New Mask Choices

[MadMax]

6 hours ago, JohnMcSherry said:

Curious, are the Rawlings PWMX pads all leather?  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rawlings-PWMX-Umpire-Catcher-Face-Mask-/371793288285?hash=item56909b5c5d:g:PAUAAOSwCGVYB5Qn

Yes, they are. _Usually_, a company that does genuine leather gloves just carries it into accessories, such as mask pads. The LWMX is fairly hefty, with the big square earguards and the double-wire eye port. The PWMX, though, is a _chunk_, being solid, dipped steel wire. You may as well wear a hubcap on your face. I was issued one when I did single-A bullpen catching, and got to keep it. Sold it years later in near-mint condition after using it for my first umpire jobs.

I got an All-Star FM4000 (which I still have) and a Diamond DFM-iX3. 

[jms1425]

Thanks, all, for the feedback and comments. I appreciate the info very much.

I jumped on the Wilson aluminum with memory foam pads, since Jim put it on the Pre-Black Friday sale for only $90. I'm going to get a Diamond, too, for comparison as Max was suggesting, at some later point. Also thinking about getting the TW pads to put in it.

But, again, thanks for all the info, everyone.

[jms1425]

The awesomeness of this board continues....

After posting the above, another member sent me a PM saying he had a barely-used Diamond mask with TW pads he wanted to sell. After offering it for a great price, I am now buying that one, too, so I'll be able to compare it with the Wilson aluminum "head-to-head" (pun intended.) 

So glad to have found this site.  :thumbsup:

[jms1425]

I just got the Wilson Aluminum. Man, that is a nice mask. I've gotten very used to the Champro, and it did a fine job protecting me, but holding the Wilson... what a difference. It's very light, yet feels very sturdy, and the memory foam pads fit my face very well. The MLB harness is nice, too. After only a minute or two of adjusting, I put it on over my hat, shook my a head around without it moving, and put it on and off a few times, without losing the hat.  It is VERY silver though - more than I expected. Light yet sturdy, and it looks great. I can't wait to get some dish time. Not that I'm wishing for any shots to the mask, but I'm curious to see how it takes the impact.

I should be getting the Diamond tomorrow, so a side by side comparison is gonna be fun.

Thanks again to all for all the feedback, advice, and info.

[Stk004]

54 minutes ago, jms1425 said:

I just got the Wilson Aluminum. Man, that is a nice mask. I've gotten very used to the Champro, and it did a fine job protecting me, but holding the Wilson... what a difference. It's very light, yet feels very sturdy, and the memory foam pads fit my face very well. The MLB harness is nice, too. After only a minute or two of adjusting, I put it on over my hat, shook my a head around without it moving, and put it on and off a few times, without losing the hat.  It is VERY silver though - more than I expected. Light yet sturdy, and it looks great. I can't wait to get some dish time. Not that I'm wishing for any shots to the mask, but I'm curious to see how it takes the impact.

I should be getting the Diamond tomorrow, so a side by side comparison is gonna be fun.

Thanks again to all for all the feedback, advice, and info.

For what it's worth, I think you're better off if the mask moves while you shake your head. 

[tpatience]

56 minutes ago, jms1425 said:

I just got the Wilson Aluminum. Man, that is a nice mask. I've gotten very used to the Champro, and it did a fine job protecting me, but holding the Wilson... what a difference. It's very light, yet feels very sturdy, and the memory foam pads fit my face very well. The MLB harness is nice, too. After only a minute or two of adjusting, I put it on over my hat, shook my a head around without it moving, and put it on and off a few times, without losing the hat.  It is VERY silver though - more than I expected. Light yet sturdy, and it looks great. I can't wait to get some dish time. Not that I'm wishing for any shots to the mask, but I'm curious to see how it takes the impact.

I should be getting the Diamond tomorrow, so a side by side comparison is gonna be fun.

Thanks again to all for all the feedback, advice, and info.

What @Stk004 said. If you get hit, you don't want to mask to stay to tight. It's designed to fall off if it is hit hard enough.

[Stk004]

Just now, tpatience said:

What @Stk004 said. If you get hit, you don't want to mask to stay to tight. It's designed to fall off if it is hit hard enough.

Put on your mask @jms1425 and look straight down. If the chin pad stays on your face, I'd loosen it up. 

[jms1425]

I should have said "it didn't fall off or flop around excessively." Of course there's a little movement. Overstated it a bit.

And I also meant to say thanks to @JimKirk and his team for combining that shipment with the convertible pullover I ordered a day later to save me on the shipping!

[JeBa]

I've been using an original WestVest mask (now Wilson A3009X) for a long time & it needs to be replaced.
Coating on masking is cracked/split & pads are worn thru.

I don't know if I should continue with a new WestVest/Wilson A3009x.
It's been great for me all this time, but there are many more choices now that are lighter, yet still remain steel construction.

I like the weight, design & look of the All Star System 7 FM4000UMP...(with the matching throat guard) and am seriously considering this for my next mask.

Can anyone share their experiences using this All Star mask comparing to the WestVest/Wilson A3009X?

Christmas is coming & Daddy needs a new mask!

thanks,
Jeff

[Thunderheads]

I've been using an original WestVest mask (now Wilson A3009X) for a long time & it needs to be replaced.

Coating on masking is cracked/split & pads are worn thru.

I don't know if I should continue with a new WestVest/Wilson A3009x.

It's been great for me all this time, but there are many more choices now that are lighter, yet still remain steel construction.

I like the weight, design & look of the All Star System 7 FM4000UMP...(with the matching throat guard) and am seriously considering this for my next mask.

Can anyone share their experiences using this All Star mask comparing to the WestVest/Wilson A3009X?

Christmas is coming & Daddy needs a new mask!

thanks,

Jeff

I have an FM 4000 and it's great....light as it can be! I use a standard TG on it though but the one that matches is super light too!

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[BT_Blue]

I also could say to send your mask to Tony at Maskitsports.com if you decide to stay with the Wilson. He can bang out any dents it may have. As well as powder coat it any color you could want. And it is only about $35 plus shipping each way.

There are plenty of guys thatthat have used him. Myself included. 

[MadMax]

40 minutes ago, JeBa said:

I've been using an original WestVest mask (now Wilson A3009X) for a long time & it needs to be replaced.
Coating on masking is cracked/split & pads are worn thru.

I don't know if I should continue with a new WestVest/Wilson A3009x.
It's been great for me all this time, but there are many more choices now that are lighter, yet still remain steel construction.

I like the weight, design & look of the All Star System 7 FM4000UMP...(with the matching throat guard) and am seriously considering this for my next mask.

Can anyone share their experiences using this All Star mask comparing to the WestVest/Wilson A3009X?

Christmas is coming & Daddy needs a new mask!

thanks,
Jeff

Two topics emerge:

1. "Worn through" pads is irrelevant. You can rejuvenate nearly any mask by simply getting new pads for it, of nearly any style, color, texture or composition. Only the Force3 Defenders require specific pads, and while the Diamond DFM-iX3 mask frame is top-notch, the stock pads are woefully pathetic and frankly dangerous to use. You should be changing pads out routinely – the MLB "head office" advises yearly, but realistically, 2-3 years should be ideal.

"Coating on mask is cracked/splitting" is indicative of the bane of older masks – vinyl dip. Of course, an otherwise unprotected steel mask will corrode, and most paint doesn't hold up against the wear and tear masks face (inevitable pun, no?) on a routine basis. So, as a cheap cost-saving measure, the manufacturers dipped the masks in vinyl... hideous, heavy vinyl. The solution for steel masks is have them powder-coated, and as @BT_Blue mentions, the maestro of masks is Tony at MaskIt (www.maskitsports.com). He'll even blast off the vinyl, true the mask, and then coat it just about any color you can imagine. I'm partial to Liquid Gunmetal or Bright Silver, but I have had Stealth (flat) Black applied before, and will soon have a Sky Blue Metallic put on my ZRO-G.

By all means, if you want to continue with your existing mask, you certainly can. New powdercoat job, pads, and a new harness, it will be better than ever.

2. That FM4000 is a unique animal, isn't it? It has a distinctive look to it and features the latest in protective design. It is so different, strong and light, it has mistakenly been explained as being titanium, but it certainly is not – it's hollow steel. The bar layout does require a splitting snip of the main tab on the lower pads (already done on the stock pads). The one challenge it does present, though, is because of its curved and shallow forehead, it makes wearing any hat beyond a 4-stitch really tough if not impossible. The FM4000 has its origin with catchers, so it's not an issue; if you want to stick to All-Star, consider the FM4000's for-umpires sibling, the FM2000.

 

[BT_Blue]

I can speak to the job Tony does. Had him slice off the top and bottom extentions on my Diamond (wish I had kept the top one) and powder coated matte black. Looks awesome. 

[midtnump]

The AS 4000 is great and I love it. You will love the light weight of the 4000. I can't tell the difference weight wise between the 4000 and my Nike Ti. It is as tough as nails and does a great job of protection. I love the LUC  pads, to me they are the most comfortable and best pads I have used.  I had mine coated matt black by Mask it and it looks great. 

Here is mine. 

[tpatience]

23 hours ago, jms1425 said:

I just got the Wilson Aluminum. Man, that is a nice mask. I've gotten very used to the Champro, and it did a fine job protecting me, but holding the Wilson... what a difference. It's very light, yet feels very sturdy, and the memory foam pads fit my face very well. The MLB harness is nice, too. After only a minute or two of adjusting, I put it on over my hat, shook my a head around without it moving, and put it on and off a few times, without losing the hat.  It is VERY silver though - more than I expected. Light yet sturdy, and it looks great. I can't wait to get some dish time. Not that I'm wishing for any shots to the mask, but I'm curious to see how it takes the impact.

I should be getting the Diamond tomorrow, so a side by side comparison is gonna be fun.

Thanks again to all for all the feedback, advice, and info.

I got my wilson aluminum today. As you said, it is very silver. The memory foam pads aren't my favorite and I'll probably put TW pads in.

[JeBa]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your replies & continued discussion. MadMax thanks for the direction regarding the System 7 FM2000, I hadn't considered that model.

I do only wear a 4-stitch hat when donning the plate gear, so that wouldn't be an issue for me on the FM4000.

Regarding the All Star elastic type harness that some websites offer with the FM4000, it seems that this wouldn't be suitable & that a std sewn webbing harness would be better for maintaining a "loose" fit.

I may also consider using Mask-It to rejuvenate my old West Vest & add new pads....(but I would also like a shiny new toy under the Christmas tree!).

Jeff

[MadMax]

7 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

I can speak to the job Tony does. Had him slice off the top and bottom extentions on my Diamond (wish I had kept the top one) and powder coated matte black. Looks awesome. 

Got photos? Any claim you make is vapid and invalid without photos!

[BT_Blue]

3 hours ago, MadMax said:

Got photos? Any claim you make is vapid and invalid without photos!

Ouch!

[BT_Blue]

Will be selling the Spyder (ok... so it is already sold.) I want to replace it with a Mizuno Shovel TG if I can find one. 

But Tony cut off the top and bottom extenders (the bottom had a broken weld) and powder coated matte black.

[MadMax]

4 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

Will be selling the Spyder (ok... so it is already sold.) I want to replace it with a Mizuno Shovel TG if I can find one. 

But Tony cut off the top and bottom extenders (the bottom had a broken weld) and powder coated matte black.

Intriguing. With how light aluminum is, and the lack of ear guard struts on this Diamond, it could pass for a Mizuno at first glance... which typically lack chin guards themselves.

[BT_Blue]

Just your standard Diamond Featherweight. The same one that had the crappy pads originally that I replaced with TW.

[BT_Blue]

3 hours ago, MadMax said:

Intriguing. With how light aluminum is, and the lack of ear guard struts on this Diamond, it could pass for a Mizuno at first glance... which typically lack chin guards themselves.

I'll take this as a compliment.

I'll sell it for a Mizuno price if anyone wants it. $400 sound about right? 

[JeBa]

Do the Plus POS BB43 Classic Brown replacement mask pads fit a std West Vest steel mask or Wilson A3009X (Dynalite)?

The forehead piece is shaped differently than the stock pads.

thanks,

Jeff

[BT_Blue]

23 minutes ago, JeBa said:

Do the Plus POS BB43 Classic Brown replacement mask pads fit a std West Vest steel mask or Wilson A3009X (Dynalite)?

The forehead piece is shaped differently than the stock pads.

 

thanks,

Jeff

Best guess I would say yes. As far as I am aware, only Force3 pads are specifically for the Force3 masks

[MadMax]

Yup, may have to squeeze 'em a bit, but they will fit. As said, the Force3 Defenders require their own pads because the anchor tabs are different, longer, and have to accommodate the spring assemblies on the mask itself.