PRESS RELEASE:
DYE Precision Incorporated Releases Latest Commercial Spot “AXIS PRO PATTERNS”.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

San Diego, California (June 12, 2009) – DYE Precision Incorporated today released their latest commercial spot “AXIS PRO PATTERNS” showcasing the latest update to their highly acclaimed Proto Axis Pro Goggle System.

The spot features the latest Proto Axis Pro Goggles in the Enigma and Hollywood patterns, giving them a stylish new look. The goggles will be available June 22nd, 2009.

For more information on the new Axis Pro Patterns featured on the spot, please visit: www.protopaintball.com

Direct link to “AXIS PRO PATTERNS”.
http://www.youtube.com/DYEPAINTBALLVIDEO

For more information contact:
DYE Precision, Inc.
10637 Scripps Summit Court
San Diego, California 92131
P. 858.536.5183
F. 858.536.5191

I have used this mask for several games, both outside in the cold, and indoor in an urban combat scenario. At all times the mask has largely kept free from misting (although I did use anti-fogging compound), even when going from inside (hot, and humid) to outside (cold and dry) without any need to use the Vortex II fan. There is very good vision through the dual pane thermal lens, which have proved to be strong enough to withstand paint hitting from close range(!) and resistant to scratches through removal of debris during a game and cleaning after the game. It is lightweight and with the contoured foam eye piece, is comfortable to wear continuously for a number of hours. The construction is robust enough to keep its shape when stored in a soft helmet bag in my kit bag with little deformation.

I had bought the purpose-built Vortex II fan in case I needed it, but to be honest, I only use it to cool my face rather than clear the lens! The Vortex II can be a noisy beast, but a drop of gun grease on the impeller bearing quickly sorts it out. Don’t use oil as it sprays!

Cleaning the mask is a labour intensive task. Thankfully, the peak is easily removed and the fan fixes to the ventilation holes on the brow without any alteration to the mask. Unfortunately, the goggles do not come off entirely without unthreading the strap, but can be ‘displaced’ to allow thorough cleaning of the rest of the face mask. Reassembly requires strong fingers and some petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to ease the location pins into their positions. Thankfully, this level of cleaning is rarely required as the mask can usually be simply cleaned with warm soapy water, a soft cloth and toothbrush to get into the smaller crevices.

The mask provides good protection to the face, ears and chin. Although there is no covering to the top or rear of the head which may be an issue for some users, it does allow a helmet to be worn with the minimum of modification. The chin-strap is useless. It does not stay tight to the chin despite repeated setting. Despite that, the mask does not move about on my face even when running or crawling through undergrowth.

Advantages:

• Excellent vision in all environmental conditions
• Lightweight with good face protection
• Replacement single and dual pane lenses are available
• Good value for money.

Disadvantages:

• Can be difficult to re-assemble
• Goggles cannot be easily replaced
• Chin-strap does not stay in place.
  

Conclusion/Verdict:

While this is clearly a budget mask, it offers many features found on more expensive versions. The dual pane thermal lens stay clear under even the most arduous of conditions and the protection given to the face is excellent. This is surely the most important feature of any mask and although it has faults, overall it is a very capable piece of equipment and highly recommended for new starters.

If only it was easy to disassemble for cleaning, it would have got 5 stars!

Forum Discussion

By: Tony Smith

Date:19-03-09

Manufacturers Website: JT USA

Price:£35.00

Rating:

Setup: Dual pane clear thermal lens, with & without Vortex II fan

JT Elite Alpha Mask Gallery

[Show as slideshow]

The most recent model to come from V Force, the Grills feel as good as they look – offering you over 12 different variations of colours.

With a mixture of ridged plastic and rubber they offer a great deal of protection for a vast variety of head shapes and sizes (and lets face it, there are some big heads out there). The chunky foam around the eyes and optional side padding along with the light weight design make these goggles a dream to wear for long periods. Along with the great ventilation and ‘Thermo-cured’ lenses, its rare that you will ever suffer from fogging up mid game.

Its obvious that V Force have put a great deal of thought into the design of these goggles. The simple yet highly effective design gives the (largely thrown-about) term ‘quick disassembly’ a whole new meaning, letting you change lenses within a matter of seconds. Anyone who’s ever owned a pair JT Flew 8′s (including myself) will greatly appreciate this thoughtfulness. But not only can you change lenses quickly, you have a good choice of replacements too, including a variety of colours in: tinted, mirrored and my person favourite photochromatic.

Unfortunately all this doesn’t tend to come cheap, at and RRP around the £70/£75 mark they’re not the most expensive goggles on the market but they’re certainly up there. Although saying that, a quick search on the internet should help you pick up a pair for around £60.

Advantages:

• Extremely comfortable
• Great coverage/field of view
• Great choice of lenses

Disadvantages:

• Expensive
• No Fan
  

Conclusion/Verdict:

All in all the best goggles I’ve ever owned/used, so much so I own two pairs. The only reason I didn’t give them 5 stars was due to the fact that you are unable to pick up at fan for them, which to be totally honest hasn’t really bothered me as these babies have never fogged up on me. Piece of cake to disassemble, great choice of lenses and of course they look bloody brilliant!

Forum Discussion

By: Jay (Altair)

Date:16-03-09

Manufacturers Website: V Force

Price:£60.00-£75.00

Rating:

Setup: V Force Grills, Photochromatic Lens

V Force Grills Gallery

[Show as slideshow]

The product I will be reviewing today ladies and gentlemen is the Proto Switch line of paintball masks. Now the first thing you should know is that being made by Dye (as proto is a subsidiary made by dye) is that you are getting good quality from a respected company.

Second is that proto gear although usually good doesn’t normally meet the same level as its big brother, however at about half the price it’s a good trade off, anyway on to the review.

The Switch line of masks come in two Forms EL (cheapest) and FS (better). The differences between the 2 as far as profile and styling are almost nothing, with the main difference being construction material. The EL mask is made of hard plastic all the way through, where as the mouth piece/grill on the FS is made of a softer, bendable plastic meaning more likely to bounce rather than break.

The FS also comes with an Anti-fog lens as standard, where as the El does not. For these reasons, I will be concentrating on the FS for the duration of this review however most of it will translate back to the EL. First is that this is what I call a full coverage mask, meaning that it not only protects your face but a good portion of your neck and your ears. The advantage of this is that if you get hit you won’t feel it as much, and you also don’t have to buy new ear protection pieces when your old ones fall off, unlike some other masks. However this also means that the mask has a much larger profile then some of the more expensive, more compact, masks. This means you’re more likely to get paint in your face then a ball whistling past your ear. However this again is also a trade of price wise.

Another advantage of this mask is that it is comfortable, or at least I found it was, and fits securely to your face, which as far as masks go is a fairly important feature. My personal favourite feature of this mask however is nothing to do with performance as far as a mask is concerned, I’ll get to that later, but to do with simply looks. Being a reviewer I try and keep my reviews subjective and not let personal opinions come into it too much but this mask just looks awesome.
The shape and styling of this mask reminds me vaguely of a certain green armoured space marine, that I won’t name in case of copyright. And being a big fan of the said video game character this is certainly a huge plus. However personal opinions aside back to the review, again.

Performance wise this mask works well the mask didn’t fog while playing all day and during a 30 minute woods ball game that is very important. Another important thing to mention is that while running and sliding it didn’t slip or shake at all even without the chin strap it comes with. Speaking of which I should really tell you the features of this mask, well like most it comes with a chin strap ( became common after a baller sued for his mask getting shot off. Which incidentally I did to my friend Jamie) and although I don’t like them personally it’s nice to see.

The only bad thing is that if you are inclined like me to remove it you have to cut it off. Lens switching is also very fluid with this mask you don’t have to spend ages taking it apart, you simply rotate to “locks” the strap is attached to , remove this and your lens place in the new one and lock back in place, Easy. Like most masks it comes in a Varity of colours including, blue, red, camo ECT and also has a range of the standard lenses of clear, amber, mirrored, smoke. The mask has an optional shade visor/peak to keep the rain/sun out of your lens and although it is a nice idea and looks cool, it again increases the profile of the mask meaning you would be better off with a headband. A good mask , not the best , but certainly not the worst.

Advantages:

• Cheap
• Doesen’t fog
• Can upgrade to include fan
• Fits face well
• Looks like a well known games character helmet

Disadvantages:

• Large profile
• Fan is loud
• Hearing muffled slightly
• Smells after a long day…

Conclusion/Verdict:

All in all I think that this is a good mask, especially for the price, which is under £30 in case I forgot to mention that. There are some faults with it such as a largish profile, reduced hearing and it itches mid game if you sweat as much as me … which is a lot. But these are all tradeoffs to do with personal preference and price rather than performance, if you’re looking for a good solid mask that’s cheap and performs well then look no further, and if you’re sad and like to think you look like a Spartan whilst wearing it, then seek mental help.

Forum Discussion

By: Kem

Date:10-03-09

Manufacturers Website: Proto

Price:£29.00

Rating:

Setup: Proto Switch mask

Proto Switch Gallery

[Show as slideshow]