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HSM was designed for hockey goalies. Would you take a conventional catchers mask out on the ice and say it was equal in protection? What about if someone ripped a 120 mph slap shot directly at your face? It goes without saying that the helmet portion of the mask is more protective.
The facemask (and the helmet for that matter) of an HSM was designed in a wedge shape for a reason. The wedge allows a puck to glance off the mask in a way that minimizes direct force. A conventional catchers mask is somewhat flat in it's design and the impact from a direct shot is much greater.
I've spent three years in the HSM. Before that I spent fifteen in a regular umpire mask. Having been one who's worn both I can say that I'd much rather take a hard shot while wearing an HSM. The only shot that is similar between an HSM and a regular mask are direct shots to the chin. Those feel the same with either mask and tend to make my ears ring a bit.
HSM's have better vision period. Anyone who's spent some time in both knows the advantages.
A few words about cooling.
I've used what I consider the two best HSM's the All-Star and the Easton Stealth. While they are both great HSM's the Stealth is cooler. I personaly feel the Stealth is cooler than a wool cap and mask but opinions vary. The Easton also comes with sweat absorbers on top of the inner pads so sweat isn't as much of an issue. Many umpires in our area are also wearing an under armour style skull cap to soak up the sweat. Some leave it on between innings others remove it with the helmet. I'm bald so I've tried the skull cap and it works pretty well. Again, opinions vary on how the skull cap looks but in my area they've become accepted.
Earlier this season I tried wearing a regular cap underneath my HSM. It actually works but screws up the vision a bit. The beenie thing on the top of the cap is also annoying. I personaly will never wear a cap underneath an HSM again unless my local assoc. makes a rule stating that I must.
Just two cents from someone who's been there done that.
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