Also, here is an in depth review from the MN Airsoft Association. They were looking at allowing monirs to use this as full face rather than paintball masks. Here is their review for that issue.
Review by MAA President Gabe "THE ARCHANGEL" Stitzel:
MAA REVIEW UPDATE:
BACKGROUND:
I had the opportunity to test the MTEK system at the July 24th 2010 Open Session. Matt "Downtown" Brown had sent out many of his samples but was kind enough to give me his personal unit to test. The test unit was a real L-XL MICH 2000 with the T3C (non armor for Airsoft) soft face guard also in the L-XL size.
I want to make a side note hear and say I don't wear helmets often. I have a big head so finding one that fits can be problematic and I am not used to the extra weight. Having worn a real MICH 2000 for about an hour I have nothing but respect for the Military and Law Enforcement personnel who wear these for extended periods of time.
PURPOSE:
The real version of these is to offer additional protection to the face from IEDs, shots, debris, etc. There are videos showing both the hard and soft versions taking direct point blank shots in the shield with little to no damage to the face (better some broken teeth and some bruises when considering the alternative). For Airsoft it had been suggested that these could replace full face Paintball Masks and we were asked to review the system for that purpose.
Specifically it was asked if this could replace full face paintball goggles for minors. Currently the MAA requires full face protection to guard primarily the teeth and ears of players though soft tissue damage is also a concern (had my fair share of angry parents berating me for the pock marks on their children's faces before the full face rule change). Cost is not a factor in this review though it has come up in conversations.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS:
The unit is very cool looking but bulky. I would like to test this with a repro helmet as the weight was a little overwhelming for me. The new fastening system is really slick and allows the user to attach and detach the face shield easily. I had watched DT do it several times and he made it look easy, by the end of my testing time I was able to do so as well. DT had several sizes of face shield (including the hard version) but I opted for the soft non armor XL version. He did attach a size that was much closer to my mouth but I decided against trying that as there was little ventilation and aside from just being uncomfortable I thought it may cause fogging.
GOGGLES USED:
Just so it's out there I tested the MTEK system with ESS Profile goggles, Bolle T-800's, and Revision Bullet Ant goggles. I tried all 3 so we could see how the units fit with the system and because all 3 have different sizes therefore offer different surface protection to the face. The ESS and Bolle goggles fit just fine over the helmet. The Revisions, being more like sunglasses, had to be worn under the helmet.
Of the 3 the ESS offered the most additional face protection. I did not bother to take pics with them as there are already pics out there. ESS goggles do not full seal around my face (with the helmet or not) so I only did some tests then switched to my T800s for playing. The pics were all taken with the T800s. I didn't even bother testing with the Revisions as a large portion of my forehead, cheeks, and ears (front) were visible.
TESTS:
Pretty basic....I took multiple burst fire shots from an upgraded AEG. I had the shooters aim at the face mask, my goggles, and then just random angles.
Good front pic with the T800's. I am looking at a slightly downward angle which is why you can see the bridge of my nose. At no time did I feel my mouth or nose was in danger. Notice how much of my cheeks, forehead and even my left ear you can see as this comes back in my testing results.
Side view as I'm adjusting the strap of my goggles. There is definitely a sweet spot but I think that will be specific per person.
RESULTS FROM TESTING:
Isaac was my first shooter and he took shots from around 25 feet with his upgraded M4. His first burst hit me square in the goggles, several rounds bounced off at an angle, hit the inside of the MTEK, then hit me in the face. This was expected and discussed and the velocity of the rounds was negligible so was not of any real concern to me. The second burst was right into the face mask....and again as expected other than a resonating series of "thwacks" nothing happened. Even at point blank range this system is rigid enough to offer maximum protection to direct shots to the face and nose. The third series of shots I took I asked the shooter to not really aim but just generally shoot at my head. I stayed stationary to take shots from different angles. Of 5 bursts 3 were deflected. One ricochet off the inside and hit me in the lip with low velocity. One burst got through the gap between my goggles and the face shield and hit my cheek and one managed to hit the lower lobe of my ear. To be honest, this was expected as well but didn't prevent me from flinching. The shots were taken from farther away so I don't have visible welts (nor did I want any) but as it was a concern I'm glad it happened.
OBSERVATIONS FROM PLAY:
Rifles still cannot be shouldered as most people like. The face shield is larger but more pliable than a paintball mask but I still had similar issues. That said, any player who's been around for awhile lives with this uncomfortable fact and adjusts their play style. I just wanted it noted that the it is still an issue with this system.
Weight is an issue but a player would get used to it with continued use. Yes, I was wearing a real helmet but even a repro will add weight and if you are not used to it it affects your stability/equilibrium. Thankfully DT had a great retention system in his helmet as at times the weight was such that if I had not had my chin strap clipped the whole helmet would have gone flying off when I went from a run to a sudden stop (granted only a couple times as I don't "run").
The unit is big....and that's not just because I have a big head. Many players said my head was clearly visible bouncing around the field and made it a target. Would I had a Multicam or OD helmet and face shield I don't think this would have been an issue but I was aware that my "shootable" mass did go up.
I had a player mention that as I was running up a hill he could totally see my mouth. I was looking downward so from his angle my face was open. He made a point of shooting me on the top of my head as he knew what I was testing but wanted to make sure it was noted.
CONCLUSIONS:
I was the only person to test this unit (probably a good thing as after just two games the helmet bands were soaked) at the Open Session but most players knew what I was testing and why. There was about a 50/50 that looks cool to you look like Dark Helmet from Spaceballs comments. Both at the Open Session and after the unit was inspected by many veteran players (not just PALADIN guys and refs).
With the tests that were conducted I will
NOT currently endorse the use of the MTEK system for minors to replace a full face paintball mask. Some have stated we enacted the full face rule to protect minors teeth only....and to that I flat out say that was NOT the case. That was a factor but we had specific incidents where children got hit in the face and the associated soft tissue damage caused parents to complain. As I have stated before, this rule was a case of a minority of parents causing enough of an issue to change the rules for all minors. The MAA's safety rules far surpass most other groups and we always air on the side of LCD safety. Simply put, the MTEK with helmet system does NOT offer the same level of protection as a full face paintball mask and as it relates to minors that is unacceptable. I have also discussed this with our Safety Officer and we did do some of the same tests at my home while he was present....he concurs with my decision based on the test data.
That said, and the MAA had already made this determination, we will accept the MTEK system to be used by players over the age of 18 for indoor and CQB environments as the system falls under the same rules of "modified" full face. I would caution players who use this system of the issues I pointed out but those risks are similar to those experienced with the current modified system rule set.
To those that argue that this is not "fair" to minors....allow me to say that you are correct but that regardless of your willingness your parents are the ones who have legal responsibility/decision making power, not you....and forgive the cliche....but life is not fair. Most of all to minors. There is a legal world of difference between minors and adults. Now before someone posts it, even if your parents agree to allow you to use this system MAA rules will still not allow it. Why? Because we are not going to make exceptions for every minor "just because their parents say it's alright". As I also know people will ask, "What if I get a larger pair of goggles? Ones that fills most of the open space? Can I use this then?" No. Again, it would be an attempt to make this system something it is not. I will say I did try my JT Spectra goggles with this system just as I wanted to see what it would look like and it did cover more area. The key word being "more" not all.
This will not be the popular answer but the MAA does not make rules to make us cool but to protect the player base....and to be frank to protect our collective hind ends in legal issues.
PERSONAL NOTES:
I had already ordered a helmet before I had a chance to test this unit and I do plan to purchase the T3C for my personal use but I will admit more for role playing reasons. For indoor and or CQB games I will still use my JT Spectra's unless the game has a reason to use this larger unit. I do think it's pretty slick but will also take some getting used to. I don't expect the adoption of the MTEK to be widesread in Minnesota as we have a real lack of indoor facilities but it will add a sense of realism to modern reenactment uniforms. I know DT wants people to both see and test this unit and I will also allow players to try mine once it is put together.
SUMMATION:
Under 18 = NO
Over 18 = YES
If players have comments, concerns, or questions they can post them here or PM me.