You’ve seen the Sykes mask in our previous magazine issue, here’s a meaner and tougher test. I pretty much put it through the wringer, at least from this corner of the globe. And I compared it to another competitor, the HFC22 mask (inspired from EA Games’ Army of Two), also made in the Philippines. Both masks' manufacturing process aren’t exactly “unique”, the idea behind it has been around long enough, hockey masks are for example.­ Both ar­e made from fibreglass; the only difference is how well they’re made.

For the test, I’ve prepared an area 60 feet in length (a little over 18 meters) and placed markers every 10 feet at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60ft.

(Our Guinea Pigs)

I have placed an AEG at certain distances for the initial volley of tests, these are:

• CYMA AKS-74U at 20ft
• CYMA AK74 at 30ft
• JG M4A1 at 40ft
• TM M-14 at 60ft

KSC .2g BBs were used for these tests and velocity were measured using Madbull chrono, below are the readings.

I could have used a stronger AEG or perhaps a gas gun but I wanted to keep the tests as close to what we might encounter in the playing field  (*read* I’m too lazy/stingy to upgrade my M-14 past the 500fps mark).

First volley of tests will be simple, up the ante on the tests done by the UK Bureau with the aforementioned AEGs.  Shots were done in short bursts.

Caution: Testing was done in a controlled environment and proper safety gear were worn during the entire procedure.

Target for this test was the lip area, no significant damage to the structure, mostly marks on the paint but nothing serious.

Target for this test is the forehead, no significant damage to the HFC22 mask. The left eye socket of the Sykes mask has shown a little damage.  Some would argue that this area will be protected, nonetheless, it shows you how the edges of the Sykes mask would fare.

Target for this test will be the right cheek, same as before. There is nothing remarkable with the HFC22 mask. Again with the Sykes mask, we’re seeing some early signs of chipping on the edge (see rightmost lip).

At this distance, I pretty much aimed for the face and I’m still using a stock inner barrel for my M-14.  Same thing with the HFC22 mask, direct hits but nothing to report save for the usual hit marks.  The Sykes mask however has started to show signs of wear, with repeat hits on the same weak spots (right side of the lip), and also has started to break apart.

1st Phase of testing complete!   Obviously, they’re still pretty standard tests, the stronger the AEG, the farther we were from the masks.  Time to bring it up a notch, now we get a little closer...

Target this time was the forehead as I wanted to make sure the lip area didn’t get beat up more than necessary.  Finally, some paint was chipped away from the HFC22 mask, but the resin appeared to remain intact. Not so good for the Sykes mask (check the right brow). Yes, that’s the fibreglass, any section of the mask that weakens will break eventually  should I persist in shooting that area. Well, it doesn’t take rocket science to figure it out.

I am beginning to run out of space and had to use the lip area as the target. Once again, we saw paint chips from the HFC22 mask breaking away with the resin intact. Our Sykes mask this time has started to crack on the left side of the lip.

2nd Phase of testing complete. So we’ve put the masks through the wringer, time to put a little more pressure.

On to Phase 3.

As far as the previous tests were concerned, I’ve given each a fair amount beating. The next batch of tests will be a different matter altogether.

Disclaimer/warning: the succeeding tests were meant to identify how much abuse these masks can take. They’re not intended for actual games against fellow players.

Did I say abuse?

Target was the left cheek.  I fired 10 rounds each at the same spot, at the same distance, and at the expense of sounding repetitive --- yes, there was no significant damage on the HFC22 mask other than paint chips. Again, the resin remained intact.  Sykes mask on the other hand,  showed signs of buckling on the resin.

Here’s the interior of the Sykes mask:

Let me be honest with you, the previous test, I didn’t give the HFC22 mask 10 shots each, frankly I lost count when it was the HFC22’s turn, so I gave it 20 shots, 10 ft away at 480fps.  This round of tests, I gave the Sykes Mask 20 rounds at an untouched section on the left cheek, we have penetration somewhere between 10-20 rounds.  HFC22 mask, I gave it twice the amount of rounds, 40 rounds, just so we’re on the same page.  Damage? You lose paint.

We upped the ante even higher, 30 feet away, 480fps, half a magazine of BBs or until the battery quits.  Yeah, I’m mean when it comes to tests.

Nuff said...

I don’t want to appear biased, but I really wanted to know what it would take to penetrate the HFC22 mask. So if the above tests were abusive, this one is overkill....   you’ll know what I mean.

To do this much damage, I had to use everything I had with me.

That’s more than 1000 rounds at 400 fps and more than 150 rounds at 420 fps from 10 ft away. These were the remaining BBs I had left from the beginning of the test, which translates to:

• more than 500 BBs from the AKS-74U
• more than 500 BBs from the AK-74
• more than 150 BBs from the M4A1

Major difference between both masks, overall, the HFC22 is thicker, even more on key areas.  Here’s a comparative of the thickness between the two masks.

Another difference is comfort; I find the HFC22 mask considerably more comfortable than the Sykes mask.  There’s room between your face and the mask thanks to the closed cell foam inside.

The mask also allows you to wear shooting glasses.  Unfortunately, M-frames wouldn’t fit *sigh*, I guess you can’t have everything.

Currently, there are other designs available as well. I heard from the grapevine that the HFC22 will be released outside the Philippines but I’ve yet to get any confirmation, so don’t quote me on that.

The HFC22 is not without its drawbacks. I can’t bring my cheek close enough for proper sighting and it’s rather difficult on what kind of headwear you can use with the HFC22, aspects where the Sykes mask has a clear advantage.  Bottom line, either mask is good, but I’d put my money on the HFC22 more on the Sykes mask. I’m not a fan of wearing someone else’s face, besides, the HFC22 looks meaner.