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Old 19 December 2006, 16:39   #1
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Save Phace "Sports Utility Mask" - better than a Gecko!

< Update: Total Eclipse (black) and Storm Troopa (white) masks in stock at £55 each - includes a FREE dark smoke lens while stocks last. You can buy them online at the RIBnet shop. JK >

Since I first started driving a RIB I've been looking for the perfect solution for protecting my face from rain, wind and spray. Unless you're going really slowly, rain hurts; cold wind makes your eyes water,especially at speed; and facefulls of salt spray get tiresome really quickly.

A few years back the recommended solution was a cheap moped helmet with a visor. However they are too heavy for comfort, the lining gets waterlogged, and if you get thrown overboard they can be lethal.

Gecko helmets (and other like the Gath and Future Safety marine helmets) have solved a lot of these issues. Some people swear by them, but they are really more than most people need -- it's a lot of money to pay just for something to hang a visor on! I have never found any of them particularly comfortable in use either.

Until now my preferred option has been dirt bike goggles. They are cheap and light, and protect the eyes but are far from perfect. They tend to fog up (some more than others), they leak through the vents, the foam gets soggy,and they leave most of the face open to the elements.

I've now found something much better, the Save Phace "Sports Utility Mask".

I tried one last weekend on the Folly cruise, and it was brilliant. Easy, comfortable (even over glasses), and really does the job. Unfortunately (!) the weather was good, so I had to hang my head over the side of the tubes to catch some spray, but the mask coped superbly.

They are currently available in the UK from a few snowboarding shops at £69.95, but RIBnet members can buy them for just £49 plus postage which is not much more than a decent pair of goggles.

I'll post some more details shortly, but in the meantime you can get the full-on hard sell from the manufacturer's web site www.savephace.com

John

Mask designs below (L-R) Total Eclipse, Storm Troopa, Firewater, BlewByU
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Old 20 December 2006, 08:22   #2
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Here are some more details about the masks:
  • The SUM protects your face from rain and spray lashing your face, watery eyes from the cold wind, sudden extreme pain from hitting bugs, wind blown face, flapping cheeks, and just about anything else you're likely to encounter on a RIB.
  • It's lightweight, comfortable, and easy to put on and take off
  • The lens is treated with a durable and effective anti-fog coating at the factory so it will not fog up
  • This SUM fits comfortably over most prescription glasses and sunglasses
  • Choice of styles from solid colors to radical graphic designs
  • Lenses are interchangeable and available in clear, light smoke, dark smoke, amber and yellow.
  • Each mask comes with a free cloth stuff sack for easy storage when it's not in use
  • One size fits 98% of the population
  • Adjustable elastic strap holds the SUM firmly in place, even at high speeds
  • Soft, comfortable, closed-cell polyurethane injected foam hugs your face so no water gets in the lens area
  • Easy to store and maintain. A SUM doesn't take up much space and can be simply dried off with a cloth after use
  • Virtually indestructible, made out of tough durable ABS plastic
The RIBnet offer is £49 for any design of mask, complete with a light smoke lens and a stuff sack. Additional lenses are £15, P&P is £3 for one item or £5 for two or more.

I'll be getting the first shipment in the New Year, so let me know which designs you want!

John

Mask designs below (L-R) Black Mamba, Hannibal, Blue Angel, Code Red, Inferno
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Old 20 December 2006, 09:41   #3
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Review

Comprehensive report here: http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfishhedz.html
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Old 20 December 2006, 11:04   #4
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They look the absolute mutt’s nuts you will definitely be getting my order so glad I haven't bought a gecko helmet yet
So that’s what the survey was about why didn’t you just come out and tell us
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Old 20 December 2006, 11:45   #5
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What a wonderful Idea John, trouble is I couldn't tell when you'd taken yours off .

Do they do one in a Green Goblin syle?

Can you manage to wear a woolley hat with the mask on?
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Old 20 December 2006, 14:48   #6
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John,

Do they do a bit that covers your scalp ?
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Old 20 December 2006, 14:56   #7
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John,

Do they do a bit that covers your scalp ?
What Nick! You meen Wigs? Or hair transplants?
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Old 20 December 2006, 14:57   #8
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What Nick! You meen Wigs? Or hair transplants?

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Old 20 December 2006, 15:23   #9
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Well I suppose if you do not mined looking like a dick then they are just the gob!
But then this will do the job for less!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-69933.../dp/B0001KA1HQ
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Old 20 December 2006, 15:26   #10
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Well I suppose if you do not mined looking like a dick then they are just the gob!
But then this will do the job for less!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-69933.../dp/B0001KA1HQ
Then you can look like an extra from the YMCA video...
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Old 20 December 2006, 15:31   #11
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Then you can look like an extra from the YMCA video...
Yep you will still look a prat, but for less!
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Old 20 December 2006, 15:48   #12
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So that’s what the survey was about why didn’t you just come out and tell us
Because I wanted to test one first and make sure they are as good as they sound. I also wanted a bit of feedback about what people want/need/like/dislike, to check what I thought I knew!

John
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Old 20 December 2006, 15:51   #13
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Originally Posted by Hightower View Post
Do they do one in a Green Goblin syle?

Can you manage to wear a woolley hat with the mask on?
They don't currently have a green goblin in the range, but you could airbrush your own design onto one!

Yes, you can wear a woolly hat with one.

John
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Old 20 December 2006, 16:01   #14
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Do they do a bit that covers your scalp ?
I liked the wig option best!

They do a cold weather hood, but I haven't seen one yet. A fleece balaclava would probably be the best bet for cold weather.

John
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Old 20 December 2006, 16:07   #15
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But then this will do the job for less!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-69933.../dp/B0001KA1HQ
But it won't though. That is effectively the same concept as the Future Safety helmet, which I tried earlier this year. It's fine for head protection, but the wind and spray come round the visor and the helmet doesn't want to stay on at any sort of speed.

Some people will like the looks of the SUM, others won't, and that's fair enough. If you go boating in anything other than good weather then I reckon it's worth having even if you feel you have to take it off and hide it when you get to your destination!

John
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Old 20 December 2006, 16:12   #16
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Its about half the price of a basic Gecko open face. For the deal we are getting but not so cheap if you pay full price. For what is just a face mask.
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Old 20 December 2006, 16:44   #17
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Its about half the price of a basic Gecko open face.
Given that most people want face protection rather than head protection, a Gecko without a visor is of little interest. Comparing as near as "like for like" you need to price in the helmet, the visor studs and the visor which comes to £142.19, so a SUM is actually a third of the price.

John
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Old 21 December 2006, 21:18   #18
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I like em, me 16yr old dont.

Shouldn't there be slots around the mouth area to aid breathing? he asked. I would have to drill a hole in the mask for me ciggi
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Old 22 December 2006, 06:43   #19
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Shouldn't there be slots around the mouth area to aid breathing? he asked.
You can tell him that I have checked, and you can definitely breathe while wearing one!

John
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Old 22 December 2006, 09:27   #20
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Save face? Are you real??? Learn to drive a boat properly and you won't need to!!!

Seriously though they look great - any chance of a Tony Blair one - be able to go anywhere and get a warm welcome......
If you have figured out how to stop it raining (especially when wearing glasses like me, though I have migrated to contacts for ribbing but it is still effn cold going into rain at 30kt) then could you let me know the secret?

How much for postage to the Moon then?
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