I was looking for a full-face respirator for around the workshop and home, and noticed this brand, Parcil, on the HD website -- so i checked into them.

I already have a 3M half-face respirator mask -- the 2nd one I've owned after the first fell apart within about 3 years-- plus I have extra filters.

The Parcil PD-101 uses the standard bayonet filter connections just like my 3M mask, so that's a plus.  The PD-100 seems to use a different mount, and the filters run about $40 for a 2-pack. 

The PD-101 face shield gets great ratings for not fogging, which is a problem i have with the 3M -- fogging my safety glasses.  I've tried to get the fit better , but my breath still escapes around the nose bridge.  Maybe I need a size smaller than large?

The Parcil mask says it fits from age 7 to any adult, so there's no question as to size.  It also is available in several tints for the shield, something 3M doesn't offer.

It comes with a 1-year warranty as well as a 30-day return service.  As long as the product is returned in new, unused condition, they will send you a prepaid shipping label and issue a full refund within 48 hours of receipt.

https://parcilsafety.com/pages/warranty-returns-refunds-conditions

Prices between a 3M full-face and the PD-101 were in the same ballpark:  $100-$110.  After checking Amazon and reading reviews, I decided to check the Parcil website.

The company website offers free shipping in the US, so Prime would save me nothing.  However, I used the "ID.me" feature at check-out, which I enrolled in as former military, and I received a 30% discount -- $30 off a $99.97 item, 

Be careful of the little added items they throw in, like the shipping "insurance" protection for $1.50.

Total with tax came out to $72.77 with tax.

https://parcilsafety.com/collections/full-face-respirators/products/pd101-full-face-respirator

3M's version:  one is $107 and doesn't even come with filters -- couldn't find that info in the description. I had to check reviews and questions.  So, add whichever type of filter you need to the price, too.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Respirator-6800-Respiratory-Protection/dp/B007JZ1LG6/ref=pd_sim_sbs_indust_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0H24PKEJPD70JKDCEDK3&th=1

Hope that's helpful to someone....

30% off is a heck of a deal…  Bears a passing resemblance to the old MCU-2/P.

Thanks for the tipper, might be worth picking one up.

30% off is a heck of a deal…  Bears a passing resemblance to the old MCU-2/P.

Thanks for the tipper, might be worth picking one up.

Like my mom always said when she found a good deal at the Winn-Dixie  ...

The more you spend, the more you save!



 

I brought receipts!

Well, just one -- but still .... 

Time to stock up for the next pandemic, which is probably scheduled for a month prior to election day!

I figured Parcil wouldn't let me, but I tried to 'stack' the 740tac 25% promo code with the ID.me military discount.

I was right.  I applied ID.me first, which you have to do since it appears before the check-out screen. 

After that, I was able to enter the promo/coupon code.  It said I can't use the code with my existing discount.

Just FYI in case anyone is interested.

Too bad.  55% off would be killer!   

I remember seeing the Buy 5 filters, get the mask for free deal before seeing the 704 video.  It's a good deal if you need the filters.  Since I have a couple of 3M filters already, I wasn't really interested.

I also read a review where someone was able to get their mask on sale during Amazon's Prime Days.  I'll have to keep an eye out for the next one.  Maybe an Amber or Mirrored visor would be nice for bright lights/outdoors.  The Amber allows 93% of light through, and the Smoke Black only allows 30% light transmission. 

They sell the clear face shield replacement for $15, so you could order a tinted mask and get the clear replacement separately.  However, watching the video on "Reconstructing" a mask demonstrates swapping a full face sheild is not really a quick or easy process.  Better to have 2 (or more) masks for different tints;

i did go back and order the 10-pack face shield adhesive covers.  I think that's a great idea, especially for painting.     The covers are $19.97 before a $6 discount.  $14.53 all-in -- a cheap way to protect the face shield if you're using it for anything that might scratch or adhere to the shield.

I received my mask and spare face shield protective covers last Thursday -- super fast even by non-island standards!

I didn't realize they already install a cover to all their masks before shipping.  I figured it out when looking for instructions on how to apply them.  I found a video that shows a worker applying covers to shield after shield.  I thought, "Wait.  That looks like they are overing all the shields."  So I checked mine, and sure enough, it already has one.  I wonder how many people didn't get that far in their search for instructions and just added a second cover on their new masks?   

I've been using it for cutting material for woodworking projects. That includes Plexiglass and aluminum (or i guess it's more correct globally as aluminium  ). 

I decided to install my 3M filters that are just a couple months past the "Use by" date.  Fit the bayonet mount perfectly.  I'll have the set that came with the mask as a spare when the 3M filters need replacing.  I'll probably need to do that after a few times using the paint sprayer.  Probably go through a couple of shield covers, too, which is really why I bought them.

The anti-fog design is real.  I'm amazed.  Not a smidge of condensation at all.  The mask brings in fresh filtered air into the face shield as well as into the nose and mouth seal.  My half-face mask leaked upward when I exhaled, which fogged up whatever eyewear I had on.  This is way better.

The mask is secured with 5 rubber straps -- one in the middle above your forehead, one on each side of your eyes, and one on each side about even with your mouth.  Even with some chin whiskers, I get a very tight seal.  Not sure it's "surviving the next Sarin attack" tight, but better than the half mask.   

The part of the straps I was surprised with is, after you tighten them and then remove the mask, the buckles or connectors -- whatever they call them -- return to the loosest adjustment and is ready to be put on the next time you need to.  If you know how a standard military uniform belt buckle works, there's a moving part that wedges itself between the buckle and the belt material.  When you unbuckle it, the moving piece (rod, hinge, pin?) is no longer captured and is basically ready for the belt to be inserted again.  These connectors on the rubber straps work the same way.  When you remove the mask, you remove the tension that held the pins closed.  Taking it off undoes any adjusting you did.  it's just as easy to put on again as it was before you tightened the straps.   

I wasn't sure how comfortable it'd be, but I have to say it's the most comfortable option I've used around the house other than the ineffective COVID masks from Costco.  I've been using RZ masks with separate face cover and filter inserts for shop tools.  They also fog, and the shell gets really dirty.  I always put the mask with my hearing and eye protection, so I rarely remember to throw them in the washer on laundry day.  i bought the 3M half-face mask for spray painting and a full face shield.  The 3M obviously works judging by the amount of paint the filters collect.  But along with the fogging, the elastic straps stretch out of serviceability.  I bought a replacement a few months back because I couldn't get the first one tight any more.

Yeah, even with the military discount of 30%, it's still not a super cheap product.  But, compared to all the others I used, this one gives me 100 times better protection, makes working easier without the fogging up, and lets me apply both ear and lung protection without having to put on a mask and eyewear separately.

The one negative in my case is the inability to wear corective lenses without the Parcil lens holders.  I'm assuming you have to buy compatible lenses to insert in the holders, too, like my military gas mask used.  I've been using dewalt bifocal eye protection.  I love those things, and they're cheap, too!  Eye protection and specific magnification for us older folks.

So far, my eyesight has been good enough to read tape measures and rulers, adjust power tools, and so on -- assuming i have sufficient light.  But, since I'm so happy with the mask, i'll be looking into the inserts as well.  Might was well go for the upgrades!   

The glasses kit costs as much as the mask -- before any prescription lenses are added!

I think my magnifying glass is okay for now.