[philip0871]

I am looking for a good budget mask $50 or under. I was considering the Empire Helix, thats the cheapest one I could find with a thermal lens. Anyone have any experience with this mask or any other suggestions? Thanks

[A&MBaller]

Worth the $20 extra

[Orange Chicken]

You could just save up and buy a high end mask and be done with it. Another good mask you can go with is the VForce Grill. Those are great masks, and relatively cheap. I'm not a big fan of my Proflex's honestly, save for the Spectra Foam. The ears are shit, and changing the lenses is *ugh* terrible.

[paintballguy2255]

I say just save up a little more and get the proflex,but if you can get about double the money,then get the E-flexes,as they are basically proflexes done more right.

[Orange Chicken]

Or if you have a smaller face, the I4's are awesome. But if you're on a serious budget, at least go with the Vforce Grills.

[philip0871]

Thanks, Im looking at the Vforce Grills now. Im not a fan of the ProFlex either. Anyone ever use the Proto FS Switch with thermal lens?

[fatalreaction]

i've used both the switch and the proflex's.... its more of a preference thing, i loved my protos they worked great however for me they weren't as comfy as the proflex, but i don't change my lenses that often to really complain about the spectra lens system.

That said if the proto's had the foam or were as customizable as the Proflex's i would have kept them because they too have the flexable lower portion.

[Orange Chicken]

The protos are actually great masks. The only thing that stopped me from getting them when I was buying my first mask was that they are rental masks at my field, and itd look silly to buy my own mask thats the same as the one they have to rent. Kinda like...buying a tippmann 98 for yourself when you can just rent one. But yeah, grills all the way.

[philip0871]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'm going to go with the Proto. For $50 it looks like the best in-between. I'm not really concerned with switching lens or any other parts of the mask. I'm more interested in a comfortable fit, good air flow, a lens that won't fog, and most importantly a low price tag. As for having the same mask as rentals I couldn't care less, the difference is I'm not wallowing in someone elses sweat and saliva.

This post has been edited by philip0871: 23 January 2013 - 11:12 AM

[dustyshouri]

philip0871, on 23 January 2013 - 11:05 AM, said:

I'm not really concerned with switching lens or any other parts of the mask.

You should be. First it makes cleaning the mask a lot easier when you can take the lens out, and second lens don't last forever. If you need to swap it out you'd better hope it's easy. I know with my cheap mask it's an absolute pain to take the lens out. Cleaning is a chore, to say the least. I easily spend a good half an hour just trying to pop the lens out, yet alone getting it back in.

[philip0871]

Is it difficult to take the lens out of the Proto Switch?

[fatalreaction]

no, with practice taking the lense out takes about 30 seconds.... honestly however 95% of the time you don't need to worry about taking your lens out during the day of play....

[PEfanboy]

philip0871, on 23 January 2013 - 02:54 PM, said:

Is it difficult to take the lens out of the Proto Switch?

Not at all. I have the mask. Really easy to maintain and clean. It's amazing for the price.

[bassfisher]

I would also recommend the proto switch. They are a highly under rated mask. As a side note, the lenses are interchangeable with the pro axis.

[asthmaticrhino]

For 50-60 bucks get a profiler. It works fantastically

[Orange Chicken]

High end mask. Maybe something along the cheaper side like some Grillz. But don't skimp on the mask. Ever. Proto Switches are ok, but its a midend meh mask. I use to use them a bunch, and they weren't anything good or that special.

This post has been edited by Orange Chicken: 27 January 2013 - 08:54 PM

[stlpaintballer]

I would buy a thermal proto switch fs mask, or vforce profilers.

This post has been edited by stlpaintballer: 27 January 2013 - 08:04 PM

[BraiNfreeZe]

Orange Chicken, on 22 January 2013 - 10:15 PM, said:

Or if you have a smaller face, the I4's are awesome. But if you're on a serious budget, at least go with the Vforce Grills.

The i3's are pretty good IMO

[Wolfe]

Some will say don't buy a used mask. But, I bought my Profilers used for 35.00 and it hasn't let me down. I've even seen used Events below 50.00. Not a bad way to go.

[Orange Chicken]

Wolfe, on 31 January 2013 - 07:34 PM, said:

Some will say don't buy a used mask. But, I bought my Profilers used for 35.00 and it hasn't let me down. I've even seen used Events below 50.00. Not a bad way to go.

Well it's not that they wouldn't be reliable. It's because it's gross. It's like buying someone else's underwear: it's sweaty, has someone's musk, their wear, their fit, their strap, their cleanliness, and yet they're everywhere, readily available new, just a tad more expensive. However, it's all worth it in the end.