Shock FX 5590 Coming Friday!

blue32 · **blue32**

I am a HSM guy. I started out a few years ago with a cheap Rawlings cool-flow mask, then replaced it this year with a Diamond Edge. The Edge was much more comfortable and had a better field of view than the old Rawlings, but I wound up having pad problems in the Diamond. As soon as the hot days hit, and I would sweat in my helmet, first the mesh liner started coming off, then I noticed that the softer foam was peeling away from the harder foam rubber in the helmet.

I just decided the heck with it, and stepped up to the big dawg. I ordered the Wilson Shock FX titanium from Ump Attire this morning. If you haven't dealt with Jim and Jeanne before, you are missing out. I sent Jim an email yesterday about my Diamond helmet and the issues I had with it, and he responded within an hour or two, and he is on vacation! He told me to give Jeanne at the office a call, and she will work something out to where I can return the Dianond mask, and they would get it replaced by the manufacturer and keep that one, then I can apply what I paid for that mask to the Wilson. Jeanne took care of it for me, and I ordered the Wilson this morning, it will be here Friday, just in time for a Legion game I am working that night.

If anyone is interested, I can post here my review of the mask after a few games to let you know what I think about it.

Once again, big props go out to Jim Kirk and Jeanne at Ump Attire, they really know how to take great care of their customers!

BrianC14 · **BrianC14**

I'd like to hear your comments on the 5590, as I'm considering one for next season.

Thanks.

catsbackr · **catsbackr**

I tried it this Spring and for a couple of reasons, I didn't like it.

1). It was way too small. I know, it says it goes up to a 7 5/8, but it was extremely tight on me. And yes, I did adjust it.

2). The view to me was terrible. It seemed that the cage sat too far away from my face and reduced my view.

I still have an Easton HSM that I use comfortably in the early Spring, but I find the HSM too hot in the summer.
_________________
"Strikes and outs partner, strikes and outs!"

blue32 · **blue32**

I tried it this Spring and for a couple of reasons, I didn't like it.

1). It was way too small. I know, it says it goes up to a 7 5/8, but it was extremely tight on me. And yes, I did adjust it.

2). The view to me was terrible. It seemed that the cage sat too far away from my face and reduced my view.

I still have an Easton HSM that I use comfortably in the early Spring, but I find the HSM too hot in the summer.

Thanks for the feedback, catsbackr. Hopefully it will work for me. I am a 7 1/4 to 7 3/8 so hopefully it won't be too tight. I'm surprised about what you say about the view. I read a pretty extensive review where the tester said it took some getting used to because he thought he was going to plunked in the face due to the view being so open. I guess we'll see on Friday. I'll let you guys know.

dileonardoja · **dileonardoja**

I tried one on and found it heavy. The shoxx keep the cage farther from your face than I am used to and create a longer moment arm making it seem heavier than it is. IMHO the Shoxx are a gimmick that provides little additional protection.

I loved my Diamond edge bucket but had the same problems with the pads. The best thing about it was I could wear a four stitch hat under it so when I pulled my bucket off I still looked like an umpire. Last week I upgraded to the Allstar MVP2200SL with the impact resistant, hollow steel I-Bar cage, 45% lighter than standard steel cage. It is awesome in every respect except my cap no longer fits underneath. Oh well, now I look like all the other bucket wearers when I remove it.

blue32 · **blue32**

I tried one on and found it heavy. The shoxx keep the cage farther from your face than I am used to and create a longer moment arm making it seem heavier than it is. IMHO the Shoxx are a gimmick that provides little additional protection.

I loved my Diamond edge bucket but had the same problems with the pads. The best thing about it was I could wear a four stitch hat under it so when I pulled my bucket off I still looked like an umpire. Last week I upgraded to the Allstar MVP2200SL with the impact resistant, hollow steel I-Bar cage, 45% lighter than standard steel cage. It is awesome in every respect except my cap no longer fits underneath. Oh well, now I look like all the other bucket wearers when I remove it.

Interesting. The review that Jim Kirk has on his website states it is the lightest bucket on the market. Did you have the catchers model with the steel cage, or the umpire's one with the titanium cage?

I am anxiously waiting for tomorrow to get here so I can get it and give it a try. It's too bad the Edge bucket I had started breaking down the way it did, because the view out of it was great. I didn't realize how good it was until I used my old Rawlings bucket the other night. Hopefully I will like the new one, so we'll see.

mazzamouth · **mazzamouth**

Ilike the idea of a HSm, but I think it looks unprofessional w/o a hat on. Do any of you guys feel the same way, or did it take you awhile to adjust to the feel of no hat on your head?....

lmsans · **lmsans**

Ilike the idea of a HSm, but I think it looks unprofessional w/o a hat on. Do any of you guys feel the same way, or did it take you awhile to adjust to the feel of no hat on your head?....

I wear my hat under my HSM. It took about 3 games to get used to taking the mask off and keep the hat on. The hat gets wetter from perspiration and has a tendency to slide forward. I just take off the hsm and adjust.
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Larry Sansevere
SUA

blue32 · **blue32**

Ilike the idea of a HSm, but I think it looks unprofessional w/o a hat on. Do any of you guys feel the same way, or did it take you awhile to adjust to the feel of no hat on your head?....

It doesn't bother me that I don't have a hat on when I take it off. MLB allows their umpires to go hatless with them, so I figure if it's good enough for MLB, it's good enough for me. I feel more protected wearing a HSM, especially in light of all the guys in MLB that have gotten head injuries. Granted, I'm not doing those games, but I have called HS games where the pitchers are throwing 80 plus, and doing state and regional all star games at the 12 year old level you see kids that throw harder than some MLB guys when you take into account the 46 foot distance. Reaction time is reduced to next to nothing.

bobjenkins · **bobjenkins**

and doing state and regional all star games at the 12 year old level you see kids that throw harder than some MLB guys when you take into account the 46 foot distance. Reaction time is reduced to next to nothing.

Reaction time shouldn't matter, because you shouldn't react (in fact, it's probably better that there's less time to react -- it's oftne by reacting and turning the head that an umpire gets hurt). And, the force of the ball isn't (significantly) greater because it's thrown from 46 feet instead of from 60 feet.

blue32 · **blue32**

and doing state and regional all star games at the 12 year old level you see kids that throw harder than some MLB guys when you take into account the 46 foot distance. Reaction time is reduced to next to nothing.

Reaction time shouldn't matter, because you shouldn't react (in fact, it's probably better that there's less time to react -- it's oftne by reacting and turning the head that an umpire gets hurt). And, the force of the ball isn't (significantly) greater because it's thrown from 46 feet instead of from 60 feet.

Yes I understand, bob. I was using reaction time as a figure of speech. Thank you for correcting me, I appreciate it.

dihrdsoxfan · **dihrdsoxfan**

I have used the catchers version all season. I couldn't see paying over $150 more for the titanium cage, I only paid $100 (at Hit, Run, Score) for this mask. It has been incredible. I have a peanut sized melon, so the fit is perfect, as well as the view. I can't see anyone wearing a hat with this model, but I guess that is the users choice.

blue32 · **blue32**

I got the mask today. UPS delivered it too late for me to use it tonight, which I was pretty bummed about. All I can say so far is wow! This bucket is extremely light, and fits like a glove. The view out of it is awesome, I don't see any problems there. The shocks seem a little gimmicky to me as well, but I love the fact that it weighs what seems like half as much as my Diamond Edge did. Now I can't wait for Sunday to work my first game with it. I'll let you know how it goes.

blue32 · **blue32**

Hey guys, just wanted to give an update on the new bucket. I got called to do a legion doubleheader 45 minutes after it was supposed to start. It worked out really well because I got 200 bucks to work 12 innings by myself, and the games went off without any griping whatsoever.

Anyway, on to the bucket. It was lighter than I could have ever imagined. It took a little getting used to because the top and bottom of the cage sticks out further than I am used to, but after a few innings I didn't even notice it. I was working in temperatures in the mid-eighties and I didn't hardly sweat at all in the helmet. I am really liking this bucket and highly recommend it to anyone else who prefers a HSM out there! The padding inside and the fit is unbelievable. If you are in the market for a HSM, save yourself some time and step up to the Wilson, it is worth every penny, even though it is a lot of pennies!

BT_Blue · **BT_Blue**

Blue,

Im a traditional mask kind of guy. Always have been and most likely always will. However I remember seeing the Wilson shock helmet at a local sporting goods store here in LA and liked what I saw. Tried it on and liked how it felt. Might have to see if one of my partners have it next year and give it a try. I tried the Easton once and liked the view but didnt like how it felt in my hands (it lasted only about 2 or 3 innings with me). Who knows I might give it a trade and see how the other half lives. And hell, I keep seeing a bunch of MLB guys wearing it so it cant be all bad.