Marcus6 Posted March 27 Report Posted March 27 New rig for Gooch? This sure looks like the Davis D30 cp doesn’t it? 3 Quote
wolfe_man Posted March 27 Report Posted March 27 I'd say that's a yes. It is definitely D3O foam padding and I think I can see where the Davis logo is covered up with something black (tape?) through the shirt opening at the neck. I had heard that an MLB guy was wearing the Enduro and others are wearing a DX variant of some sort, but didn't know who specifically... looks like it could be Mr Guccione in the Enduro! @DerekGDS it's gotta be a good feeling to see a product that you created worn by an MLB umpire on national TV! Congratulations! 4 1 Quote
MadMax Posted March 28 Report Posted March 28 It is a DX Enduro. I'm... I'm actually tearing up, I'm so proud. It's going to be a banner summer! Oh! And notice, too... Gooch "downgraded" his mask from a FM4000 Magnesium to a FM4000 Hollow Steel... Hmm... 🤔... could it be the view-scape out of the FM4000 Hollow Steel is less obtrusive?? Huh! I know a magnesium mask that alleviates those broad, obtrusive bars. 😁 4 Quote
Marcus6 Posted March 29 Author Report Posted March 29 On 3/28/2026 at 11:29 AM, MadMax said: It is a DX Enduro. I'm... I'm actually tearing up, I'm so proud. It's going to be a banner summer! Oh! And notice, too... Gooch "downgraded" his mask from a FM4000 Magnesium to a FM4000 Hollow Steel... Hmm... 🤔... could it be the view-scape out of the FM4000 Hollow Steel is less obtrusive?? Huh! I know a magnesium mask that alleviates those broad, obtrusive bars. 😁 I think he did downgrade but he’s worn that mask for a while now Quote
Rock Bottom Posted March 30 Report Posted March 30 On 3/28/2026 at 10:29 AM, MadMax said: It is a DX Enduro. I'm... I'm actually tearing up, I'm so proud. It's going to be a banner summer! Oh! And notice, too... Gooch "downgraded" his mask from a FM4000 Magnesium to a FM4000 Hollow Steel... Hmm... 🤔... could it be the view-scape out of the FM4000 Hollow Steel is less obtrusive?? Huh! I know a magnesium mask that alleviates those broad, obtrusive bars. 😁 I'm seeing more umps and a lot of catchers in the MLB who have switched to the FM4000 steel this year. Quote
wolfe_man Posted March 30 Report Posted March 30 9 hours ago, Rock Bottom said: I'm seeing more umps and a lot of catchers in the MLB who have switched to the FM4000 steel this year. I'd love to know the reasoning why. The magnesium is so much better in appearance, it's such a strong appearance mask. The steel is lightweight and offers a similar appearance, but I'd take the mag over it any day. I agree with all of you that it must be the sight-line issue. Either they can't get comfortable with those thicker bars or they just feel like they're losing sight of something they need/want to see. I never had trouble with seeing pitches when I wore it, but to each their own and all that.... 1 Quote
MadMax Posted March 30 Report Posted March 30 15 hours ago, Rock Bottom said: I'm seeing more umps and a lot of catchers in the MLB who have switched to the FM4000 steel 5 hours ago, wolfe_man said: The steel is lightweight and offers a similar appearance, but I'd take the mag over it any day. I agree with all of you that it must be the sight-line issue. Either they can't get comfortable with those thicker bars or they just feel like they're losing sight of something they need/want to see. The factor that needs to be put on the table – the piece that needs to be on the board, so to speak – is the Professional (uppercase P) level these guys are working, vis-à-vis the near-inexhaustible supply of new/replacement masks. Magnesium doesn't bend, and doesn't break (no welds to pop, etc.), both characteristics that dramatically increase the durability and longevity of the mask for the user. Thus, for an amateur – both catchers and umpires – there's much less financial affect regarding repair / replacement. Even for professional umpires (lowercase p), who operate on a just-above-the-shoestrings budget, this is a welcome benefit. If you don't have to repair / replace your mask after an impact, or, you avoid being dinged / demerited / chided by your supervisor for not maintaining your gear, you're very likely to opt for that piece of equipment. It's one of the reasons why the Diamond DFM-UMP(iX3) was the darling of MiLB and amateur umpires (and why Wilson was forced to update to the DynAlum series), and then the Force3 Defender got to be so popular. With the Defender, it wasn't the sole reason, but it was a significant reason. But that piece, that factor, is not on the board in the Professional game. Replacement masks can be had, lickity-split, with no regard for financial stress. I can tell you (and one of you likely will or have run the numbers), the FM4000 Steel and the FM4000 Magnesium frames are virtually a push (even), weight-wise. All-Star will likely never* do a titanium version (the joint geometry is so radical, even on the Steel, that rendering it in Titanium is nigh-cost-impossible), so the only difference must be the view-scape / sightlines. And, with money being no factor in the Pro game, catchers and umpires are both opting for the Steel. I find it telling – the Dynalite has stagnated. There isn't a traditional / catcher's version available (no more red, royal, navy, green, etc.). There isn't a silver aluminum model anymore. The Titanium isn't sold / configured with the "Memory Foam" pads, either – that's rather telling! 3 Quote
Thatsnotyou Posted 13 hours ago Report Posted 13 hours ago I’ve got a force 3 and a mag. I use the force 3 for HS, and usually flip to the mag for travel games like a 12u. Anytime I put the mag on after a string of HS games, I definitely notice that the sight lines are far worse in the mag. I don’t know if that means the force 3 is that good, the mag is poor, or somewhere in the middle, but it’s significant. Quote
Velho Posted 13 hours ago Report Posted 13 hours ago 1 minute ago, Thatsnotyou said: I don’t know if that means the force 3 is that good, the mag is poor, or somewhere in the middle, but it’s significant. It means you need a Mirage as your one and only 😁 1 Quote
umpstu Posted 10 hours ago Report Posted 10 hours ago On 3/30/2026 at 5:42 AM, wolfe_man said: I'd love to know the reasoning why. The magnesium is so much better in appearance, it's such a strong appearance mask. The steel is lightweight and offers a similar appearance, but I'd take the mag over it any day. I agree with all of you that it must be the sight-line issue. Either they can't get comfortable with those thicker bars or they just feel like they're losing sight of something they need/want to see. I never had trouble with seeing pitches when I wore it, but to each their own and all that.... Love my Mag Quote
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