Cold weather airsoft:)

[luke213]

Well guys I was supposed to go to a game today but it was cancelled because of the cold weather(right now it's around -5-10F and allot less with wind chill). So since I was half geared up I decided to do some gear testing of my current cold weather gear along with some test firing on my sniper rifle. I tried a few different combinations before coming into this setup that worked well.



Rundown on gear well general run down. Top to bottom, Hat is a flap style hat I got from Menards on clearance and I dig it, been using it as my normal hat lately up here since it's been so cold. Under that I've got a thin baklava and mesh facemask over that. Goggles normally I wouldn't run tint but it was so bright I used some Oakley goggles I never use because they are tinted. Upper body level 1 and 2 ECWCS Gen 3 long underwear and a very heavy sweatshirt. Lower same ECWCS long underwear layers, then ACU BDU's. Over layer is a German coverall that is insulated, I haven't looked into the make/model got it in trade at a gunshow and planned to use it for out working in the cold but liked it for airsoft and it's been being used off and on there. I like the warmth but it's not waterproof so it's less than ideal for somewhat warmer temps where you get wet. Then boots I've got some -40 rated boots that I've been running they are wearing out though so it will be time to replace them soon.

Overall this worked pretty well other than I got hot a bit and had to open the top of my upper body some to vent some heat off. Couple times I took my hat off just to let a little air in. Didn't have any fog issues, the goggles are thermal lens but I did have some interior icing which is somewhat new. Mostly the condensation instantly turned to ice and froze around the edges. My beard froze to the mesh mask a fair bit after a while and it pulled a few hairs out, that wasn't much fun but not a huge deal.

So my gear passed muster at least for my needs if I decide to play a fairly cold game. I've been known to play and organize games down to pretty cold temps around zero typically is when I'm going to call one off. But I hadn't really tested this new gear since I got back into airsoft so I figured today was a good chance to give it a go. I might actually go back out with an AEG in a little bit and do some more testing with a slightly different setup run some of the other ECWCS layers that I've picked up and try a little different setup. Either way figured I'd share since I took a snapshot before I came in.

Take care!

Luke

[Breathe]

I know you said your beard froze and all but did you really give yourself a good run to try and fog those goggles up? I'd love to attend some larger event but the full seal rule is a huge turnoff for me especially since most of the "good" goggles are these giant things equivalent to a second head.

[Gabriel]

Pretty sure all events require full seal eye pro, not just national ones...

[Simon]

I've rarely have a fogging problem with a good pair of flak jacks or revision goggles.

[luke213]

Well I've got a selection of goggles most dating 10 years or so ago but some newer ones I'm trying out a few of the low profile setups. I owned a set of Wiley-X goggle/glasses years ago I tried to use but had nothing but fog issues. I'm a fogger by nature, I can seem to fog about anything.

I've got those Oakley goggles that do pretty well with the thermal lens and a good wipe down with dish soap before going out to play. Same goes for my Bolle X500's with thermals I wipe them down usually and have pretty good luck. For running around I didn't do much but just walking through snow 3-4ft deep even when your mostly on the crust around a foot or so down will be a work out. I was huffing and puffing within 20ft. of the road. So I'd say overall I put them through their paces. The low profile goggles while I think will work in warmer weather didn't work at all with full heavy gear on, they just didn't have enough airflow and were too tight to my sweating face and rest of my headgear. I didn't run the Bolle's since they are clear and the sun was just too bright with the reflection off the snow to be comfortable without some tint(which is rare for me). But overall it worked. Biggest problem was any moisture froze to the lens since it was so cold, so condensation of sorts would form a little around the edge and freeze into ice almost immediately. Though it didn't seem to spread into the center of my vision just on the very outer edges. And these thermal lens' are attached just a little in from the edge, so it seemed to be the area where the transition between the two lens was happening that was the issue. I do think though maybe a little more wind break at the vents might have stopped the freezing though since I think the wind was coming in the vents freezing the condensation.

Hard to tell though, just what I've seen. But I do know that it's allot easier to get eyepro working in above about 10F degree temps than -10F once it gets that low or lower it's an issue. Granted most people don't play down to those levels but up here sometimes I do, depending on if other guys are willing. But you also run into other equipment issues between batteries and metal fatigue at lower temps. So it can be problematic at times. Usually if you aren't out real long it's not too bad I shot and moved around for a couple hours and things were pretty chilly equipment wise, I was comfortable. But my VSR10 had ice where my front hand held the gun, hard frozen to the gun. Ice had formed other places as well but nothing that effected function other than the unpredictable hopup. But an IR Hop should solve that problem mostly when I get time to install it.

Luke

I also did a little camo test video after taking this picture. My brother suggested taking a video to see how the camo worked out in the snow. Well my suit at that point was pretty wet once I came inside and the snow/ice melted I decided to run slightly different cold weather gear. I ran an ECWCS parka with some OD pre ECWCS trousers and a lighter weight rig. I also swapped my sniper rifle for my TM G36c that I recently fixed since I haven't got to fiddle with it much since I got it running. Note this isn't some sort of serious test, more was me wanting to see how the camo functioned using a camera and decided it looked sort of neat and decided to upload it to my channel I'm planning on putting up some game footage eventually. Also I know I'm more than visible most times, but I didn't know that for sure until I looked over the video:) I also found ACU blends well with the maple tree's when it's in direct sunlight which was interesting. I was aiming for shadows which actually worked against me in hiding in this case. Either way take a look, from memory if you don't want to wait for me to appear skip to 2:20 or so, but I left the long gap while I was moving into position to somewhat get used to the fact that there isn't movement. More less like your sitting waiting for an ambush etc, get's the complacency.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnnZDwYHf3g

[Stinger]

Cold weather airsoft? Oh yes
Here's some pictures from a chilly stress-test:

[luke213]

What was the temp and results?

That looks pretty much like my guns do typically when I get done playing;) I'll admit I like the sniper rifle when playing in winter especially since there is generally less stuff to get snow into, and whatnot just generally easier than having lots of mags to deal with etc. But that said I'm still not certain sniping is my go to but I'm going to give it a good shake before I decide one way or the other. I was always typically a semi long range player but comfortable up close. So this whole long range thing is somewhat new, though it's nice with the longer views winter provides to be able to use that range. Once summer gets here and it closes in I may find myself running my normal M4 type of gear since it closes in very close here with all the tree's and vegetation.

Luke

[Stinger]

It was 15 degrees F when I took those pictures. The gun functioned flawlessly.

[Gunny87]

Feb 23, 2015 19:09:10 GMT -5 Breathe said:

I know you said your beard froze and all but did you really give yourself a good run to try and fog those goggles up? I'd love to attend some larger event but the full seal rule is a huge turnoff for me especially since most of the "good" goggles are these giant things equivalent to a second head.

Umm, every legitimate airsoft event should require full seal goggles. With the exception of a couple indoor fields and games outside the state of Michigan, every event I have attended requires full seal. You can get the Oakley M-frame ballistic glasses with the Helo M-Frame inserts that make them full seal and are allowed.

Not using full seal goggles is a big risk that you're taking and I certainly hope for your sake that it never causes you to loose your eye sight.

[Snarf]

Feb 23, 2015 21:56:37 GMT -5 Stinger said:

Cold weather airsoft? Oh yes
Here's some pictures from a chilly stress-test:

Oh nice, you got a suppressor.





I know you use a lipo battery. Do you think it was affected by the cold (slower rof, shorter battery life, etc.)? I know NiMH (and NiCd especially) get ravaged by cold temps, but supposedly lipos are more resistant.

[Stinger]

I'm not sure where you heard that they are more resistant, but from what I've seen with lithium-based batteries in many different forms (not just for airsoft) is that they drain significantly faster in low temperatures. I'm not sure it is compared to other battery types, as I haven't used anything but Li-Po in a long time.

[Breathe]

Feb 24, 2015 16:03:12 GMT -5 Gunny87 said:

Feb 23, 2015 19:09:10 GMT -5 Breathe said:

I know you said your beard froze and all but did you really give yourself a good run to try and fog those goggles up? I'd love to attend some larger event but the full seal rule is a huge turnoff for me especially since most of the "good" goggles are these giant things equivalent to a second head.

Umm, every legitimate airsoft event should require full seal goggles. With the exception of a couple indoor fields and games outside the state of Michigan, every event I have attended requires full seal. You can get the Oakley M-frame ballistic glasses with the Helo M-Frame inserts that make them full seal and are allowed.

Not using full seal goggles is a big risk that you're taking and I certainly hope for your sake that it never causes you to loose your eye sight.

I just looked at the glasses you suggested and...well I know those things are going to fog, especially after any rain, hard running, or humidity. I currently use revision hellfly glasses which are so low profile and close fitting that I'm not concerned about the rouge eye smasher AND they have a decent amount of airflow to prevent fogging on MOST days.

I understand the need for good eye protection and the maintenance of such eyewear (including thermal lenses, anti-fog spray, and cleaning) however when the requirement of full seal goggles forces everybody to throw some mesh goggles over their already safe and good goggles only to conform to a "cover our ass" rule. it kills the game for a lot of us who have invested in low profile glasses.

also for the record. all of the events I've attended require full seal and that is why I have such a sour attitude towards the ruling. Rest assured our eyes are well protected and any time we attend an event we will conform to all rulings.....But I wont like it

Damn a game isnt any fun being fogged.

Now back to topic... sowwy

[Stinger]

I wear a full mask and have no issues with fogging even in this weather. All I do is make sure it fits tight and I do the spit/wipe trick divers use to help prevent fogging.

[luke213]

Any battery will drain faster in lower temps pretty much across the board. I've not used lipo's in airsoft yet, I've got some in route but back when I played before we didn't really have the option. Look at the Tesla car and range issues in the cold that was in the news not long ago, colder temps significantly less range. Same issue with airsoft.

I think the reason guys think lipo might be better is the cells are much better at delivering high amp power to our guns, so as a result the gun runs better. Though that said they will run better just not for as long of a duration. Nicad, and Nimh batteries tend to drop off more gradually in performance and function down to lower levels as well. So with a Lipo it should mostly just stop functioning, or likely you stop it before it hits dangerous voltage, but with NIMH and NICAD it stops shooting as well but still functions just not as well.

I could be a little off one the Lipo stuff since I haven't run them in an AEG yet, but I've used the crap out of them in other applications like ecigs and flashlights etc.

Luke

[Stinger]

Yeah, in my experience Li-Po batteries certainly drain faster in cold climates than in warm. It's difficult to compare their drainage rate to that of a different type of battery because, like luke213 said, their voltage curves are completely different than other batteries even in normal conditions.