Matrix Alien Special Operation No Fog Airsoft Mask
(New Lens Version March 2009) Evike.com
Listed Features:
- True
Anti-Fog Finish
- Shatter Proof Safety Ultra Clear
Lens
- Spare Lens Available.
- Ultra High Density Foam Inner
Padding.
- Non-Slip Elastic Fully Adjustable Goggle Strap.
-
One piece shell for maximum durability and comfort.
We go by our mailbox center and pick up these wonderful boxes (It's always Christmas for us airsofters ha ha) and in one box is two of the evike/matrix Alien spec op masks and some extra lens for shot testing.
I'm stoked, as when we play airsoft on certain paintball fields and indoor arenas they require us to have full face and ear coverage. Personally I had yet to find a full face mask I liked. I'm normally a bolle x800 goggle + fogtech user (I can fog any plain goggle/mask system alone) But as noted I needed something full face with ear coverage, and as I was still looking this sure looked like it could fit the bill for my personal needs.
So what is the best way to test a mask? Take it to your local insane team mates and let them have a go at it, I say.
The first comments were like
Looks cool,
Hey this fits pretty well,
I can get good line of sight on my replica,
My glasses fit inside,
It protects my ears,
No itchy foam,
etc.
These could be taken on a plus side. Of course no mask fits everyone and is satisfactory for everyone's taste, but it was overall consensus this one was pretty good and at a great price. $45 from evike.com
Safety Tests
Safety testing Conducted on a closed indoor range (no wind-no sunlight)
with a temp of 69 degrees F and humidity of 65%
with .2g goldenball white bb's
and .32 goldenball white BIO sniper bb's.
Replica 1 was tuned for 400 fps with hop setting 1ft level /.2g bb.
Replica 2 was tuned for 2.38j 400 fps with hop setting 2ft level /.32g bb (approximately 506fps/.2 equivalent)
Lens shots Point blank semi
In airsoft, it isn't about being shot at distance, airsoft bb's lose tremendous momentum over even short distances, it's about an accidental discharge (sometimes intentional) from the guy standing next to you.
Our first safety testing was to be point blank at 1 foot with a 500fps/.2g equiv bb shot.
My understanding was that the original lens sent by the manufacturer wasn't up to spec, so evike included some of these in my test pack to show us the difference and the old lens did indeed fail. But the new lens was a complete pass with barely a mark.
Lens shots Full auto five feet
Test two was full auto at min shoot distances which usually run around 10 ft at 400 or so.
We decided people can't really judge distances very well and thought we would test on the side of error So we shot the lens at 5 feet - 400fps/.2g bb for 5 shots at the same spot. Result... Pass
Mask itself
Next up was the actual mask material itself. Both point blank 500+ and full auto 35-400 at 1 to 5 feet. Results... Pass
Fit and adjustment
The mask has a nice firm strap with anti slip rubberizing to it. I found the mask to not only fit me well but was comfortable for extended periods of time. Considering the mask is quite rigid it may not fit all face types as comfortable.
Fit with glasses
Of course many of my insane team mates wear glasses or wanted to wear sunglasses underneath. The fit with glasses was unexpectedly very good. No one seemed to complain and from looking closely vision was still top notch.
Line of sight – cheek weld
Ability to shoulder a replica and using the sights of a replica is important to me. I'm not a spray and walk the rounds in type of player. I prefer a precise aimed shot. Most times with a full mask this isn't possible. We found with this mask it was.
Vision
The vision was fantastic with great upper and lower sight along with peripheral vision.
Looks
OK this thing just looks awesome. I mean if you have to cover your ugly mug why not do it in style, alien style.
Cleaning - lens
One very nice feature about this mask is the ability to take out the lens easily for cleaning. Just turn the 2 release screws on the sides and pop the lens out.
I'm a firm believer if you take care of your lens it will stay bright and clean. These particular lens have a great anti fog coating on them but it does wear off over time. Still we want to preserve that anti fog as long as possible. To clean my lens I removed it and ran it under hot water. I placed 1 drop of dawn dish soap in my hand with a bit of hot water then lathered it up and gently rubbed it over the lens until clean. I then rinsed the lens under the hot running water and my hands until no soap remained. You could see the water bead up on the now clean lens. To dry you want to use a soft micro cloth and gently blot any water off the lens, taking extra care not to touch the lens in process. I then put it on the counter and cool a few minutes before reinserting it into the mask. (using the micro cloth to handle the lens and prevent any finger smudges. Now with a clean lens I wrapped the whole mask in the micro cloth protecting it from scratches and dirt until my nest game.
Eventually the factory anti-fog coating does wear off. Personally at this stage I use “fog tech” anti fog on the inside of the lens the day of the game and I use “All Kleer” Plastic Cleaner & Polish on the outside. (See future anti-fog and anti-dust lab tests)
Cleaning - mask
Unlike most masks which use the soft open cell foam, this mask uses cleanable closed cell foam. After a game, simply remove the lens for separate cleaning and rinse of the mask then dry with a clean towel simple.
Fogging!
So, how does the factory anti-fog hold up. In a word, excellent. Personally I can fog any goggle system or mask. I was surprised that when the lens was properly cleaned it's anti fog ability was top notch. The only issue is with glasses. If they are not treated with anti fog on both lens then they will fog inside. I still prefer the anti-fog ability of fog tech, the only true 100% no fog I have found so far but for most people the factory coating will be far more than enough with proper care.
Pimped
Stay tuned for the mask mods done on this (like all masks we get, we can't just leave well enough alone ha ha.) Mods allowing the use of a Boonie hat, more airflow, cooling fans and Vietnam special forces style painting.
AirsoftDigest.com Magazine Notes:
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