All-Star FM4000 Bars Out of Shape?

[Rock Bottom]

Please see the pic below.  If you look at the ear guards, the bar that's goes through it seems to be angled differently on the two sides, and the bar down the middle of the throat guard doesn't seem exactly centered either.  I'm having a hard time telling from other pics - for those that have FM4000s, is the below normal, or is the sign of a possible counterfeit mask?  

 

[Thunderheads]

no photo to see

[Aging_Arbiter]

The only "pic below" your post is under @thunderheads name.  For the life of me,  I can't tell if the ear guards on his mask are different. Could be the angle.

[Rock Bottom]

So strange - the pic is showing up in my post.  It says it's too big to attach, but I'm copy and pasting it below again - please see if this works; thanks all!

 

 

[Thunderheads]

Yes, I see what you're referring to, however, .....  maybe take the pads off and let's look at it that way, ok?  It may be the way the pads are laying also (oddly enough)

[wolfe_man]

I see it too.  The bar going out to the ear guards seems just a bit out of symmetrical balance.   The middle chin guard bar is out of center as well.  I think the mask is safe, but my OCD would drive me crazy with it too.

It's like having a fully functional hollow steel mask, but then hearing a loose burr rattle around.  It drives me crazy and ends up making me think it's unsafe or something.

[Thunderheads]

24 minutes ago, wolfe_man said:

I see it too.  The bar going out to the ear guards seems just a bit out of symmetrical balance.   The middle chin guard bar is out of center as well.  I think the mask is safe, but my OCD would drive me crazy with it too.

It's like having a fully functional hollow steel mask, but then hearing a loose burr rattle around.  It drives me crazy and ends up making me think it's unsafe or something.

agree, but take the pads and harness off and take a look first, ......sometimes it can skew your view

[Rock Bottom]

I did some measuring and both sides are not identical, but looking at pics I see in the mask porn thread I can't tell if this is just the nature of the FM4000 - some pics look similar to mine, but that's why I figured I'd ask for people who can look at it in their hand.  Like you Wolfe_man, I have a little (or lot if you ask my wife) OCD on stuff like this.  But I don't want to end up just ordering a new one and then end up with the same thing (especially since I got a great deal on this one, but then of course I ask myself is this why? LOL).  

Thanks again everyone - this board is great!

[Thunderheads]

Just now, Rock Bottom said:

I did some measuring and both sides are not identical, but looking at pics I see in the mask porn thread I can't tell if this is just the nature of the FM4000 - some pics look similar to mine, but that's why I figured I'd ask for people who can look at it in their hand.  Like you Wolfe_man, I have a little (or lot if you ask my wife) OCD on stuff like this.  But I don't want to end up just ordering a new one and then end up with the same thing (especially since I got a great deal on this one, but then of course I ask myself is this why? LOL).  

Thanks again everyone - this board is great!

Ok, ... if this is a new order and it just came in .......why don't you email Brad @ All-Star and see what he thinks?

[Thunderheads]

I'd still like to see it WITHOUT the pads and harness on it

[Rock Bottom]

3 minutes ago, Thunderheads said:

I'd still like to see it WITHOUT the pads and harness on it

I'd do that, but I'm out of town and don't have access until Friday.  Is Brad's email on the All-Star website?

[Thunderheads]

Just now, Rock Bottom said:

I'd do that, but I'm out of town and don't have access until Friday.  Is Brad's email on the All-Star website?

IM sent

[Rock Bottom]

Just wanted to give an update, I contacted All-Star re: the mask, just shared the picture with them.  They said it was safe to use, but looked a little off, so sent me another mask too.  Unbelievable customer service!  Made me so glad I go the FM4000.  My son played catcher (and a little first base) through HS, so I've bought all the system 7 catching gear, MVP2500, CM300SBK catcher's mitt, and a S7 1B mitt, and all the equipment was top-notch.   I'm glad that I can carry on using All-Star with umping.  (If I do well at this umping gig maybe I'll get the FM4000Mag in a year or two.)

Thanks again everyone, and especially Jeff @Thunderheads for all the info and help!

Mike

[BT_Blue]

18 hours ago, Rock Bottom said:

Just wanted to give an update, I contacted All-Star re: the mask, just shared the picture with them.  They said it was safe to use, but looked a little off, so sent me another mask too.  Unbelievable customer service!  Made me so glad I go the FM4000.  My son played catcher (and a little first base) through HS, so I've bought all the system 7 catching gear, MVP2500, CM300SBK catcher's mitt, and a S7 1B mitt, and all the equipment was top-notch.   I'm glad that I can carry on using All-Star with umping.  (If I do well at this umping gig maybe I'll get the FM4000Mag in a year or two.)

Thanks again everyone, and especially Jeff @Thunderheads for all the info and help!

Mike

Yes.... but do you also have the CP and shins?

[Rock Bottom]

4 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

Yes.... but do you also have the CP and shins?

Well..., no, I went with the Schutt XV-HDX CP and the Force 3 ultimate shins.  Based on my analysis of the collective wisdom on this board. 

[MadMax]

9 hours ago, Rock Bottom said:

Well..., no, I went with the Schutt XV-HDX CP and the Force 3 ultimate shins.

< covers Rock Bottom’s ears with his hands > Leave him be, @BT_Blue. He has an ideal gear setup. Not one thing on his list is blemished by that stupid “W”.

[ofhs93]

7 hours ago, MadMax said:

< covers Rock Bottom’s ears with his hands > Leave him be, @BT_Blue. He has an ideal gear setup. Not one thing on his list is blemished by that stupid “W”.

THIS!!!!! Lol....and for the record...it's the same setup I will be using this year  The +pos ZRO-G Mask will make an appearance from time to time as well. I *did* replace the stock Schutt harness with an F3 one on Tuesday though and it made a tremendous difference...much like it did for the backup Champion P200.

[BT_Blue]

17 hours ago, MadMax said:

< covers Rock Bottom’s ears with his hands > Leave him be, @BT_Blue. He has an ideal gear setup. Not one thing on his list is blemished by that stupid “W”.

As soon as I can figure out what to do with my "Mizuno-lite" (ok... it's a Diamond, so what!), then I too will be rid of just about every Wilson thing I own. The only exception could come if I find a Wilson Gold carcass (I told you I plan to call it that from now on) and put it on the foam padding I am planning to put together for my AA. (I have enough to make two or three pads if I so choose.)

[Aging_Arbiter]

The only remaining "W" equipment I have is a platinum with team wendy retro fit.   I figured I'd hang on to it until I retire, and then offer it up as a "relic" for sale.

[tpatience]

13 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

As soon as I can figure out what to do with my "Mizuno-lite" (ok... it's a Diamond, so what!), then I too will be rid of just about every Wilson thing I own. The only exception could come if I find a Wilson Gold carcass (I told you I plan to call it that from now on) and put it on the foam padding I am planning to put together for my AA. (I have enough to make two or three pads if I so choose.)

Nice idea

[BT_Blue]

7 hours ago, tpatience said:

Nice idea

Now its just a matter of putting it into practice!  I have to credit @jwclubbie for the idea in the first place, as I still need to get the fabric.

I just havent had time to go do it or get my Smitty pants hemmed.