Posted by: Tom Sparkman on October 05, 2003 at 22:04:06

: I recently participated in my first senario game. I was very disappointed with my Scott mask which came bundled with Tippmann Custom 98. I have played with this mask in rec games several times and found it to be adequate. However, it lacked the field of view I would have liked. : After much thougth on the matter, I began to wonder why face shields were not used by paintball players. Further investigation indicated that face shields used by factory workers are required to withstand a steel ball about the size of a paintball moving at 300 fps at the time of impact by OSHA regulation ANSI Z87.1. This minimum level of protection is above what is required for paintball, as few fields allow guns firing at 300 fps and a paintball is not a steel ball. Furthermore, lexan shields are available providing protection in the same test up to 500 fps. The sheilds are available in sizes as large as 9" x 15.5", large enough to cover from the brow to the base of the neck and behind both ears. This allows FULL visability, unobstructed by anything. Furthermore, the fact that the sheild is open on three ends allows substantial gas exchange, preventing fogging. Finally, I have yet to find any face shield that cost more than $26 dollars (except Infrared absorbing models for working with high energy lasers, these are $30-35). : As such, I wonder if these sorts of eye protection are legal in paintball. If they are, why are they not used more frequently? : Thanks for the help. No, they aren't allowed. Paintball goggles are made to fit tight to the face - otherwise balls or pieces of shell can find there way into your eyes. Tom

Follow Ups: Post a Followup Show your name as: DefaultRealnameBothNickname E-Mail address (eg: joeschmoe@aol.com): Show your e-mail address? DefaultYesNo Your Password: Don't have a password? CLICK HERE - Forgot your password? CLICK HERE Subject: Subject:Message: : : I recently participated in my first senario game. I was very disappointed with my Scott mask which came bundled with Tippmann Custom 98. I have played with this mask in rec games several times and found it to be adequate. However, it lacked the field of view I would have liked. : : After much thougth on the matter, I began to wonder why face shields were not used by paintball players. Further investigation indicated that face shields used by factory workers are required to withstand a steel ball about the size of a paintball moving at 300 fps at the time of impact by OSHA regulation ANSI Z87.1. This minimum level of protection is above what is required for paintball, as few fields allow guns firing at 300 fps and a paintball is not a steel ball. Furthermore, lexan shields are available providing protection in the same test up to 500 fps. The sheilds are available in sizes as large as 9" x 15.5", large enough to cover from the brow to the base of the neck and behind both ears. This allows FULL visability, unobstructed by anything. Furthermore, the fact that the sheild is open on three ends allows substantial gas exchange, preventing fogging. Finally, I have yet to find any face shield that cost more than $26 dollars (except Infrared absorbing models for working with high energy lasers, these are $30-35). : : As such, I wonder if these sorts of eye protection are legal in paintball. If they are, why are they not used more frequently? : : Thanks for the help. : No, they aren't allowed. Paintball goggles are made to fit tight to the face - otherwise balls or pieces of shell can find there way into your eyes. : Tom [ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ WARPIG Tech Talk - Miscellaneous ]