Customer Reviews

Israeli Civilian Gas Mask w/ Nato Filter

5 star:		(102)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Allow me to start off by saying that I absolutely love this mask. I have really ZERO COMPLAINTS about it. There are a few things that may bother others slightly, but not me. Nothing worth worrying about if you are ever in a situation where you need to use it. I will break my review down into categories:

-FIT/SEAL- 5/5
This mask fits very well to various adult head sizes. I have tried it on myself and several others. Everyone who tried it said it fit perfectly and had no complaints. This is due to the elastic straps that are used to tighten the mask. They are very easy to adjust while wearing and will not loosen while worn. It creates an airtight seal no matter if you are clean shaven or have facial hair. An easy way to test this for yourself is to put it on, adjust it to fit snugly, then cup your hand on the part where the filter attaches. Try to breathe, you will not be able to.

-LENS- 4/5
Let me start off by saying that the lens on this mask is made of a very sturdy, hard plastic. They are round however and do obscure your peripheral vision. Other than that, I have no complaints. Obviously, since they two eyepieces are sperated (its not one big mask lens) it does create an ever so slight cut off of your vision. Hardly noticable at all. Put your index finger parallel with your face along your nose, between your eyes. Thats how little it obscures your vision. Also, there is a rubber flap that goes across the bridge of the nose under the eyes that prevents the lens from fogging up. This is especially handy.

-EASE- 5/5
This mask is EXTREMELY easy to put on. It is also very easy to adjust the elastic straps around the head to tighten it and creat a seal. It has 5 elastic straps and one plastic strap that I suppose you tighten against your chin. I see little point in this plastic strap as it is extremely long and seems unnecessary. The 5 elastic straps are more than efficient to create a seal. it is also easy to get off once it has been fited, as it is elastic, as you have to do is pull it from your face and off. Perhaps the plastic chin strap is to have it hang from your neck down your back? xD

-COMFORT- 5/5
Not much to say here. As stated above, the mask fits well and is comfortable. It is made of rubber and does conform to your facial structure while creating a seal. It does not chaffor cause irritation. Also as I said before, you do not have to be clean shaven to wear this mask efficiently or comfortably.

-PROTECTION/FILTER- 5/5 *IMPORTANT*
This mask DOES CREATE AN AIR-TIGHT SEAL. It does not seem to allow leaks at all, so in that sense it provides supreme protection. HOWEVER, it is worth noting that the filter (40mm NATO filter) it comes with is quite old. The mask itself was made in the 80's and I can only imagine how old the filter is. Although, the filter does come completely sealed which means, even though it is past its expiration date by most likely about 20 years (I can't read the writing on the canister) it should be effective if used right when opened. However, once it is opened do not expect it to be usable several months from now. It will continue to absorb chemicals and particles in the air around it. If you use the filter right away, it should provide about 8 hours of protection depending on the level of contamination you are breathing in.
I have tested the filter. It does successfully filter low-scale toxins (Obviously). I do not adivse or recomend testing this for yourself. If you want an idea of how well the filter works and the seal of the mask, perhaps wear it around gasoline, fresh paint or sulphur from a just lit match.
Obviously I have not tested this on its NBC (Nuclear-Biological-Chemical) protection, so I am not sure if this filter will provide sufficient protection for that purpose. Again, for low-scale toxins and gases, for example, Tear Gas, this will provide excellent protection. Since the filter is quite old, and I couldn't find much info on it, I can't speak on its use for NBC protection.
***While this mask does provide protection as far as breathing goes, if the filter DOES in fact provide NBC protection, this mask and filter alone would be near useless without a full body protective suit. Your skin would still absorb radiation and chemicals from any biological weapons. *To be sufficiently protected in an NBC situation you will need a full body NBC protective suit ALONG with this mask.

Overall, I am very satisfied with this product and it does do everything it is supposed to. It is economical, comfortable, efficient, possibly scary looking to children, and just an overall great product! I highly recomend this mask!

Hope this review was helpful to you!

This thing is wonderful! it is very comfortable, and it separates your mouth from your eyes so the lenses don't fog up. Not heavy on the head at all, and it has great visibility! After awhile you forget it is on.

Very easy to breath in.

Would highly recommend.

btw it has a canteen connector for water intake on one side and comes with the tube.

The three masks I ordered had expired filters as of 2005. I wish this was disclosed in the description because people are staking their lives on this product if they actually needed to use it (NBC attack or pandemic). I wish people were informed that these filters have a shelf life of 5 years, some better filters have 10 years. Unfortunately new filters are double the cost of this mask, almost $35 each. I will have to buy 3 new filters for $110 for these masks, otherwise they are basically useless and even dangerous, false sense of security.
They are a good deal though, considering just the mask is more expensive elsewhere and the mask itself seems quality, good fit and comfortable. I just can't give it more than 2 stars because I am disappointed there is not full disclosure in the description- I would not expect to ever receive an expired (shelf life) item when it is sold as "NEW".
If you decide to buy this mask I would still recommend it, however just expect to have to buy new filters also (true with all the masks/filters I have seen on Amazon- I would not buy any others without verifying the expiration date). You can buy new filters with a 10 year shelf life at approvedgasmasks.com
Also, unrelated to this product or review but important to mention: be aware that most filters will last 8-12 hours once opened (depending on type and concentration of chemical/bio) so, in some sort of attack or extended pandemic you will need to keep 3-5 filters per mask!

these seal faster and better than the us military issue, with them you need to be clean shaved to guarantee a seal, with the israeli model i don't have to be clean shaved, I'm sure someone will disagree, but i was in the us army and i know from exp, if u do disagree, go pay 100 more for what you feel you need or works best, i took a chance ON this but it was a relatively small chance for 30 bucks that payed of, i would trust my safety to this, the filter is new the mask was new and it came with drinking straw, u will need a carrying pouch, if your going to add it to your bob bag setup. buy 4 for the price of a us issue, and keep them at work home or car, in my opinion it's insurance,in these times u never know when these will be needed to survive, don't open filter until ready to use, buy spares if u wanna last longer than 5-6 hrs there are different filters for protection from diff things, some protect from, chemical some biological, others airborne disease. Some last longer than others so pay attention to what yours are rated for research will go a long way, these masks accept only NATO style filters so, pay attention to what ones you buy. GOD BLESS THE USA, AND OUR TROOPS

This is a really good looking, high quality gas mask. It is also VERY comfortable to wear. It comes with nylon straps on the head, and the rubber mask fits great on your face. Wonderful mask! i think the United States should hand these out to us like the Israeli government did for them.

I don't know about you guys, but I sometimes have trouble sleeping at night when my girlfriend gets a case of wicked night farts. You know the kind I'm talking about...the ones that will wake you from the deepest of sleeps while simultaneously singing all of your nose hairs. This used to be a huge problem for me until I decided to give the Israeli Civilian Gas Mask w/ Nato Filter a shot. I had my reservations at first, but upon the first night sleeping I couldn't believe how well I slept. It was chili night at our house that evening, so I was ready for a true test. I could hear bombs going off, but nothing was getting through the impenetrable fortress that was my new sleeping mask.

I wish I would've found this product sooner! My hairs outside of this mask still get singed on occasion, but at least I can sleep through the torture now. I feel like I have a new lease on life!

I bought this a week ago (for $18.95 - the prices are rising!) and think it's very good, with qualifications noted below. I also bought a military gas mask, comparing them to see which to choose for members my family on the West Coast (vulnerable to a variety of disasters) - and I'd like to share what I've learned:

BOTH KINDS have steel buckles joining the straps to the mask, which are really hard to force on, but you only have to attach them once - then make adjustments to fit with the straps themselves.

BOTH KINDS have drinking tubes, which I consider essential, letting you drink uncontaminated water from a canteen or bottle without removing the mask.

THE CIVILIAN MASK has elastic straps, which are more readily adjustable at the buckles. Once they're adjusted to fit, the elastic allows you to easily pull the mask on and off over your head. The mask is snug around my face, at least (as I tested by putting my hand over the air intake and trying to inhale). The nosepiece is a bit loose on me, which means the air I breathe can fog the lenses. You could apply anti-fogging liquid or make the nosepiece tighter by adding cloth tape inside the curved facing to round it out more. This mask also has a neck strap, to keep it with you when you don't have it on.

From what I've read, "adult" civilian masks are supposed to fit teenagers as well as adults. "Youth" masks are supposed to fit children from 3 to 12. (I'd like to see how that works!)

THE MILITARY MASK also needs the stiff strap buckles attached only once. It is a little more difficult to adjust and remove because the rubber straps (not elastic) have a ratcheting surface to make the tightened mask stay in place. To loosen the straps, just pull the buckle tabs forward with your thumbs. The mask fits snugly (with the help of extra material turning inward around the edges), and so does the nosepiece, which prevents my breath from fogging the lenses. There is no neck strap.

(To me the military version looks less scary - actually sort of cute, with its big eyes and "nose," and the filter canister fitting below, closer to the chin. This may be a factor if you end up working with children.)

COMPARATIVE WEIGHTS with drinking tube:

Civilian: 15.95 oz. - 452 g
Military: 20.1 oz. - 574 g
Filter in canister: 7.7 oz. - 218 g

Neither mask feels heavy while worn, since the weight is distributed around the head.

As other reviewers have noted, the Israelis have really given this a lot of thought and worked out good models (because they feel under greater threat than most of us).

FILTER: According to an eHow article, you can tell the manufacture date of the filter from the serial number stamped on the top or side--the first two digits giving the year. See [...]
An Israeli manufacturer, Shalon Chemical Industries, gives the filter's shelf life as "exceeding fifteen years."

I'm anxious to find unexpired filters (with dates 1997 or later) that don't cost a fortune! Can anyone advise me?

So far I've used mine around all types of solvent and oil based paints as well as water base. I've used it with other harsh chemicals and sanding various materials. When sealing the canister with my hand and inhaling, there is the SLIGHTEST leak that otherwise never seems to effect the performance with the canister functioning as intended.

I've smelled fumes maybe 3 or 4 times when putting my face right on top of a freshly painted item or directly over the container of chemicals.
The only complaint is, it fogs easily in slightly cool to cold temperatures and with the lenses being modest, you are working in turmoil. If working temperature is not an issue, have no reservations. Aside from which, there are of course cheap anti fog treatments and I've just not gotten a chance to grab one.

This is one hell of a mask, I mean the price blew my mind and I really expected a borderline alright kinda mask but it really is waaaay better than it seems to look online, the feel, everything about it is awesome, I love the rubber and the easy straps round the head which is a really cool feature, I didn't expect it to come with a drinking tube but it did and it makes this product beyond phenomenal, it is simple to use and I didn't even read the manuel it is an extremely easy piece to figure out, I've gotten it for whatever, halloween mainly which is far beyond a good idea!! so if you're thinking about it, go for it, it's packaging is amazing and trash is easy to take off, it almost felt like I've gotten my money's worth plus more!!! Get it, it is a great piece for filmmaking, gags, pranks, or if your like me and collect cool masks, it is a must have for anyone who ever wanted a gas mask

I used to own one of these things (exact same model), but a long series of events led me to giving it away to my friend's girlfriend. Eventually, I missed it, and ordered this one.

While the first mask was absolutely perfect in every way, the one I got from Amazon was damaged, and as such I don't trust it for NBC uses. There's something wrong that makes it so when inhaling it vibrates and shudders very violently and makes a loud noise. I also cannot get it to make an airtight seal.

I guess some of the masks are great, and others damaged.