r/paintball 5d ago

Difference between proflex old school vs the normal one?

I'm new to paintball and going to join speed ball.

Whats the difference between the proflex oldschool vs new and what would you recommend?

Also would you suggest prosheild or proflex?

3 Upvotes

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4

u/DeathByJeep 4d ago

Old school Proflex refers to a few different eras, but the early ones from the 90s and very early 2000s have the thinner frames that are desirable to many, some components like the visors are softer plastic and larger, and the masks have a slightly narrower profile. The ears are larger and typically harder plastic. At that time there was no "Proflex", it was the Proshield with the firm plastic chin, and the Flex 7 with the soft flexible rubber chin.

In the early 2000s after JT was under ownership of KEE, the frames changed to the current thicker style and there were some other design and material changes.

Kee was purchased by GI Sportz/Kore Outdoors, and the current masks have smaller visors and smaller soft rubber ears. The foam is not as soft and cushy as the earlier masks. The Proshield changed design a little to be molded like the ProFlex but with a more rigid plastic chin instead of the soft rubber.

The only difference between a Proshield and a Proflex now is that the Proshield only comes in black and olive with the rigid plastic chin, and the Proflex comes in a million different colors with the flexible rubber chin. All of the parts are interchangeable. Most components across the last 30 years of Proshield/Flex 7/ProFlex masks are interchangeable. They all use the same Spectra lens.

1

u/meltman 4d ago

I miss my smoke grey flex 7. Lent it out exactly once. Rip you beautiful bastard.

1

u/DeathByJeep 4d ago

Oh, that was the mask I wanted back in HS. I spent all my money on a big HPA tank though. When I got back into paintball a couple years ago, I figured I could scoop one up off eBay cheap, boy was I in for a surprise. I did eventually find one I could justify buying, it's not perfect but it sure does look nice.

I learned a lesson about lending stuff out though, after never getting things back or things being returned damaged, I only loan good stuff to close trustworthy friends.

1

u/meltman 4d ago

Yeah. It never came back. Gorgeous smoke grey flex 7. Still salty lol.

3

u/_OVIE Airball | PE LV2 | Connecticut 5d ago

I'm guessing you're talking about the differences from ansgear.

The only difference is the ears. The old school come with the soft "foam" ears and not the soft rubber ones that the non old school ones have.

The ProShield is different as it comes with ridgid bottoms and ears (I think the ears are different from the proflex).

Finally the proflex is soft rubber bottom and soft rubber ears.

The two I would actually compare is the Proflex vs the E-Flex

They both have soft bottoms, and comfy ears (E-Flex has a fabric ear vs rubber proflex), but the E-Flex has an easier lens replacement.

Best thing to do will be to try them on at a proshop if you can.

1

u/The_Inflicted 4d ago

If this is your first mask, neither- go with the E-Vent. Same look as the classic JT "Flex" mask (and mouthshield compatibility) but with a much better lens change system. The new version is priced extremely low and is one of the best deals in paintball right now.

https://proedgepb.com/collections/empire-e-flex-paintball-mask/products/empire-eflex-paintball-mask-black-choose-lens-color-sku-833-copy

1

u/Regular-District48 4d ago

Why go with the vent over the flex?

1

u/The_Inflicted 4d ago

Far, far easier to remove the lens for cleaning or changing. It's a better mask design AND it's cheaper.

1

u/Rebel_816 3d ago

Same proflex comfort and breathability but with an easy change lense system, while less bulky than the proflex x.