[Shadowjackal]

I received a new JT Status mask in olive for Christmas. I need to say that I am a huge JT user. I have used the same JT mask for many years. I run an old Crosswind fan in my JT Spectra/Proflex goggles. (I think my old JT mask is a Proflex before they went to the soft ear pieces) Here are a few of my first impressions: The Status feels a good bit heavier than my old ProFlex. The Status does go on and off as easy as my old ProFlex and is just as comfortable. Both masks are very comfortable to wear with my glasses. I have never found a mask that does not cause condensation/fog on my eyeglasses. This is true for my old ProFlex and (I am Assuming) for my new Status. I have a new Vortex II on the way for my birthday. The Status has a chin strap which I do not like. I am considering removing it. I will play a few games with the chin strap to see if it bothers me, then I will decide whether to remove it or not. I have worn the Status around the house and it fits nice and snug without being too tight. It does seem to be harder to adjust the headband on the Status than on my old ProFlex. This could be due to age of the ProFlex and my familiarity with my old mask, however. ( I replaced the headband on my ProFlex early in the summer of 2008, so it is not a function of newness of strap) Where the Status really shines is in the area of lense changes! (The cost of the new Status QLS thermal lense is around $19.99; about the same as the old Spectra lense.) Turn two dials on the inside of the mask and the old lense pops out and a new one goes in! It can be accomplished in three minutes or less! Big improvement over the old ProFlex. I became good at lense changes with the old PF but it was still a hassle... My only real issue with the Status is the Olive color is a little too bright green... and that is a small issue. I will post more reviews once I have used the Status in an actual game.

[UV Halo]

Good review. How much wider and taller is the new QLS lens compared to the spectra lenses? I'm not wondering for lens compatiblity but, whether or not goggleskinz for spectras would work for the QLS lens.

In regards to the Vortex II fan, please update once you get the fan. I've heard some folks commenting that the current JT fans fan do not fit the Status or other QLS fan systems.

I noticed in some pictures that the olive is a bit more green, than the older JT products that were olive colored.

[Shadowjackal]

The QLS lens does look bigger than the Spectra lens. I measured the mask's lens at the widest point; the QLS was ~4" , and the Spectra lens at the widest point was close to 3.25". The Spectra lens is (following the contour of the mask) ~9.75" and the QLS is ~10". Hope this helps. As far as the Vortex fan is concerned, I emailed JT about that; they said that the Vortex will fit all current JT masks... I hope he was right, the fan is on its way... I also think the green will blend in O.K. in the spring and summer foliage. It remains to be seen how it blends in the fall and winter woods.

[Shadowjackal]

I received and installed my Vortex II fan into my Status on New Years Eve. Yes, the Vortex II does fit into the Status; no problem. My major complaint with this fan is how loud it is! It may be noisier than my old Crosswind! I guess I assumed that it would run quieter... I wear glasses and the only full-proof way to keep my mask and glasses clear is by use of a fan... This works even on very hot and humid days, so I can't do without it. The best way around this is to run it when I am moving and shut it off when listening or being sneaky... A major plus for this fan is the three way switch! This switch allows you to turn the fan on/off, of course, and allows you to blow air into your mask or pull air out! Very nice! The old Crosswinds you had to reverse the battery direction to achieve this... Maybe it will get quieter after running for awhile... All in all a useful addition to my Status mask.

[UV Halo]

Thanks for the update!
Yeah my Vortex fan that I use on my spectras has always been noisy. However, I do what you do, Turn it on when noise is not an issue and off when it is.

So, it looks like I will be picking a set of these up (and some spare lenses) myself.

[Shadowjackal]

I finally got to use my new JT Status on Saturday. My initial impression was not good. The mask started to fog not long into the second game. I had the Vortex going and my mask was still fogging around the edges of the lenses! I was not too happy, until, I flipped the switch the other way (which, I believe, was pulling air out of the mask) this cleared the mask quickly and i had no problems for the rest of the day! I used the mask all day without any further complaints. I am still not sure that I am going to like it as much as my old ProFlex, but I am going to try it again this weekend at an indoor field.

[Freelancer-Alpha]

I have found that by putting a drop or 2 or R/C electric motor bushing oil on the bushings of the vortex fan motor it makes it wisper quit for about 2-3 days of use. I have been doing this for about 6 months with my vortex fan and have also noticed better battery life by doing this. you should be able to find this oil at any R/C shop. hope this helps.

[THE Biscuit]

Shadowjackal, on Feb 25 2009, 04:56 AM, said:

I finally got to use my new JT Status on Saturday. My initial impression was not good. The mask started to fog not long into the second game. I had the Vortex going and my mask was still fogging around the edges of the lenses! I was not too happy, until, I flipped the switch the other way (which, I believe, was pulling air out of the mask) this cleared the mask quickly and i had no problems for the rest of the day! I used the mask all day without any further complaints. I am still not sure that I am going to like it as much as my old ProFlex, but I am going to try it again this weekend at an indoor field.

Thanks for updating this thread. I've been looking at the new QLS line and haven't seen many reviews on them. Please keep updating this thread.

Freelancer-Alpha, on Feb 25 2009, 07:55 AM, said:

I have found that by putting a drop or 2 or R/C electric motor bushing oil on the bushings of the vortex fan motor it makes it wisper quit for about 2-3 days of use. I have been doing this for about 6 months with my vortex fan and have also noticed better battery life by doing this. you should be able to find this oil at any R/C shop. hope this helps.

This helps. Love my Vortex fans but they are loud...I'm going to try this!

[Freelancer-Alpha]

the brand of R/C bushing oil I use is Trinity but there are other brands out there. I learned about these while I was racing R/C.

I have thes Status QLS and have used it now for around 3 months and I am very pleased with it.

This post has been edited by Freelancer-Alpha: 25 February 2009 - 05:47 PM

[Shadowjackal]

Freelancer,

Thanks for the tip! I am going to try it this weekend! Now, where to find an R/C shop... Also, as I am always nervous when messing around with small electric parts for fear of ruining them, can you give me specific instructions on how you do this? Is there any place that the oil should not be dripped onto the motor? Do you have to remove the motor from the casing? Thanks!

This post has been edited by Shadowjackal: 26 February 2009 - 05:58 AM

[Freelancer-Alpha]

Shadowjackal, on Feb 26 2009, 06:31 AM, said:

Freelancer,

Thanks for the tip! I am going to try it this weekend! Now, where to find an R/C shop... Also, as I am always nervous when messing around with small electric parts for fear of ruining them, can you give me specific instructions on how you do this? Is there any place that the oil should not be dripped onto the motor? Do you have to remove the motor from the casing? Thanks!

You dont have to remove the motor you can just put a drop or 2 on the bushing behind the fan blades. the oil I get comes in a small bottle with a long metal tip that will reach the bearing behind the fan blade. but I also disassembled mine and using a small drill bit in my dremel I drilled a hole above the bushing at the top of the motor (the side of the casing that has the switch on it) so I could oil both without dissassembling every time.
Here is a link to an online stores bushing oil http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...RCH=bushing+oil , I have bought stuff from them before and they are great to work with.
hope this info helps

This post has been edited by Freelancer-Alpha: 26 February 2009 - 08:37 AM

[Shadowjackal]

WOW! WOW! THANKS! I picked up some of that Trinity oil and applied it as you suggested. What a difference! The fan can still be heard but it is four times quieter than it was. Now, you can hear things going on outside of the mask. This has increased my love for my Vortex II fan immensely. Thank you. This should get tip of the month!

[Shadowjackal]

What a great tip from Freelancer! I used the mask all day Saturday at an indoor field. It ran quiet all day. I have become accustomed to my Status and have to say that I like it as much as my old ProFlex. Great mask. Comfortable and snug. I have even found a way to overcome the irritation of the chin strap without cutting it off. Great mask!

[DVLCHLD]

Thanks for the review. I've been looking at the new JT Status and couldn't decide if I should get it or not. I think I will now. The initial problem you had with slight fogging was probably caused by the fan. Having the fan running the wrong way will do that.

[82ndx]

Wicked to have a review on these. Looking to pick up a new mask pretty quick here. Props.