Essential Gear?

VonLuck

I've decided to invest in some airsoft gear to accompany my only purchase (a G36C) so I can skirmish without renting. I plan to get a flecktarn shirt and trousers and a protective mask. Is there anything else you would deem essential?

I was thinking about getting a sling for my gun, and possibly a vest but I don't know whether I should wait a while as I've only a few skirmishes under my belt at the moment and I may be jumping the gun, excuse the pun.

Am I missing any other bits of equipment that I might need? By the way, can anyone recommend a good airsoft mask? One that preferably doesn't fog up and doesn't obscure your vision too much.

Thanks in advance.

Witcher

Boots:)

Mauclerc

Eye protection and boots first. Gloves can be useful to avoid painful hits on the hand. Then a tactical vest, expensive but very useful to stock all you mags, and finally a camo.

Gatling

your flecktarn is caheap and readily available
1st on my list would be a decent pair of boots ,magnums or other light weight combat boots ,
vest wise there not 100% essential im on my 3rd vest at this stage and still not happy, and because im mainly using a g36 i need to buy proper G36 pouches standard mag pouches tend to be a tight for g36 mags ,
id recommend using mabye a blast belt with molle loops and a few pouches ,
lighter and save you over heating on a warm day ,

Mask wise you have some options depending if you want full paintball type mask ,to a pair of mesh goggles and lower face protection zero fogging ,

andy_g

Moved to Airsoft Questions

VonLuck

Forgot to say, I have a pair of boots as well.

For the mask I was thinking maybe a full face mask - don't want to risk a chipped tooth or anthing, as unlikely as it is (unless you can give a good reason otherwise?).

I don't know wheter to go for goggles or mesh. I know the goggles can fog, but aren't the mesh ones harder to see out of and I heard of people saying that some bb's can chip and go through the mesh? Any truth to that?

Gatling

i ve only heard chipping happpening when people use bio-bbs and people being cheap skates by picking up used bbs on the ground that have already hit walls and structures and tend to break easily ,
no mask is 100% id recommend either a scott or Jt paintball mask if you dont want to go the mesh route

VonLuck

How about a mask like this:

http://www.justpaintball.ie/masks-goggles/proto/proto-switch-mask.html

or this:

http://www.justpaintball.ie/masks-goggles/jt/jt-elite-nvader-mask-single.html

Don't want to spend too much starting off just incase it doesn't pan out.

Gatling

there ideal the bottom one the jt hasd an added advantage you can buy a small extractor fan unit that clears any fogging and clips on to the goggles

VonLuck

I don't know much about masks but they have the same one with an extra 'Thermal' lense. Is it worth the extra €5? They say it reduces fog... http://www.justpaintball.ie/masks-goggles/jt/jt-elite-nvader-mask-thermal.html

Do you know anyone with this mask or similar?

You really can end up spending a lot on airsoft. Just have to resist the temptation to start buying uneccesary extras!

Gatling

ive been throught 6 pairs of goggles and 2 masks ,
the thermal are worth the extra few quid they do reduce fogging but as i said nothing 100% fog proof including the jt thermal lenses ,some washing up liquid can help some swear by cat crap(wax) and several other anit fogging products

VonLuck

I am now doubting getting a mask. I had a look at a lot of photos of guys playing airsoft and 90% of them have just goggles on. I seem to be in the minority getting a full face mask.

Is there any real need to get a full face mask?

SwarfegaHead

If you are on good terms with your teeth, its not a bad idea to get one

VonLuck

Well I'm now thinking of getting Bolle Tracker goggles. They seem to be very sturdy. I think I might pair it with a balaclava or one of those shemaghs?

I believe they come in both plastic and mesh. Is there much of a difference between the two?

J.D.R

Out of personal preference, I would recommend mesh goggles. I have used both Mesh and clear lenses, and I have to say, for me at least, it always comes down to the fact that clear lenses fog up. I know visibility is better in the clear lenses, but they will fog up. It is better to have a constant level of visibility in mesh, instead of clear, fog, clear, fog.

Also, a good sling will never let you down. Invest in a good sling and you woll not regret it.

The camo and vest aren't essential in the beginning. I would recommend some camo, because, speaking from memory, it is a bit daunting being the only lad in O'Neils and a hoodie, but as for a vest, I wouldn't say it's essential. More often then not I just load up my pockets with some extra mags, some BB's, and I'm off, and leave the vest in the safe zone

Lordhogo

J.D.R wrote: »

Out of personal preference, I would recommend mesh goggles. I have used both Mesh and clear lenses, and I have to say, for me at least, it always comes down to the fact that clear lenses fog up. I know visibility is better in the clear lenses, but they will fog up. It is better to have a constant level of visibility in mesh, instead of clear, fog, clear, fog.

Also, a good sling will never let you down. Invest in a good sling and you woll not regret it.

The camo and vest aren't essential in the beginning. I would recommend some camo, because, speaking from memory, it is a bit daunting being the only lad in O'Neils and a hoodie, but as for a vest, I wouldn't say it's essential. More often then not I just load up my pockets with some extra mags, some BB's, and I'm off, and leave the vest in the safe zone

That is probably the best advice you can follow. Also definetley get a decent sling, I know G36Cs arent too heavy but you will find your days gaming much easier if you have one.

VonLuck

Lordhogo wrote: »

That is probably the best advice you can follow. Also definetley get a decent sling, I know G36Cs arent too heavy but you will find your days gaming much easier if you have one.

Yeah I noticed that the last day at a skirmish. Get tired of having to hold it all the time.

Any opinions on this type of sling? http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/asags5nx.html

scar 101

you should not get a 3-point sling they are bad i had one for my scar it snapped in the second skirmish then a cable toy and know it is a 2 point sling so i would not recommend getting one because most of it is plastic. so u should invest in a 1-point sling because thats all plastic.

evilrobotshane

While I didn't get much of what the previous poster was trying to communicate, the fact is of course that a bad 3-point sling will be bad, a good one good - same as for any other sling configuration. I use a 3-point SA-80 sling that cost a fiver and absolutely love it - I went back to it after trying a 60-quid Blackhawk sling.

Regardless of what 90% of airsofters are up to with their teeth, I'd definitely recommend protection for your mouth.

J.D.R

Have to aggree with Scar. I have used 1 2 and 3 pointers, and I have to say, just for comfort and ease I would recommend a 1 point bungee sling. If you need to change rapidly to a pistol you can literally just drop your rifle from your hands and the sling will do the rest.

thermo

And don't forget a proper rifle bag/case as a black bin bag does not cut it!!
Not only does it protect your gun it also keeps it out of sight when in transit.