Mask Weight

[BigUmp56]

I'm looking to see if any of you know how much of a weight difference there is between the +POS AUL300 and the Honigs K91.


Thanks,


Tim.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I'm looking to see if any of you know how much of a weight difference there is between the +POS AUL300 and the Honigs K91.

You really are quite the gear ho, ain't ya?

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

You really are quite the gear ho, ain't ya?

Well, I know guys who are worse. I went back to a traditional style mask this season and cracked my old mask last Saturday. Sunday at our association meeting a friend of mine showed me his +POS AUL300. It was light as all get out and really got my attention. The problem is I contacted +POS today and they said they had the mask and harness available but the pads were on back order until sometime in the middle of June. The only replacement pads available were two tone red/navy......YUK!! The Honigs is in stock, so I thought if any one knew how the two compared I would order one if there were some favorable responses.


Tim.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Well, I know guys who are worse. I went back to a traditional style mask this season and cracked my old mask last Saturday. Sunday at our association meeting a friend of mine showed me his +POS AUL300. It was light as all get out and really got my attention. The problem is I contacted +POS today and they said they had the mask and harness available but the pads were on back order until sometime in the middle of June. The only replacement pads available were two tone red/navy......YUK!! The Honigs is in stock, so I thought if any one knew how the two compared I would order one if there were some favorable responses.


Tim.

Just my two cents, but a LOT of MLB guys seem to be wearing the All-Star I-Bar Vision Frame.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

Just my two cents, but a LOT of MLB guys seem to be wearing the All-Star I-Bar Vision Frame.

Do you have a link so I can check it out?


Tim.

[briancurtin]

i just tried to weigh my AUL on two different scales and got nothing, so it weighs nothing at all -- thats pretty favorable. seriously though, i have held both masks (only used the AUL though) and can say that i noticed the AUL to be a bit lighter. however, with their lack of padding, and the typical turn around time; you might be better off getting the honigs mask.

also, +POS has never actually had the pads that i want in the three masks ive bought from them.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Do you have a link so I can check it out?


Tim.

if you do get that mask, id suggest getting a separate harness because the harness that comes with this mask is rubber and is meant to grip onto a catchers helmet. i dont have a link, cant remember where its from.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

if you do get that mask, id suggest getting a separate harness because the harness that comes with this mask is rubber and is meant to grip onto a catchers helmet. i dont have a link, cant remember where its from.

BTL Officials Gear carries it: http://www.btlofficialsgear.com/deta...&category=1375

Its so cheap there, you could easily buy another harness and Wilson mask pads (Davis has the amara suede pads for $26 or so) and it would still be cheaper than the Chrome Moliben Mask. There are a large number of MLB guys wearing this frame, so you gotta presume its the best out there.

[ggk]

i'm also looking to upgrade to the best mask i can find - lightweight.
does the low profile of the Wilson Chrome Moliben Alloy Cage really make a difference??

the all start i bar sounds like a great deal. how does that compare to the wilson chrome as far as weight??
thanks.

[briancurtin]

i hate 'low profile' masks. i used one a few times as a catcher and used one once when i was like 15 as an umpire (it was a cheapo rawlings one). i didnt feel there was an advantage and it just felt weird using a mask that looked like it was run over by a truck

[MajorDave]

I have both. I think the weight is similar but the Moliben (whatever the $%@* that is) does let you see better, in my opinion. Especially on low pitches. Just my two cents. I got it with black doeskin and just got the black amara suede pads from Gerry Davis Sports last week. Done about three games with the suede on the Moliben. Not too hot yet but I feel the difference. Really nice. I have been getting several positive comments on my strike zone and I really think it is mostly the mask combined with a couple of tweaks to my stance (GDS) and early lock in. I have taken several (five or six) balls off the mask and no dents just scratches and nicks. No headaches or jaw probs, etc. One of them was the first scrimmage in Mid-March with a pitcher throwing low 90's. Lots of foul balls that day. I only caught two of them-shin and facemask. I recommend the Moliben. Oh yeah, I only paid $49 for it as it wasn't in the seller's database yet on my date of purchase and they went ahead and sold it to me as the Wilson dynalite. Lucky, lucky me.

[3appleshigh]

How Dare you talk about better vision. They can see just fine with the Traditional Masks, even if a traditional mask is imporved, vision is NOT important. If you bring that up again you could get banned. LOL

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by MajorDave

I have both. I think the weight is similar but the Moliben (whatever the $%@* that is) does let you see better, in my opinion.

Chrome Molybdenum is the correct designation. It is an alloy containing Chromium and Molybdenum which is used in the manufacture of racing wheels, golf clubs, and now apparently umpire/catcher masks. Better known as Chrome Moly.

[MajorDave]

Thanks SDS for the science lesson. I remember Molybdenum as being on the periodic table of elements from my HS/College science class days but I have never seen or dealt with it. I wonder how they got the shortened name as noted above from the original element name? Anyway, back to the point. I think it is a pretty good mask. It is my number one and I only keep the Honig's as a back up.

[SanDiegoSteve]

I think that they figured that Chrome Moly would be associated with car wheels so they used a different shortened name.......Moliben. Who'd a guessed?

Or I could be totally off base here (and subject to being tagged out) and maybe Moliben is a new alloy of which I am unfamiliar. Someone with superior intellect, such as JRutledge perhaps , may have the definitive answer.