Trend Airshield Pro & Ear Defenders

The Trend Airshield Pro is a face shield and fine dust collection system all-in-one.  Add the Ear Defenders (an additional accessory) and you’ll have hearing protection too.  The new Pro model is a completely redesigned take on the original.  Trend obviously went back to the drawing board with everything they learned the first time around and attempted to release a superior product.

Weighing in at 2.2lbs and operating on a rechargeable battery, the Trend Airshield Pro should last an average of 6 – 8 hours between charges.  While I’ve never timed it to the minute, this range is rather accurate in my experience.  The dust collection it very good, with Trend estimating a 95% efficiency (though not NIOSH approved).  I’ve put this helmet thru the ringer, as they say, while building furniture that requires a lot of sanding with an angle grinder (a VERY messy and dusty situation).  While I can often still smell the wood being cut, I’ve yet to come away with the sawdust boogers since purchasing (and wearing) the mask … a good sign that it is doing the job.

Overall, the mask is fairly comfortable.  Snugged up on your head appropriately, the mask is well balanced and doesn’t typically interfere.  The few times I’ve had issues with the mask I found that it was not secured tight enough.  The issues I ran into in those circumstances were the mask falling off when leaning over, or dropping down into my field of vision.  It is also worth mentioning that though the mask is very light (2.2lbs), that is still 2.2lbs more than your neck is used to carrying around so the first day, or two, there was minor pains in my neck as it adjusted.  Luckily, after a few days the body adjusted and that’s no longer an issue.

Nowadays I use the mask for other tasks, such as turning on the lathe — especially during the sanding activities.  The filtration system not only keeps my lungs clean, but the mask also sends a nice cool breeze down the front of the face.  In the summer that little bit of air is a welcome treat, and in the winter it’s not so noticable (I suppose because the air is a heated and being circulated?).  There are times though, especially in the dead heat of the summer, when I have to give the mask a 10 minute timeout to let me cool off … while it’s cooler because of the breeze it provides, that doesn’t help the top and back of the head that is trapped under the plastic frame.

The Ear Defenders are an accessory item for the Pro mask.  They hook onto the side of the mask and when snapped down into place, provide decent protection for the ears.  While they function well, I probably wouldn’t buy them again.  They are (1) over priced for what they are and (2) not as snug to my ears the set I use more often.  However, with that said there is a great convenience in having them attached to the mask, so in some circumstances I still attach them for use.  One cool thing about the Ear Defenders is that you can “snap” them in the upward position, off the ear, when not in use.

Specifications:

• Airflow min: 5.6 cf/min
• Airflow fully charged: 7.06 cf/min
• Size of headband: 20-1/2″ to 24-1/2″
• Motor sound level: 70 dB
• Battery: 8 hr
• Weight: 2.2 lb
• Charger Voltage: 120 v
• Eye protection:ANSI Z87.1 (low energy impact)
• Respiratory protection (reference only): NPF50 to BS EN 12941 THP2
  Not NIOSH approved

The helmet / face shield:

The ear protectors:

The storage bag (a bit of a joke around here):

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