres no way to beat it. I've never had it fog once with the thermal lense in hot humid summer days, rain, or cool spring temps. It fit my face nice and never felt like it would fall off. The only complaint i have is that it was made of hard plastic. While the visor got a uncounted # of bounces the mask itself didn't, and thats where to avatar comes into play. Essentially the same mask as the helix, but very soft, and comes with two thermal lenses in tinted and clear. Plus a long and short visor with silk bag. That would be $80. The only thing better in the Dye's is the comfort factor but for $100 they're a little to small i think, and dont trust them after my crappy 06 invision. So i dont know whether to fork over the extra $50 and get the avatar or buy a black version of my curent mask. I need some opinions.

Maintennance on the new Vents masks are a lot easier than the DYE masks. IMHO They're even a bit tougher than working on JT masks. The vents masks are a good system but did you try the new V-force grills? Those are just as easy to maintain as well.

[fullofpaint]

I love my e-vents personaly, only mask that comes close is the I3's IMO. I had an old set of invisions and hated them, these seem to be a lot better, I haven't had a ny fogging issues yet but i've only used them in the winter. Only probnlem with the I3's are they use the same horrible lenses, so if you change the lenses be prepeared to spend like an hour to get them off and the new ones on.

Vents in general have been great no problem's at all except for the foam but that's cause I had a first run set the new ones are fine. Use the thermal lenses though not the single pane, no one I knowe has had good luck with the single panes.

Profilers are a great old standby, but my pro-shop owner has had a hard time getting parts for them, I think Vforce is phasing them out for their grillz. Personally I can't stand the grillz I think they look ugly and IMO the vision is less that of a profiler. I can't speak to maitainence or anything though cause I don't own one.

[sixtoes1313]

yea i like the events also, but they're a bit smaller than the avatars- only thing i didnt like about them is some parts of my jaw were showing. So does the avatars have both the lenses in dual pane, or only one? Yea my friend has an 06 invision that was new and he said his fingers were bleeding after taking it apart. and sore for days. I believe him! what a PITa. im deffinently sticking with the empire masks. I dont like the look of grills masks either, and want no fog problems for long woodsball games.

[txaggie08]

I love my event.

[MoeMag]

[sixtoes1313]

yea well i think now dye is out of my interest range and the proflex is in. Only thing i dont like about them is the look. And i dont have anywhere to try one on. I have a flex 7 i picked up for $20 but its uncomforable for me and dont like the foam. It the flex 7 and proflex about the same mask? Im really leaning toward another helix or avatar at the moment.

[mag_lover05]

proflex.

/thread

[StygShore]

goggles

Proto Switch? what problems do you see with them? I have the upper end line of Switch goggles, and they are the best goggles I have ever owned. Good protection, simple lense change, never fog, soft face, but not so soft you eat paint all day. Only thing is they are heavier than some of the new goggles that are out.

Styg

[MoeMag]

The flex 7 has the same frame and thats it. What sets the proflex apart is that all of the parts other than the frame are soft and flexable. thats what makes it so comfortable. Yeah it looks kinda funky, but it has respect.

Nothing wrong with proto masks...
its just for me, what other masks offer, generally takes them out of my consideration. The biggest thing with masks are that some just feel right. Proto's are a lot like the older invisions which I cant stand to have on my head. I find them to be constricting and not very breathable. I have one of the midrange ones that I used for the longest time, and the off occasion that my GF goes with us she will use it. When playing really hard, even the slightest pressure gets annoying, and when breathing hard, it doesnt get fresh air in quick enough so I really get out of breath with it.

Good mask... just not for me. I was just sharing my personal experience with them.

[Walrus]

what about a Vents Cylus? It is a step up from your Helix and not as expensive as the Avatar or E-Vents and should be flexible like those.

[SpitFire1299]

I love all 7 of my proflex's. There the best mask EVER imo.

[StygShore]

profles = simple great mask -

Problem is the lenses are a PITA to change, and I have yet to have a set of their lenses make it through a season without cracking up the center of the inside thermal pane. Once they crack, they fog on me like mad.



Styg


As far as how I handle my goggles - My protos are in the same pouch in my gear bag, and I have never had a lense cracking problem with those.

[robnix]

Well, it looks like im going to be selling my old empire helix mask(olive) to a friend for the same price i bought it for so he could use it (not bad eh?) Anyway i was thinking about upgrading to a higher end mask, but dont know which one to choose. I went to the local proshop and tryed on some of the newest high enders. The ones i came to choose is either an empire avatar mask or a dye I3 perhaps. First off I really didnt have a problem with the helix mask. I mean for $30 theres no way to beat it. I've never had it fog once with the thermal lense in hot humid summer days, rain, or cool spring temps. It fit my face nice and never felt like it would fall off. The only complaint i have is that it was made of hard plastic. While the visor got a uncounted # of bounces the mask itself didn't, and thats where to avatar comes into play. Essentially the same mask as the helix, but very soft, and comes with two thermal lenses in tinted and clear. Plus a long and short visor with silk bag. That would be $80. The only thing better in the Dye's is the comfort factor but for $100 they're a little to small i think, and dont trust them after my crappy 06 invision. So i dont know whether to fork over the extra $50 and get the avatar or buy a black version of my curent mask. I need some opinions.

I replaced my Dye Invision mask with a Vforce Morph and couldn't be happier. It's easier to maintain, and much easier to swap lenses on. Excellent FOV and hasn't fogged yet. You can pick them up for about $45.00 on ebay.

[CKY_Alliance]

Profilers, replace the lens after like a year and your good to go..