Next step in PB goggle technology: magnetic interchangeable lenses

[the_matrix_guy]

The next logical step in PB goggle tech seems to be magnetic interchangeable lenses. Just about every skiing goggle system has them now, and historically: we've always adapted their technology. Hence why companies that make skiing goggles like Scott delved into the PB industry for a while. I think it's only a matter of time before we start seeing them in the PB space.

Thanks for reading,

TMG

[pghp8ntballer]

I don’t ski so I’m not up to snuff on ski goggle technology. It sounds neat but this sounds like a potentially dangerous idea in paintball. Most paintball goggle lens changes now are under 1 minute. Heck V-force has that speed for 20 years or so now. How much faster is really needed?

My concern is the lens not being locked into the goggle. For paintball, this is a must. A wrong hit could be catastrophic. So if you have a locking mechanism for the lens, it would seem to negate the purpose of magnetic retention.

After disengaging the side lens clips on my profiler mask, which only takes 5 seconds each side, all I do is push in on the one large lens tab on each side of the lens and pop the the lens out. So in well under half a minute I can remove my lens. It’s my understanding that several other mask manufacturers use similar quick lens removal designs.

so magnetic lens retention sounds cool, but seems pointless and potentially hazardous.

[the_matrix_guy]

pghp8ntballer I agree that the current fastening system works well. But the magnetic lenses sit really tight. I mean really tight. You gotta wrap your finger tips around the lens and pry em out. They use a lot of little high-quality magnets. But I still think it's a faster more convenient system than the current retention clip system once you get used to them.

I'm waiting on a compressor to fill from home. My local shops and fields are still closed. Once I get my compressor I might make a test video and shoot ropes into one to see what happens. I don't think it'll budge, even if I shoot it from the side which is something I was thinking about as a weak point. If you shoot it from a side angle with a string of paint, I thought that could maybe unfasten it, but I still don't think it could. We'll see

[Diomedes]

If people are iffy about it, we could have simple plastic clips that don't "lock" the lens, but just retain it, while the magnets do the locking.

Would that significantly increase the price of lenses?

[Bulldogr6]

Are ski goggles required to pass ASTM or PECC testing?


The V force lens system is very nice but the new JT Proflex x pro change is awesome! I bought a Proflex X just to ruffle the feathers of my JT fanboi buddies lol. They go out of their way to shoot me in the mask when i wear it


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[Toestr]

From what I remember of seeing of ski goggle testing on "How It's Made", they have a large steel ball fired at them from up close.

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[Chuck E Ducky]

Meh I like my Proflex the best and it’s lens change process is one of the worst. I don’t care how long it take or how hard it is to change a lens. I just want durable ones so I don’t have to change them all the time. Dual pain HD lens everything please that I could get behind.

[Jonnydread]

Would that significantly increase the price of lenses?

I have the inclination that it would just due to more expensive materials.

After destroying my fingers on early JT lenses, using V-force & Virtue goggles is mind-blowingly easy.

[Ecapnation]

No way never going to happen for the likes of the impact that a paintball mask needs to endure. Considering that I had once had a vents lens shot clear off it's mounting points from a weird uphill shot I even stopped trusting quick release mask lenses.

And before anybody says anything yes the earpieces and locks were in place it hit at the bottom of the lens, and pushed the lens up and out of the seam it sits in

[Cyberpyr8]

I think a magnetic system to put the lens in place with some locking tabs or mechanism would be good. I don't want to have to pull it with the straps or use some cheap plastic tab like we do now. I would feel better having magnets pull it together and then just lock it in for extra stability. Think how much easier that would be.

[Flounder]

I don’t change lenses often enough for this to be any real benefit to me.

[Trbo323]

I . So if you have a locking mechanism for the lens, it would seem to negate the purpose of magnetic retention.
.

This is somewhat presuming that current locking systems always work and are fool proof though.


I certainly wouldn't say that. There's a reason dye drastically changed the lens retention system between the i4 and i5 even though they use the same lens. With the 4 you can put the mask together with everything looking correct but the lens is not actually locked in

The empire helix/e vents and e flex all use the same strap retention system that uses little plastic locks. It's an ok design except that everyone seems to lose the little locks and while yes it's a very low chance but at that point there is nothing preventing the strap from rotating up and coming off of it's post on either side of the mask

I doubt we will see magnets in lenses, we already have $50-60 lenses, anyone up for a $100 lens? No?

Magnetic locks though, I could see that

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[spikeball]

A hinged magnetic lock on the sides is what I envision for the next mask lens update. This might be the best blend of ease of use as well as security. I'm no engineer though so I can't picture what that would look like.

[pghp8ntballer]

Not saying it isn’t possible. I would like to see the idea. There is always room for improvement. And the V force designs are good, but not wonderful. I only have experience with their stuff and the old JT nonsense from the late 90’s to mid 2000’s.

Trbo, you read my mind about cost.

[Axel]

VForce Armor, just the basic blister pack or rental mask, best underrated piece of equipment out there. Toolless lens change in 30 seconds flat, I kid you not. Why other companies, and even VForce on their other products, make it any more complicated I will never understand

[SignOfZeta]

...pointless crap nobody needs. Therefore, I’m sure it will be on the Dye i6, and I’m sure the Dye i6 will be too small for %25 of the people who buy it just like the i5 and the i4. They will “invest” in the magnets before they “invest” in ditching “one size fits all” because it’s easier to market gimmicks than quality, especially to paintball people who seem to be, aggregately, the most aggressively willing to be hoodwinked group of dim bulbs I can name outside of a Tony Robbins convention.

So in short, yeah, you’re right. We’ll probably see it, but I’ll still use a Flex.

[cellophane]

Love the way the Dye masks look. Hate the way they fit. +1

[Grendel]

I'm with you the cost/benefit analysis would doubtfully have enough benefit to warrant the change. I was okay with how my original Vents and Spectra's retained their lenses really never saw the need for quick change since I usually bring multiple goggles with me to an event. Only reason I have moved on to Empire E Vents style is because I could no longer keep my other goggles supplied with replacement parts and I got tired of "fighting" with the fields' "Karen".