Force 3 Defender V1 Pads

[834k3r]

Anyone have any they don't need and/or want? At this point, I don't care if they're black or tan, or if they're used.

[BT_Blue]

4 hours ago, 834k3r said:

Anyone have any they don't need and/or want? At this point, I don't care if they're black or tan, or if they're used.

I believe the pads are the same as the current mask. Only the mask frame was different. 

[834k3r]

3 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

I believe the pads are the same as the current mask. Only the mask frame was different. 

According to Force3's customer service, they're not the same. Might have to try some V2 from UA, and return them if they don't fit...

[rhinolith]

5 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

I believe the pads are the same as the current mask. Only the mask frame was different. 

I asked F3 about this and they said the pads are different. I have V2 and have not seen V1, so I can’t confirm.

[wolfe_man]

V1 and V2 are most definitely different pads.   V1 has 4-springs and V2 only has 3-springs, but they're in a different location - so the pads are not interchangeable.

[BT_Blue]

That actually makes sense now that you point that out. I've never had a v1 in my hands so I forgot about the spring number difference 

[834k3r]

14 hours ago, rhinolith said:

I asked F3 about this and they said the pads are different. I have V2 and have not seen V1, so I can’t confirm.

Would you mind DMing me a picture of your pads? I'll compare with mine.

[wolfe_man]

V2 mask - only 2 Velcro tabs on top pad. There are 3-springs on this version.

 

 

V1 mask - Note the 4-springs placement differing from only 3-springs on the V2 above.  There are 4 Velcro straps due to the placement of the openings due to spring location on the V1 (V2 only has 2 Velcro tabs on top pad).  Also, notice that the V2 pads have a white silk-screened logo versus the multi-color and stitched F3 logo found on the V1.

 

You will notice that the bottom spring location is the same on both masks.  The bottom pad is the same for both frames as a result.

[834k3r]

Based on those pictures, I think the V2 pads would work. And if I can use V2 pads, I can use the sun visor I got...

Even if I can't use the top pad--it's the bottom pad on mine that badly needs to be replaced (the leather on the chin pad has had it).

I'll order the V2 pads from UA and return them if they don't work. I'll post my results here.

[MadMax]

There are two remedies. 

The “easier” one is to buy a new set of V2/3 pads and replace only the lower jaw pad. This one takes the most abuse anyway, and as @wolfe_man assured us, it is virtually the same as the V1. However, there is a benefit in the V2/3 with improved foam+Kevlar laminate, and the presence of a “spring lip”, infused in the design of the pad as additional protection after Kurt Suzuki cut his lower lip when the spring assembly bottomed-out on him. 

Granted, you’re missing out on using a forehead pad you paid good money for, but that’s what the second remedy is for… 

A really good alterations place can undo the Velcro tabs on the forehead pad and re-anchor them. If you wanted to improve your chances, just purchase a foot of hook-&-loop  strapping (both sides!) of 1” in width. 

[ErichKeane]

1 hour ago, MadMax said:

There are two remedies. 

The “easier” one is to buy a new set of V2/3 pads and replace only the lower jaw pad. This one takes the most abuse anyway, and as @wolfe_man assured us, it is virtually the same as the V1. However, there is a benefit in the V2/3 with improved foam+Kevlar laminate, and the presence of a “spring lip”, infused in the design of the pad as additional protection after Kurt Suzuki cut his lower lip when the spring assembly bottomed-out on him. 

Granted, you’re missing out on using a forehead pad you paid good money for, but that’s what the second remedy is for… 

A really good alterations place can undo the Velcro tabs on the forehead pad and re-anchor them. If you wanted to improve your chances, just purchase a foot of hook-&-loop  strapping (both sides!) of 1” in width. 

At leaset based on the velcro, it looks like a V2 pad would work on a V1 if the velcro is all that we're worried about.  It looks like it would just end up in the 'empty' space on the 4-spring-location one.

[834k3r]

31 minutes ago, ErichKeane said:

At leaset based on the velcro, it looks like a V2 pad would work on a V1 if the velcro is all that we're worried about.  It looks like it would just end up in the 'empty' space on the 4-spring-location one.

That's my thought too.

Anywhoooo...I'll get the V2 set and post results here.

[AL-Ump]

Didn't Smitty/Douglas take over the design last year and sell them as their own product?

 

Maybe look for their replacement pads?

[BT_Blue]

3 minutes ago, AL-Ump said:

Didn't Smitty/Douglas take over the design last year and sell them as their own product?

 

Maybe look for their replacement pads?

This has been. Discussed previously. And I'm sure Max would have better insight into it than I would.

But if I remember correctly. This was a licensing deal where Douglas helped get the F3 frame to market.

[MadMax]

22 minutes ago, BT_Blue said:

And I'm sure Max would have better insight into it

Yyyyyeeeessss???? You rang? 

22 minutes ago, BT_Blue said:

But if I remember correctly. This was a licensing deal where Douglas helped get the F3 frame to market.

Pretty much. More accurately, they partnered with Force3 so as to create package-deal inroads with associations, who are notorious for requesting package deals and other arrangements to sell to new (or existing) members. Gerry Davis has a similar arrangement with Diamond, with the aluminum iX3 equipped with Davis-branded pads and harness (notice that both the branding marks are stitched on as opposed to silk-screened; this way, Davis can supply the fabricator in China with their branding mark without supplying the vector art file).

You’d have to inquire with Douglas as to if they even have replacement pads available; one of the terms & conditions of the mask’s sale by Douglas is that the mask frame & pads are sold together, not separate. Besides, that might be an old catalog photo, and Douglas may have exhausted supply of the V1-4-spring and now carry solely the V2/3-3-spring. 

[BT_Blue]

2 hours ago, MadMax said:

Yyyyyeeeessss???? You rang? 

Pretty much. More accurately, they partnered with Force3 so as to create package-deal inroads with associations, who are notorious for requesting package deals and other arrangements to sell to new (or existing) members. Gerry Davis has a similar arrangement with Diamond, with the aluminum iX3 equipped with Davis-branded pads and harness (notice that both the branding marks are stitched on as opposed to silk-screened; this way, Davis can supply the fabricator in China with their branding mark without supplying the vector art file).

You’d have to inquire with Douglas as to if they even have replacement pads available; one of the terms & conditions of the mask’s sale by Douglas is that the mask frame & pads are sold together, not separate. Besides, that might be an old catalog photo, and Douglas may have exhausted supply of the V1-4-spring and now carry solely the V2/3-3-spring. 

Indeed i did.😁

I would almost doubt they still have thr v1. And not totally sure they ever carried the v2 and I don't recall seeing it on their site.

[834k3r]

19 hours ago, AL-Ump said:

Didn't Smitty/Douglas take over the design last year and sell them as their own product?

 

Maybe look for their replacement pads?

 

I’ll have to look into this—I hadn’t heard this happened.

[834k3r]

On 7/20/2022 at 2:02 PM, 834k3r said:

That's my thought too.

Anywhoooo...I'll get the V2 set and post results here.

So back in July, @MadMax, @ErichKeane, @wolfe_man, and @rhinolith were discussing F3 V1/V2 pads. I got a set of the sweet gray pads for my V1 mask and the V2 pads do fit. I even was able to install my V2 sun visor! Of course, I didn't take any pictures; I'll rectify that oversight when I get home today.

[834k3r]

Okay, so I forgot to take the picture(s)...and now I'm out of town until next weekend. I'll take the pictures, I promise!

[834k3r]

On 4/21/2023 at 8:41 AM, 834k3r said:

So back in July, @MadMax, @ErichKeane, @wolfe_man, and @rhinolith were discussing F3 V1/V2 pads. I got a set of the sweet gray pads for my V1 mask and the V2 pads do fit. I even was able to install my V2 sun visor! Of course, I didn't take any pictures; I'll rectify that oversight when I get home today.

At long last, here's the photo of my v2 pads and visor on my v1 mask. A good look, if I do say so myself.