Helmets - Should you? and Which?
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: USA
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Tribal, I'll have you know I'm a lot taller than that
As for helmets (or helmits, if you prefer), I wear the elegant yet understated Gentex SPH-5 myself. Regardless of make, I would say that weight and comfort (fit) are the most important factors. If your boss doesn't mandate a helmet then maybe you should just wear a headset (much more comfortable). If your boss wants you to wear a helmet then insist that he pay for it!
As for helmets (or helmits, if you prefer), I wear the elegant yet understated Gentex SPH-5 myself. Regardless of make, I would say that weight and comfort (fit) are the most important factors. If your boss doesn't mandate a helmet then maybe you should just wear a headset (much more comfortable). If your boss wants you to wear a helmet then insist that he pay for it!
I've worn the military helo Alphas quite a bit and found them to be pretty good - just had a look at the Alpha website to suss out which model we had and whether anything I'd have to say would be relevant to the Eagle - not sure about that, but the girls in bikinis were quite a nice touch!
Good on you, Alpha company, not enough of it around in these politically correct times.
Good on you, Alpha company, not enough of it around in these politically correct times.
What Hermit would you recommend?
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Brisbane
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I have a Gentex HGU-56/P. I like it a lot, it's comfy but it is pretty wide and it can restrict some of your space (though this mainly happens while climbing into the cabin and banging your head!) the main concern they had with these though was the little protection they offered around the ears - it's basically just a thin shell.
Other than that, I have had minimal problems with it and the factory ear phones/mic are very clear and I highly reccomend it to anyone.
Other than that, I have had minimal problems with it and the factory ear phones/mic are very clear and I highly reccomend it to anyone.
I have a Gallet, I tried a few different brands and found that the Gallet was the most comfortable.
I guess helmet choices are each to their own, many people will tell you how great theirs are, but at the end of the day you have to fly with it for hours on end, so it's the fit and comfort that I would go for. Just try a few different brands on if you have the opportunity.
I guess helmet choices are each to their own, many people will tell you how great theirs are, but at the end of the day you have to fly with it for hours on end, so it's the fit and comfort that I would go for. Just try a few different brands on if you have the opportunity.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Live in Oz - grew up in Southern Africa
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Crap Helmet Model
I have a Gentex HGU-56/P. I like it a lot, it's comfy but it is pretty wide and it can restrict some of your space (though this mainly happens while climbing into the cabin and banging your head!) the main concern they had with these though was the little protection they offered around the ears - it's basically just a thin shell.
Other than that, I have had minimal problems with it and the factory ear phones/mic are very clear and I highly reccomend it to anyone.
Other than that, I have had minimal problems with it and the factory ear phones/mic are very clear and I highly reccomend it to anyone.
Join Date: Jul 2005
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I have an HGU 84P which I think is considered a good helmet, Kevlar etc...
It's good looking and makes me look like a real pilot...(hard to do!)
But after a mornings flying in fire fighting, it's too hot!...soaking wet... and stinks like a wet dog!....
A regular person with morals, would probably have paid over a 1000 bucks for it..I borrowed it from my Uncle ... I'll return it when I'm done!
It's approved by various state governments, and I wear it for checkrides, or if the overhead are around, and looking for trouble.
Otherwise I wear an ancient (but still available) David Clark K helmet which I heavily modified. The cans are attached to the helmet via a piece of spring steel. That I punched holes in with a borrowed drift (sorry?) years ago... and it still has the nylon net deal inside ...It's very cool (temperature)
OK, It makes me look like Elmer Fudd with a helmet !...But I feel naked without it!
Ok...Years ago! ...I added a motocross visor..It made me look like Elmer Fudd with a helmet and visor, when the visor died. I didn't bother replacing it...
I figure a helmet you willingly wear..Albeit not approved! is a far better proposition than the multi hundred/thousand buck deal that you're trying to convince yourself (and others) was a good choice.
If it's harder than your head and your wearing it! It's better all around than the one you just switched for a headset, because you just couldn't stand the heat and discomfort anymore...
Last week, I was flying with a co-pilot who had a whizz bang looking thing made out of a material only available on Venus during a monsoon year...It looked great...A French deal, super light etc...Met all the latest specs...
Everyday mid-morning, when we do a levels check! He'd change into a DC headset. Claiming the helmet wasn't 'just right' and needed further tweaking...He said I look like a goofball in my old DC deal...But the point is, I'm actually wearing my Old DC deal...He's got a headset!...'Nuff said?
It's good looking and makes me look like a real pilot...(hard to do!)
But after a mornings flying in fire fighting, it's too hot!...soaking wet... and stinks like a wet dog!....
A regular person with morals, would probably have paid over a 1000 bucks for it..I borrowed it from my Uncle ... I'll return it when I'm done!
It's approved by various state governments, and I wear it for checkrides, or if the overhead are around, and looking for trouble.
Otherwise I wear an ancient (but still available) David Clark K helmet which I heavily modified. The cans are attached to the helmet via a piece of spring steel. That I punched holes in with a borrowed drift (sorry?) years ago... and it still has the nylon net deal inside ...It's very cool (temperature)
OK, It makes me look like Elmer Fudd with a helmet !...But I feel naked without it!
Ok...Years ago! ...I added a motocross visor..It made me look like Elmer Fudd with a helmet and visor, when the visor died. I didn't bother replacing it...
I figure a helmet you willingly wear..Albeit not approved! is a far better proposition than the multi hundred/thousand buck deal that you're trying to convince yourself (and others) was a good choice.
If it's harder than your head and your wearing it! It's better all around than the one you just switched for a headset, because you just couldn't stand the heat and discomfort anymore...
Last week, I was flying with a co-pilot who had a whizz bang looking thing made out of a material only available on Venus during a monsoon year...It looked great...A French deal, super light etc...Met all the latest specs...
Everyday mid-morning, when we do a levels check! He'd change into a DC headset. Claiming the helmet wasn't 'just right' and needed further tweaking...He said I look like a goofball in my old DC deal...But the point is, I'm actually wearing my Old DC deal...He's got a headset!...'Nuff said?
Last edited by 170'; 17th Sep 2006 at 20:02.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Brisbane
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You hear those stories about a lot of things, I think it would be ignorant to say that any other helmet is fault free. So far, the HGU-56 has proved to be a good helmet within the Australian and US Army, which is good enough for me
The main factor of the HGU-56/P based was based on the amount of money I had to spend. Helmets these days are becoming more of the "if they want it bad enough, they'll spend whatever" kind of thing, and I really couldn't see myself forking out around $3500 for a new Gallet or Alpha.
I think the cost for brain surgery would be cheaper!
Join Date: Sep 2000
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I have been wearing the Alpha Eagle for 12 months now and I was new to helmets. I have no complains and mine came with a cloth interior which soaks up the sweat and does not let it run down the front of my face.
I don't think it's such a great idea to wear any old thing and think you're getting good protection - a fatality in an accident I know of was said by the docs to be caused by a badly fitting helmet transmitting all the force of a hit on the airframe to the guy's brain, thereby killing him. Not sure if he would have been any better off without a helmet at all, but it didn't do him any favours, where a properly fitted quality one could have saved him - according to the medicos.
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Yes, every person I talk to stresses that correct fitting is probably one of the most important things within regards to buying a helmet.
I have got the Operation and Maintainence instructions manual for the HGU-56/P converted to PDF file if anyone wants to have a look. Has a lot of information about the correct way to fit the helmet. PM me and I can e-mail.
I have got the Operation and Maintainence instructions manual for the HGU-56/P converted to PDF file if anyone wants to have a look. Has a lot of information about the correct way to fit the helmet. PM me and I can e-mail.
Join Date: Apr 2006
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I wear an Alpha Eagle and I can't fault it! Highly recommended
I did a lot of research before buying mine and found that the Gallets were comfortable but noisy whereas the Alphas were comfortable quiet and looked good too. Never tried Gentex.
I did a lot of research before buying mine and found that the Gallets were comfortable but noisy whereas the Alphas were comfortable quiet and looked good too. Never tried Gentex.
Juggler PM
Hi Juggler, you said:
I have PM'ed you the following, and wonder if you could provide some help?
I would really like to know the ins and outs of your story about the Alpha ridgid visors not doing the job with ANVIS 9 as we are just going down that very same path.
What was the problem exactly?
Why did Integrated have to get involved?
What are their contact details?
How much was the mod per helmet?
Have you had any complaints since the mod?
How does Alpha and ITT view the mod Integrated have had to do?
Cheers,
hf
Only problem encountered was an eye relief adjustment problen when fitting Anvis 9 NVG's to the helmet using the supplied rigid visor. Visor has now been modified by Helmets Integrated and appears to have all been fixed. ..... Hope this helps. PM me if you require any further.
I would really like to know the ins and outs of your story about the Alpha ridgid visors not doing the job with ANVIS 9 as we are just going down that very same path.
What was the problem exactly?
Why did Integrated have to get involved?
What are their contact details?
How much was the mod per helmet?
Have you had any complaints since the mod?
How does Alpha and ITT view the mod Integrated have had to do?
Cheers,
hf
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Alpha Eagle 900 Helmet visor
Hi all
I am looking for a clear, inner visor for the above helmet. I have a yellow tinted visor I am willing to swap for a clear one, or I can buy it from you. They are expensive so I am trying this before contacting the company directly. Anyone interested?
I am looking for a clear, inner visor for the above helmet. I have a yellow tinted visor I am willing to swap for a clear one, or I can buy it from you. They are expensive so I am trying this before contacting the company directly. Anyone interested?
Join Date: Nov 2005
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I do a lot of slinging and I was recently working in cloudy weather with guys on the ground wearing coloured vests. Combination of low light and colour made it difficult for me to spot them between trees when using the yellow visor. Early evening was obviously worse. Some people swear by them and I dont have a jaundiced opinion of yellow visors 
but a clear one will generally work better for me in those conditions. If I get hold of a clear visor and manage to keep the yellow one, I will experiment and see which works best for me.
but a clear one will generally work better for me in those conditions. If I get hold of a clear visor and manage to keep the yellow one, I will experiment and see which works best for me.
Join Date: Apr 2006
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The reason I ask is because I keep toying with the idea of changing my clear visor for yellow and seeing as you are looking to change the other way, I wondered why.
Perhaps I'll stick with clear for now
Sorry I can't help but thanks for your feedback...
PR
Perhaps I'll stick with clear for now
Sorry I can't help but thanks for your feedback...
PR
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Alpha Eagle Yellow
I have a yellow visor and like the effect it gives on coming sun down. It lightens things up for a while. However I just recently sent my helmet back to factor for a clear visor install. Have any of you guys had problems with the noise canceling in your helmets? I have had to send my helmet in twice for failure (wire short).
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Lamaniac - Only had mine 6 months but fortunately no problems as yet...
Jab - If you change and decide you prefer the clear, let me know if you fancy selling your yellow one.
PR
Jab - If you change and decide you prefer the clear, let me know if you fancy selling your yellow one.
PR