the back strap isn't the same as on a DYE, it's just to add some width and grip. the other stuff, yeah, let's say heavily inspired by other companies. in the end they're still using their own designs in CAD or whatever software, making their own molds for the actual making of the products, doing their own testing, etc. when they aren't doing that, they're licensing with companies like PowerHouse and now Ninja for example on their regulators. that's all above board like it should be, and i feel like this is too. i'm a designer/artist as well and i see no problem with it. it's their own take on the stuff that made those other products popular. as they say, imitation is the best form of flattery. you can vote with your wallet, it's that easy. and so will i by purchasing from a local company where possible (HK happens to be local) because i like their style and feel like they make a good product. that said, i'm sticking with my EVS, but did pick up a HSTL for my son with a smoked lens.
I have an idea for a video review. I saw a guy do this in some obscure video on youtube ages ago. He was testing breathability by blowing smoke out of the masks while wearing them. It was a pretty clear visual indicator of air flow, rather than taking a company's word for it. Most of the high end masks(of that era) failed miserably. There are far more options on the market today so maybe a quick video comparing old and new. You don't have to inhale. ;) Breathability is literally the number one factor for me in buying goggles. Which is why I also still run OG proflexes. You can pick them up for 50 bucks used and they work as good as anything on the market today.
No I 100% agree it’s trying to be the best product it can, I disagree that it’s like an I5 strap it’s very similar to the pro Pad Virtue sells. The magnetic chinstrap could be seen as stealing I guess but the mask just looks so similar to the KLR that I don’t see how it’s like a CMD Other than that awesome review as always. On another note no one makes a magtech pack like HK either so the chinstrap is really just an addition to that line to me.
I really think it depends on the shape of your head and how your mask fits your head. I have one of Virtue's pro pads, and I like it on my VIO II that I use for woodsball, but I feel my primary mask, a Dye I4, fits me better w/o a pad
I agree 100% with your argument at the end of the video. It’s not copying, it’s competition and innovation. If there was none of those things, nothing would improve. It’s like saying Chevy copied Ford in building an internal combustion engine, or Lucid motors copying Tesla. We all have the same access to the same materials. It’s just a matter of improvements and innovation. If it wasn’t like that, we would all be driving the 1908 model T. Sick of hearing people complain about improvement. Nonetheless, great video!
I have the vio contour and i personally dont see how something could be better lol (i also haven't tried many others, im just extremely happy with the vio)
Solid review Brad. Yeah I have the Empire E-Flex, the JT E-Flex and now the HK Army SLR and I like it ! I think it works, haters are going to hate but this is a solid mask. The only reason I didn't get the CRBN Mask is its real soft in the face and my preference is I like a little give now that much give on my masks. Or else I would have got one ! What's for dinner tonight Chinese food?
Hello! thanks for this nice review. I have a "long" face, so can you tell me if the SLR height is similar to the VForce Grill one? (with is now the only mask that protects me well, but it's time to replace it for more confort foams, that's why i'm interested with the SLR). I don't have any paintball shop here in france to test it unfortunately... Thanks and continue your good honest reviews.
The SLR from the top of the lens to the bottom of the face is maybe 1/2 longer, but the side of the grill are much larger. I think overall the Grill has better, or more coverage.
If you are upgrading from starter kit i wouldn't spend 200$ on a mid tier mask. Proflex to this day has best value, and if your are looking for easy release lens system go with vforce grills or profiler
I just bought a SLR from sac paintball from the booth at world war paint throw down. One of the side clamps for the lens already broke. Where can I find replacement clamps??
I am really hoping you or someone else with experience will respond. I am getting into magfed and trying to decide between this and the CRBN zero. Unfortunately, there's no local stores that carry both that I can try on.
The only think I didnt like about my i4 ears were they were kept on by adheseve so you had to get rid of the mask because the ears werent on right. And maybe they got hotter. May just be me.
How does the profile of this mask compare to that of an i5. I’m thinking of getting one for airosft and I need it to fit close to the lower part of my face
@@PaintballRuinedMyLife thank you. I’m trying to choose between the i5 and the SLR. The SLR seems to have easier to replace foam and lens. It’s also cheaper
The most honest reviews! Always appreciate your take.
the back strap isn't the same as on a DYE, it's just to add some width and grip. the other stuff, yeah, let's say heavily inspired by other companies. in the end they're still using their own designs in CAD or whatever software, making their own molds for the actual making of the products, doing their own testing, etc. when they aren't doing that, they're licensing with companies like PowerHouse and now Ninja for example on their regulators. that's all above board like it should be, and i feel like this is too. i'm a designer/artist as well and i see no problem with it. it's their own take on the stuff that made those other products popular. as they say, imitation is the best form of flattery.
you can vote with your wallet, it's that easy. and so will i by purchasing from a local company where possible (HK happens to be local) because i like their style and feel like they make a good product. that said, i'm sticking with my EVS, but did pick up a HSTL for my son with a smoked lens.
this video convinced me to buy the headband that you are wearing,
I have an idea for a video review. I saw a guy do this in some obscure video on youtube ages ago. He was testing breathability by blowing smoke out of the masks while wearing them. It was a pretty clear visual indicator of air flow, rather than taking a company's word for it. Most of the high end masks(of that era) failed miserably. There are far more options on the market today so maybe a quick video comparing old and new. You don't have to inhale. ;) Breathability is literally the number one factor for me in buying goggles. Which is why I also still run OG proflexes. You can pick them up for 50 bucks used and they work as good as anything on the market today.
No I 100% agree it’s trying to be the best product it can,
I disagree that it’s like an I5 strap it’s very similar to the pro Pad Virtue sells.
The magnetic chinstrap could be seen as stealing I guess but the mask just looks so similar to the KLR that I don’t see how it’s like a CMD
Other than that awesome review as always.
On another note no one makes a magtech pack like HK either so the chinstrap is really just an addition to that line to me.
I always appreciate your reviews and the approach you take to them. Thank you.
Report on G.I. Bankruptcy and the Kore buyout! Get us the update on all of those classic brands and also where are the Planet Eclipse products?
The CTX strap is really needed. Allows the strap to have a wider area of contact and stay in place better
I really think it depends on the shape of your head and how your mask fits your head. I have one of Virtue's pro pads, and I like it on my VIO II that I use for woodsball, but I feel my primary mask, a Dye I4, fits me better w/o a pad
I agree 100% with your argument at the end of the video. It’s not copying, it’s competition and innovation. If there was none of those things, nothing would improve. It’s like saying Chevy copied Ford in building an internal combustion engine, or Lucid motors copying Tesla. We all have the same access to the same materials. It’s just a matter of improvements and innovation. If it wasn’t like that, we would all be driving the 1908 model T. Sick of hearing people complain about improvement. Nonetheless, great video!
This is what I’ve been saying! Lord forbid we have innovation in paintball
Replacement leases are a little on the cheaper side too which is nice.
I have the vio contour and i personally dont see how something could be better lol (i also haven't tried many others, im just extremely happy with the vio)
Solid review Brad. Yeah I have the Empire E-Flex, the JT E-Flex and now the HK Army SLR and I like it ! I think it works, haters are going to hate but this is a solid mask. The only reason I didn't get the CRBN Mask is its real soft in the face and my preference is I like a little give now that much give on my masks. Or else I would have got one ! What's for dinner tonight Chinese food?
Can you consider reviewing the new KPC+ pump. there isnt a ton of information about it out yet.
The KLR is great for airsoft to prevent bb paas throughs.
Can I use those while wearing my glasses ?
No better mask than the eFlex
Keep up the great work! Your reviews have helped me so much in my paintball experience
Hello!
thanks for this nice review.
I have a "long" face, so can you tell me if the SLR height is similar to the VForce Grill one? (with is now the only mask that protects me well, but it's time to replace it for more confort foams, that's why i'm interested with the SLR).
I don't have any paintball shop here in france to test it unfortunately...
Thanks and continue your good honest reviews.
The SLR from the top of the lens to the bottom of the face is maybe 1/2 longer, but the side of the grill are much larger. I think overall the Grill has better, or more coverage.
@@PaintballRuinedMyLife Thank you very much for the response on this "old" video.
They look a little funky
Hey Brad, great video! Was wondering which you would suggest between the SLR and CMD? Or is it a pick your poison kind of situation?
I would pick the CMD it’s a bit lighter weight. They are both very good though.
@@PaintballRuinedMyLife thank you! I was thinking about picking up a CMD and a pro pad from Virtue.
I’ve been looking for good masks and I’m thinking about buying this one. I have a cheep one from a starter pack.
If you are upgrading from starter kit i wouldn't spend 200$ on a mid tier mask. Proflex to this day has best value, and if your are looking for easy release lens system go with vforce grills or profiler
Proflex or Proshield and don't look back.
Is it hard to see through the dark lens? Is clear lens better??
Looking like poor material choice will limit yet another product from HK. Though that didn't seem to stop the KLR.
Crazy price!!!
Any idea what mask has the best downward visibility? My fields are all wooded and I can't sprint without tripping.
Empire EVS maybe? Huge FOv
I just bought a SLR from sac paintball from the booth at world war paint throw down. One of the side clamps for the lens already broke. Where can I find replacement clamps??
Can you please compare side by side the HK SLR vs Push Unite
I am really hoping you or someone else with experience will respond. I am getting into magfed and trying to decide between this and the CRBN zero. Unfortunately, there's no local stores that carry both that I can try on.
I would pick the zero because it has better ventilation and I think it’s a bit more comfortable.
The only think I didnt like about my i4 ears were they were kept on by adheseve so you had to get rid of the mask because the ears werent on right. And maybe they got hotter. May just be me.
Hi! Can ne mask be used in airsoft too?
Yeah for sure.
how do you clean the foam for your mask? Whenever I clean my masks foam I tend to ruin it.
Let's not forget, Flex 7/Spectra > all others
How does the profile of this mask compare to that of an i5. I’m thinking of getting one for airosft and I need it to fit close to the lower part of my face
I5 is smaller for sure, right now the I4 and I5 are the smallest.
@@PaintballRuinedMyLife thank you. I’m trying to choose between the i5 and the SLR. The SLR seems to have easier to replace foam and lens. It’s also cheaper
I like the SLR just because the ventilation is better, the Dye masks might be a little higher quality though.
Empire sniper build!!!!
Wha-?
1:22 mf looks so goofy in an empire pf 😭
What people want me to wear: face mask
What I actually want to wear:
hk product feeling cheap? who's surprised
White Kimberly Anderson Sarah Moore Mary
One of the ugliest masks ever lol
probably one of the ugliest masks out there
Another shitty product from HK what could ya expect
Having the fidlock system on my motorcycle helmet I can absolutely say it works amazingly well. definitely a lot easier to put on with gloves too.