Jarez Mifkin

Are we really doing this again???? 30 posts in 20 hours sure makes it look like we are( crap, I made it 31) Can't wait to see how far this one goes...

Oh yeah, back on topic...

Hans. Capital Period. (can you do a capital period??)

sjanes

Doug Fehan once called the Hans "a good start"

32

skl

You do get used to the limitation in side to side movement, but if you do go off it may be hard to see the corner workers in order to go back on a hot track. You need to be careful with other things getting caught in the tethers however- during the last race of the season last fall I somehow got the radio cable caught in the tether (as it plugs into my helmet near the HANS struts) and I couldn't turn my head to the right at all- needless to say that drove me nuts!!!

Van

For what it's worth, I was trying to turn my head about 60 degrees to the left to look out the driver's window (it's a pretty sharp turn).

ltc

Historically, there are 2 topics that have this effect:
1. Oil viscosity discussions
2. H&N restraints.
Both can turn into a 'jihad' in the blink of an eye.

FWIW, a specific personal safety device (such as a H&N restraint) is something I would never recommend as it's far too personal of a decision; rather just reference information/past discussion and let the person make their own decision.
FWIW#2, I purchased a HANS and an ISAAC and may purchase the Hutchens II Pro (just boguht a Leatt GPX for my son in karting to replace his foam neck collar...) ......just to see what the different devices are like, try them in a car and eventually wear the one I feel the most confident in.

Somewhere there is an 800# gorilla in the room.....smiling.

RedlineMan

Van;

If you carefully study what you are doing physically when you experience this tether restriction, you will likely find that you are scrunching your head down and forward in a "seriously intent racer mode." When you find this to be the case, and you look for a solution, it should then come to you that if you sit more relaxed, with your head perfectly upright and directly over your shoulders, that will have the effect of slackening the tethers, giving you essentially complete range of motion.

Once I discovered this, I found that I can easily attain 180* head movement side-to-side.

HANS Device promotes Relaxation and Good Posture!

Sean F

Good point John. I've learned to tilt my head back as far as it will go and then turn. I find I have a much greater degree of movement. It's easy to get caught in the old habit of tilt forward and turn to look at your side mirror or out the window directly to avoid the B pillar which is the worst thing you can do with a HANS on.

BTW, someone posted about this mirror earlier in the week which might be helpful. I've ordered one to try out.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=82020

gbaker

Anytime, sir. We are here to serve.

Gregg Baker, P.E.
Chief Gorilla Buster
Isaac, LLC

Jarez Mifkin

^ Nice.

I have the quick disconnect on my Hans and have had no issues with tangles, and the side to side movement isn't a problem either. The only time you notice it is when you are sitting on the grid and the grid girls are walking by and you are trying to check them out!

39.

M758

Doh.... I frigging hate it when that happens.


BTW... I have to agree with many of the comments about getting used to the HANS. It is actually alot more comfortable that I anticipated. Once I got used to it and the made the adjustments to my car (seat position, mirrors, harness, window net) and routine for getting in/out it has become very easy to live with. I really expected it to be alot more restrictive in the car than it has been. Once belted in and driving it has zero effect on me. I do second the issue of limited vision when getting back on track after an off, but I have learned to simply turn the car at little more to make up for the lost rotation of my head.

Z-man

You forgot:
3. Tow vehicle discussions.

Back on topic: if you ever plan on sitting in the right seat of cars (either instructing or doing a lot of ride-alongs with instructors), you should consider a head and neck restraint device that can be used with various safety belts / systems. While some may argue that a H&N restraint system may not be as effective without a 5/6 point harness, I'd rather have something that keeps my neck and head in close proximity to each other regardless of what type of belts I'm using.

-Z

ltc

You're right, my bad.

Marc Shaw

I bought an Isaac.

Marc

Jarez Mifkin

Congratualtions on your purchase, any type of protection is better than no protection ( ) Now that this thread discussion is over, can we get it closed so it doesn't keep snowballing...

Z-man

But wait -- I heard the Isaac system works best with 10W-40 oil, while the Hans and R3's prefer 15W-50. But if you have a new Powerstroke 6.3l in your Porsche hauler, it is best you use synthetic oils, regardless of what H&N system you use -- it seems to minimize exhaust fires.


-Z