Helmets?

[ccurrie]

has anyone tried the new lh350 gallet? is it better or is the 250 the one to have?

[Zzz]

I picked up one of the Sport Link Detach helmets for use with the Lightspeed Zulu. It's pretty comfortable, and rather affordable at about $250. I can see where the chin strap may be a point of discomfort, but it just requires a little fine tuning like any helmet.

[emflys]

It has not improved your looks.

[patrol guy]

Zane - how much higher is that then the top of your head? Looks like it is sitting way up there. Or better question maybe, how much higher then the zulu head strap??

[Zzz]

It has not improved your looks.

And yet you still send me love notes.

Zane - how much higher is that then the top of your head? Looks like it is sitting way up there. Or better question maybe, how much higher then the zulu head strap??

John, it does feel a little high, but the Zulu headband fits nicely into a channel in the helmet foam. It feels quite comfortable and not unlike my Shoei motocross helmet, sans full face. I'm going to go flying with it soon and see if I can forget I have it on.

[tigers2007]

I just ordered a Pro-Tec A-Bravo in desert tan. I'm waiting for it to be delivered. It fits into my price range at the moment and is better than wearing nothing at all. In this thread I have only read one bad review about the A-Alpha (Bravo is the latest revision) and his review only indicated that we should not order it due to the dealer not having any communication; not that it was of bad construction. Can someone else chime in on the quality of the Pro-Tec helmets?

[akgreg]

I bought the Pro Tec - A Bravo Half shell and the helmet seemed fine for the price, but it would NOT work with Bose A20's. I would venture to guess DC's won't fit either. Anybody have a helmet that fits Bose headsets?

[patrol guy]

I have that protec. Wore it for two years (900 hours) with the blue light speed headsets. It would not fit my Zulu’s though. I think it is way better then nothing. I have had some big bumps that were nothing more then a noise instead of a blackout moment.

Then I got an iphone and could not get the phone to work with the older headset. So now I am waiting for Zane's trial report. This looks good to me??

[tigers2007]

I bought the Pro Tec - A Bravo Half shell and the helmet seemed fine for the price, but it would NOT work with Bose A20's. I would venture to guess DC's won't fit either. Anybody have a helmet that fits Bose headsets?

Page four of this thread shows a DC headset in a Pro-Tech. I think he removed the pad and put it above the Protech padding.

[tigers2007]

While we're on the topic of safety, is there anyone here who has a helmet but does not have shoulder harnesses in their plane? That is my first major purchase item for my new bird.

[Zzz]

While we're on the topic of safety, is there anyone here who has a helmet but does not have shoulder harnesses in their plane? That is my first major purchase item for my new bird.

Good point, shoulder harnesses are key. However, they don't do a great job at preventing side impacts. You can still have your head bounced off the door frame/post if the deceleration direction is to the side. That's how one BCPer died in Idaho one year in his 172.

If a guy was really opposed to wearing a helmet, the AmSafe airbag-equipped shoulder harnesses seem like a good, albeit expensive way to go. CubCrafters equips their planes with them, and they are quite comfortable.

[tigers2007]

Then I got an iphone and could not get the phone to work with the older headset. So now I am waiting for Zane's trial report. This looks good to me??

I just bought an iPhone adapter 2.5mm female to 3.5mm iPhone male. I'm curious if this will work with my cellphone adapter and the music player on the phone. I'll report back soon after I get it. I think it was $14 from Amazon. Be aware that certain adapters won't work with the iPhones.

[Cary]

There's a brand new SAIB out that reminds pilots that the AmSafe airbag seat belts are only designed to work in a frontal crash, not a super hard landing, and of course, not with any side impact protection.

One of the first purchases for my LRB 8 years ago was a set of BAS harnesses. They are truly great, because they are comfortable, they allow reaching for the flap lever without unbuckling anything, and yet they lock up pretty easily (I've had them lock many times in moderate turbulence).

I have had some communication with Sport-Link, and they will custom make the helmet for any particular headset and head. They asked me for a photo of the headset and the exact measurements of the head band and my head, length, width, and circumference. Seems like a bargain, and I just need to get busy and do all that stuff.

One of my questions was whether I could don the helmet without having to take off my headset and insert it, and my contact there said that it would take a little practice to do it quickly, but it could be done.

Cary

[Zzz]

One of my questions was whether I could don the helmet without having to take off my headset and insert it, and my contact there said that it would take a little practice to do it quickly, but it could be done.

Cary

Your headset goes on your head first, then the helmet goes over. What you're asking for is pretty much how it works.

[RanchPilot]

For anyone not wearing a helmet because they're too expensive, here's my $15 solution.



Cheapo skate helmet I got for $15 on eBay--basically a ProTec knock off.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290616181694...9#ht_850wt_750

I was going to use this one for a test run, then buy a nicer tactical Pro Tec, but this one is comfortable enough I'll probably stick with it. The only thing I did was to cut out a center strip for my phones. I don't even attach them to the helmet at all--the brain bucket fits very comfortably right over the top of the headset.

May not be as good as the high-end stuff some of you are using, but a hell of a lot better than nothing at all. This plus Nomex are two habits I'm trying to get into, thanks to the good advice of my fellow BCP'ers.

[tigers2007]

That is a great idea -- did you just cut out the path for the earphones? I ended up ordering one direct from Pro-tecH in Toledo, OH. I got all of the rails and velcro so I can possibly mount a backup light in the event my C-150's overhead one burns out. Maybe I can get a picattiny rail mounted beverage holder? The opportunities are endless lol.

Here is a corrected web link to the eBay auction you posted:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290616181694?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm570.l2736%26_nkw%3D290616181694%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_793wt_1137

[RanchPilot]

That is a great idea -- did you just cut out the path for the earphones?

I cut a channel out of the foam on the inside to fit the band, but didn't have to make any cuts to the external shell for the phones (although that wouldn't be too hard with a sawzall or hotknife, if necessary).

Hat tip to Patrol Guy--I stole the idea from him when I passed through Ohio.

[Twoupfront]

Have any of you seen this helmet:

http://www.bernunlimited.com/Products/H ... tType=Snow

It weighs 12.4-12.8oz depending on size`(or beak), and from what I can gather, the (winter) lining with the earflaps is removable.

As a bonus, you can get one with or without air holes and with or without a beak. It looks like a great and light helmet and not too bulky.

Thoughts?

[tigers2007]

It would be nice if they could cut out openings for a headset

[Twoupfront]

It would be nice if they could cut out openings for a headset

Good point! I assumed that a small headset would be feasible. I guess one would have to do a bit of cutting oneself after buying it. Personally I wouldn't mind that, if only I knew it would be doable. I alter almost everything I buy.