Got my Force3 HSM today

[RingEmUp]

I still have to figure out how to adjust it to fit right.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TLcOqEXxUzNkyNUtn9bNqIYiN-JkhYAmiQ/view?usp=sharing

[Majordave]

I don't want one but it looks very cool and the technology is a step forward in the battle against umpire brain damage (any more than we already exhibit-speaking only for myself of course)

[RingEmUp]

I have the Force3 Defender mask as well, that mask is great but there are some days that I wish I had the HSM the way some of these batters crowd the plate.  I all ready on top of the catcher to begin with.

[JaxRolo]

Looks cool

[Majordave]

@RingEmUp  said: : "I all ready on top of the catcher to begin with."

 

I completely understand.  Some of my catchers I work with want my phone number and address so we can text and they can send me flowers cause I'm so close and personal with them.

[mbkcoach]

How do you like it? How does it compare to the other helmets?

[umpstu]

How do you like it? How does it compare to the other helmets

H

How does it compare to the mask as far as weight?

[RingEmUp]

How do you like it? How does it compare to the other helmets?

I haven't had a chance to use it yet, which is good since it gives me some time to mess with it and get it how I want it to be.  I will report back once I use it.

[renegadewolf]

I have the F3 HSM, ordered it shortly after it was introduced.  I've taken two absolute monster hits directly in the mask and the shock absorbers do their job!  While no helmet or mask is going to make it so you don't feel a strong enough hit, this one certainly deadens the energy going into your head.  I had a Rawlings HSM previously, and they aren't even in the same category. i't's like comparing a Lada with a Mercedes Benz.  More padding, better field of vision and the weight is more evenly distributed across the head because of the more padding.

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[Majordave]

LADA

Helluva comparison there Renegade, eh?

Mercedes

 

[umpstu]

Seriously contemplating getting the Mercedes now that MajorDave has mentioned it.  Also looking into getting the Force 3 hsm, black with black grille.

[KenBAZ]

I have a couple of Shock 2.0s. I'm anxious to hear how the Force 3 compares. Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[mbkcoach]

I wear a 7 5/8 hat. The force 3 says 7.5. Anybody with a big head tried one on?

[JHSump]

I bought a Force3 HSM and it arrived today. Just like you @RingEmUp I am trying to figure out how to make it fit. I have used a TM, never an HSM. Those of you out there, how do you fit an HSM to your head? How is it supposed to fit?

I wear my TM loose. Should an HSM be snug? Should the forehead padding touch the forehead? To adjust the Force3 HSM snugly enough so the forehead padding touches my forehead, either the mask tilts upward instead of facing straight out from my face, or the chin pad is so tight on my jaw, it's painful (and it feels like a shot to the jaw would break my jaw!). Where does the chin pad ride on the chin? On the tip, above (perhaps covering some of the mouth), or what?

I must be doing something wrong. Or does it just take time to "break in the chin padding"? Any comments would be helpful.

 

[renegadewolf]

My experience is that if I am feeling pain, then it isn't fitted correctly.  There will be pressure points, but it shouldn't cause pain.  I have the lower straps more snug than the top ones which are borderline loose.  I find if the tops straps are too tight it pulls the mask back against my face making it very uncomfotable.

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[umpstu]

 I bought a Force3 HSM and it arrived today. Just like you @RingEmUp I am trying to figure out how to make it fit. I have used a TM, never an HSM. Those of you out there, how do you fit an HSM to your head? How is it supposed to fit?

I wear my TM loose. Should an HSM be snug? Should the forehead padding touch the forehead? To adjust the Force3 HSM snugly enough so the forehead padding touches my forehead, either the mask tilts upward instead of facing straight out from my face, or the chin pad is so tight on my jaw, it's painful (and it feels like a shot to the jaw would break my jaw!). Where does the chin pad ride on the chin? On the tip, above (perhaps covering some of the mouth), or what?

I must be doing something wrong. Or does it just take time to "break in the chin padding"? Any comments would be helpful.

 

I know that they want you to wear the regular mask snugly, to let the absorbers do their job.  I would imagine they want the same for the hsm.  I have never subscribed to the theory of wearing a mask loosely and have yet to not have a mask spin or come off of my head when it is supposed to.

 

[KenBAZ]

I don't know about the Force 3 but I wear my HSM so my forehead and chin are snug to the pads but not uncomfortable. Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[Tksjewelry]

I wear mine (I have the wilson) snug to my forehead and chin too, but not too tight. Tight enough that it doesn't slip when you look up or down. I took a shot today to the side of the chin area and felt nothing.

[JHSump]

Maybe I have an odd-shaped head! Or maybe if I tried another HSM I might find it fits better. But after many attempts at adjusting the straps, and even the position of the removable chin pad, the best fit I could get had the chin pad pretty snug, mainly against the tip of my chin, with the only snug point of contact inside the main helmet being at the very top of my head. (I tried wearing a hat inside the HSM also, in which case the top padding was in pretty snug contact with the metal button at the top of the hat, resulting in pain there!). With only those two points of contact, if I shake my head back and forth the helmet rotates back and forth on my face. If I tap it with my hand, it wants to shake back and forth on my face. That does not seem right. I can only get bear minimal contact with the forehead pad.

I've decided to send the helmet back. I have not worn it in a game.

I'll stay with my TM (Diamond) with TWPs, worn loose. No pain in normal wear (of course). And the rig spins on my head when I get hit, minimal pain at most.

 

[RingEmUp]

So I finally had the chance to use my Force3 HSM in a game and I know it will take some getting used to.  I can't seem to get a great fit with my forehead but the mask doesn't move at all.  There is definitely a gap there though.  Chin pad felt tight.  I'll have to mess with it some more to get it just right.  I love the field of view with the HSM.  I didn't take it off as much as I would the TM but I've only worn it for two games and it takes two hands to get that thing off and on sometimes.  That's my report after two games of usage.  Also, I love that I can feel the breeze on my head on these 90 degree days.

[Thawk]

I bought a Force3 HSM and it arrived today. Just like you @RingEmUp I am trying to figure out how to make it fit. I have used a TM, never an HSM. Those of you out there, how do you fit an HSM to your head? How is it supposed to fit?

I wear my TM loose. Should an HSM be snug? Should the forehead padding touch the forehead? To adjust the Force3 HSM snugly enough so the forehead padding touches my forehead, either the mask tilts upward instead of facing straight out from my face, or the chin pad is so tight on my jaw, it's painful (and it feels like a shot to the jaw would break my jaw!). Where does the chin pad ride on the chin? On the tip, above (perhaps covering some of the mouth), or what?

I must be doing something wrong. Or does it just take time to "break in the chin padding"? Any comments would be helpful.

 

I have an AllStar HSM.  I've got mine pretty snug on my face.  As far as the chin guard, I have my lower lip resting on top of the padding.

[mmmmbeeeeer]

I got a Force3 HSM yesterday. The problem with ordering from Australia is that you don't have any chance to try things on beforehand.

When it arrived, I found I had the same problem - the chin padding seemed to be angled too far back towards the body and kept the mask from touching my forehead.

So I unpicked the stitching on the chin pad and pulled out the foam. It turns out that there is a nice chin pocket in the foam, but the leather (or whatever it is) is stretched over the pocket so your chin can't sit in it. When I tried on the mask with the foam uncovered, it fit quite nicely. I found the chin pocket was still a fraction high, so I carved it out a bit deeper (as in further towards the bottom of the mask) to give my chin a little more room, and then put the cover back on.

Definitely an improvement and by wetting the leather to get it to form more into the pocket it's better again.

First time I use it I'm going to wet the leather and see if a few hours of constant wear will make the leather conform to the shape of the pocket.

For those of you with smaller faces (chin to forehead) I think just wetting the leather and giving it a bit of a stretch should get the mask fitting well.

Cheers,

Pete

[gnhbua93]

I got a Force3 HSM yesterday. The problem with ordering from Australia is that you don't have any chance to try things on beforehand.

When it arrived, I found I had the same problem - the chin padding seemed to be angled too far back towards the body and kept the mask from touching my forehead.

So I unpicked the stitching on the chin pad and pulled out the foam. It turns out that there is a nice chin pocket in the foam, but the leather (or whatever it is) is stretched over the pocket so your chin can't sit in it. When I tried on the mask with the foam uncovered, it fit quite nicely. I found the chin pocket was still a fraction high, so I carved it out a bit deeper (as in further towards the bottom of the mask) to give my chin a little more room, and then put the cover back on.

Definitely an improvement and by wetting the leather to get it to form more into the pocket it's better again.

First time I use it I'm going to wet the leather and see if a few hours of constant wear will make the leather conform to the shape of the pocket.

For those of you with smaller faces (chin to forehead) I think just wetting the leather and giving it a bit of a stretch should get the mask fitting well.

Cheers,

Pete

@mmmmbeeeeer you took photos of what you did?