Helmet brands and quality
#31
Mr. Excitement
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agree. I think the weight plays a measurable part in impact safety with regards to helmets. That said I see a wide range of weights across the $ range. As said the FIA buckets are heaver than Snell. Are the $1000 FIA less safe than the $300 Snell? If weight is as much a key as I think it is then the FIA helmets might be less safe as a group.
There are few in the sport that have truly unlimited funds and the spare no cost concept has no end point. $1K helmet, hans, full cage with dual door systems and foot well protection, floor plate under driver, fire supression, race suit shoes gloves, halo full containment, right side netting, CF side impact systems, fuel cells, inside and outside cut off and impact switches and many many more things can be addressed in the name of safety.
There seems to be no information availble via testing or real world showing the high $ helmets to be any safer in than the less expensive Snell or FIA ones. Is it one of the "It just makes sense" things?
There are few in the sport that have truly unlimited funds and the spare no cost concept has no end point. $1K helmet, hans, full cage with dual door systems and foot well protection, floor plate under driver, fire supression, race suit shoes gloves, halo full containment, right side netting, CF side impact systems, fuel cells, inside and outside cut off and impact switches and many many more things can be addressed in the name of safety.
There seems to be no information availble via testing or real world showing the high $ helmets to be any safer in than the less expensive Snell or FIA ones. Is it one of the "It just makes sense" things?
#32
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So please, someone prove me wrong and offer real data, supported by professional consensus, that corrolates helmet cost with increased safety. At that point, I will then spend the extra dough when my Snell SA expires, but only if I see real proof. And FWIW, I am also saving up for HANS (or Issac, do folks still use/like that system?) as I do believe real safety expenditures are priceless.
Edward
#33
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I think that within limits, more money you spend, lighter the helmet you'll get. Which of course is a good thing.
Unless you spend about 12,000 euros which will get you the Schuberth F1 hat (heated visor included), then you'll have a helmet that can withstand a tank being driven over it.
I'm 100% sure none of the $1000 helmets can survive that.
Unless you spend about 12,000 euros which will get you the Schuberth F1 hat (heated visor included), then you'll have a helmet that can withstand a tank being driven over it.
I'm 100% sure none of the $1000 helmets can survive that.
#34
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I think that within limits, more money you spend, lighter the helmet you'll get. Which of course is a good thing.
Unless you spend about 12,000 euros which will get you the Schuberth F1 hat (heated visor included), then you'll have a helmet that can withstand a tank being driven over it.
I'm 100% sure none of the $1000 helmets can survive that.
Unless you spend about 12,000 euros which will get you the Schuberth F1 hat (heated visor included), then you'll have a helmet that can withstand a tank being driven over it.
I'm 100% sure none of the $1000 helmets can survive that.
One of the lightest helmets is about 350 bucks by zero9. The most expensive Bell is over half a pound heavier. Weight vs Cost is all over teh place.
Cheapest FIA helmet is about 1700 last I checked. Same standard that the Schuberth is built to. However remember that some of those FIA standards apply more readily to open wheel situations of things like springs and such hitting you. While this can happen in a closed car it's much less likely.
After ensuring that helmets fit look at the entire picture and choose what helmet fits your needs the best.
#35
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One of the lightest helmets is about 350 bucks by zero9. The most expensive Bell is over half a pound heavier. Weight vs Cost is all over teh place.
Cheapest FIA helmet is about 1700 last I checked. Same standard that the Schuberth is built to. However remember that some of those FIA standards apply more readily to open wheel situations of things like springs and such hitting you. While this can happen in a closed car it's much less likely.
After ensuring that helmets fit look at the entire picture and choose what helmet fits your needs the best.
Cheapest FIA helmet is about 1700 last I checked. Same standard that the Schuberth is built to. However remember that some of those FIA standards apply more readily to open wheel situations of things like springs and such hitting you. While this can happen in a closed car it's much less likely.
After ensuring that helmets fit look at the entire picture and choose what helmet fits your needs the best.
Schubert F1 is obviously designed for F1 and like you said, flying objects are a big concern. In fact Schubert revised their helmet after Massa got injured.
BTW, even though the cheapest FIA helmet is built to same standard as Schuberth, I have no doubt Schuberth exceeds that standard by a wider margin that that cheapest FIA hat.
#36
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Joe,
I want to thank your for your input (twice) on this thread. You've repeated the importance of fit, not to mention reiterated that cost/safety (and weight) bear no positive correlations given like safety ratings. You could, of course, opine that the more expensive unit is the better unit, but you consistently say otherwise. And weighing the big picture of one's needs: exactly my point. That you are a vendor, your stance speaks volumes of your integrity in my book. Rest assured I will be seeking you out when in need of further track-related goodies. Best to you!
Edware
I want to thank your for your input (twice) on this thread. You've repeated the importance of fit, not to mention reiterated that cost/safety (and weight) bear no positive correlations given like safety ratings. You could, of course, opine that the more expensive unit is the better unit, but you consistently say otherwise. And weighing the big picture of one's needs: exactly my point. That you are a vendor, your stance speaks volumes of your integrity in my book. Rest assured I will be seeking you out when in need of further track-related goodies. Best to you!
Edware
#37
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I know it's a different price range than the original poster was interested in, but for anyone else in the market-- I just picked up a Stilo ST4F 8860 and it's awesome. I kinda wish I had got the ST4W (wider eye port), but at the time they didn't have an 8860 rated version.
I ordered it with the factory installed ear muffs, radio/com system, hydration, eject system, and top mounted forced air. It's nice not having to hack on your own helmet, and I find the built in ear muffs/speakers 100x better than jamming ear buds into my ears. It also has different padding available for the inside so it can fit a wide variety of head/face shapes easily. :-)
I haven't weighed my old Bell GTX, but it feels lighter than that helmet and it has the higher safety rating (thicker shell).
-mike
I ordered it with the factory installed ear muffs, radio/com system, hydration, eject system, and top mounted forced air. It's nice not having to hack on your own helmet, and I find the built in ear muffs/speakers 100x better than jamming ear buds into my ears. It also has different padding available for the inside so it can fit a wide variety of head/face shapes easily. :-)
I haven't weighed my old Bell GTX, but it feels lighter than that helmet and it has the higher safety rating (thicker shell).
-mike
#38
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Isaac is now a little further out. Scca next year mandates head neck restraints to sfi like Hans and the safety solutions variants.
I'm starting a thread on helmet fit and hope some of you will comment there so I don't hijack this thread.
I'm starting a thread on helmet fit and hope some of you will comment there so I don't hijack this thread.
#39
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It's time to get an SA2010 helmet. The rest are being grandfathered-out of PCA DE so a lot of us will be in this spot.
I've liked my Pyrotect full-face helmet and was thinking about the same. I see the SA2010 is a bit more expensive then the comparable Bell. (Those fit about the same, don't they?)
Then there are lower-priced helmets by RCI, Racequip and Zamp. Then Speedway offers a special Bell for a bit less than the regular model.
I'll give the stock advice: Go try some on and check them out. The problem is that the shops that have them stock the expensive models and, no, my head ain't worth $500. Lots of choices in $250 to $300.
Then there's G-Force, Simpson, Impact and Arias...and more.
Can someone offer some insight into which brands are the best value and which are the entry-level brands of the big manufacturers?
Thanks.
I've liked my Pyrotect full-face helmet and was thinking about the same. I see the SA2010 is a bit more expensive then the comparable Bell. (Those fit about the same, don't they?)
Then there are lower-priced helmets by RCI, Racequip and Zamp. Then Speedway offers a special Bell for a bit less than the regular model.
I'll give the stock advice: Go try some on and check them out. The problem is that the shops that have them stock the expensive models and, no, my head ain't worth $500. Lots of choices in $250 to $300.
Then there's G-Force, Simpson, Impact and Arias...and more.
Can someone offer some insight into which brands are the best value and which are the entry-level brands of the big manufacturers?
Thanks.
For the few extra $$$ you get a lighter better fitting helmet (and possibly safer also)
This might be a "penny wise pound foolish" example!
#40
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#41
Mr. Excitement
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If you get a new helmet that fits, and use it until it no longer meets the regulatory requirements, you will be getting a least 6-8 years use. A $300 helmet vs a $900 helmet is only a few extra bucks per track day.
For the few extra $$$ you get a lighter better fitting helmet (and possibly safer also)
This might be a "penny wise pound foolish" example!
For the few extra $$$ you get a lighter better fitting helmet (and possibly safer also)
This might be a "penny wise pound foolish" example!
I suspect that after a level of impact G force absorption and puncture protection it becomes a matter of the human body the protected head is running not being able to survive. Once the helmet is able to provide beyond this point improvements elsewhere might be the place to look. Helmet alone / helmet and hans / body retention system. I bet a basic entry level helmet /hans/seat/belt setup is far better in a tin top wreck than the worlds be$t helmet alone.
Buy / build a good system.
#42
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If you get a new helmet that fits, and use it until it no longer meets the regulatory requirements, you will be getting a least 6-8 years use. A $300 helmet vs a $900 helmet is only a few extra bucks per track day.
For the few extra $$$ you get a lighter better fitting helmet (and possibly safer also)
This might be a "penny wise pound foolish" example!
For the few extra $$$ you get a lighter better fitting helmet (and possibly safer also)
This might be a "penny wise pound foolish" example!
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