Goggles and Glasses and Fans, OH MY!

Since I am so "fortunate" as to be saddled with wearing spectacles, I've sampled many a mask for it's fog prevention qualities. Some goggles just do not work worth a damn with glasses. The tight profile Dye and VForce brands do not allow my specs to ride comfortably.

Empire (E)Vents are extremely comfortable. The lenses stay clear and, under normal humidity, my glasses do, too. But with a higher humidity, the glasses begin to fog. Fortunately, I use the Yellow Vents for my field photography and I can move fast and generate air motion to clear any fogging.

Next up is the Proto Switch FS (or EL for that matter). FS has a thermal lens "stock" and the economy EL has an anti-fog single pane. The plus for the Proto is the available fan. Works OK, but in LA conditions it can let your glasses down.

The clear cut winner is any JT Spectra lens equipped goggles. The JT mask is quite comfortable and the JT fan, while a bit pricey, is a two direction fan that can suck hot air out or blow cool air in. With a Flex 8 and a JT fan, you're at right around a hundred bucks. But the confort and clear vision is well worth it. And you'd spend that much on an E-Vent or a Grille. (Untested is the Extreme Rage/PMI 20-20 goggles. Same type setup as JT, but compared by price, the 20-20 is less than the JT at around $60.)

Keep in mind that unless you build some kind of custom "computer fan rigged for paintball" apparatus, any OEM fan setup you use will NOT A/C your goggles. they are designed to move air and keep condensation from forming on your lens. Lots of guys come into the shop and say that their fan doesn't cool them off. Not gonna happen...

And to head off those thinking, "Why don't you wear contacts?" Wore them for 25 years. Took them off for 6 months after an auto accident. Haven't been able to get them again. Besides, it's hard to get trifocal contact lenses.

And Thumper, feel free to use this as a basis to start the Goggles section of the "guides". I will be glad to expand and detail it.

I love my Scott USA goggles and have had the same pair for 3 years now, but lately, I've tempted to give in to the power of the vents....gotta love the profile they give!

"It doesn't bother you, killing those people?
-Well I wouldn't be very good at my job if it did."
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I prefer Switches by Proto...

a hint...

ALWAYS TRY BEFORE YOU BUY! with masks. ALWAYS. whatever is the most comfortable TO YOU! is the best goggle.

I use this same setup with a graduated lens, only had it fog while playing in thr rain.
The visor in the spectras is large enough to install a cpu fan which u can rig from radio shak for about $20. i gotta say having the fan inplace is a whole different world, even with the rain the fan keep my lens clear.
Went with the cpu fan because it's alot quiter than the JT models.
The spectras are a bit larger than most goggle rigs, but i'd rather have the added protection as i tend to take alot of paint ot the head.

Suicide Medic
Team Tetanus

jihad is for fags ~ Nix

I used the old Vents-Predators and when the new VENTS came out I couldn't wait to try them out. They have not disappointed. I sweat like one of the original "Sweat Hogs" and occasionally have to go back to my glasses instead of my contacts (I REFUSE to get Bi-focal Contacts, Torics are enough) I don't run a fan, just remeber that in very humid conditions to remove the visor or brow guard to allow maximum air flow.

We kill more airborne before 09:30 than other units do all day...
Leutnant, 6th FJR - 2008
NAPRA #264 Automaggot #133

"In the end we're all just chalk-lines on the concrete. Drawn only to be washed away...." Five Finger Death Punch

I wear a profiler and use "PLEXUS" It helps with the fog and you can get it a your local motorcycle dealer, it's great for cleaning plastic lenses. A small 8oz bottle will cost about $8 but it last a long time.