Trend’s Airshield Pro protects your face from projectiles and debris, and your lungs from airborne particles. Built-in attachment points allow you to add optional ear muff accessory for more complete protection.
Features:
- 8-hour rechargeable NiMH battery
- Motor positioned at the rear to reduce noise
- Face-seal and hood for improved protection
- Up to 98% filter efficiency
- Balanced for comfortable fit
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Street pricing is about $380 for the shield respirator combo, which includes one battery pack and charger, and $390-$410 for the kit that comes with the ear muff attachment.
Thoughts and Concerns
I wear eyeglasses, so kicking up a storm of sawdust during a woodworking project often means safety goggles (not glasses), a disposable or half-face respirator, and even ear muffs. This can be a lot. When working with high-velocity projectiles (such as when grinding or using a high-speed rotary tool), I will wear a face shield on top of all that.
Goggles + respirator + ear muffs + face shield can be a lot. It gets hot, sweaty, foggy, and uncomfortable. Because of this I find the Airshield Pro to be highly appealing.
There are a couple of concerns that pop out at me of course. For one, the filters are pricey at about $55 per pair (you need two). And what happens if Trend – a UK company – comes out with an updated product and stops shipping the filters to the USA?
Less than two years ago I purchased a small JET air cleaner that fits in my space better than their more popular sizes. While it works great, nobody sells the filters. I can’t find any retailer that even sells the air cleaner itself anymore. One of these days I’m going to have contact JET again to buy filters as spare parts directly from them – if they even carry the filters anymore.
Because of my experience with JET, I’m hesitant to buy into respirators, air cleaners, or dust extraction systems if replacement filter availability could potentially be an issue.
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As an example, Triton’s powered respirator is currently off the market and replacement filters seem hard to find. The same could very well happen to Trend.
The price is also a potential issue. For my potential usage, an air cleaner plus conventional non-powered respirator seems to be a better buy.
What do you think about powered respirators like the Trend Airshield Pro – yay or nay? Any input about this particular model or any other powered respirator would be much appreciated.
Brian Buehler
If it cost less, I’d give it a try for sure. I have a really hard time getting respirators to fit and seal properly while wearing glasses and it has been impossible for me while wearing the goggles that I have š My nose ends up feeling crushed and the respirator rarely seals fully.
matt
I dont know about this thing. But the positive pressure welding hoods I have used are flat out awesome.. If this is even close in performance I think it would be worth it..
charles
Hobby-Air respirators.
http://axispro.com/index.php?categoryID=2
Mark
I have been using the original airshield for about 15 years – earlier this year trend stopped producing the filters so I too am in the market for a replacement.
My experiences –
As I wear reading glasses (and need them to read tape measures and saw fence scales) the Airshield has proved very handy. When I discovered that the filters were discontinued I was somewhat irritated but after doing some research I believe it is because the standards have changed and the older model couldn’t meet them.
I tried the Airshield Pro on at my local stockist and I believe it is a much better product than the original – the face and head dust seal is very much improved and more comfortable so I will be purchasing one.
The price does seem a bit ridiculous – if you look at separates, You can pick up a Trend AirAce airshield, a full face mask and some over the ear hearing protectors and get a fair amount of change back from a 100 … but put them together with a fan and you pay almost 400? If there was a reasonable alternative I would take it. Unfortunately there isn’t!
Ben McLellan
I had great hopes for the self contained airshield, but I am very disappointed with it. It is top heavy, and you have to continuously reposition it on your head. By tightening it up there is some improvement, but you have to squeeze your head so much that it can’t be worn for long as it hurts. Their ācheap motors that they say are made in Sweden look more like something you would get from Hong Kong. The construction, in particular the fittings, is made from fragile plastic
and needs very careful handling; Poor flimsy quality for a expensive item not surprised that other reviewers have
commented adversely in this respect. It certainly is not well engineered, and not worth half the price I paid. The write up on the label should have read Made in Hong kong. I’m now looking to replace, but needless to say, I won’t be buying Trend again, A complete waste of money.