Eddy GT or Itech 4600

[vancouvergoalie]

To all those itech and eddy users, or those who may be able to help, I would like to know how the two helmets compare in:
-Protection
-Durability/Craftsmanship
-Visibility
-Playability

I am interested in only these two helmets, and would not appreciate hearing about stacey, sportmask, redic, promasque, or any other mask companies. Thanks!

I am in the $300-380 CAD price range, and do not need an $800 helmet. I am buying form a local hockey store because I want to support them, and have decided on these two helmets.

Please vote in my poll and maybe state why you picked that mask.
Here's a link with the helmets I'm considering:
http://www.cyclonetaylor.com/goalmasks_a.html

[Firebladz]

Eddy all the way IMHO!!

However it really depends on which fits you better and which you prefer the look and feel of...
As far as I know they have similar construction and are both in the same class of mask...

I far prefer the fit, feel and look of the Eddy... I have a GT myself and have taken some good shots to the melon with no ill effect...

I did a lot of research before buying myself and people say the Eddy GT is pretty much a tank with the only concern really being the weight of the mask...

Personally I have no complaints concerning the weight of the mask and find it very well balanced...

I hope this is of some help if you have anymore questions feel free to ask or PM me...

Firebladz.

[Mr_Phil]

Originally Posted by Firebladz

Eddy all the way IMHO!!

However it really depends on which fits you better and which you prefer the look and feel of...
As far as I know they have similar construction and are both in the same class of mask...

I far prefer the fit, feel and look of the Eddy... I have a GT myself and have taken some good shots to the melon with no ill effect...

I did a lot of research before buying myself and people say the Eddy GT is pretty much a tank with the only concern really being the weight of the mask...

Personally I have no complaints concerning the weight of the mask and find it very well balanced...

I hope this is of some help if you have anymore questions feel free to ask or PM me...

Firebladz.

I second the GT.
I've had mine for 10 years now and it's saved me many times.
Sticks, pucks, knees, elbows...you name it, my GT has been hit with it.
Very solid....only complaint, I've had a few good ear ringers when a puck hits the side of the mask.

I want to switch the cage to either the approved semi-Catseye or catseye pro...to enhance visibility...I find that shots to my feet tend to get lost in the big white bars on the cage

My next mask will be an Eddy...I've really gotten my money's worth out of my GT.
It's a great mask

[Doc Holliday]

The Itech 4600 is the sponsored mask of the CHL isn't it? Or am I mistaken?

If so unless the ones major juniors get is hugely different from stock you'll be getting a mask that used constantly against pro quality shots.


Like the previous poster said though which fits better, is more comfortable, has better sight lines, etc?

[Stopper37]

personally i think the Itech 4600 is a peice of sh*t. I've had both and Eddy gt and an Itech 4600 and the Eddy was a way better mask. After four months with my Itech mask there was a huge paint chip the size of a puck on my forehead and the paint was starting to chip on the chin also. along with all of the paint chipping the cage was all bent to hell. I took maybe five shoots off the cage and it was already bent to the point where the tip of my nose could stick through it. If you really want to get an Itech go for the higher models like the 9600 or the 960 because those are pro masks and a lot more heavy duty. but if you want a good mask at a decent price go with the Eddy becuase it will have a lot better craftsmen ship and will be a better investment in the long run.

[MURCIELAGO R-GT]

I have/wear the Eddy. It has the stock flames paint. The Eddy GT is my fourth mask and my best mask. My other three masks were from different companys.
Anyway it's a little heavier but nothing significant. The only thing I may consider in the future is a different cage. Sometimes the bars just slightly get in the way. The cage I have is the one in the picture...

[korky15]

I love my 4601, its great its withstood JR B shots with no ringers. And i have tried on the Eddy GT i like the way it fit and the sight lines, felt like my face was closer to the cage, more of a proper fit

[woody36]

i have had a GT since 1996 and it has worked great. I have even played a ouple of seasons with guys from the ECHL and taken shots in the head. I have recently got the GT Ultimate pro which is far mor comfy.

[Evoq]

I havent had any other mask, but the GT has exceeded any of my expectations in terms of protection. The cage is dented in two places after 3 years, and some scattered nicks on the shell from various sticks and skates, but nothing huge. Protection wise, like another has said, "ear ringers" can occur, but theres nothing otherwise in terms of pain, jarring, or ringing. Its a great mask, and looks like it will last me many more years.

[pucstoppr]

I have to chime in for the Eddy GT also, yes the weight is an issue at first but you wear it a few times it becomes moot. The only thing I would say is a minus is the stock cateye cage, I found that they bend easy and at $70.00 a pop times, on average, 2 a year it adds up. The solution, I bought a KOHO pro stainless, it was a perfect fit and I have had it about 4 years now and not one dent or even a minor bend. Best $140.00 I ever spent. I had a VV prior to the Eddy and after 2 years one slapper to the head and it literally broke almost in 2 pieces. As to the Itech I have only put one on in the store and I didn't like the fit, as mentioned before that again is a personal preference thing.

Overall I am very pleased with the performance and value of the Eddy, after 10+ years it is still going strong.

puc

[kdedesko]

I have an Eddy Gt and have used it for 8 years. It has been rock solid. Never a ringer or been hurt. Against high end players as well.

I have a large head, and it fits me perfectly. In fact, it was hard to find a helmet that fit comfortably and this one does (i.e. a GT at XL goes up to an 8 1/2 I believe).

The Itech 4600 is a narrower fitting mask and I believe Itech does not offer as wide a range of sizes.

It is reputed to be a good mask as well.

I know Itech made an 8000 version of the mask last year or two years ago which was a pro constuction in a 4000 form factor. In fact, this advertisement states this is the mask of the CHL, as it has aramid and carbon fiber.

http://www.hockeygiant.com/itech8000glhmt.html

I would go Eddy GT at the price point you are looking at from personal experience.

[Mr_Phil]

Where I took 2 shots to the old GT...and like always, they bounced off my mask without any pain or jarring.
The shots were placed to:
- the chin
- dead center top of the head

So, after 10 years, my GT still keeps me safe

Altho, I need to replace the harness and a new cage...as I've previously mentioned.

[Rixter]

I've had an Eddy (Pro) for 8 years and it's been amazingly solid. While it's not the particular model you're looking for, here's why I recommend Eddy:

- Great customer service. Cages sent on time, refurb done well, etc.
- Product lifespan (Eddy tends to keep a certain product for much longer, this means replacement parts, refurbishing, etc) is much better
- I broke my old Itech Profile and they wouldn't do squat for me, not even a reduced price on a new lid
- Itech is so much about marketing and less about customer satisfaction. For example most if not all the Eddy masks offer interchangeable cages regardless of the mask model. Itech's don't, even their high-end 960/961 are non-interchangeable. It's all about marketing!

[Firebladz]

Originally Posted by Rixter

I've had an Eddy (Pro) for 8 years and it's been amazingly solid. While it's not the particular model you're looking for, here's why I recommend Eddy:

- Great customer service. Cages sent on time, refurb done well, etc.
- Product lifespan (Eddy tends to keep a certain product for much longer, this means replacement parts, refurbishing, etc) is much better
- I broke my old Itech Profile and they wouldn't do squat for me, not even a reduced price on a new lid
- Itech is so much about marketing and less about customer satisfaction. For example most if not all the Eddy masks offer interchangeable cages regardless of the mask model. Itech's don't, even their high-end 960/961 are non-interchangeable. It's all about marketing!

Good point...

Eddy makes masks, they stake their business on it...

Itech makes almost everything hockey, masks, pads, sticks, bags, gear, etc, etc...

If you call up Itech and tell them you're never going to buy another mask from them, they could really care less...
They "Itech" are a big company and their mask sales are only a small slice of the pie for them...
Not saying that there is anything wrong with them or their masks...

But you are likely to get better customer service and quality masks for less money from a mask maker "Eddy" rather than a hockey gear company "Itech".

[jholland]

I have the GT and it has treated me very well....The only downside that I have with it is I really don't like the sightlines on the regular cage (the grid-like one in the posted pic) So I'm tempted to go with their weird looking certified cat-eye abomination to see if that helps.....


Why can't my league just let me use regular cat eye cages....sigh....