Getting a solid empire mask paintball setup is honestly one associated with those "make or even break" decisions with regard to your weekend at the field. If you've ever spent an entire match wiping haze off your zoom lens while someone sets at you, a person already know that your goggles are way more important than what marker you're having. Empire has been a staple within the scene for a long period, and for great reason—they generally understand how to cash protection with the kind of comfort that will doesn't make you want to rip your face off after twenty a few minutes.
Why Empire is really a Go-To intended for Most Players
When you're looking at different brands, it's easy in order to get overwhelmed simply by all of the flashy colors and marketing jargon. But Empire offers stayed relevant mainly because they actually listen to what gamers complain about. Generally, that's fogging, air permeability, and whether or even not you can hear your teammates screaming directions at a person.
Their lineup covers many methods from the particular "I just started today" budget options to the "I play every weekend and want the best tech" high-end things. They've managed in order to create a few styles that have become renowned in the neighborhood, specifically mainly because they don't consider to reinvent the wheel every solitary year. They just refine what works.
The Empire EVS: That Astronaut Look
If you've seen the mask that looks like it is supposed to be on a spaceship, it's probably the particular Empire EVS. This thing is incredibly very much all lens. The cool thing about the EVS may be the massive field associated with vision. It provides the 270-degree view, which sounds like the marketing stat until you actually put it on. Being able to discover out of your own peripheral vision with out turning your whole head is a massive advantage when you're trying to spot someone crawling with the brush.
The EVS is furthermore surprisingly friendly intended for people who wear glasses. A great deal of masks state to be "over-the-glasses" compatible, but then they crush your frames against your own nose. The EVS actually has enough internal volume to let your glasses sit naturally. The particular only real drawback some people discover is the fact that because the lens is really large, it can sometimes echo a bit when you're shouting. It's not the dealbreaker, but it's something you notice the first time you yell "reloading! " and hear it bounce back at you.
The E-Flex: A Best-of-Both-Worlds Mashup
Then there's the Empire E-Flex. This mask is usually a bit of a cult favorite since it takes the best areas of two different masks and smashes them together. This uses the quick-change lens system through the old Empire Vents and includes it with the particular flexible lower skirt of the JT ProFlex.
Exactly why does a versatile bottom matter? Properly, a couple of reasons. First, this makes it very much easier to aim down your sights because the mask bends instead of hitting your own marker's stock. Second, it breathes incredibly well. Since the particular bottom is constructed of that will softer material, your hot breath isn't getting trapped within the mask plus heading straight upward into the lens. As well as, it's just comfortable. It feels less such as a plastic container on your mind and more like a piece of actual gear.
Don't Sleep within the Empire Helix
If you're on a budget, you've most likely looked over the Empire Helix. It's their particular entry-level option, yet it's not "cheap" in the way those bad rental masks are usually. The biggest win with regard to the Helix will be that you may get it with a dual-pane thermal lens right out of the box.
I can't stress and anxiety this enough: when you're buying an empire mask paintball setup, or any kind of mask for that will matter, get a cold weather lens . Single-pane lenses are essentially just fog magnets. The Helix may not have the particular fancy quick-change zoom lens system or the soft-touch foam of the EVS, nevertheless it'll keep you safe and keep your vision very clear without going broke. It's the perfect "I'm just starting out but I don't want to dislike my life" mask.
The Magic of Thermal Lens
We ought to probably discuss why the lens tech matters a lot. The thermal lens is essentially two lens with a slim layer of air flow trapped between them. It works like a double-paned window inside a house. It retains the temperature distinction between the inside of the mask (your hot, exhausted face) and the outside air from causing condensation.
Empire's lens layer is also pretty topnoth. They're fairly proof to scratches, even though you should still never wipe these a dirty shirt. Use a microfiber cloth and several water or dedicated lens cleaner in case you want all of them to last. If you take treatment of an Empire lens, it'll stay clear for a long time, yet once you start seeing those small swirl marks from cleaning it with sand-covered gloves, it's time to exchange it out.
Comfort and Fitment
No issue how cool a mask looks, in case it pinches your nose or digs into your temple, you're going in order to hate wearing it. Empire uses a multi-layer foam that's generally pretty soft towards the skin. With time, that foam will probably soak up a lot of perspiration. One thing I love in regards to the higher-end Empire masks is definitely that the foam is usually replaceable.
Instead associated with throwing away the perfectly good mask because the polyurethane foam is gets low or starts peeling off, you may just play a new kit. It's a small details, however it saves a person a lot associated with money over time. Also, the straps on these masks are usually beefy. They don't slide around, and they have that will silicone bead on the returning to grip your head or your beanie therefore the mask doesn't slide down during the slide.
Conversation for the Field
Paintball is a team sport, plus if you can't talk, you're basically useless. Some face masks act like silencers, causing you to sound like Kenny from South Park. Empire usually does a pretty great job with their particular venting patterns.
The E-Flex has become the king of communication because the particular soft bottom doesn't reflect your tone of voice back at a person. But your EVS and the Helix have decent venting around the mouth. It's not simply about people hearing you, either—it's about you hearing them. The ear pieces on Empire face masks are designed in order to avoid a direct hit towards the ear (which hurts such as crazy, by the particular way) while nevertheless letting sound ocean through so a person can actually hear your buddies calling out positions.
Keeping Your Gear Fresh
Preserving your empire mask paintball gear isn't exactly rocket technology, but it's easy to get very lazy. After a day time of play, you should take the lens out and give everything a great rinse. Paint is surprisingly acidic and may eat away on the foam or the plastic over time in case you just depart it sitting within your gear bag for three weeks.
Just make use of warm water. Avoid Windex or harsh chemical substances simply because they can actually ruin the anti-fog coating within the lens. Most Empire masks are quite easy to destroy. The quick-change techniques on the EVS and E-Flex create it a thirty-second job to appear the lens out, which is excellent when you've got paint in the particular crevices and want to get this clean before the particular next round.
Final Thoughts upon Picking One
At the finish of the day, picking an empire mask paintball package comes down in order to your budget and just how much you caution about that wide field of see. If you can afford it, the particular EVS is an excellent expertise just for the sheer amount associated with stuff you may see. But when you're a "function over fashion" type of player, the E-Flex is perhaps one of the most comfortable masks ever made.
Whichever way you go, just make certain you're happy with how it sits upon your face. Test it on with your goggles or your own favorite headwrap. When it feels right and you've obtained that thermal zoom lens installed, you're currently way ahead of the competition. Stay safe, keep the eyes covered, and also have enjoyable out there.