Face Protector (Full) - ArniesAirsoft

Author

nevermore

Registered: January 2005
Posts: 2

Review Date: 13/9/05

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 7

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	full face and ear protection
Cons:	hard to breathe, stuffy and hot, looks somewhat strange

I decided to write this review in response to the review on King Arms' half face protector (<a href="http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/reviewpost/showproduct.php/product/102" target="_blank" class="bb-url">link here</a>), because my experiences were quite different.

King Arms' full face protector is made of thick Neoprene, which offers great protection. I bought this because I didn't want to wear a mask, but I wanted decent ear and mouth protection.

The mask is held on by a strip of Velcro, it fit perfectly on me, but the mouth area sticks out and looks kind of funny. I was disappointed by this until I was shot in the mouth numerous times, by a weapon firing unspeakable-at-arnies fps. Because the mouth sticks out a good 1/2 inch from my face I hardly felt anything when I was hit.

I use this mask in conjunction with a pair of ESS NVG goggles, and a boonie hat. I have never experienced fogging due to the King Arms face protector. And I must say a boonie hat fits quite nicely over the mask.

There are a few things I don't like about this face protector. It is hard to breathe when you are moving around alot! If I have to run somewhere, I usually flip up the mouth area so I can breathe! If you are a very active airsofter this may not be the mask for you. It also gets hot, real hot; I tend to rip off the face mask as soon as I can after each game.

In the end it comes down to whether you want superior protection, or comfortability. Playing with the group highly tuned AEGs that I play with, I'd prefer to keep my teeth. So for now I'll sacrifice comfortability for protection.

NOTE: User "Nevermore" is now User "ian@wca". Please direct any correspondance to the new account name. Thank you.

Ghost_Rider

Reaper Man

Registered: February 2005
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 5,248

Review Date: 24/9/05

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: �19.95 | Rating: 7

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Intimidating when used with the right goggles, great protection even at close range, reversable
Cons:	Cannot be worn with shooting specs due to ears being covered and fogging, minor communication issues, sweat

I gotta say, I think this product rocks.

I bought the mask from Airsoft Scotland after my last visit to CQB Dundee. I had planned on buying another sensei mask, but they are impossible to use with the iron sights on my M4. The neoprene offers great protection with the additonal flexibility the sensei simply cannot provide.
(AS:S do a a version of this in Green/black, and one plain black. You'll notice on the web site that they have updated to show that the green/black is in fact reversible. Guess who pointed this out to them? <img src="http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/reviewpost/images/wink.gif" alt="Wink" /> )

It was used in anger for the first time today and I figured I'd post up my thoughts.

First off, the protection level is on a par with the sensei mask. I took several full on hits to the face during the skirmish and never once felt anything more than registering the impact - they are great for reducing the pain you would feel from a spray to the face.

After the initial discomfort (it takes a little bit of time to get it seated right) the mask is extremely comfortable, and offers unrestricted views. I never forgot I was wearing it, but it was never an unwelcome presence, and I never found myself short of breath or overheating because of it.

I wear the mask with either a pro-tec helmet or a hooded top, and coupled with these goggles <img src="http://www.maximumeyewear.com/productfolder/safety-glasses/wood-chipper-goggles/wood-chipper-goggles.jpg" alt="http://www.maximumeyewear.com/productfolder/safety-glasses/wood-chipper-goggles/wood-chipper-goggles.jpg" class="bb-image" /> you can get a very weird and somewhat intimidating look to your loadout.

However, if you purchase this mask with the intention of wearing it with shooting specs, I'm afraid you're in for a disappointment. The mask covers your ears completely, and if specs are worn under the mask then they fog up within seconds. It really does need to be worn with a form of goggles such as the set shown above, or something like the ESS NVG's - Anything that relys on hanging off your ears is not gonna work.

The mask did become a little sweaty after a days play, but it's machine washable so no issues there.

The single major issue I encountered was the fact that it muffles your speech. This can be overcome with practice and enunciation though, and by the end of the days play I could be understood fine by my other team members.

Overall, this is a nice alternative to a sensei mask, but it needs to be considered as a part purchase - you may need additional googles to work in conjunction with them.

<span style="font-style:italic">Note: <a href="http://www.maximumeyewear.com/productfolder/safety-glasses/wood-chipper-goggles/wood-chipper-goggles.html" target="_blank">http://www.maximumeyewear.com/productfolder/safety-glasses/wood-chipper-goggles/wood-chipper-goggles.html</a> - These are the goggles shown above, which are more than skirmish worthy haven taken a 450fps sniper fire from 3 inches and a burst from a 350fps aeg from the same distance. They also rock.</span>

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