Cage vs Fishbowl

[Gnarwhal54 0]

I've never used a cage/fishbowl before, but my new job as a dental rep makes it kind of a necessity. any recommendations on which way to go, and then what model?

[althoma1 574]

The Bauer Re-akt is the lightest cage available and has oval bars which helps with visibility. It's also made of titanium so won't rust like a steel cage.and scratches won't effect the visibility like they would with a fishbowl. A cage also offers better air flow than a fishbowl.

[Gnarwhal54 0]

The Bauer Re-akt is the lightest cage available and has oval bars which helps with visibility. It's also made of titanium so won't rust like a steel cage.and scratches won't effect the visibility like they would with a fishbowl. A cage also offers better air flow than a fishbowl.

Will the re-akt fit on a ccm v08? I've heard both ways. The only reason I was leaning more towards a fishbowl is because my contacts always seem to blurr up when getting up to speed (especially outdoors)

[chanxebyshev 8]

Personally don't like the fishbowls visibility is better but I don't like buying a new one when they get scratched up. Had the same cage since 2010, looks the same from inside as the day I got it.

I have a Bauer 9900 cage, a predecessor to the Re-akt, has the oval bars but isn't titanium.

My advice is take your helmet to a store and try a cage and bowl on it too see what you like.

[Matty33 6]

I've been switching between a cage and fishbowl for the last 7 years or so. I'd rather just wear a visor but just like the OP my job dictates I wear one just incase.

I have the 9900 cage which is ok but I personally like the visibility of the fishbowl better. I was having issues with fogging up but recently went with some Bauer anti-fog combine with the NoSweat pads and I have 0 issues now, I was amazed.

I've heard that painting the inside bars of the cage white makes a noticable difference, I might give that a try soon. For the OP I'd suggest trying them both on, as suggested above, and if you can deal with the cage it's definitely he cheaper option in the long run. The re-akt is getting a lot of praise so that would probably be the way to go.

[sickwilly 37]

I really like my Re-akt cage. I'd get another in a heartbeat. I don't care fo visors or fishbowls because mine have always gotten foggy.

[SillyMe 22]

Just bought a Re-Akt cage(and an IMS 11.0), thing is pretty sweet....and light!

[kovalchuk71 212]

I feel like my face is in front of a furnace when I wear a fishbowl.

[ChrisMolnar 14]

Can't wear cages anymore after wearing the concept 2 & 3 for the last 4 years. Whenever I try to wear a cage now I feel like I'm going cross eyed and just stare at the bars.

[bunnyman666 445]

Avision Ahead is the best fishbowl out there. Mine has been in service since September, and only now it fogs a teeny bit at the very bottom of the lens. The most AWESOME thing about their fishbowl versus the Itech/Bauer fishbowl? You can REPLACE the lens when it gets too scratched up. No need for anti-fog sauce, and like I said- still minimal fog after that amount of service.

[bandits_5 18]

the re-act is a nice cage, but not 70 bucks nice. The 11k, is a nicer cage IMO, and 20+ dollars cheaper....

[Gnarwhal54 0]

What about the hybrid? Visor w/ cage lower...

[Chadd 916]

I would go with the RE-AKT. I have the older Itech titanium and it's a great cage.

[MountainKing 10]

I had the fishbowl with the cage type bottom, can't remember what the model was, loved the visibility I got out of it but it ended there. It was hot to play in, the anti fog worked fine but no matter how much I used or how often I used it during the game the minute I got a drop of sweat on the bowl it fogged up like crazy. Then a few sticks to the face later left some really distracting knicks and scratches. I ended up with a 9900 cage and after a few skates it was great, highly suggest looking into that or the re-akt. The bars are so thin it's hard to focus on them and it makes it real easy looking past them and up the ice.

[MN old and slow 92]

Put on 7500 cage two years ago. No cage before but want to keep all teeth. Tough sledding for about 10 games but no issue now. Would not play without it. Any of the Bauer flat wire cages are great. Tried a fishbowl but felt too hot.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

I just started wearing a fishbowl within the last year or so. I like the visor with full protection. I don't like the fogging and wiping haha. I don't see myself going back to a cage anytime soon though. Feel I see better with the fishbowl (when it's not fogged up of course).

[SirJW 207]

If you go w/ a fishbowl, I've read elsewhere on this board that Pledge is the best product for keeping the visor fog free.

[fearthebeard 2]

I think the choice depends on your rink. I played at one rink that was so humid due to age that a fish bowl was impossible to play with. At other better rinks they are no problem.

Best to ask other guys at your rink what experiences they have with cage/fish bowl.

[moreoutdoor 6]

for the past few seasons now, I've also worn a cage. 1st time ever. When I was younger, college play only required a helmet, no cage. Until I stopped, back in the late 80's, I used a helmet, but no shield or cage. Now being old and fragile, and not wanting to deal with injury, on re-entry I started using the cage. But I just can't get accustomed to it. When I play heads up, the lower part of the cage completely screws my feel for the puck, and I lose it often - Happen to anyone else?

Thought about a fishbowl, but that funky plastic 'grill' is gonna distort the view, and then there's the foggin - I heat up and sweat a lot. Half shield just isn;t an option. The problem is not the puck but the frequent crazy stick work I encounter. Seems just about every pickup session has my grill save my mug at least once. from some crazy stickwork. Froward vision thru the main part of the cage is not a problem, it's the lower cage and peripheral vision. Sometimes I'm pokin around the skates trying to find the damm puck and it gets stolen. frustrating.

I have a bauer 3000 cage on my bauer helmet. Anyone have a suggestion for cage with better vision thru the lower cage area? Color of the cage make any difference (mine is black and very obvious). Gotta fit a bauer helmet - only bucket which fits the head bumps...

Fishbowl doesn;t seem any better (or is it?) and the Fishbowl/cage combo seems to be the worst of all worlds - fogging and still poor lower vision?

AM I missin sometin ???

Really could use some suggestions for options on this.

EDIT: so, yeah, noted the comments on the Re-akt, so maybe will order and try - can't be worse than the current one...

SillyMe - drop a note on here when you have some icetime on yours... thx

[SillyMe 22]

A few guys I was playing with tonight had new fishbowls, I heard 1 of them say he didn't care for it, and was considering going back to his cage.

I have a 2100 cage, and I hate it, so I bought a Re-Akt cage yesterday, and it's much better for me.

[Zjack38 46]

Fishbowls are way dustier, definitely go with a cage.

[LoneStar77 25]

I wore a Concept II to play roller hockey in & I hated how hot it was & constantly having to wipe sweat drops off of it. I switched to a NikeBauer 8500 (or something like that) cage when I transitioned to ice hockey. It is the titanium color with the oval bars & I love it. After a few games, I don't even notice the bars & the handful of times I've gotten a stick or elbow to the cage, I've been very thankful to have it on. If I was to make a switch right now I would probably look into the ReAkt or the 7500 since they seem to be closest to what I currently have in use.

[calixguy18 8]

I use the titanium cage with the oval bars and I hate it (not to bash on this particular cage- I dislike all cages). The problem is that one of the top bars goes right across my eye line. When I'm skating, it doesn't bother me as much but when I'm sitting I can really notice it. I've been contemplating switching to the newer Concept 3 full shields. Anyone have experience with it?

[kyleo29 58]

CCM FM580. best cage out there

[Matty33 6]

I use the titanium cage with the oval bars and I hate it (not to bash on this particular cage- I dislike all cages). The problem is that one of the top bars goes right across my eye line. When I'm skating, it doesn't bother me as much but when I'm sitting I can really notice it. I've been contemplating switching to the newer Concept 3 full shields. Anyone have experience with it?

I have the Concept 3 right now, it works well as long as it's not fogged up or scratched up. Seems to hold up pretty well to scratches though.

I like it because there's nothing to block your vision for the most part, the only parts that can get in the way is down near the chin cup when the puck is close. In those instances for a split second the clear bars can block out the puck. I'd highly suggest getting the NoSweat pads if you do the fishbowl though. Even a few drops of sweat on it can really cause it to start to fog up or streak.