Sportmask Mage Pro

[Jester]

After getting a wicked concussion in February, I decided to upgrade my old Simmons mask. I wanted something light and hopefully airy to keep as cool as possible during the summer months. In the end, I settled on a Mage Pro from Sportmask, ordered through HockeyGeeks.com (London Source for Sports).

Customer Service:

Sportmask (Jennifer) was very quick to answer my many questions about fit. I was quoted 8 weeks for delivery and the factory shipped it in a little over 9. They kept me in the loop about the slight delay so I can't fault them too much there.

Mask Construction:

The mask is a funky hybrid build. The mask part of it is frighteningly small and light. The shell is so thin one wonders if it will work (It does, see below). The cage part is a little heavy since I ordered the approved version. Yet, when the two are put together, the mask feels light and balanced. I received my mask primed only. Still you could tell the holes had been cut well and the sanding was top notch.

The mask does not use a harness to attach the backplate to the rest of the mask. Instead, four elastic bands attach to the mask and clips keep the plate in position. Since the clips are on the backplate, one does not have to worry about a hard shot busting a clip.

First Impressions:

I have worn it twice now for a total of three hours. I am very happy with the results so far. I have changed the pads on the temples to the next thicker size to get more of a snug fit. The mask is incredibly comfortable. The open face delivers an outstanding field of view as well as allowing heat to escape.

So far I have taken two shots square on the cage and a deflection on the side of the mask with no ringing or dizziness. So I feel confident that protection is top notch.

Conclusion:

This is a very solid mask, yet lightweight. Vision is outstanding, so is protection. The strapping for the backplate is clever. I think I have good value for what I paid for it. I am interested in hearing what Chakal has to say about his Mage...
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb320/USJester/mask6.jpg

[snaz1]

Wow very nice mask. Thanks for the review.


Mike

[Cujo_64]

nice mask there, I haven't used a Mage, but have heard a lot of good things about them... very light in comparison to a full mask yes ?

rob

[Jester]

The Mage is definitely lighter than the mask it replaced. I am sure there are some masks out there that are about the same weight as mine with the approved cage. I think that the Mage with a cateye cage would have to be close to the lightest mask available out there. Funny thing is I was not necessarily looking for weight reduction when I bought it. For me, it was all about vision, protection and heat build-up elimination.

One of my reason for posting the review was to let people know this is not a gimmick mask. This is a true alternative to the typical masks out there.

[chakal]

I have a MAGE and a couple of other ones. The MAGE is incredibly light and the air flow is amazing, so it keeps your head cooler.

I use my Mage when I play in my 3on3 league (60-70 shots per game) and when it's too hot and humid during the summer.

[Gregan]

I was playing against a guy with a Mage II last night, I was so tempted to call him out on the fact that his lid wasn't CSA approved. :)

I'll keep that in my back pocket for the playoffs! :)

[Beccaraptor]

That mask is very tempting to get for my next one!
It sounds like you get hit in the head as much as I do too! Haha! 3 times a game for me, I need to work on getting my hands up quicker! Especially my catcher!

[chakal]

To make a long story short, I found out I was missing about one inch to my mage cage to fully protect my throat. No incident, just a puck that hit my chest a bit high, were normally it also hits the bottom of the chin drop (of a regular mask). So I tried several things, one that was working, a baseball catcher dangler.

Only problem, it looked.... poor. It worked, but the look was... not in my standards! LOL

I had the Itech N17
http://www.sportlegion.ru/products_pictures/gorlo_n17.jpg
But the thing is too big. Fog was a big problem too. Did I mention that I HATE danglers? I don't wear one with my ProtechSport or my Stacey, the chin drop is enough on those masks. The Mage is made to be like a combo, but as safe as a mask.

So, I looked at my N17 and I saw a picture of Tim Thomas at the camp wearing a thin dangler so I though: "Would it be possible to cut off half of the N17?"

Well I brought my N17 to my office where I guy cut it off and it still looks strong so I put it on my Mage. It moves well and the thing I noticed, it doesn't make any noise. Hope fog won't be an issue but it's so thin now, it shouldn't matter.

Now with the pictures.
http://ncw.qc.ca/accesinterdit/hockey-gear/mask2008/Chakalmage5.jpg

now if you can't see well:
http://ncw.qc.ca/accesinterdit/hockey-gear/mask2008/Chakalmage5B.jpg

[Cujo_64]

is that less protective though ? does the cage bend less than a normal mask cage ?

rob

[Jester]

Chakal has an interesting solution on the dangler.

I agree with him that the drop on the mage is not as pronounced as that found on most regular masks. So that leaves a little more space for an errant puck to find a soft spot. I did attach a dangler to my Mage and it was completely not acceptable to me. I could not get comfortable with the constant banging against my old chest unit. I can't even imagine how uncomfortable a dangler would be with my new 5000.

Cutting off half the dangler seems to be a good compromise. I may even try that. In the meantime, I am happy wearing my Maltese combo unit. I was even thinking of getting a new one of those with the 2" collar rather than 1.5". I think danglers have a purpose during practice where you get tons of shots. But since I mostly do scrimmages and games, I have never felt a real compelling need for one.

Rob/Cujo,

I am not sure I understand your concern about protection and stiffness of the cage so I can't quite address that other than to say I love my Mage and I will never wear a conventional mask again.

[chakal]

The N17 Itech follows perfectly the line of the Sportmask M90 cage, so if you tie the dangler tightly, it won't bang at all. I hate danglers, never wears one with a mask, but this is a winner.

The MAGE is made to feel like a combo, the M90 cage has a small chin drop but I think it never was Tony's idea for it to fully replace a chin drop.

[habsgoalie]

i love my mage pro mask,best mask ever.

[chakal]

I took the idea to cut off my N17 dangler while watching this picture. Itech seems to have made a smaller one for him.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7813/thomasur9.jpg

[Oddzilla]

Still prefer my Jofa dangler.

http://www.owczarek.net/mage/magejofa.jpg

Sure it bangs on occasion, but the noise doesn't bother me. Never has.

[NYCGoalie]

I WILL NOT play without my Mage. I know about 4 people here at my local rink who I know were turned on to it after seeing me play with it for a long while.

Absolutely great purchase. Congrats on joining the family.

[Moving Target]

hi all...I'm about to order a MagePro....is this a photo of the stock cat-eye and normal chin-guard?

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb320/USJester/mask6.jpg

I only ask because I've seen these versions on the website?

with no chinguard
http://www.sportmask.com/goalie-masks/custom-masks/page-combo-mage.jpg


with a narrow chinguard
http://www.sportmask.com/goalie-masks/images/mage-cages.jpg

[chakal]

This is the new regular set-up:
http://ncw.qc.ca/accesinterdit/hockey-gear/mask2008/Chakalmage.jpg

[Moving Target]

many thanks Chak...
:)

[Cujo_64]

thats nice... how much do they run ? for a set up like that ? without paint ?

[mjmoon29]

Hi all,
On the latest versions of the Mage how forward is your face to the cage? In Oddzilla's pick he looks near flush but I believe on his he has more of an HM30 like sling then a chin cup. On the newest ones, would this be just a preference/strapping adjustment?

Mike

[Jester]

Between Chak's mask and mine, we show the cage options available. To my knowledge, the chin drop dimensions are just about identical between the cat-eye and the approved version ( Read the Sportmask web site carefully as it has a disclaimer on the approved cage). The big decision is to go Mage or MagePro. I went with the Pro version because I have had too many concussions over the years and the last one was a problem. At my level of play, a Mage would have been sufficient but I chose to give my noggin' an extra level of protection

As for price, I think a stock MagePro runs around $400. There are many web site showing prices, including e-bay (goaliemonkey, hockeygeeks, etc...)

[Jester]

MJMOON29,

Odd has the old version where the cage was hinged at the top and the chin strap was attached to the front of the mask. With that design, once the mask is on your head, you fasten the chin strap on both sides.

The new design has a fixed cage position. Also, the harness for the back plate was redesigned to eliminate all clips from the mask surface, eliminating busted clips. So now, you adjust the chin cup to be snug and that's it.

[Rev 6.2]

I was just wondering if anyone has the Sportmask dangler on their Mage. I just got my mage and tried it out the other night and really feel i need a dangler. JW what tehy look like on the helmet and noise and such things.
http://www.sportmask.com/goalie-masks/masks-lexanguard.html

[Oddzilla]

MJMOON29,

Odd has the old version where the cage was hinged at the top and the chin strap was attached to the front of the mask. With that design, once the mask is on your head, you fasten the chin strap on both sides.

The new design has a fixed cage position. Also, the harness for the back plate was redesigned to eliminate all clips from the mask surface, eliminating busted clips. So now, you adjust the chin cup to be snug and that's it.

I have since had the chin piece installed and have secured the cage to the shell.

How's the birdcage working out? I know in the years that I bugged Tony about making a birdcage style, one of my recommendations was to have it bow out away from the face. IN the one he made, it's flat. Any problems with that or is it too close to the nose?

One of these days I'll have to come watch you play and check it out for myself.

[Jester]

Odd,

Check my last post on the "Fix for an unruly chin cup" thread. You will see the bird cage is not flat at all. There is plenty of clearance for my nose.

It's nice you got your mask updated to the last design. I think it is a much better setup.

Dan.

[Timmaayy]

Sorry to drag this one up, but I think people are talking about two distinctly different masks. The Mage, and the Mage PRO, which is even lighter, stiffer, and more expensive.

If I remember right, Jukka or someone else had one at one of the clinics that BDD attended. The Mage PRO was about 2/3 of the weight of the Mage.

[michiganhcky31]

what did you cut your dangler with

[Oddzilla]

Jester, can you post a pic of yourself wearing the Mage from the side? I want to see how much clearance there is from cage to nose.

For all the years I bugged Tony about making a "hecc" style cage for the Mage, one thing I always stressed was bubbling the cage to extend further from the face. More like a pure hybrid of his older SM-50 cage and the SM-90. Basically, a bubbled cage with the extended throat drop and side extensions.

It almost looks like the front part of the cage is near vertical and runs parallel to the front of the shell.

[Jester]

Odd,

I am out of town until Saturday morning. I will post a picture then since my work computer does not have a any of those pix on it. Sorry about the delay.

[Oddzilla]

Odd,

I am out of town until Saturday morning. I will post a picture then since my work computer does not have a any of those pix on it. Sorry about the delay.

No prob! Thanks!

[Jester]

Odd!

The pictures you requested. Plenty of clearance for the nose. You will notice the cage is not running parallel to the face opening. Having three slots over the ear forced Tony to move the clip down which in turn moved the cage forward, away from the face.

If you need to see the mask live, let me know. Since we live fairly close to each other it can't be too hard to meet somewhere.

Dan.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb320/USJester/maskprofile1s.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb320/USJester/maskprofile3s.jpg

[Oddzilla]

Wow, alot of clearance on that. I'll probably be getting one soon and I just wanted to see. SInce I have one of the original model Mages, the holes I have to use may keep it closer to the face. We'll see.

I still wish I could have gotten Tony to bubble it out like his old SM-50. That roundness, the chin drop and ear coverage would have made the perfect cage.

But, it's still one of the best out there.

Thanks for the pics!!! I just hate when cages are too close to the nose. I don't understand how people can wear something like that. One good shot and that cage slams into it.

[Jester]

Odd!

You may want to check something before you order. Looking at the Sportmask web site, it appears the hole openings over the ears may have changed. If Tony moved the clip back a little, the nose clearance would again be minimal.


Dan.

[Oddzilla]

Like I said, mine is almost 5 years old so anything on the website probably won't apply. We'll see when I can eventually get one.

[Oddzilla]

Got my cage yesterday. Will be putting on the dangler tonight and use it tomorrow. Mine isn't the pro. Actually, mine is one of the first handful that were made. Still in great shape, though, and protecting me just as good as day one.

I needed to replace my cat-eye. After much abuse and using my head to block shots, the one side is starting to bend up quite a bit. And since I've been wearing glasses until I get my contacts, I had a bad run in with a puck hitting the outside edge of my glasses frame. Popped the lense out and bent the frame all up. Not a fault of the cage or mask, just my circumstance having to wear glasses currently.

My nose is almost a fingers width from the cage. Just a bit closer than the cat-eye. Again, wish I could have gotten Tony to bubble it out. C'est la vie. It's a tank, though. Should work very well.

http://www.owczarek.net/mage/birdcage2.jpg

[Jester]

Odd,

Looking at your new cage, I noticed it does not move away from the face as much as mine due to the position of the clips on the temple area. Good luck with it...

I absolutely love my Mage Pro. I have yet to get that ringing tone in my ears from pucks to the head. My problem now is that after dropping 15 lbs, I have lost a lot of my chubby cheeks. The mask is now VERY wobbly side to side. Up and down is still OK. I have padded that baby as much as possible but it just won't do. And gaining the weight back is out of the question.

So I may have to start looking for another mask. I may go back to a more standard mask. I hate to spent money again but I don't think I have a choice.

[Oddzilla]

Didn't get a chance to use it on Friday. My son was sick all night long, so between my wife and I alternating times getting up with him I was just too exhausted for 6:00am hockey. Fortunately we've got guys who can play and have their gear with them all the time.

So unless I get called to sub tonight, it's back to waiting for Friday.

[Oil Machine]

jester looks like tim thomas in that thing haha

[home0006]

Jester, you may want to look into just having the mask repadded. I emailed Sportmask a while ago about having that done for the same reason and with a head mold they charge $100 for a Mage 2. I would assume it would be the same charge for an original mage should you want to get that done.

[Jester]

Given I was playing goal before Tim Thomas was born, I prefer to think he looks like me.....

As for the re-padding, I did pick up some generic stuff the other day. I can probably achieve a decent fit for the $12 the padding cost me.

The reality of it all is I am not sure I want to wear the mask any more. The back plate has two stars to represent my dad and son who passed away ten days apart in December 2006. The lioness and cub completing the back plate represent my wife and daughter. Every time the thing gets hit by a puck or stick, I feel guilty.

I am thinking of retiring the mask, cleaning it and keeping it in my home office. With my son passing away at age 17, I don't have that many reminders of him and, being a sentimental fool, that mask has come to mean more than it probably should. There is space by my desk right next to his picture and the mask would fit perfectly there.

As I am typing this, I am realizing this mask is no longer meant to stop pucks. All along, the mask was about acknowledging my losses and what is important to me. And now, sitting in my office, it will be my daily reminder that despite my losses, I am still a very blessed and fortunate man.

[goalie33]

cool masks ,any prices?

[Jester]

Well my mask came from hockeygeeks.com in London Ontario. The paint was done by Don McClelland at macmasks.com. I quick search of those sites will quickly give you an idea of price....

[Oddzilla]

wow... To be honest, I don't know if I heard that before.

Sorry for your losses. And yes, it's a good tribute. I see why you'd want to save it as it is.

[AL-E-Gator]

Given I was playing goal before Tim Thomas was born, I prefer to think he looks like me.....

As for the re-padding, I did pick up some generic stuff the other day. I can probably achieve a decent fit for the $12 the padding cost me.

The reality of it all is I am not sure I want to wear the mask any more. The back plate has two stars to represent my dad and son who passed away ten days apart in December 2006. The lioness and cub completing the back plate represent my wife and daughter. Every time the thing gets hit by a puck or stick, I feel guilty.

I am thinking of retiring the mask, cleaning it and keeping it in my home office. With my son passing away at age 17, I don't have that many reminders of him and, being a sentimental fool, that mask has come to mean more than it probably should. There is space by my desk right next to his picture and the mask would fit perfectly there.

As I am typing this, I am realizing this mask is no longer meant to stop pucks. All along, the mask was about acknowledging my losses and what is important to me. And now, sitting in my office, it will be my daily reminder that despite my losses, I am still a very blessed and fortunate man.


Jester,:D

The more I read about Youg guys, the more I realize how much we are ALL alike. I understand all too well about the Mask and it's represenations to You. If you check out my story (Battram Equipment Thread, Page 29) with the new C/A Scott has made for me, I had it made to represent the battles (Camoflage) my Deceased Father and my Deceased Brother-in-Law had fought with Cancer. I agree, we have other things to consider ourselves more fortunate about, as God has blessed us with many things - and I have them represented on the equipment too (my wonderful Fiancee'/Wife, My three dogs, and my Business). I understand, and I'd recommend that maybe with Your next mask, You not only keep the tribute to Your Son and Father, but add Your blessings to the mask as well - and it may help ease the heavy heart we all carry with us daily.
I'll say a Prayer for You brother . . .

AL-E-Gator:D

[Jester]

Odd,

Thanks for the kind words.


Gator,

I had seen your write up on your C/A. Quite moving. And thanks for the prayers.

I will not duplicate my backplate. Since I am going to a full mask again, I will move the stars to the front where they will flank my name on the chin. The backplate will acknowledge my wife and daughter by name. I like your idea re: blessings. I will have to think about what I want there. Below is the current backplate.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb320/USJester/mask9.jpg

[Oil Machine]

wow jester, after reading that i called up my dad and met him for lunch..
i am really sorry to hear that..

i dont blame you for wanting to do that to your mask.... i think i would be doing the same.. nice stand in a glass box.

well i hope all is well in finding a new mask... if you ever think of going away form the mage. i know the hackva is a great choice ;)

[Jase96]

I just scored a stock bear painted mage off ebay for $300... awesome deal for my roller hockey. Even though it will clash with the rest of my set... now i get to be a closet-CWD!!

[Oil Machine]

not gonna lie, kinda want a mage haha

[InsightGoalie]

I wanted a mage. But, nobody would sell me one. I first contacted goaliemonkey because they carry Sportmask and are local. They basically just told me they don't carry that mask. I even asked if I could special order one and got no reply. Then I asked Sportmask if it was possible to get one directly through them. Again, nothing. I'd really rather not go out of my way to get a stock mask. All in all, I was pretty put off by the whole thing and ended up ordering from Stacey. I'm glad I did though, I'm getting a great deal on a great mask.

[Moving Target]

I wanted a mage. But, nobody would sell me one. I first contacted goaliemonkey because they carry Sportmask and are local. They basically just told me they don't carry that mask. I even asked if I could special order one and got no reply. Then I asked Sportmask if it was possible to get one directly through them. Again, nothing. I'd really rather not go out of my way to get a stock mask. All in all, I was pretty put off by the whole thing and ended up ordering from Stacey. I'm glad I did though, I'm getting a great deal on a great mask.


Me too....I tried Sportsmask and several Ontario suppliers

The Mage Pro, coupled with a 'level two' paint job meant that no-one wanted to know...estimated dates were anything from 10 - 16 weeks.

I really would like to get a Mage one-day.... but I went with Stacey instead.

Having seen examples of each, I would say that they are both are superb manufacturers - but imho Stacey wins-out on customer service.

Sure, he’s a complete mad-man and probably an insomniac*?....

….but he takes my order and his business seriously



* :p love ya

[InsightGoalie]

but imho Stacey wins-out on customer service.
Oh big time. I'm trying to work within a certain budget and he helped out big time with that. I wanted a backplate 7 for the airbrushing. He said that one was hard and would be extra but, I could go with backplate 1 and sewn on straps for a mostly clear area for airbrush and would knock off $50. That is just one example of how he was willing to work with me. He ended up giving me a super discount, I don't think I should discuss it (don't want people to expect it) but, I will say if your working with a budget ask him anyways. He will try to help you out as best he can. His wait times are short right now too, he quoted me 5 weeks.

[Oddzilla]

My Mage is not the pro model and it has worked superbly for me. You would have been very happy with the regular model. I've taken some serious head shots with it and have never felt a thing. And now that I have the birdcage, it's even more of a tank.

[InsightGoalie]

My Mage is not the pro model and it has worked superbly for me. You would have been very happy with the regular model. I've taken some serious head shots with it and have never felt a thing. And now that I have the birdcage, it's even more of a tank.
I couldn't get either model. I was just blown off my both GoalieMonkey and Sportmask. Even after I asked if I could just order one from GoalieMonkey they never replied. Once I found out Stacey's wait times were only 5 weeks, it was a no brainer anyway.

[Jase96]

GM stopped carrying them about 3 months ago. But there are still many other places you can order one from, like hockeygeeks.com, hockeygalore.ca, thehockeyshop.com, etc...

They all can order custom for you too, u just need to talk to the right people. I was just about to order one, but by chance I found one on ebay for a killer deal and didn't pass it up.

[InsightGoalie]

Yeah, but I wanted to order from GM because they were local. Thats really the main reason, they could help with fitting etc... I just don't see how a middle man somewhere in Canada could help with the fitting. At least with Stacey I'm dealing with him directly and know he can fit me up right.

[Matt The Hammer]

I just bought an SM-90 from Duke's.

But they sent me the Mage replacement cage rather than the one that would mount to a SK2000... basically, there ain't no straps from the chin area to the back of the helmet.

Advice?

[home0006]

I've had nothing but good lucky dealing with Sportmask's customer service. They have some of the fastest response times when it comes to returning Emails. Working with them has been really easy and great, but I guess everyone has different experiences.

[Wasabi]

Hey Oddzilla,

I have an older Mage as well. I'm thinking about replacing the cateye cage with the birdcage. Haven't had much luck finding info on who sells the birdcage for the Mage, and how much it costs. Mind if I ask where you bought yours, and how much you paid? THANKS!

(Sent you a pm, as well.)

[Martysgirl74]

Hey Oddzilla,

I have an older Mage as well. I'm thinking about replacing the cateye cage with the birdcage. Haven't had much luck finding info on who sells the birdcage for the Mage, and how much it costs. Mind if I ask where you bought yours, and how much you paid? THANKS!

(Sent you a pm, as well.)

Wasabi, you chicken! Keep the cat eye. You act like the people we play with actually know how to shoot a puck. :p:D

[Wasabi]

Hey, gimme a break, MG74! That's exactly why I need to protect myself. Some of those folks can't control their sticks, especially when they're falling all over the place.

And let's face it - if an errant stick gets through and clips my face, you know my better half will quicky put an end to my playing days. I already get enough grief just for playing once a week.

[Martysgirl74]

Hey, gimme a break, MG74! That's exactly why I need to protect myself. Some of those folks can't control their sticks, especially when they're falling all over the place.

And let's face it - if an errant stick gets through and clips my face, you know my better half will quicky put an end to my playing days. I already get enough grief just for playing once a week.

I have no idea what you are speaking of. We play with NHL quality skaters!:p

But I do see your point on the spousal front. We gotta figure out a way to lengthen that leash a bit. Maybe more DIY. But don't worry, if you're unable to skate I'll happily fill in. :D

[Timmaayy]

You should be able to get a cage from Dukes... I recently upgraded to the Pro Cateye and ordered through them. Nice guys to deal with from what I know of them. :cool: This was for my Mage 2, but they can get any of them for you. If it's not in stock it may take a few more days to get to you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/timmyh911/HPIM0314.jpg