[VirtusMaster]

What if there was a mask that instead of plastic attached to goggles in typical paintball fasion, you had a (just for visualization) army helmet with one of those clear full face shields attached to protect your face. I've never worn such a shield... But I think it would offer a much better field of view and do away with that clastrophbic feeling you can get from a mask. Possible issues I forsee though are... 1- I don't know how it would do fog wise 2- I don't know if it would be able to protect your whole face and 3- I wonder if the shields are made from anyting that the ASTM or PECC would certify... Let me know what you guys think! Something like that would be pretty easy to fab up in your garage...

[Tommikka]

No
It does not protect the face adequately
Even if the lens is to standard there are gaps on either side and under the chin

[Down Range Pain]

lol my mask has gaps on the side and under the chin...thats what i get for getting a walmart mask

[Tommikka]

Hopefully not wide gaping gaps on either side of your eyes, and wide open from your chin to your eyes

Goggles protect your eyes, plus nose & mouth

Breathing holes do mean you can get hit in the mouth with paint, but it's a far cry from direct impact on your lip or teeth

Old school paintballers were not necessarily toothless due to being country hicks. Use of workshop goggles contributed to the facial features of early paintballers

Basically if it's not an approved paintball goggle then its not used

If ithey do not fit your face the you need other goggles

[VirtusMaster]

I don't know what kind of masks they have in the uk, but I've never seen a mask that protected under your chin anyway. If the shield came down at the correct angle it would be plenty of protection from those "I was looking straight up in the sky for some reason and your shot went under my mask and exploded on my nostrils" shots. Assume the shield was wide enough to not leave gaps on the side... Would anyone wear such protection because of the bennefit of comfort and increased vision?

[The Stuntman]

Standard "riot style" masks are not safe for paintball & shouldnt be used...

...but Im sure its not impossible to make a similar system designed specifically for paintball. Now that I think about it, it seems odd that no paintball company has tried to do anything like that. Nothing you'd want to build in your garage though...

[Tommikka]

VirtusMaster, on 16 August 2011 - 10:55 PM, said:

I don't know what kind of masks they have in the uk, but I've never seen a mask that protected under your chin anyway. 

Same kind as in the US
There is not protection under the chin, but I am trying to put in a few words about the difference between a riot lens and paintball goggles

The riot lens is a long way forward from the face.  It is just a shield attached to the helmet, plus allows for a gas mask to be worn

Standards for paintball goggles require amongst other things:
Eye protection
Face protection
Ear protection
Main strap
Chin strap

[slinkyaroo]

You'd be hitting your shield with the marker unless you hold your marker a foot away.

[VirtusMaster]

Ah. Good points all around. The best one was about having to hold your marker away from your face. That's no good if you're trying to use a red dot or anything... I suppose though if these masks were made for paintballing and were not actually riot masks then all of the problems would be solved. I don't think the shield would be much further from your face than a normal mask anyway... Or would need to be. I'm just completely speculating at all this anyhow. But thanks for your replies guys!

[Tommikka]

Contrary up my opinion on these not being suitable for paintball I'd say a red dot is still usable when you cant get it close to your face

A red dot should not be used like other sights close to your face with one eye. It should be used with both eyes open and by tricking your brain and focusing on the target you can see the red dot projected onto your target.

For them as goggles though if they were resolved to give the appropriate cover such as closing up gaps,were of appropriate materiel to standard - and marked as approved for paintball then I'd be happy with them

[Shipwreck!]

This isn't a bad idea at all. If someone makes a sheild with adequate side coverage, which wouldn't be difficult at all, this could probably sell. Only thing is, if you're running a stock, yeah it will be an even bigger pain to aim with than a regular mask probably. But if you're not running a stock, then it'll be fine whether using irons or optics. Except scopes but there's no reason for that in paintball anyway haha!

But a face shield isn't the only option for enhanced field of view either, there are lots of ways to make a lens with better field of view. Case in point the Navy MCU2P gass mask:



Wayyyy better than regular goggles for field of view and STILL keeps a lower profile, making it easier to aim in too!

[Eagle Eye]

lol, have you ever tried to run (or do any kind of physical activity) in a gas mask? It sucks hardcore.

[Shipwreck!]

Of course, you don't get those things without having to do that kind of stuff in them. It sucks more with an SCBA though, and it sucks even more after an OC qual when you're reflashing in your mask and can't do anything about it. But none of that is the point. The point is if you made a paintball mask with a LENS like this without making it an actually sealed gas mask, you'd have a kick ass field of view and wouldn't suck to work in any more than any other paintball mask...

[IrishMack]

Why not just get Angel Eyes...you don't really need more view than that..

[I.K.E.]

IrishMack, on 21 August 2011 - 09:18 PM, said:

Why not just get Angel Eyes...you don't really need more view than that..

Sometimes you do.......


I hate being trapped in my mask.