docwyte

rcg412

Yes, I use one because I only have 3 point harness. Its relatively simple, literally just tight around the body and connects to back of helmet. Think of it like fusing your spine to your head.

CDinSing

Dr911

I love my Simpson HybridS.

It looks clunky, like an instrument of torture, but happily found it far, far more comfortable than expected.It is actually more comfortable than my comparably priced HANS pro device.

I have driven with it in my own harness, Students w harness /race seats, and most importantly, in instructing with students who have three point restraints.

The standard sizing can easily be purchased through the usual outlets including TmI racing, Apex performance, OGracing and others. For ladies they offer custom sizing, so I contacted Simpson directly. With custom fitting at no extra charge, it was delivered to my home within 3 days.

Those of us who completed MSF trainer certification Level 2 were given a 20% discount coupon which takes $200 off the tab. I didn't need mine so I gave it away. If you ask around you might find one.

100% recommended.

docwyte

OK, that all sounds great. Luckily there is a Wine Country Motorsports retail shop in town here so I'll head on over there and see if I can try one on.

MaynardZed

Yeah I definitely love my Hybrid Pro. I never could get used to the Hans, would make my shoulder / traps get bruises. I mostly race with the Simpson, but I also keep it on for street cars too. I'm not certain how helpful it would be in a crash using a 3 point, but it's better than not having it. Just lock your seatbelt real tight and I'm sure it would help some.

boxer-11

I use one that is a couple of years old and at the time it was the only variant that was approved use with for 3-point belts; this was the one with the FIA sticker. I have a size M and I'm 6'1"/200lbs/42" chest so I'm right in the middle of the range for that size and it fits well. I like it and would certainly recommend it.

I've used it in a variety of cars with 6-point and 3-point harnesses, full race seats, Porsche LWB and normal street seats. It's been comfortable for me in all cases so far. I was initially a bit alarmed that the chest strap that you clip was gapping a lot in the middle of my back. I even sent in a picture to customer support but they say that's normal and perfectly safe -- so don't worry if the chest strap gaps a bit at the back, so long as the clip is snug at the front you are good to go.

For use with 6 point harnesses I think this might even be better than a regular HANS -- or at least perhaps I should say it seems more locked in -- because there are straps with rings that you clip into the 6-point buckle at the place where the harness shoulder belts clip in...the whole thing feels more stable since those straps prevent the device from wandering at all.

Combine that with the notion that there's some margin of protection added in a 3-point set up compared to using nothing at all and I think the Hybrid, to me anyway, seems like a no-brainer since the costs are not appreciably different. That said it doesn't feel anywhere near as planted on you when using 3-point belts -- perhaps the least you could say is that while it's not like the system of harness and HANS, 3-point plus Hybrid has to be better than 3-point alone. Seems like there really isn't anyone willing to quantify how much benefit there is for the Hybrid with 3-points beyond "there is some"; at least not that I've seen.

Oh and I believe you can actually rent one from the Motorsport Safety Foundation if you want to try it before buying.

LuigiVampa

Does PCA Club Racing allow these instead of a HANS device?

Brian C in Az

Yes.
The regs only state it must be a head and neck safety device, doesn't specify which one or style.
Make sure that whichever one you buy it has the appropriate safety cert sticker(s)

Dr.Bill

Do these scratch up street car seats like a HANS does?

Scooby921

Not in my limited experience. We had to buy one at work so I could support Ford at the race track. The harness did not harm the Recaro seats in a Focus RS, nor did it harm the fancy leather seats in a Lincoln Continental. I think a few others have used it for track testing in the new Buick Regal GS as well. No reported issues with seats. Most of these were single day events, or at most a couple days over the course of a week. I don't know what might happen running multiple events a year and multiple years. Still, all the edges are rounded and smooth. There is nothing to cut into a seat.

CarreraFahrer

Good discussion on the Hybrid. I just ordered a Simpson Hybrid S and took advantage of the 20% off from Wine Country Motorsports. I wonder if HPDE groups may start requiring them in the future? I used a Hans in other cars with harnesses but my Porsche only has the three point so this has got to be better than nothing.

okie981

According to Sheri Luft the NASCAR team support rep for Simpson that I bought my Hybrid S from using a PCA "group buy" discount, testing showed the Hybrid S when used with a 3-point belt provides 60% of the protection a classic HANS device provides in direct head-on impact conditions. Interestingly though, their testing also showed that in oblique 45 degree angular head-on impacts, the Hybrid S and other Hybrid systems with the extra strap on each side provided superior protection compared to the classic HANS device that only has one strap on each side. She said several NASCAR drivers have converted to the Hybrid units that have the two straps per side for this reason.

The Hybrid S version currently being sold by Simpson is the second generation that had a change to the upper back of the unit to minimize scuffing of seat surfaces. I don't have any scratches on the 14-way seats in my 981 Boxster S and I've done 14 track days with it.

Pruettfan

A buddy recently got one of these setups, looks a little uncomfortable but he tells me once fitted properly it is not a problem at all. I will likely go this route soon

cds4402