Mask Replacement Question

[Scott]

Looking to upgrade to a newer mask this year. Does anyone have any experience with the newer Titanium or Magnesium masks. Yes they're lighter but what about strength and/or structure? One any better than the other?

[Umpire in Chief]

No first hand exp but I have held the magnesium mask and it is unbelievably light.

[mfd110]

I have the Diamond Feather Weight Umpire Mask - Silver Frame and love it. I bought it new for this year and have already taken some shots with it in a college game and I took a pretty good shot tonight in a high school game! Got mine from either Gerry Davis or Ump-Attire!

[NWA_UMP]

I use the Champro Magnesium...I put wilson doeskin wraparound pads on it. The pads were stubborn to get on but offer GREAT feel and protection as compared to the cheap pads that come on it. I got the mask from Epic for $78 plus $39 for the pads. I love the weight and the field of vision is good. The only thing I have noticed is the mask sits out from my face...farther than my old wilson. It has flat bars around the eye openings which help with vision even though the bars are further out in front. Good news is I can wear an 8 stitch with it and not have a problem with getting my mask off and leaving my hat on!

[NevadaBlue]

Go with the Wilson Shock F/X Umpire Helmet!!!

Titanium cage. Great vision.

Once you go bucket, you never go back.

[kylejt]

Once you go bucket, you never go back.

That's not quite true. I've got an All Star, and have tried various flavors of the Wilson helmets. I still wear a traditional mask 95% of the time.

My advice, borrow someones helmet before you shell out the clams. Some folks swear by them, and that's cool. But they're not for everyone.

Diamond, Schutt, Pro 9, Gerry Davis, etc, all market a light weight, hollow tube steel mask, with crappy pads. It's a fairly sturdy frame, but I've had a couple dent on me. I've had good luck with my silver, aluminum Diamond frame, so far.

The Ti masks may be a tad lighter, but not much. Not enough for me to pay more than double. I'd rather make a custom rig using a light, steel frame, with my own choice of pads.

[slo8140]

I agree with Kyle....although I do wear a bucket probably 80% of the time (Shock F/X 2.0), I would go the diamond silver frame or magnesium route if I was donning purchasing a traditional style mask. I currently have a Wilson low profile ti mask. I bought it before I was a loyal reader of this forum.

Having the wisdom I have now, I would have bought a cheaper lightweight steel mask (less denting) and customized the pads and save a few $$$$.

[jnazz]

Just got my Wilson titanium in today -- awsome. I looked at the Diamond (which is significantly cheaper) but the Wilson seems to have a better range of vision. I do have to admit that the Diamond is lighter. I decided on the Wilson based on the brand quality and the unreal quality of vision.

To the statement "once you go bucket, you'll never go back". ---- I personally like the old school look. There is an umpire in our area who switched to the bucket 2 or 3 years ago and swore by it. He tried on the new Diamond mask at a tournament last year, ordered it immediatly, and good bye bucket.

[kcfan102]

If you can stand the feel of the HSM and the look, its the best if you get the new Shock.

Better visibility, ventilation, and protection

My opinion at least but there are guys who don't like the look, there are some guys who are just old school, and there are guys who don't like the fit. To each their own. It's a personal preference, and no option is better than the other. I used to wear the mask and wanted no part of the HSM, I tried it, I loved it, never turning back.

I don't mean to turn this into a HSM v. traditional thread.

My two cents.

[kylejt]

I do have to admit that the Diamond is lighter. I decided on the Wilson based on the brand quality and the unreal quality of vision.

The Diamond is only lighter because of their flimsey, worthless pads. Throw in decent pads, and they weigh about the same.

You'll get a better view with the low profile Wilson Ti. It's a tradeoff. The Diamonds aren't quite as flat as the New View, nor quite as round as a traditional single bar.

Me, I don't care for buckets because they're so LOUD. When I make calls, it echos back into my ears. And any shots taken really ring. My ears ring enough from all the concerts I went to in the '70s, I don't need any more.

Edited March 31, 2010 by kylejt

[Kevin Finnerty]

Me, I don't care for buckets because they're so LOUD. When I make calls, it echos back into my ears. And any shots taken really ring. My ears ring enough from all the concerts I went to in the '70s, I don't need any more.

The Who; Quadrophenia at The Forum; 1973; second row: That was the loudest sound I heard in my life, until Fleet Week, 1997 in San Francisco, when the Blue Angels buzzed our house right before they made the turn to fly over the Golden Gate. That's exactly what I said at the time: "That's the loudest thing I've heard since The Who!"

[kylejt]

Winterland Ballroom, San Fransisco, 1974/5(?, it was the 70's). Journey (original lineup) Mott the Hoople and Aerosmith, I think. I do know Aerosmith headlined. We were in the balcony, and it was LOUD. We saw everyone that came into the Bay Area, but this band, in this little place was something else.

After the show, I walked out in front, and went to step off the curb to cross the street. Just as I did, someone grabbed me by the back of my collar, and yanked me backwards, as a City bus passed inches from my nose. Not only did I not hear the bus coming, I couldn't hear it HONKING at me.

Good times.

[Umpire in Chief]

I got married at NSWC Dam Neck the same day as NAS Oceana had it's air show (Only 2-3 miles away) as my wife and I are walking out of the chapel the Blue Angels flew overhead just as if like we'd planned it. Unfortunately the video guy didn't catch it, but you hear it.

But my childhood home was not too far from NALF Fentress and have twice lived in the flight path of NAS Oceana, so I've prettymuch become immune to jet noise, and Actually

[kylejt]

I hear ya (or maybe I don't)

I was born at the head of the runway in Miramar, and grew up under the howl of Tigers and Phantoms testing engines in the middle of the night. Even had our wedding reception at the O club, made famous in Top Gun.

Yeah, Deep Purple was a not a big deal compared to the Angels using our house as a turn marker.

[Big Red]

Scott (and for anyone else)

I'm getting back into umpiring this season after being out for 7 yrs. Was going through my equipment and when I got to my old double-bar iron mask, I thought, "Dam, this thing is heavy" as I recalled getting my bell rung a few times wearing it.

So, did some research via the posts here and equipment reviews. Went with the Champro Magnesium ($82 from EpicSports).

Yes, the pads on it are crap, both the exterior material and whatever they stuff it with (feels like styrofoam peanuts!)

Got some Wilson wrap-around pads, Wilson sunshield and Diamond padded throat protector from Ump-Attire. In short, makes for an AWESOME mask! I can't believe how light it is and with the Wilson pads, it is extremely comfortable. I've taken a couple of good hits to it, both softball and baseball, and hardly noticed them (especially compared to my old anvil!)....no damage either. In addition to the comfort, visibility is good and I like the extended throat protector, the sizable (bot not unsightly) ear/side protector and the tab at the top.

Only negative about it I can think of is the ends of the individual bars aren't rounded...like they were cut off, so they're a little sharp. But, that's nit-noid compared to the weight/comfort.

Speaking of noise....

I'm an aircraft maintenance officer in the AF, so I've experienced a wide array of "freedom" noise, from the small jets to the airlift/tankers. Yes, there's something to be said about an after-burning fighter...I will always remember my B-hut (wood shack) shaking and rattling in Afghanistan last year as the two-ships of F-15s took off every couple of hours!

However, having worked the C-5 most of my career, there is just something really special about the power and unique noise/rumble of four TF-39s screaming at TRT (take-off rated thrust), pushing a 800,000+ lb gross weight jet down the runway! Off course, I've heard it more than I should've and have some hearing loss to show for it, but dang if it doesn't get my blood going hearing ol' Fred flying by!! :violin:

[Kevin Finnerty]

We talk about Afghanistan; you've been there. My hat's not off very often, but it's off to you, Red.

[Big Red]

Many thanks Kevin...I truly appreciate that.

Yeah, I've been all over the world and seen alot, but Afghanistan is something else. I could go on for an hour about it...most parts of the country, especially where I was at (Bagram, NE part) can still be described as wild-west type frontier territory!

But, regardless of where were at, it's the support among each other AND from back home that makes the difference day to day, especially in austere places such as that, regardless of the crap you see/hear in the media from all the "experts."

So your thoughts and words are appreciated!