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pbReview.com / Paintball Products / Masks / Goggles / VForce Shield Mask
VForce Shield Mask Reviews
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Number of Reviews: |
248 |
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Average Rating: |
9.2 / 10 |
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Manufacturer Website: |
Click here |
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Suggested Retail Price: |
$50 |
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| SHIELD - For those who want to play all out - you're covered • Sperical lens for maximum peripheral vision Quick-switch lens replacement system - Low profile rigid armor with swivel-hinged throat plate - Clear-vision Thermocured Anti-fog Lens - Durable scratch resistant hardcoat - High-density face foam for superior fit and comfort - Zero-slip silicone pro strap, flexible sun visor and carry bag - Conveniently fits over glasses. Clear Lenses. |
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| Product Availability | |
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| The VForce Shield Mask is newer, so it should be commonly available, both new and used. |
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| Places to Buy | |
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ToddF |
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2003 |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| 3 months | 18 of 19 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
4 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
Brass Eagle Extreme Vision 280 Mask - This is the mask I bought 4 years ago when I began playing paintball. At the time, I chose the Extreme Vision 280 over the Brass Eagle Maxx Vision Mask (the same mask as the VForce Shield Mask when it was being distributed by Brass Eagle instead of VForce). I wear glasses and the 280 has more interior clearance than the Shield. The lens was farther from the glasses frame and the nose foam didn't interfere with my glasses as much. That said, the 280 is heavier and slides around more on your head than the Shield. |
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| Marker Setup: |
Piranha STS w/ LP valve. Running CO2 mounted on a self machined drop forward. CO2 to horz mounted expansion chamber to AA Vigilante LP reg into gun. |
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| Strengths: |
-fits over glasses
-easy change lens
-no fog lens
-secure fit to head
-included visor |
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| Weaknesses: |
-visor hard to remove
-adhesive gets on glasses lenses |
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| Review: |
I bought this mask because I found that lenses were no longer available for my Extreme Vision 280, after taking a couple years off from the sport. I tried a couple other masks on at the store and found that none of them fit as well over my glasses. I was also accustomed to a wide field of view, and although not as good as my old mask, the Shield was better than the others I tried on.
I very much like the chin strap, and unlike some others who have posted reviews, I left it installed. It doesn't have to be at all tight on your chin. What it does is allow you to wear the headband higher up on your head. The chinstrap keeps the mask from sliding up, and the higher positioned headstrap keeps the mask from sliding down. You get a much more secure fit without having to crank up the headband tension. I have had times when I have taken a fall over a downed limb where my old mask would require readjustment on my face, where the new one stays put.
I also like the easy to change lens. When I get home from playing and hop in the shower, I take the mask in with me and use the shower to spray it clean. It is easy to pop out the lens to get all the paint out of the cracks and crevices. This also helps wash the sweat out of the foam and keeps it from getting stinky. When I get out of the shower I shake the loose water off the mask and lens, and let them set overnight to dry. The lens often drys clear with only a hint of water spotting. A damp bathtowl swiped lightly over the dry lens takes off the waterspots and leaves it crystal clear.
I have found that the nose foam comes up a little higher on my face than in my old mask. The foam touches the bottom edges of my glasses and the first couple times I played, I ended up with adhesive smeared on the lower edges of my lenses. It cleaned off fairly easily, but was an unexpected surprise. If your store has multiple masks and you wear glasses, you may want to try on different ones to see if the foam is installed slightly differently in any of them. One may play better with your glasses than the others.
Of the three times I have used this mask, I have not had any mask fogging, though the first time, I got some fog on my glasses. I am used to this level of performance, since my old mask lens was also made by Z-Leader.
The hinged neck guard on this mask provides much better protection than my old mask. I haven't yet experienced the benefits of this in the new mask, but I have been shot in the neck in my old mask where I would be protected by the Shield. That neck shot was one of the most painful hits I've ever taken. It's nice to not have to worry about that now.
Finally, the performance to price ratio for this mask is what really attracted me to it. I was open to getting a mask from another company, but after trying on several, I did not. The others I tried on cost $20 to $30 more and did not fit as well over my glasses. |
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| Conclusion: |
What really sets this mask apart from the others for me were these things:
- Fit over glasses.
- Anti-fog lens.
- Price.
Secondary benefits that I discovered after having made the purchase are:
- Very secure fit when using the chin strap.
- Quick change lens very much improves ease of cleaning.
Biggest drawback is the difficult to remove visor. |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| 3 years | 12 of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
More than 5 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
V Force Morph, JT spectra, JT Proflex, JT Crossfire |
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| Marker Setup: |
Warhammer Aggressor Thor E Bladed Autococker, Palmer pneumatics, Jackyl Machine Delrin Bolt, Air America Uni Reg, Freak Barrel System |
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| Strengths: |
Comfort, Vision, Anti Fogging |
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| Weaknesses: |
face foam adhesive will come loose after long usage |
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| Review: |
The V Force Shield is a good quality mask for the price. There are three versions of this mask currently available.
V Force Shield - Rental ; The only difference between this mask and and the non rental version is the face foam. This model has a hard foam liner and is not as comfortable as the regular version. Comes in several colors.
V Force Shield - Standard; This model has much softer face foam. Again available in several colors.
V Force Shield - Referee; Same as the standard version but only available in yellow.
The V Force shield offers a quick and simple lens removal, yet maintains it's safety integrity. The anti fog coating is superior quality as is vision quality.
Strap sysytem is well thought out and offers a non slip silicone strip for added protection.
I have personally used these masks on many weekends as a referee, and have had great success.
The anti fog coating has a usual life of 6 months with continuous weekend use.
Mask body is rigid, perhaps a drawback for tournament players, but certainly not a problem for recreational or scenario play. |
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| Conclusion: |
This is a good buy for the price. Replacment parts are readily available at most PB stores. Mask is easily maintained. |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| Less than a month | 9 of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
3 months |
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Similar
Products Used: |
VForce Armor mask |
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| Marker Setup: |
-Tippmann 98 Custom
-14" J&J Ceramic barrel
-Pro Team Car Stock
-Pro Team Commando f/x Fore End
-Pro Team Commando f/x Sight Rail/Carry Handle
-Pro Team Intruder Assault expansion chamber
-Tippmann Vertical Adapter |
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| Strengths: |
Durable, protective, easy to clean |
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| Weaknesses: |
None that I noticed |
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| Review: |
The mask has served me well in my time playing paintball. The lense is easy to remove and clean, and the mask has yet to fog up on me (although I do use some anti-fog spray as well). Protects well against headshots; I've been nailed in the right temple and felt nothing. A very dependable mask. |
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| Conclusion: |
I would highly recommend this product to paintball players both new and old who are looking for a mask to protect them from the rigors of the sport. I haven't tested a great number of masks, but there's nothing about this one that suggests it should receive anything below the best marks. |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| Less than a month | 6 of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
3 months |
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Similar
Products Used: |
JT mask (v-force is way better) |
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| Marker Setup: |
spyder aggressor with pmi 200 round hopper,20oz tank w/ butt plate |
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| Strengths: |
the neck shield |
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| Weaknesses: |
it slips (how to stop this i've written below) |
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| Review: |
this mask is very good for beginers. it does slip but here how to fix that. most masks come with a chin strap, clip that behind your neck and tightin it. after i got a direct hit right above the eyesi figured it out.
the neck shield is very protective. when i was using my JT mask i was hit in the neck and it hurt (not as much as a forhead shot thought) the neck protecter helps a lot
the lens is crystal clear and are easy to replace and clean all have to do is lift the plastic things at the ends of the lens where the strap attaches and push the lens out |
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| Conclusion: |
this mask it worth buying i'm giving this an 8 because it slipped on me but if it didn't i would have giving it a 10 |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| 3 months | 5 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
3 months |
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Similar
Products Used: |
JT Xfire, never played in, but worn |
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| Marker Setup: |
Spyder Xtra, SP 12" Teardrop, Empire Reloader |
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| Strengths: |
Very clear lenses, lenses easy to remove, comfort, price, no fog |
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| Weaknesses: |
No soft sections, visor difficult to remove |
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| Review: |
This is the only mask I've ever actually played in, so I don't have anything to compare too. I can tell you though, that this is a good mask. The lenses create no distortion of vision and I have never had them fog. Last weekend it was 80* outside, pouring rain, no fog. Compared to the JT masks, this thing is the easiest thing in the world to clean. Pull on two tabs, pull out the lenses, clean. All done. Mask has very soft foam that absorbs sweat, very nice. Also, the strap has silicon to keep it from sliding, may want to wear a hat to help even more if you have a problem, I have had no sliding issues.
The downsides of this mask are few, but they do exist. The visor is held in place with 4 o-rings which are right behind the top part of the lense, if that makes sense. You have to put your fingers into where the lense is to take off or put on these 4 tiny orings, which is kinda a pain. However, I have no need to take the visor off now that its on, and I'm sure it wont ever come off by accident. Second downside is the lack of soft areas on the mask that flex and can create bounces.
Also should note that the mask comes with a neck strap and neck guard which you can put on, but I did not, so I'm not sure how those work.
Edit: After using it a few more times, I'm just not sure how great this mask is. although I love the easy removal of lenses, the mask just always seems loose, I tried on a profiler and an invision, and with the DYE mask most of all, it just feels like its hugging on to your face. My shield feels like its just kinda hangin on. No danger of falling off or anything, and yes I know how to tighten the strap, but its just not quite there. Also, Today I played in some rainy, hot, humid conditions and it was getting to the point where it was foggy enough that i could barely see. About everyother game I had to go in to wipe it down, then it went right back to fog. |
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| Conclusion: |
I would most definetly recomend this mask to anyone going into the sport, or a recball player looking for a new mask. I got my mask for $40, definetly a good deal for such a great mask. Allthough I'm sure you can find better masks, these will be higher prices, so for a best "bang for your buck" can't go wrong with this mask. |
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| Rating: |
| 7 out of 10 | Last edited on Saturday, July 3rd, 2004 at 6:09 pm PST |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| 3 months | 4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
3 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
JT Spectra Flex-8 |
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| Marker Setup: |
PMI Piranha |
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| Strengths: |
Great field of vision
Thermal lens - no fog
Narrow profile
Lightweight
Easy to clean |
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| Weaknesses: |
Not a true dual-pane thermal lens |
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| Review: |
I play only occasionally, going out a couple of times a year for the past few years. I finally got tired of playing with the low-quality field rental goggles that have tunnel vision and fog up, so I decided to buy my own mask, with field of vision and anti-fog being my primary criteria. I bought the V-Force Shield ($45) and my brother bought the JT Spectra Flex-8 ($60). We traded masks halfway through our game this past weekend to compare and I was very impressed with the Shield.
Field of Vision: Great field of vision - almost total peripheral vision.
Fogging: The Shield has an anti-fog lens and had didn't fog at all during the 4 hours of woods play. We were playing in pretty ideal conditions - about 65 degrees and low humidity, but still - no fog at all.
Fit: This mask is lightweight with a narrow profile. It has full face and ear coverage. The nose and mouth coverage is shaped to prevent pinching your nose. The most comfortable mask I've worn.
Cleaning: The lens is very easy to remove from the mask. There are two clips, one at each temple, that pop out and then the lens itself is popped out. It took less than 30 seconds to disassemble. Reassembly is equally easy. |
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| Conclusion: |
A great mask at a reasonable price. I'd strongly recommend this to anyone looking for a mask under $50. |
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| Rating: |
| 10 out of 10 | Last edited on Tuesday, November 20th, 2007 at 6:37 am PST |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| Less than a month | 3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
2 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
JT envader (Worse) |
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| Marker Setup: |
Spyder TL Plus, 12' Empire 2-Piece |
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| Strengths: |
No Fog, Easy Cleaning, Looks sick |
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| Weaknesses: |
People always shoot me in it :P |
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| Review: |
I love it, came with allot of accessories for a goggle and even a bag which is nice to protect it. I was playing wood ball today with and i was running all over the place, and it stayed right where it should of!! I am not used to that haha i have to hold mine up usually. Definitely worth it!!!! |
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| Conclusion: |
A great mask to start with and even for experienced ones! |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| Less than a month | 3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
2 years |
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Similar
Products Used: |
Piece of shi* rentals |
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| Marker Setup: |
Tippmann A-5 14" Smart Parts Teardrop barrel 2x trigger 32degrees coil remote 68/4500 carbon fiber wrapped compressed air tank |
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| Strengths: |
Very comfortable wide field of view Quick-change lens NO FOG!! |
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| Weaknesses: |
None...GREAT MASK |
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| Review: |
When I looked into which mask would be the best for me on this site just like you are now. This mask handsdown looked to be the best mask for what you pay for it and that's exactly how it is....If your going to get this mask get in green because it looks hella cool and you don't need to go off and buy a 100dollar mask with fans in it in order to play paintball. |
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| Conclusion: |
Go buy it now you won't regret it. |
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| Rating: |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| 1 year | 3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
1 year |
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Similar
Products Used: |
Other V-force masks |
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| Marker Setup: |
Spyder Xtra with a progressive barrel modified bolt and striker normal hopper and a 48/3000 hpa tank. |
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| Strengths: |
Wide view
Neck protection
Looks good
Price
Easy lens change
No fog |
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| Weaknesses: |
I just got a new lens and no fog(fogged before).
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| Review: |
Well when on the sight that I bought it there was two types of shield masks a rental and a normal the rental being cheaper which I thought was because you don't get a goggle bag but it may be because of the lens. When I played with it the first time it worked great but then the next time it fogged so bad I could have cried and the same with all the other times I used it. The thing is the lenses on V-force masks are not thermal like on a JT mask but they have an anti fog coating that wares off. Another thing is this mask works great for some people but bad for others, my friend has a beat up pare but they work great for him and my new ones work bad for me so I think it is how you face is shaped which effects air flow or something. So you should test a beat up pair first or just buy a thermal JT Spectra which I think is a good idea. (edit)I just bought a new lens and now they work great so instead of 5 Im going to give it 9 because it works great, but originally worked bad. |
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| Conclusion: |
You should test the mask first and don't buy the rental one buy the normal one or a JT with thermal lenses. I give it a five because it did work and works great for some people but bad for me and maybe it is my fault for buying the rental version. Got new lens works fine now so by them there great. |
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| Rating: |
| 9 out of 10 | Last edited on Friday, June 11th, 2004 at 10:12 am PST |
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Period of
Product Use: |
| 1 year | 3 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Paintball
Experience: |
1 year |
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Similar
Products Used: |
rental ( maby a jt?) its a rental what do you expect
put on my friends' jt, some cheap mask and the knock off of the v-force cant rember the name the weren't as good |
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| Marker Setup: |
spyder xtra, empire sound activated loader, co2 (i hate being poor), madman spring kit |
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| Strengths: |
clear visiblity
comfortable
covers a lot
lenses change fast and easy
looks cool |
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| Weaknesses: |
nothing really |
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| Review: |
great mask has the no slip strap covers you a lot looks great the only problem i have had was it was a little hard to clean cause i had to take my visor off but thats ok and that the no fog stuff they put on the inside smears with any moisture and also if you happen to get a mask hit and paint leakes up in side that part will lose most of its no fog
but ill deal with all that to have the mask with the clearest lenses
(yes they did auctaly test them in a lb and it was found v-force were clearest) |
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| Conclusion: |
great
buy it
a little pricy for the mask and replace ment lenses but they are almost imposable to break they wont even crack after constant hits |
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| Rating: |
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| Places to Buy | |
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