What Mask Do You Use?

[Grendel]

Empire E-Vents no complaints other then they are not making them anymore[?]

[Chuck E Ducky]

What are you using the mask for. I still prefer my flex over everything for rec. When I play competitively I run a VIO with an HD lens from the bunker king line. The only benefit the new masks have are abilities to change lenses out easy and a smaller profile. So when snap shooting the upper outside corner and lower part of the mask is often the first thing exposed. Flex are wide at the bottom protects yah neck but also gives you away on an xball field where milliseconds count. That’s why you see all these high end masks that fit super close to your face. What you lose in profile you lose in coverage.

I have an i5 ratchet strap is junk I had to buy a new one because it broke. Foam while soft is not durable at all. lenses are the best in the industry hands down. Great mask crap Durability. I still got one but I don’t use it much.

Love my Flex but hate the Eflex it sticks out far from your face as if you have a weight hanging off your forehead, the bottoms are harder the the old Flex. It Don’t help the only time I have lost a mask on the field in 17+ years of play was with an eflex. Almost cost me an eye at at PSP event. Straps were designed to hold on someone with a 5 gal bucket head. Don’t know if they got tighter straps but that mask sucked in every way. If you get one I suggest you double strap it with a flex strap. Except for the quick change lens with those stupid clips ( I suggest you ducktape them in) they would get lost regularly. Then the ears flip up and you get nice welts behind the ear. That mask is down right dangerous.

Push are nice they come with an awesome case and lenses are really nice. I don’t like there profile and they don’t fit my face very well, and they are about $150 over priced. But people pay it so maybe not. They are comfortable.

If you are looking for something to improve on the flex there isn’t much out there. Unless you are willing to trade profile for coverage. That’s why I keep my Flex and use a VIO based on what my days play looks like.

[Cunha]

I also use a flex and waste a lot of money going through new masks to confirm that they suck for comfort / breath ability in comparison.

I really like the i4 because it is cut so short that I can get my jaw on a tank or stock without moving the mask at all but it feels like I’ve got my own mouth breathing into my ear it’s a huge disadvantage when you need to hear your opponents like in the woods.

its my favorite other mask.

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

Empire eflex, but my favorite mask is this

[ford]

Hello, another long time flex-7 advocate here. However, I'm done with the Spectra / Flex line. Whoever is making the lenses has ruined the mask for me. After my 3rd lens started bubbling/peeling after minimal use I felt like I'd be insane to keep supporting these folks.

I had a stint using Profilers and if you could easily replace the foam I'd probably still be wearing them.

Just before the pandemic I switched to the BK CMD and I'm pretty happy with them, but haven't tested them any in the wild. They seem to breath fairly well, vision is good... I've never had problems changing flex lenses so the different lens system really doesn't matter to me.

[Trbo323]

Empire E-Vents no complaints other then they are not making them anymore[?]

Huh yeah, at least ans doesn't have them in any real capacity

Most parts work with the helix though

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[Toestr]

Hello, another long time flex-7 advocate here. However, I'm done with the Spectra / Flex line. Whoever is making the lenses has ruined the mask for me. After my 3rd lens started bubbling/peeling after minimal use I felt like I'd be insane to keep supporting these folks.

I had a stint using Profilers and if you could easily replace the foam I'd probably still be wearing them.

Just before the pandemic I switched to the BK CMD and I'm pretty happy with them, but haven't tested them any in the wild. They seem to breath fairly well, vision is good... I've never had problems changing flex lenses so the different lens system really doesn't matter to me.

Ya GI had issues with their Spectra lenses. Not even like it was one bad batch or anything either. People were complaining for a couple YEARS about issues like that. They've supposedly fixed it now, but I imagine many retailers still have the bad ones.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[Chuck E Ducky]

New ones are better but 2x the cost and it barely extended the life of the lens. I run new old stock because I trust a 10+ year old lens better then the new China junk they are selling.

[Ecapnation]

I go back and forth between flex 8's and proflexes... Short stint with push goggles but they felt tiny

[autococker04]

I’m always amazed at how many people like proflexs, but go with something else because the lenses are hard to change. How often are you guys swapping lenses that this is a problem??

That being said, proflex.

[Chuck E Ducky]

On my old thin frame flex I take it out occasionally to clean around the frame. I have never switched lenses at a field or mod way threw the day. I don’t get it why it’s so important for quick change lens. I can change my we’ll worn in Thin frame flex lens easier then my Vio because my old fat fingers have a hard time pushing the lil clips in.

[ford]

Yea, I don't understand the, 'it's hard to change' argument... Even when I was 14 or 15 my weak ass little boy hands had no trouble changing the lens...

[lew]

I've used JT Spectra/Proflexes since I could afford my first set 20+ years ago.

[The Inflicted]

I’m always amazed at how many people like proflexs, but go with something else because the lenses are hard to change. How often are you guys swapping lenses that this is a problem??

That being said, proflex.

It's not just swapping lenses- it's being able to properly clean the paint and gunk out of the frame around the lens.
After 23 years of using them, I'm also dedicated to the Spectra platform but went to E-Flex frames and I made my own ears.

[autococker04]

I think that my standards for clean are much lower than a lot of people on here. My lens typically comes out once a year and goes straight into the trash. After a day of play I wipe it off, stick it in its bag and it stays there until next Sunday.

[lew]

I’m always amazed at how many people like proflexs, but go with something else because the lenses are hard to change. How often are you guys swapping lenses that this is a problem??

That being said, proflex.

I swap lenses maybe once a year. It's not the most convenient system, but it doesn't take me long, and the comfort and visibility of the mask make lens swapping a non-issue.

[Jonnydread]

Currently I bounce between a Grill and a Vio Extend. Both are comfortable and have easy-to-change lenses, the foam on the Vio is nicer. If my masks are comfortable I don't notice much else. I've been curious about some of the high-end masks, but I'm more of the "if it ain't broken don't fix it" mentality.

[glaman5266]

I've tried some different masks since the mid-2000s, but I actually went back to an old JT Proshield. Had a Proflex years ago, loved it except my ears kept hurting during longer scenario games (I wear glasses... under the soft ears...). So I tried about a half dozen other masks before settling on an Empire Eflex. Good mask, but then I got busted in the chops for, like, 3 straight play days. I said no more, & found an old JT Proshield in a Spyder package on eBay. Been using that ever since. One of the old ones too- JTJTJTJT foam, rubber visor. They're still made today (different ears, foam...) if you're interested.

I might use my Eflex for reffing or something, but I'll never go back to a soft lower for play days. Screw that. I don't care how well it breathes. I'm not getting busted in the chops like that anymore.

The only other mask I'd consider wearing over my Proshield is a Virtue VIO. Tried a friend's on and they're super comfy, even with glasses.

[alpha_q_up]

I have roughly 12 or so Flex's and maybe 3 others in parts, 2 e-vents, 2 e-flex, and a v-force grillz, you can guess what ones I use the most, I started with my e-vents then graduated to the e-flex and used that for years my gf bought me the grillz for Christmas one year, I save those for rainy days cause for some spectacular reason it seems like they never fog on me