Eye protection: Tactical vs. Paintball
 

I noticed that the FAQ recommends paintball approved goggles, until you've gained enough experience. I also notice that most of you just use a set of tactical goggles, and my question is pertaining to only those.

What do you find face contact like without full face protection? Furthermore, have any of you had problems with BBs getting into orifices, such as the ears or mouth?

I only ask because, being new to airsoft, I wonder if it's really worth it to go for tactical goggles instead of the paintball ones.

You might now have a choice, some fields require paintball goggles ONLY, others MAY let you use tactical goggles, talk to the local club/field owners/club admins and ask before you buy tactical goggles.

I got a piece of my tooth shot off by a BB

^sounds rough

Well, it's not an issue (about the field owner) since we'll play out on my friend's property. Essentially, it was a cosmetic choice, but after hearing about the tooth incident, I think I'll stick with paintball goggles...

I've been shot up the nostril, shot inside the throat, deep inside the ear, had some nasty bleeders on my cheeks and neck and head, even had my front teeth shattered once - that was a really bad feeling. That being said, I try to wear something to protect my teeth as much as possible (mouth guard or shemagh wrapped over my face - those ski masks don't do shit since the BB's pass right through).

Any time I have a chance to wear balistic or safety glasses I'm wearin em. They are far more comfortable, never fog up, and go better with your kit while still offering good eye protection IMO.

I have AOSafety glasses from CrappyTire and I love em.

now when u say tactical i would think like shooting glasses. now i have heard that sometimes BB's will bounce off your face then the glasses in to your eye. witch would suck.

Ah ya ... and where might you have heard this? Although I will not say there is a zero chance of that happening, I have never heard of it yet. This sounds like an assumption to me.

I use a full paintball mask to play. Not that many people wear the full mask because of the severe fogging issues. To me, having to use a de-fogging agent and keeping the moisture off your goggles is a small price to pay for the protection it provides. Another problem I have it that it becomes harder to site a rifle when using a paintball mask. You don’t have to worry about getting hit in the teeth or getting any nasty scars.

what about balaclavas?

From my experience balaclavas are pretty good protection from bb's, just dont keep your mouth open, unless talking.

Or, just get a hockey mouthguard, and get used to talking with it. I've worn one for 10+ years (from hockey, and I can talk almost like normal now with it in, and it guarantees protection.

what type of balaclavas would provide more protection to the mouth the nomex ones or the cotton ones??

I dunno, I have a nomex fireproof balaclava from SWATshop, I also have a fleece CADPAT balaclava, and both are pretty thick, I'd think both would stop it.

I think the nomex one is thin? Wait, crap, if Nomex is thin, then I have cotton :P

I'm not sure, I don't know much about mine, except that it makes you look uber.

I have a thick winter balaclava and it does not do much at all, just fogs up the goggles and makes it VERY hot to play. I end up taking it off most of the time because it's just to hot for a day game. The thin ones are fine.

I've got the thick one, and my goggles don't fog up at all, and I never get too hot. I've always had a strange tendency to be able to withstand very uncomfortable temperatures.

Now that I think about it, I think mine is a black, fireproof, winter balaclava, cause that is all they had in stock.

I use the fullmask paintball kit. Fogtech halts essentially all my fogging issues, if I happen to have any. I also happen to find it comfortable and proper fitting, and I have no issues sighting through my RDS. (I use a FA-MAS G2 Sniper, so I have retardedly high sights + rail+ RDS itself.)

It's a matter of finding the balance between what you consider acceptable risk and ease of gameplay. With proper use, you shouldn't have any problems with a full mask. Plus, you can always modify the mask so it doesn't interfere with aiming down your sights. (Greylocks can probably inform you as to how it is best done.)

Personally, I'd prefer to not have any marks on my face, seeing as how I'm incredibly vain and I also have to look presentable for work if I want decent tips...bleeder wounds just don't say, "Your vodka + cranberry is worth 40% of the price in tip."

:D

-J

I wear a pair of JT goggles (no face mask) and have no problem using the iron sights. But maybe that's just me. It also depends on you. I've seen people get shot all over their face. Myself, every "head" shot i've gotten has been in the goggles or in my forehead. It all depends on you, are you willing to take the risk of just goggles only or are you more comfortable in a full face mask. Just remember, chicks dig scars.

Also:
If you are dealing with a bar or restaurant, cranberry juice or any type of juice has no affect on the price of the vodka or whatever booze. Which then has no affect on your tip. Also remember, bartenders live off of tips, so tip well and tip often.

It's the difference between mixed drinks and cocktails (not that I care what I mix the vodka with), and my point was that I don't tend to attract more tip money from the female patrons when my face is covered in zit-like welts.

Hence, my decision to wear full face protection.

-J

The difference between a mixed drink and a cocktail is that a mixed drink has usually two bases (one alcohol, one not), while a cocktail has three bases (two alcohol, usually only one non-alcoholic). That is the difference in price. You are paying for alcohol, not the non-alcoholic ingredient. If you are basing your decision of full face mask or not on the ingredients of a screwdriver versus the ingredients of a cosmopolitan, then I would suggest you overlook your stance on appropriate airsoft safety equipment.

Ohmyfuckinggod...

I am less inclined to tip well (or at all), REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER I AM DRINKING, if my bartender is not neat, healthy and clean-looking in appearance. I do not find it unimaginable that others may share the same opinion or hold a higher standard.

Which is why I wear a full mask in order to protect my appearance. 90% of my job is professional attitude, behaviour, appearance and showmanship. A face full of 6mm BB wounds and chipped teeth tends to detract greatly from that. Any idiot can mix liquid. Maintenance and protection of appearance is what I consider to be professional foresight. A full facemask allows me to enjoy airsoft without worrying about getting shot in the face and looking like crap for the customers.

Does that compute? If not, satisfy yourself with this.

Goodnight....

-J

I usually wear paintball goggles with the face protection cut down to protect my mouth/teeth.
But after wearing a pair of AOS safety glasses at the cottage this weekend, Im now going to wear them whenever permitted.

A beleclava won't stop a BB from chipping a tooth.

I don't know if I mouth guard would. A mouth guard is designed to stop your teeth from hitting againest themselves when you get jolted. Most of the mouthguard's protection is on the bottom. I have one for hockey and I can't stand it, I hold it in the side of my mouth everytime I'm on the bench.

ha, you have it backwards, its supposed to be molded to your top teeth.....

Tip for people worried about getting hit in the mouth:

When you're playing and think there's a chance that a bb will hit you in the face, cover it using part of your gun (EG: turn the body of your gun sideways quickly). You can even use your hand to partially block it, as your natural reaction will be to throw your arms over your face anyways. I've done this many times and have been able to avoid quite a few hairy situations.

This question gets asked about... once per week? Usually in the wrong section too.

Answer is the same; check local field rules, and buy whatever saves your face/eyes from injury and broken teeth.
Best overall answer; paintball goggles. That's it, no rocket science, no need to get 2 pages of answers.

Well, I've been reading the boards for a while now, and I hadn't seen this question asked specifically. That's why I asked. I've been answered, so you can lock it now if you want.

my friends glock26 gbb took out my leftside center top tooth just yesterday (at about 30* feet) ........im never wearing anything but fullmask paintball goggles ever again.



*edit

Hey! It's ASC!

Has anyone ever tried a light or heavy wieght kevlar hood like the ones made by Hatch?

Has any one used one of these?
http://www.wgcshop.com/pcart/shopper...0And%20Glasses

I would be scared for anyone using those mesh masks, after seeing ksc perfects explode on hard surfaces.

If you like getting shot in the face, and having bb pimples, sure don't use paintball goggles. Wearing tactical eye protection just to not be a wussy, is a retarded pissing contest. Posing for the look is different, but playing, heck no.

Lol, how long have you been playing hockey for? You've got it on backwards buddy, it is supposed to cover the top row of teeth. Also, my balaclava has prevented my teeth from being chipped, I took a few bb's in the teeth, and no noticeable damage to them, thanks to the balaclava.

I don't know about you guys, but my eyes are damn valuable to me.

I could care less about my teeth, though. I've got a great dental plan.

I usually where Bolle Tac but I prefer ballistic safety glasses nowadays. If they can stop buck shot from a 12 gauge, it's good enough for me (barring, playing with metal BBs at +500 fps).

Sorry, correct me if I misunderstood that. You'd rather play with ballistic glasses, than ballistic goggles? Don't the glasses leave gaps on the top and the bottom, and allow bb's to enter?

Just curious, thanks!

I have both, when I wear my 'glasses' they're strapped. They dont' come off unless I unclip them. Very formfitting too.

You are right, in terms of that extra security against a stray BB getting through a sealed goggle against your face is an advantage.

Hah, now all I have to do is find a ballistic gas mask with air conditioning and Visor IR/normal LEDs... :D

- Cheers

I've tried the whole Paintball goggle thing, but even with a Spectra Thermal (Just the goggles themselves, with ear an' mout guards removed) I've had severe problems with fogging. Tried the fans, tried the anti-fog spray...didn't work. I stopped usin' them because I felt the risk of not seein' where I was goin' outweighed what protection they offered me...as the fields around here are rather rocky with sharp drops which can only end in severe injuries.

That bein' said, I have found that AOS Safety Glasses (The Anti-fog ones) from Canadian Tire (Oh I work for them, discounts :D) are the best, an' I have never fogged once since purchasing them a year ago. The main downfall has been mentioned, the whole stray BB, an' it has happend to me before. I dropped to my back to avoid a burst from infront of me, but one of the BBs caught the edge of the glasses an' bounced just below my eye. There were no injuries..but it goes to show the main drawback of those...

I s'pose the only comprimise I have seen/used/heard about are the Bolle Tactical goggles, they seem to be the best of both worlds, but still fog up from time to time. Nothin' is perfect, but I feel they would be a bit better then Safety Glasses an' Paintball Goggles in terms of eye safety.

Can anyone recommend a low profile paintball mask? I had one i mind but when i tried it on i still couldnt see the iron site without having a aimpoint attached to my gun.

take a look at raven goggles.
they're paintball approved and are pretty tight to your face.
Greg

I use the raven NVX for airsoft, with the ear pieces removed, works quite well, and sits real close to your face, I have no trouble using iron sights with it... I would still like to try out a kevlar hood though... I'll let everyone know how it works when I try.