Boulder Hockey Shield Company

[salibandy 21]

If you have the re-akt and think it's fantastic, I (personally) wouldn't mess around with anything else. Scratch resistant isn't scratch proof. I wear a half-shield and have to replace it from time to time because of scratches. Just bought the Avision half-shield. We'll see how it stacks up against the Oakley 903.

Definitely not scratch-proof, this shield. And in my experience, after a couple months, it will fog.

[bunnyman666 445]

Definitely not scratch-proof, this shield. And in my experience, after a couple months, it will fog.

I figure they are not scratch-proof. But I like the replaceable lens for particularly that reason, as I can replace cheaply ($35.00).

[jimmy 194]

I figure they are not scratch-proof. But I like the replaceable lens for particularly that reason, as I can replace cheaply ($35.00).

They don't claim to be scratch proof but they do have an anti-scratch coating inside and out to help reduce scratches, something the other brands do not have. Also, they do recommend cleaning the shield with 409 only, this removes sweat and shampoo and soap that leaks out of your hair that builds up on the glass. This helps keep them fog free. But if you still get fog, they have a great warranty, just contact them and they'll give you a new one.

[Neal 41]

They don't claim to be scratch proof but they do have an anti-scratch coating inside and out to help reduce scratches, something the other brands do not have. Also, they do recommend cleaning the shield with 409 only, this removes sweat and shampoo and soap that leaks out of your hair that builds up on the glass. This helps keep them fog free. But if you still get fog, they have a great warranty, just contact them and they'll give you a new one.

It is interesting that you say they recommend 409. A few years ago, I had one of the older wire and shield combos and the anti-scratch coating started to peel off. When I contacted the company the owner got back to me asking what I used to clean it. When I told him 409, he said that was the most likely cause and that 409 should be used only for really dirty shields. The impression I got was that he was going to update the website to remove the 409 recommendation.

He replaced my shield and I used it for a while longer, but it fogged badly in the summer and I took it off for a cage with the intention of putting it back on in the winter. It never went back on, I guess I got used to the cage.

[bunnyman666 445]

I am digging this thing for now. I have a wire cage to return to if I get to hating this. It doesn't excite me to replace the lens, but I do like that option. After all, I bought a clear visor for the clean sight lines. How poor is my vision with a scratched visor versus a cage? Like I said before- I hate cages!!!!

[jimmy 194]

They still recommend 409 to clean. Perhaps their new lexan mask/visors are different than the old wire cage models. We've had one customer return with a fogging issue, and I couldn't even guess how many of these we've sold. What I do like about them is they are cheaper than the Concept II's/III's, they do not need anti-fogging sprays, they have replaceable visors, they have scratch protection, and made in USA, all of which the oriental Bauers do not. The new pro version is also optically correct like the oakleys.

[bunnyman666 445]

Unless I grow my hair back, I am going to continue to use plain water to clean the shield. There aren't any hair cosmetic products that are going to dirty my visor, as I have about 3mm of hair on my head!!!

I had ZERO fogging issues with mine, and my home rink is pretty warm. I am more than satisfied with mine, even if I have to replace the lens once per year.

[mojo122 538]

Skated last night for the first time using their Pro half-shield. Initial impressions: same dimensions as the Oakley 903 with good optics. Now to see how it holds up over time. I normally get a full year of an Oakley before having to change it out, so that will be the benchmark for this one to meet or exceed.

[jimmy 194]

Unless I grow my hair back, I am going to continue to use plain water to clean the shield. There aren't any hair cosmetic products that are going to dirty my visor, as I have about 3mm of hair on my head!!!

I had ZERO fogging issues with mine, and my home rink is pretty warm. I am more than satisfied with mine, even if I have to replace the lens once per year.

Have you though about hair-lifts? :-)

[bunnyman666 445]

Have you though about hair-lifts? :-)

No. ;)

[Stewie 721]

http://hockeyfaceshields.com/

looks like they have a new model called the Elite which is coming out soon. convex lens, and supposedly better air flow. looks pretty nice, more appealing to me than the original so I will likely be trying it out.

[IPv6Freely 2096]

Definitely will be getting one of the new ones. They look much better than the old one!

[Cosmic 178]

Are those pics on the landing page the Elite? It is not 100% clear, except that I think they look different than the basic ones, or whatever the initials offering was (the ones listed in the or ducts section for sale for $68.95).

[Stewie 721]

yes. It says elite under their logo.

Are those pics on the landing page the Elite? It is not 100% clear, except that I think they look different than the basic ones, or whatever the initials offering was (the ones listed in the or ducts section for sale for $68.95).

[knobdy 1]

Pulling this conversation from the Equipment Mod thread as I thought more people might like to contribute and also thought that it might not be appropriate to continue in there.

What is everyone's initial opinion of the Avision Ahead Elite Mask?

I've used it for 4 games in 4 days and frankly love it so far. I can confirm it doesn't fog, but it does gets a shimmery/wet coating when I'm sitting on the bench late in the game and I'm breathing heavy. It's warmer then a cage when sitting, but once you hit the ice it's fine.

Also, I had a Mission Inhaler helmet that had a built in sweatband previously, now I have a Warrior Krown and am trying to use the NoSweat pads for sweat management. I'm trying this as I heard that if you can manage your sweat your bubble doesn't get as foggy. Any truth to this? I like the NoSweat pads, but they completely block the front vents on the helmet so I'm not sure if they are hurting more than helping.

[Bbd94 26]

Can't comment on the actual mask but I'm assuming since you're sweating down your face and it's evaporating is what causes the fog on bubbles (as well as breathing, duh).

Forget about the no sweat pads and rub Vaseline on your eyebrows before you play instead. All the way across (like a unibrow almost) and the sweat should drop down the sides of your face instead of the front. That should help with some fog I imagine.

[Asian Tomatoe 30]

I have played three games with it and agree with the water shimmer, no fogging, and that it runs hot on the bench. I have mine on the e600.

the optics on the mask so far have been great.

The straps are on the short side. I barely have enough to strap them onto my helmet. The chin cup is ok.

I really like the mask so far coming from a cage. can't comment on durability yet.

knobdy-have you cleaned the mask yet? I'm curious to know if it will affect how much fogging occurs

[knobdy 1]

I have played three games with it and agree with the water shimmer, no fogging, and that it runs hot on the bench. I have mine on the e600.

the optics on the mask so far have been great.

The straps are on the short side. I barely have enough to strap them onto my helmet. The chin cup is ok.

I really like the mask so far coming from a cage. can't comment on durability yet.

knobdy-have you cleaned the mask yet? I'm curious to know if it will affect how much fogging occurs

I agree, the optics on it are great. I pretty much forget I'm wearing it until I'm on the bench again.

I've cleaned it with just a bit of water when I get home and hanging it to dry. No soap or anything like that.

I hated the chin cup so I switched it out with the one from my old cage. Much more comfortable and felt more familiar.

Can't comment on the actual mask but I'm assuming since you're sweating down your face and it's evaporating is what causes the fog on bubbles (as well as breathing, duh).

Forget about the no sweat pads and rub Vaseline on your eyebrows before you play instead. All the way across (like a unibrow almost) and the sweat should drop down the sides of your face instead of the front. That should help with some fog I imagine.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to give that a try!

My last game I folded a piece of the NoSweat down so that it didn't cover one of the holes. When I got home I did the same thing to the sides, think I might see how that works and then worst case try your method. Never would have thought of that...

[Bbd94 26]

Yeah since it's an oil it naturally repels water. I think I read it on here awhile ago before I was a member.

It's not fun having long hair though. Doesn't bleach or anything just have to shower to get it out

[IPv6Freely 2096]

Heh that sounds kinda nasty. I think I'll stick to the no-sweats. I can't even imagine not having them now.

I loved the optics on the original but the new one is rounded so there's a bit of distortion in my peripheral vision. We'll see if that bothers me or not.

[knobdy 1]

Maybe this is a really stupid question, but what towels are y'all using to clean/wipe down your visors?

I've tried like 3 different towels and they all leave lint behind even though they are "microfiber". Hell I even grabbed a "Gatorade" towel from Dick's thinking that if it's good enough for the Pros it's good enough for me.....lint, lint everywhere! That and I actually think one of the towels I used left some scratches behind....

[Asian Tomatoe 30]

never noticed the distortion on my peripherals... but then again I have a high prescription for vision correction so I am probably used to distortion on the sides.

my girlfriend has the older one but since it's a junior size, I couldn't try it out.

is their much of an air flow difference just or of curiosity?

[Bbd94 26]

Eh to each his own. I don't bother with sweat in my eyes anymore I'll just use a bottle... But it worked for me when I was having problems.

You'll probably get some looks in the locker room but it saves a ton of money. Never know how long no sweat pads will stay in the market either.

[cmflynn 16]

Maybe this is a really stupid question, but what towels are y'all using to clean/wipe down your visors?

I actually found wiping the visor only made things worse with mine. I only get a bit of condensation on the bottom middle part of the visor when I'm really breathing hard, but I found that if I wipe it the whole visor will start fogging (i'm guessing the saliva residue makes it easier for moisture to bind to the shield) so I just leave it and wash it off with water and air dry it between games and it's worked great for me. I'm still on the fence as to whether I should order another basic as a back up before they sell out or if I should get the elite, just wondering if the elite is worth the $40 price difference

[IPv6Freely 2096]

Finally got the chance to try the new elite model on the ice. Holy crap did it ever fog up!! Well, not so much fog as just a ton of condensation.

Also, with the old model not fogging at all, I didn't think to bring a towel to the bench because I've never needed it before.

That was right out of the box though. I had used hand soap and water on my old mask so I'm going to give that a shot on this one. If it still fogs up, I'll be going back to the old one.

Fogging aside, the vision was fantastic. Still the slightest bit of peripheral distortion when you turn your head but I think that's going to happen with any round shield and I didn't even notice it while playing. No complaints at all there.

I did get a couple "going to space" comments, but if I have good vision and full protection I couldn't care less about what anyone thinks. Buying a black mask instead of clear probably doesn't help the look, though.