EXFIL® Face Shield or EXFIL® Ballistic Visor? How to Decide What’s Right for You

Ballistic helmet visors and face shields should be deployed in very different situations

It’s hard to complete the mission when you can’t see.
 
A face shield or ballistic visor from Team Wendy can make the difference between sight and blindness. They both protect your eyes while still allowing you to run accessories like NVGs or thermal optics on your helmet.
 
But ask yourself this: do you need to shoulder a rifle?
 
That’s a key difference between the EXFIL^® Face Shield and the EXFIL^® Ballistic Visor. The face shield’s long polycarbonate lens covers the entire face of the operator, preventing debris or liquid from getting into your eyes or burning your skin. It signals an end to the days of carrying both a ballistic helmet and a riot helmet on the job. When an emergency situation arises, simply grab your face shield and you’re ready to go – and without sacrificing the ballistic protection you could need. The Team Wendy EXFIL^® Face Shield mounts to the EXFIL^® Rail 3.0, available on our EXFIL^® Ballistic SL, EXFIL^® Ballistic, EXFIL^® Carbon or EXFIL^® LTP that you’re already comfortably wearing.
 
The face shield is not made for individuals who need to shoulder weapons, whether it be a rifle or launcher. If your weapon requires you to achieve a solid cheek weld or look through a sight, then the EXFIL^® Ballistic Visor would better serve you.
 
It too protects your eyes from liquids and projectiles. It too features a solid seal lip at the top that blocks substances from running down the front of the helmet and getting into your eyes. It too clears the helmet shroud. In fact, the visor and face shield use the same frame, which can be set in down, up or stowed positions. When in the stowed position, both products provide clearance for NVG mounts. Finally, both the ballistic visor and face shield can be donned, removed or adjusted for ventilation while running accessories on your shroud.
 
However, the shape of the visor – made with ESS Lens Technology – still allows for shouldering a weapon. We tested the visor with various weapons in the lab to ensure our measurements would allow operators to achieve a solid cheek weld. First and foremost, we had to accommodate rifle use, which is commonly regarded as a primary weapon for most SWAT teams. It’s a question we get a lot – can I shoulder my rifle while wearing a Team Wendy visor? Yes, you can.
 
Here are other commonly-asked questions about the EXFIL^® Ballistic Visor and EXFIL^® Face Shield.
 
What safety standards does the EXFIL^® Ballistic Visor meet?
 
It exceeds impact, fragmentation and optical requirements of Military Combat Eye Protection (MCEP) in accordance with MIL-PRF-32432(GL), 9Jan’13. MCEP requirements include meeting ANSI Z87.1 2010. Its coverage area is 28.9 square inches (1861.1 square cm).
 
What safety standards does the EXFIL^® Face Shield meet?
 
The face shield boasts a coverage area of 50.2 square inches (323.9 square cm) and exceeds optical and strength requirements of BS EN 166:2002 Class 2B.
 
Are these products size-specific?
 
Both products should be ordered in the same size as your helmet, with the notable exception of the EXFIL^® LTP. No matter the size of your EXFIL^® LTP helmet, you will need a size 1 in both the EXFIL^® Ballistic Visor and EXFIL^® Face Shield.
 
Can I buy a tactical visor cover?
 
No need as both the ballistic visor and the face shield come with protective covers so they can be safely stored when not in use.
 
Can you wear an oxygen mask or respirator under either of these products?
 
You can wear an O2 mask or respirator while running the EXFIL^® Ballistic Visor.
 
Can you wear the EXFIL^® Ballistic Visor and a gas mask at the same time?
 
Yes. If you’re in a situation where a gas mask and ballistic eye protection are both necessary, the EXFIL^® Ballistic Visor provides clearance for a gas mask to be worn underneath it.
 
Can you wear eyeglasses under these products?
 
Yes and yes.
 
Will a visor or face shield from Team Wendy run on helmets made by other companies?
 
No, these products only integrate with the Team Wendy EXFIL^® Rail 3.0 system.
 
Is there anything else that makes these products from Team Wendy unique?
 
Both products come with a flexible upper flange that forms a tight seal against the lip in the front of your Team Wendy helmet, protecting your eyes from liquids and other debris.
 
 
By Joe Nagy
U.S. Law Enforcement & SAR Market Manager