The time has come for the Empire goggles reviews and I’m gonna start with the latest and greatest – the E-Vents paintball goggles. I really don’t like starting with the newest stuff cause it makes the old ones look kinda dull, but anyways. So about the E-vents – this is probably the first time that I’ll rate those higher than the Dye products, but they totally deserve it. The E-Vents are simply better. Let’s start with their looks – those are some nice, nice looking goggles and no one can deny that. But looks is not the only thing that they outclass the Dye ones. They perform better, too. Those have got to be one of the most comfortable goggles out there right now. The density foam is really good – it is soft and fits tight to your head, but not the type of tight that’s making you suffocate. And as to the one huge disadvantage of the latest Dye goggles – the fogging – the E-vents just blows them away…fogging is something you don’t even have to think about when it comes to those. They are really light weighted and have great visibility (if you read the features you’ll learn some more about the E-Vents visibility technology). And speaking of the features – here they are:
• Cut Down Dual molded Mask
• Soft Ear covers
• Dark Smoke Thermal Lens
• 2nd Lens (Clear Thermal)
• Micro Fiber bag with second lens
• Dual Density Foam
• Brow Shield
• Visor
• Color matched Strap
• Color matched Metallic Logo
• Micro Fiber Goggle Bag
• Display Case
Features in details:
Empire goggles come with removable soft ear pieces and an even lower profile faceplate for the maximum reduction in target, and ultimate “cool” factor.
The Vents lens system is a very advanced and optically correct lens. Although at first glance it looks like a “flat lens,” it actually changes in thickness to maintain the best optical quality possible. The power imbalance, which means how your eyes see for straight ahead, is 0.00 for both Spherical power imbalance and Astigmatic power imbalance (the value is so small it can’t be read with conventional testing equipment). What does this mean? It means what you are seeing is really where you think it is, so you can be more accurate in your shooting.
The lens is an extremely safe, quick release system. It can be replaced in seconds, yet is held very securely into the mask and frame. Unlike other quick release systems, the Vents lens fits in under the nose piece. This means the nose area doesn’t deflect in when shot, so it prevents the ingress of paint into the goggle under the lens. To further lock the lens into place, there is a “tongue and groove” around the edge of the lens and goggle. This prevents shots at the edge of the lens forcing paint up into the goggle and helps maintain a high safety factor. The Lens is held in at the sides with very robust retainers, which also hold the logos. This simply pushes through the lens and the goggle, then secured in place inside the frame by placing the end of the strap clip over the retainer and twisting down into position. The added safety being that you can’t have the strap in place if the lens isn’t in the goggle properly. So you can’t wear the goggle until a lens is in place. It’s a very quick and easy process, so you can pick and choose lenses to suit your playing conditions.
The goggle has the ability to add a visor or brow shield. These are made of flexible material and are easy to fit or remove without the use of tools, and with no other separate small pieces to get lost in your kit bag.
The Vents goggles come with a high quality strap with silicon beading to help keep the mask firmly on your head. The Empire goggle has the added EE” logos in silicone for the utmost in grip.
I know it was a lot of reading, but bear with me for some more praises. Not only the E-Vents are the best out there according to most of the players, but they also come with quite some goodies in addition. Like – 2 lenses – Dark Thermal Lens and Clear Thermal Lens; Microfiber Goggle Bag; Microfiber Lens Bag; Forward Shade Visor and Hair Visor (sticks up to protect more of the hair). It just can’t get better than that, right? And I know now you’re thinking – there’s got to be some flaws. Well, not that I know of on the performance’s side. The only thing that can be put in the flaw column is the price which is $89.50 for the single colored ones, $94.50 for the special shades and $104.50 for the carbon fibered ones. I’m not saying it’s cheap, but giving all the extras you’re getting with those goggles and the looks, and the perfect performance the only thing I can state is that the price is nothing but fair. And the colors – red, blue, black, grey, white, yellow (the yellow ones cost $59.95 – it’s a mystery to me, too)for the single colored, urban camo, blue camo and green camo for the special shades, and the carbon fiber ones, which I have to tell you look beyond awesome and I bet are pretty tough. So, guys if you do have the money to get a pair of those there’s no place for hesitation – just do it. And if you don’t read the review about the previous Empire goggles version – I bet they’re not that much worse than those ones.
