Difference between revisions of "Goggles"

Revision as of 05:07, 11 July 2013

Goggle Basics

Paintball-approved eye protection only-- face (tooth) protection recommended-- at paintball facilities (North Vancouver, Richmond Indoor). Only goggles that provide a sealed space between the outside environment and your eyes protect your eyes from paintballs and BB's. Ballistic goggles or paintball-approved eye protection at all airsoft facilities (Panther, Bigfoot).

Most facilities prefer goggles that seal against your face to limit tangential shots intruding into the eye. So do we.

ASTM is working on a new goggle standard for airsoft which should be published between in 2014 based on the current progress. The committee working on it has a few items to review and some comments that require addressing to complete the development process.

Mike Lukas, technical specialist on the F08.27 committee, recommends the following guidelines:

Non Play Conditions - target range or weapons testing
1. Non-sealed eye chamber safety glasses or goggles
2. Meeting US MIL-DTL-43511D, ANSI Z87.1-2003 (high impact)
3. European equivalent is EN166 with a medium or high impact rating
Any Tactical Conditions - any person on any playing field
1. Sealed eye chamber safety glasses or goggles
2. Meeting US MIL-DTL-43511D, ANSI Z87.1-2003 (high impact)
3. European equivalent is EN166 (Medium Impact)
4. The sealed eye chamber should be of a design not to allow a BB to enter through any ventilation ports in the goggle frame that are around or access the eye chamber
5. Watch for goggles that have foam barriers glued to the outer part of the goggle to cover ventilation opening - avoid goggles with openings under the foam large enough to allow the entry of an airsoft BB
Joint Paintball and Airsoft Fields
1. Paintball Goggles meeting ASTM F1776-12
2. Generally recommended by operators of both paintball and airsoft activities
3. Removal of the face protection is considered safe as long as no large openings exist after this is done to the goggle system
Periodic Checks - All units should be checked by the end user prior to use each day and preferably before each game for:
1. Cracking of the frame or lens - should be no longer used if this is evident
2. Strap or other retention device to fit to the head - goggles must fit securely and provide a full seal around the eye area when worn
3. Gaps or openings - any opening or gap between the lens and frame or face and protector that will allow the entry of a 6 mm BB will make the unit unsafe
4. Scratching or marks on the lens surface - this is discretionary as this reduces the field of view of the goggle. If the lens is all scratched up or marked the chance of a player removing them on the field is higher. Encourage replacement.
5. Any modification or additions to the goggle should be reviewed to ensure they do not allow entry of a 6 mm BB to the eye compartment.

Reading Mike's recommendations seems to indicate that ballistic goggles with full seal to the face are favoured -- but we'll see!

Dr Airsoft, also a member of the ASTM airsoft goggle committee, explains why sealed goggles are better: http://vaughanmd.com/drairsoft/answer2.html (quick copy - Dr Airsoft A2)

Notes from his article:

The American Society for Testing and Standards (ASTM.org) is currently developing standards for Airsoft which will require a minimum of full-seal goggles consistent with ANSI Z87.1 level of protection. Do not compromise on this requirement.
I encourage you to listen to our podcast (http://feeds.feedburner.com/airsoftmedicine) titled, "bang kill," for more discussion on this topic. The ASTM is going to set a standard of no shot closer than five feet, and no closer than 10 feet with a gun firing 350 feet per second.

Face Protection

Many players have removed or modified the stock face protection on their goggles to allow better aim and limit goggle fogging. Op-For recommends you use some form of face protection to protect your teeth.

Advice from a doctor who plays airsoft:

http://vaughanmd.com/drairsoft/answer1.html

(eventually we will put the quotes in wiki format - links are dead as we have downed the server, but the data is archived so eventually....)

Recognized Brands

JT (Pro-Flex allews most flexible configuration)
Dye
Scott
V-Force
Empire
Invert
Save Phace
Leader
Brass Eagle
Tippman
Extreme Rage
Proto
Sly

Recommended Models

JT Spectra Thermal
JT Flex 8 Pro
any JT paintball goggle (Flex 8, Flex Flex 8 Pro, etc)
any dual pane (thermal) paintball goggle with removable face mask
Scott Voltage XP - http://www.pbreview.com/products/reviews/3092/

Practical Testing

Airsoft Safety recommendations:

http://vaughanmd.com/drairsoft/topics.html

Some of Dr. Airsoft's practical testing videos:

520 ft/s rifle:
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmaMqrv6yAA

Wire Goggles:
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoPc6Je-7Tg

Upcoming Standards

American Society for Testing and Materials has a committee working on this: http://www.popularairsoft.com/news/astm-airsoft-eye-protection-news

The eye protection standard is currently marked ASTM WK27246. The committee also has standards for BBs and barrel blocking devices ( http://www.astm.org/DATABASE.CART/WORKITEMS/WK42700.htm ).

Their standards are listed here: http://www.astm.org/COMMIT/SUBCOMMIT/F0827.htm .

Difference between revisions of "Goggles"

Revision as of 05:07, 11 July 2013

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 == Goggle Basics ==
+Paintball-approved eye protection only-- face (tooth) protection recommended-- at paintball facilities (North Vancouver, Richmond Indoor). Only goggles that provide a sealed space between the outside environment and your eyes protect your eyes from paintballs and BB's.  Ballistic goggles or paintball-approved eye protection at all airsoft facilities (Panther, Bigfoot).
+Most facilities prefer goggles that seal against your face to limit tangential shots intruding into the eye.  So do we.
 ASTM is working on a new goggle standard for airsoft which should be published between in 2014 based on the current progress.  The committee working on it has a few items to review and some comments that require addressing to complete the development process.
@@ Line 28: / Line 32: @@
 Reading Mike's recommendations seems to indicate that ballistic goggles with full seal to the face are favoured -- but we'll see!
-Paintball-approved eye protection only-- face (tooth) protection recommended-- at paintball facilities (North Vancouver, Richmond Indoor). Only goggles that provide a sealed space between the outside environment and your eyes protect your eyes from paintballs and BB's.  Ballistic goggles or paintball-approved eye protection at all airsoft facilities (Panther, Bigfoot).
+Dr Airsoft, also a member of the ASTM airsoft goggle committee, explains why sealed goggles are better: http://vaughanmd.com/drairsoft/answer2.html (quick copy - [[Dr Airsoft A2]])
-Most facilities prefer goggles that seal against your face to limit tangential shots intruding into the eye.  So do we.
-Dr Airsoft explains why: http://vaughanmd.com/drairsoft/answer2.html (quick copy - [[Dr Airsoft A2]])
 Notes from his article: