CREDIT goes to troub for creating the original thread:
http://miairsoft.proboards.com/thread/41206/eye-protection-musical?page=1The various types of eye-pro:1.)Full-Seal - The only kind allowed at MiA sanctioned events. These are goggles that completely protect the eyes, with no gaps for a bb to slip through. They must meet a minimum rating of ANSI Z87.1, MIL-V-43511C, or ASTM F 1776-01. The most commonly seen types of these are:
Bolle T-800
http://www.botachtactical.com/bolt8gog.html: These are great goggles and I own a pair of these. It is often recommended that you get a thermal lense as it helps to decrease fog. T-800s are preferred by people who like low-profile goggles, which makes it easier to shoulder a rifle and use iron-sights and scopes.
Arena Flak-Jaks
http://www.goggleoverstock.com/index.html: Another pair of good, reliable, cheap goggles. There are numerous mixed reports on these goggles; some say they never fog, some say they do not ever unfog.
ESS Turbofans
http://www.esseyepro.com/Profile-TurboFan_53_detail.html: These are one of the most expensive goggles on the market right now. However, they have a built-in fan, which makes it so they never fog. Which is a huge plus in a sport, where fog can lead to defeat. You can also buy prescription lenses for these, which do away with the need to wear glasses under them. If you want to keep your glasses, there is a second type of Turbo-Fan, called the Striker where you can actually fit your own glasses underneath the goggles. Replicas of these two goggles can be easily found.
ESS Profile NVG
http://www.esseyepro.com/profile-nvg_1_detail.html: These are pricey goggles, but discount deals can be found for them easily. With the price comes quality, these are comfortable, form well to the face, and are quite fog resistant.
Oakley MX XS O Frame Sand
http://www.oakley.com/products/3609: These are quite inexpensive and reportedly quite comfortable and fog resistant. Cheap replacement lenses are sold and you can also buy removable covers (like what you find on new cell phones) for them. That way if you get dirt or dust on your goggles, you don't have to take the time to clean them. You can just rip off the protective covering and keep charging on.
Bolle X500s
http://www.botachtactical.com/bolatgog.htm: These are about $10 right now. They fit over glasses and share most of the same properties as the T800s. However, for people who don't wear glasses, I wouldn't really recommend them.
2.)
Shooting Glasses - These are not allowed at MiA sanctioned events.
Shooting glasses aren't allowed because they don't offer 100% (or about) coverage around your eyes - they have gaps around the side or nose that may allow a bb to ruin your vision.
3.)
Full-Face Mask - These are goggles that are attached to protective masks that cover your face and teeth entirely, offering the most protection of any type of goggles. The drawbacks are that it is hard to shoulder your weapon, as the mask blocks your cheek and makes it almost impossible to use iron-sights. The author personally feels that the same protection can be provided by using a cloth wrap around the face or a balaclava.
How can I tell if the goggles I am looking at are a good pair of goggles?Besides reviews and personal testimonies from your peers, it is hard to tell how a pair of goggles will perform without using them first. However, there are a few ways to easily tell if they are a bad pair of goggles right off the bat. So ask yourself these questions before purchasing and after reading reviews.
Do they have massive amounts of foam all around them?
In general, foam is a bad thing, as it causes an increased amount of sweat and as we know "Sweat = Fog". Most players tear the foam off of any goggle they purchase.
Do they lack a notable system of ventilation?
A good pair of goggles will be made by a manufacturer who understands the problem of fogging and will have built ventilation systems on the goggles. Most of time it is done by a small opening in the goggle that lets air out, in other cases such as the ESS turbofans, they have also built in a fan.
What kind of profile do they have?
Remember kids, you don't want a pair of goggles that covers most of your face and encumber you. You want a pair of goggles that form to your face and give you as much freedom as possible.
How much should I spend on goggles?This is a good question and it varies for most people. However, there is one good guideline to follow; the cheaper the better. To answer this as shortly as possible, you should never spend more than $50 on a pair of goggles that doesn't include some super-sweet-awesome-d3lta-seal-nasa-scuba-mumra-kenny rogers-elite-super duper feature, such as a fan. However, thats my opinion and others may find that it is definitely worth it to buy a pricier pair of goggles.
