MOLDEX 5430 HALF MASK ABEK1P3R

good product, turned up early, exactly as described . good mask seems to work well, seals perfectly. couldnt ask for more.

I dedicated an hour writing this review comparing hands-on/face-on experience with the 3M 4279 and Moldex 5430 half-masks (same spec ABEK1 P3 RD, look those letters up to know what the letters mean).I’ve been using the 3M half masks most days as I’m usually around some polluting diesel Particulate Matter <2.5micrometers (PM <2.5) and gaseous vapours too. Besides the other hazards I’m now preparing to use toxic pesticides.Face seal: I’m familiar with the various adjustments which they both have.The fit matters otherwise there’s not a good seal so they can’t protect you.Up to this point I’ve been using the 3M half masks which seal great around my face.Fits much better than the GVS half mask where I could smell the harmful chemicals as the GVS lacks the same quality pre-shaping of the 3M and Moldex half masks. The Moldex chin-area doesn’t fit as well to my chin compared to the 3M.Face comfort: Overall I find the Moldex half mask more comfortable than 3Ms equivalent, because the Moldex exhalation valve doesn’t press so uncomfortably into the end of my large nose. In the chin area there’s less space between the mask’s chin-area face-seal and the hard plastic insides of the mask which reduces the chin seal conforming around the chin. Unlike the 3M equivalent half-mask design which has flush inhalation valves, the Moldex has sticking-out bits on the inhalation valves which sometimes my lips contact.Cradle-harness: The cradle on both is very similar. Again the Moldex feels slightly better quality materials. I found the Moldex cradle adjustment range comparably limited but still sufficient so I didn’t miss the large harness adjustment range of the the 3M half-mask.Neck strap: The Moldex neck-strap is way more comfortable as it’s better quality than the 3M half masks, it’s also easier to latch on and un-latch off at the back of your neck. With the 3M half mask this seems the cheapest part, and unless you have long enough neck hair the 3M half-mask can feel scratchy on the back of the neck.Exhalation: Resistance is of course minimal on both as it’s just venting out without needing to filter anything out. The 3M doesn’t fog up my face shield as the exhalation valve directs down, whereas the Moldex does steam up my face shield as it directs more to the side.Inhalation: Based on first impressions of the Moldex half-mask the inhalation resistance is notably improved/reduced compared to the 3M half mask. The Moldex has thinner inhalation valves which have rapidly deformed/Pringle-shaped so they don’t close sufficiently during exhalation to protect the filter material from out-breath moisture. This leads to moist in-breath and discomfort/head-aches.Moldex say this means the mask is due throwing away, but this occurs after just 2 weeks of on&off use, kept sealed when not in use.The pleated (zig-zag) particulate filters increase surface area without increasing inhalation resistance which is easier to breathe through for long periods.Visibility: It reduces facial coverage improving downward visibility.The Moldex half mask has better visibility than the 3M as it’s filters are placed further down.Protecting the particular filters: The Moldex protective fleece/3M overspray guard have helped but not eliminated grime getting to the filters. I’ve found these masks otherwise soon get grime on the particulate filters. GVS have a plastic protective mesh over the filters which seems like a good idea but I’ve couldn’t get on with the GVS half mask for long because of the GVS face seal issues noted above.Weight: on the face the Moldex weight feels slightly better distributed (less front-heavy) than the 3M. This may be because the Moldex seems to has smaller vapour filters which may or may not last as long as the 3M, time will tell.Review updates: I may update this review as I try out the Moldex mask, first impressions are a good start.I’ve not received any gift/bribe/compensation/free sample for review or anything, I just value my lungs and unpolluted air.—-GVS:I dedicated an hour writing this review comparing hands-on/face-on experience with the 3M 4279 and Moldex 5430 half-masks (same spec ABEK1 P3 RD, look those letters up to know what the letters mean).I’ve been using the 3M half masks most days as I’m usually around some polluting diesel Particulate Matter <2.5micrometers (PM <2.5) and gaseous vapours too. Besides the other hazards I’m now preparing to use toxic pesticides.Compared to that, GVS need to learn a thing or two from 3M and Moldex half-masks:Face seal needs better pre-moulding like 3M and Moldex half-masks.Cradle-harness which doesn’t slip needed like 3M and Moldex half-masks (can still be stored at front of mask for compactness) like 3M and Moldex half-masks.Exhalation valve: needs to direct down like 3M equivalent half-mask to svoid steaming up eyewear/faceshield.