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Trend Airshield Pro Durability

E

Ed_McDonnell

Joined
Jul 18, 2006
Messages
643
Likes
2
Location
Central Florida
I owned an original Trend Airshield for 7+ years. It was used extensively and suffered a lot of abuse. It was bullet proof. But after 7+ years of hard use it was showing its age.

A little over a year ago I decided to upgrade to the Trend Airshield Pro. While there is a lot I like about the Pro, durability would not make my list. The inner plastic frame has broken in two places making the unit unusable. Of course, this happened right after the warranty ran out. The Pro was only used infrequently during the year I owned it and suffered none of the abuse that befell its predecessor. I wonder if I got a lemon or if the quality of the Pro, compared to the original, is lacking? Maybe it's something else...but I'm at a loss to explain it.

I've got to decide whether to drop $70 on a new headband / frame or move on to a different solution. Anyone care to share experience over time with the Trend Airshield Pro? Anyone that has moved from the Trend Airshield Pro to a different (better) solution care to share what you moved to and why?

Ed
 
I have had my Trend Air Shield Pro for almost a year. Got a deal from a club member who did not like that he lost mobility of turning his head...if I remember right. I have had no problems except the battery goes out at inopportune times. The unit is a little heavy so I take it of a lot. Also I cannot see as well ,but need to change the shield protector. Have hear all the stories about how expensive parts are and all I can say is look at how much the next apparatus is ......over$850 or more. I really like it for sanding too.
 
Here's a positive development!!

I just heard from Trend that they had a batch of Pro units with "substandard" headbands. I was unlucky enough to get one of them. Trend is going to send me a replacement headband / frame at no charge even though I am out of warranty. +1 to trend for owning up to having shipped product with substandard parts and another +1 for being quick to remedy the situation.

Thanks for the feedback Gerald. I do like the Trend Airshield Pro. If the new headband / frame is better quality I will be a happy camper. You are right about the competing products being substantially more expensive!! I've got a spare battery for mine, so when it starts beeping it only take a minute to swap out.

The way I look at justifying paying the steep price for parts for a powered respirator is that it's way less expensive than what I would be paying a doctor (or undertaker) if I went without.

Ed
 
The way I look at justifying paying the steep price for parts for a powered respirator is that it's way less expensive than what I would be paying a doctor (or undertaker) if I went without.
Click to expand...

agree 100%, when I first started using even though I had a dust mask, I could not believe the difference after turning session

I have not had to upgrade to the pro yet, but I like that the air intake is away from where I turn and sand in the new model

merry xmas Ed
 
Merry Christmas Charlie - The Pro fits different than the original. It took some getting used to. At first I didn't like it, but now I definitely prefer the Pro. If you are still using your original airshield I might have some unused filters in a cabinet in the shop somewhere. I'll never use them and will eventually just throw them away (assuming I find them again). If you can use them, let me know and I will hunt for them and send them to you.

Ed
 
You'll like the pro. I've had mine for about 6 years. The pair of batteries are not lasting as long, but that's expected. The cloth bib thing is starting to get loose under my chin. I don't think it effects operation since the unit is positive pressure inside the helmet. Hope this helps.
 
Mine's got about 6 years on it - I only use it for sanding, preferring the Uvex Bionic for turning. it has held up very well with no problems so far. Rebuilt the batteries about a year ago, replaced the charger for a 'smart' model.
 
I was at a woodworking show last month and met James B LaMuraglia, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Trend Routing Technology Inc. My Trend Airshield Pro is over 6 years old and the headband had broken. I asked who I could contact to buy another. He told me to call (877) 918-7363 and ask for Dave. When I called, Dave asked for my shipping address and sent me a new headband free of charge! That's customer service! Give it a try.
 
I have used my Trend Airshield Pro for nearly 3 years........no problems, except the face seal that goes under the chin area happened to stretch out to a point it had to be replaced recently. My unit has been super. The only thing was I got CA glue all over the clear shield [totally my fault] and replaced that as well.

I recently upgraded the charger base with a Tennergy smart charger to keep from frying the battery packs. I have one of my 3 battery packs that the run time is diminished because I left the thing charging for about 3 days one time........again totally my fault! Now with the smart charger, that will not happen even if I forget to unplug the thing for weeks!
 
Hi Rodger - How did you hook the smart charger up to the battery? Did it come with a plug that fit the Trend cradle? Did you splice the smart charger to the trend plug? Buy a plug that worked?

Ed
 
Ed_McDonnell said:
Hi Rodger - How did you hook the smart charger up to the battery? Did it come with a plug that fit the Trend cradle? Did you splice the smart charger to the trend plug? Buy a plug that worked?

Ed
Click to expand...

Ed, I purchased the battery cradle so I could have one pack charging while I was using the unit. I happened to have an old cord with the same end as the charger that came with the Trend unit, and just cut off one end and used that. I stripped about 1/2" of the wire, and made sure I had the polarity correct.....[the Tennergy charger will not charge without correct polarity] so when I had the wires correct, I put tape around the connector and wires I just slipped into that connector and taped it up well with electrical tape.

If I had not had the extra wire with the correct end on it, I would have just snipped the wire off the charging unit that came with the unit. Some aftermarket chargers have some different ends and adapters, so you probably can find the correct end fairly inexpensively if you do not want to snip the wire off the charging head.
 
Roger / Richard - Thanks for the tip on the tenergy charger. Just ordered one for less than $20 with free shipping. It's worth the price if it will let me go a couple extra years without having to rebuild the battery packs.

Ed
 
Got my free replacement inner headpiece / frame from Trend. Wasn't too hard to install. Seems to fit my head a lot better than the original. They look the same so the better fit is probably either my imagination or wearing the helmet without a broken inner frame. Whatever the reason, it's better and it's great to have it back in operation.

I also got my Tenergy smart charger and hooked it up. Works like a charm.

Ed
 
I just broke the frame on mine today just moving it. How did you get a hold of Trend I can not seem to find a home page for them only resellers
 
Airshield Pro head band

Hi all,

Here is my experience with the headband. I purchase my Pro in June 2013. In December, it fell off my bench, and later I found that the head band (grey) was broken. I looked for a replacemment, ended up on Amazon, and they were pricy. I looked at the reviews and found many unhappy folks with the same problem. I kept searching, and finally found the phone number for Trend Usa ( 1-877-918-7363) and talked with Dave.
He immediately send me a no charge replacement, slightly different design, and black. I was elated. Yesterday I put it on and the head band was broken again!. I called Dave again, and he groaned but is sending me a new one, the black version.
I seems to me that Trend needs a better design engineer, and/or materials person. I have had a number of different face shields, and never had a head band break.

My two cents anyway, for what it's worth,

Bob Boettcher
 
expensive repairs

I love my pro and feel much better when I use it, but is expensive to maintain. Motor on mine stopped working and whem I took it apart I found a plastic motor with small plastic fan which does not look very durable and certainly not very expensive. Was really surprised to find out that replacement cost was $140 - $200. Since the unit was several years old, the battery would only run a couple of hours and I needed new filters. When I totaled up cost of replacement, it was almost cost of new one. Found one on sale at local Wood World store, so now I have a new one and the old one can supply replacement parts:rolleyes:. Not sure why some of these parts are so expensive when producton line is still operational.
Unfortunately, they are only game in town in this price range.:(
 
Ed_McDonnell said:
Here's a positive development!!

I just heard from Trend that they had a batch of Pro units with "substandard" headbands. I was unlucky enough to get one of them. Trend is going to send me a replacement headband / frame at no charge even though I am out of warranty. +1 to trend for owning up to having shipped product with substandard parts and another +1 for being quick to remedy the situation.

Thanks for the feedback Gerald. I do like the Trend Airshield Pro. If the new headband / frame is better quality I will be a happy camper. You are right about the competing products being substantially more expensive!! I've got a spare battery for mine, so when it starts beeping it only take a minute to swap out.

The way I look at justifying paying the steep price for parts for a powered respirator is that it's way less expensive than what I would be paying a doctor (or undertaker) if I went without.

Ed
Click to expand...
Hi Ed! Seeing how old this blog is I'm not sure if my question will be answered. Can you or anyone help me in how to get hold of Trend? I use mine for sanding only .... used it about a week ago, put it on my workbench and went in for a cup of coffee. Came out and put it back on and the band broke. Trying to get a replacement from them.
Thanks, Dave
 
When I first got my Airshield I have multiple problems with the headband. Trend was very responsive sending me multiple replacement headbands; I think 3 at least. Each time there was the added comment that the problems with the headbands had been resolved and I shouldn't have future problems. The last one I put in has in fact lasted for years. It's possible that the problem was resolved but it sounds like it's resurfaced maybe unless the broken parts are old. I love the Airshield Pro and have used it for years. If I were a professional or spent everyday in my shop for long periods I'd certainly investigate a more professional (most likely much more expensive powered mask/helmet).
 
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