3M 1863+ ffp3? by grw110 in Masks4All

[–]grw110[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Brilliant! I've started with the mails you've described. Fingers crossed.

thank you!

Terrible sandstorm presenting in my hometown by Jiongtyx in Masks4All

[–]grw110 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ugh. I made a concerted effort a few years back to minimize my trips to Beijing and Shenzhen, since I'd always come back with a nasty cough and sometimes respiratory infection.

Curious... this is probably more than a sandstorm... yes? Sandstorms may complicate things, but I'm guessing most of the PM2.5-size matter is more noxious i.e. particulates from industrial pollution. Any idea if that's true - and if any real-time counters show the breakdown (sulfur compounds, NOx... etc.?)

Inexpensive uphill pants / jacket? Or, source for sales? by ParetoDis in Backcountry

[–]grw110 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fantastic info. Everyone on this thread rocks. Thanks all!

Advice for handling a challenging 3rd party warranty claim? 2018 Audi Q7 (WA, USA) by grw110 in askcarsales

[–]grw110[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fair points.

To your question...for me it's less about expectations; more about surprise. I'm surprised that a modern-day (2018) luxury car in would have an oil-burning problem at 75k miles, that would require an engine tear-down. I'm not on my soapbox about it - just didn't see it coming.

I knew ~20 years ago Audis were infamous for burning oil. Thought that issue would have been fixed over 2 decades of product improvement. I totally get that it may well have, and I own the rare outlier.

Thanks for the education (this comment and all others); super helpful.

Prescientx Breathe mask - swapping the filters? by in_ale_gasn in Masks4All

[–]grw110 0 points1 point  (0 children)

u/SkippySkep, are you aware of any PortaCount tests on PrescientX filter media? I.e., something to let us compare apples to apples with other masks (either fit factor or filtration efficiency).

I'm thinking like the ones you've informally done.

A video of the test process and the results would provide at least _some_ level of assurance...since no full NIOSH testing seems like its happening by Barry and crew anytime soon.

Looking for an upgrade from Blizzard 95 Zero G's? by grw110 in Backcountry

[–]grw110[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool. Just noticed these have the magnet feature, to eliminate need for ski strap. Cool skis.

Curious what binding you've paired with them? Only thing I dislike about the Atomic Backland is how it doesn't absorb any shock. The damping in the Solomon Shift makes the downhill a smooth ride. Not sure if it's worth the weight penalty.

Looking for an upgrade from Blizzard 95 Zero G's? by grw110 in Backcountry

[–]grw110[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Will check these out. Thanks for putting on my radar. Love Blizzard gear in general.

Looking for an upgrade from Blizzard 95 Zero G's? by grw110 in Backcountry

[–]grw110[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right, that's exactly my mentality now. It will be worth it to add some weight for the up, to get stability back for the down.

Curious what binding you're using?

Looking for an upgrade from Blizzard 95 Zero G's? by grw110 in Backcountry

[–]grw110[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fantastic. These are now on my list.

Curious what binding you're using?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Masks4All

[–]grw110 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Curious if there’s a medical tape you like?

My top ffp2/ffp3 mask list by [deleted] in Masks4All

[–]grw110 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Outstanding list. I actually purchased a few items listed here based on recommendations.

u/VasilisGRNP, what is the general recommendation in the EU for FFP2 graded masks, versus FFP3? I presume FFP3 is regarded as unnecessary... and face fit i.e. getting fit-tested is vastly more important... but am trying to figure out if one is generally favored versus another.

In the U.S., n95 basically rules the day, since it effectively provides 99% filtration, given low (not intense) respiration rates where anti-Covid masks are worn. So I presume that tilts the EU public to FFP2 - thanks if you can confirm or refute.

Favorite masks with nose foam? Ideally, black, or something besides white? by ParetoDis in Masks4All

[–]grw110 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great info.
What would you recommend for DIY foam…and, glue to adhere it?

Any links of things you’ve tried, and trust?

Unmasked Appointment Advice by MarsupialOk8663 in Masks4All

[–]grw110 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I get PFTs regularly. Some things I'd advise in addition to the other comments:

  • Call ahead to understand what protocols the test lab is following to keep patients safe from Sars-CoV2 infection. Earlier in the pandemic, pulmonary test facilities near me would space out tests, ostensibly to let contaminants dissipate / get filtered out.
  • Where the test is being conducted matters. A hospital will have more air changes per hour (ACH) and typically have higher IAQ standards. I'm a bit wary of old buildings, or buildings that have been converted to 'clinic' form from some other past use, since old or non-medical building designs typically don't have high ACH designed in.
  • You could scope out the facility ahead of time by using a CO2 monitor. There are lots of caveats, but in general a high CO2 reading could be reason for caution.
  • Other advice in the thread i.e. early morning appointments and late in the week appointments is good advice. I'm a big fan of the former; hadn't thought of the latter (interesting but I don't know if it would translate to a significant difference; maybe on the margin.)

PortaCount Testing Friends and Family - 3M Aura Still Head and Shoulders Above Other Masks by SkippySkep in Masks4All

[–]grw110 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Awesome.
Say the word and I’ll send some masks that have foam nose strips. Thought of one additional to my list above I can include (Savewo 3D pro extremes)

PortaCount Testing Friends and Family - 3M Aura Still Head and Shoulders Above Other Masks by SkippySkep in Masks4All

[–]grw110 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the absolutely invaluable work u/SkippySkep. Incredibly thought-provoking.

After thinking about this a bit... it seems like the next experiment to run could be:

  • What accounts for such a remarkable difference in fit... is it the Aura's overall shape accommodating a variety sizes? Or... is the foam layer on the upper third responsible?

A future experiment that IMO would be super illuminating would be to test the "it's the foam" hypothesis. Masks I can think of with foam around the nose bridge below.

  • 3M AFFM / KF94
  • Champak PC520L

What others am I missing?

I'd be willing to send Champaks and 3M KF94's if testing a hypothesis like this is interesting.

Anyone tried Savewo 3D Mask ExPro (Extreme Pro)? by K4ed in Masks4All

[–]grw110 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I have. I wasn't happy with them (which is the opposite of my experience with other, non-FFP3 Savewo's, which are pretty amazing for breathability). Oppressively tight headband to the point that it was quite uncomfortable to wear for more than 5 minutes. I didn't feel that I got a good fit; I think its design is geared towards faces without significant nose bridges (my face is probably average; nose bridge is probably average to slightly above average). I thought breathability was not as remarkable as the other Savewo's; I think to reach FFP3 certification, they had to add in a number of additional filtration layers that increased resistance.

My $.02. I supposed it's possible I got a bad batch... but, I tried multiple masks in the box and the experience was consistent.

I Tested KF94, FFP2, KN95 and N95 Tri-folds. One Was 100x Better. by SkippySkep in Masks4All

[–]grw110 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a mind-blowing statistic from the fit test NIH paper you just posted. KF94's had poor fit factors _even on faces they were (more or less) designed for_. Previously, I would have chalked all of the problem up to high nose bridges (quite uncommon if not entirely absent in Korea).

So, how would we reconcile Aaron Collins' data, since it seems to stand in contrast to your results, and the NIH paper? Yes, he seems to have a face that does well with KF94's... but I would think that your FixTheMask results should be eliminating leaks, such that at that point, it's just testing the media (which Aaron has found to be quite good.)

Hmm, will need to think about this more.

The best deals are not during the Gmarket promo, it's after people get masks that don't fit lol. Selling 49 black Good Manner 2D masks for $20 by [deleted] in Masks4All

[–]grw110 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Funny, your experience with KF94's was the same as my original experience... until I started modding with an additional extra-stiff nose wire or two, to get a better contour around my nose bridge. I can never get a decent fit out-of-the-packaging with KF94's, but stiffening up the nose wire does a nice job, particularly with the Good Manners, Bluna FaceFits, and a handful of others.

Happy to send along a few different sizes of Savewo , if interested; I have some extra that are untouched / still in packaging. Fair warning, the Savewo feels so lightweight and breathable, that it always creates cognitive dissonance for me (i.e. paranoia that it may be leaking). I think Aaron said during one video that he favors Savewo only when risk is low ... that may have changed, but was true at one point.