Which Mask is Right for you?

About a year ago I decided I was going to finally buy a high end pair of goggles. So I take my $130.00 to my local paintball shop and start trying on goggles. I was there at least an hour and just couldn't find anything that felt like it fit me right. All the goggles that look sweet online just sucked when I put them on. I wanted the Sly profit but it didn't fit well either. All the really expensive goggles felt really small on my big keg head. I finally gave up and left. A few days later I just bought a thermal lens Helix for $30.00 just to get me by. I love these goggles. lol  `They're great for mounting the Contour ROAM camera on too.

anyone here using the Dye i4?

i've been using the i3 for many years, and the proto switch prior to that. I've been very fond of the i3, but at further glance the i4 sure looks to have more visibility.

i'm not in the immediate market to replace my i3, but i'm curious on some feedback from the forum.

also, are there any real solid fans on the market that would fit either mask? the i3 fan supply has become darn near extinct with the age of the mask, but i have read often that they are a waste. anti fog works only so well in my experience, unless someone has a better recommendation?

@kendall,

sup man. I am a newb to paintball and ended up purchasing the Dye I4. I had tried all the mask in the store near my house and all of them didn't fit too well on my face. The Dye I3 being one of them. I have a small nose bridge so all the other masks left a gap near my nose and under my eyes. The Dye I4 was the only mask they had that actually felt like it was moulding on my face. It is kind of small, doesn't cover my forehead and lower jawline but covers my chin. It is very light and comfortable because it hugs my face and doesn't feel like its running down my face. I've played for 2 days with the I4 and not once has it fogged up on me but I wonder how well the anti fog lens will work in the summer time. My brother has a $50 dollar JT mask and for me, it is heavy and uncomfortable. The Dye I4 has a premium quality to it. Oh yeah, the I4 also brings comfort to my ears.

RubinOnRye wrote: Got any suggestions for people who wear glasses? I use a cheap mask now mostly because I cut up some of the padding so it would fit my glasses.

Just as s9ac3r has mentioned, your best bet is to go to your nearest paintball store and try out all of the masks they carry with your glasses on.  I have read that after players find a mask that fit well with their glasses, their glasses tend to fog up.  There are several remedies that you can try to alleviate that: anything anti-fog, but notably Fog Doc when applied properly, wipe on a layer of shaving cream or dishwashing soap helps as well.

Or you can go the contact lens route, which I have done.

RubinOnRye wrote: Can you shoot me info for helping keep fog off the masks lens? My glasses won't fog because I got special lenses, not special just can't remember the name, that help prevent fogging in cold weather.  I am currently using the Empire E'Vent Goggles. They fit nicely with my glasses but they tend to fog up, even with the double pain glass.

I'll do one better, rather than keep anti fogging a secret, I'll tell everyone! lol

In regards to the lenses, this will work on almost all types except for the ones that have a anti-fog coating already on them, like the single pane Grill lenses.  The most common would be Fog Doc, I have it and it does work ... to a degree.  Other items were what I have mentioned, foamed shaving cream (not gel) and dishwashing soap.  Put on a layer of either, wipe lightly and let dry.  You can also try Virtue Glint Antifog Lens spray, I have this one and sometimes it's hit and miss in regards to fogging, you have to really follow the directions.

However, if you don't want to go that way, you can go the fan route:

You can purchase already made fans that you can install on your mask.   This is the only one I know off the top of my head:http://fanzkit.com/  You can find this product on many online stores. 

You can go a little bit more expensive and go with the HaberVision Eliminator Auto No-Fog Fan.  They normally go on snowboarding/skiing goggles, but I have used a set and they work well and work automatically!  I actually use this one for a year til I broke it.

Or if you want to do it yourself, just find some really small CPU fans online or local electronic store, hook up a battery and there you go.   However, some CPU fans can get really noisey and you can't really keep it on all the time.

If anything, a combination of anti fog with a fan would work the best.


Edited by Gadget Soldier - 30 January 2013 at 11:53am

Nearly EVERY mask I have ever worn just steams up on me- you'd think my nostrils pointed upwards!