Helmets - Should you? and Which?
Join Date: Sep 2002
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I highly recommend the MSA Gallet LH250 - never looked back since buying it last year. Found it better than than Alpha Eagle. four other friends bought the Alpha's and each one of them had comms problems, and a couple of them had exchanged the helmets twice. I love my Gallet, best thing I ever bought.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Snowy Mountains, NSW, Australia
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BP
There is always the elcheapo option. I bought a surplus US Army SHP4 helmet from Check 6 Aviation ( www.check6aviation.com ) about 8 years ago. Whilst they dont offer any warranties on their flight gear, mine was still sealed in the original US Army box and had never been removed. To purchase it, get it shipped over here, and then change the avionics to civillian aircraft, all came in under AU$500. And it still works well.
So if you are struggling to make ends meet like me, then that may be an option.
Big Squirrel, are you still enjoying your fulltime flying now!
IDG indicate on their website that they have aviation specialists as part of the ORG Support Unit. I just did a HUET course recently and am keeping my eyes peeled for any aviation roles advertised in the Gazette.
Cheers
Angus
There is always the elcheapo option. I bought a surplus US Army SHP4 helmet from Check 6 Aviation ( www.check6aviation.com ) about 8 years ago. Whilst they dont offer any warranties on their flight gear, mine was still sealed in the original US Army box and had never been removed. To purchase it, get it shipped over here, and then change the avionics to civillian aircraft, all came in under AU$500. And it still works well.
So if you are struggling to make ends meet like me, then that may be an option.
Big Squirrel, are you still enjoying your fulltime flying now!
IDG indicate on their website that they have aviation specialists as part of the ORG Support Unit. I just did a HUET course recently and am keeping my eyes peeled for any aviation roles advertised in the Gazette.
Cheers
Angus
Gatvol
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Good Old Aussie driver is probably down to his last nickel. Take a look at www.ebay.com Most reasonable and cheapest is the SPH-4B. Consider it comes with a different Impedence so the mike and earpieces will need changing for civilian helicopters.
SPH-4 is too old and SPH-5 is newer, a bit more expensive and also needs changing.
Since your a Helicopter Driver you have a big head to compensate for the other one, dont get any size less than XL, you can make then smaller, but you cant make them bigger.
They pop up once in a while for sale. Should be able to get a used one in OK condition for around $200+ shipping, maybe more.
You can see them at www.gentex.com
Mine is all cherried out and you can see it at www.smokinpaint.com Its the blue one. Had www.flightsuits.com fix the electronics and added a lip light combination xenon/green LED www.seitzinc.com
So cheaper than a new one, if you have some time you can look like a million dollars and tell all the the Sheilas. " Hi, my name is (fill in the blanks), I fly Helicopters."
SPH-4 is too old and SPH-5 is newer, a bit more expensive and also needs changing.
Since your a Helicopter Driver you have a big head to compensate for the other one, dont get any size less than XL, you can make then smaller, but you cant make them bigger.
They pop up once in a while for sale. Should be able to get a used one in OK condition for around $200+ shipping, maybe more.
You can see them at www.gentex.com
Mine is all cherried out and you can see it at www.smokinpaint.com Its the blue one. Had www.flightsuits.com fix the electronics and added a lip light combination xenon/green LED www.seitzinc.com
So cheaper than a new one, if you have some time you can look like a million dollars and tell all the the Sheilas. " Hi, my name is (fill in the blanks), I fly Helicopters."
This question has been done to death in the past.
Everyone will throw their two cents in as to how their helmet is comfortable, or is the best one known to man. But in reality the best helmet for the job is the one that provides the most comfortable fit with all the extra's that you may need or want (eg NVG mounts, ANR etc.. etc..).
No point buying an alpha 900 is it feels like a bucket of crap sitting on your head vs a gallete that may or may not fit better.
Also remember, you may join a company down the track that requires you to wear the helmets from their s.e. room. So the helmet that you do purchase now starts collecting dust like mine.
Everyone will throw their two cents in as to how their helmet is comfortable, or is the best one known to man. But in reality the best helmet for the job is the one that provides the most comfortable fit with all the extra's that you may need or want (eg NVG mounts, ANR etc.. etc..).
No point buying an alpha 900 is it feels like a bucket of crap sitting on your head vs a gallete that may or may not fit better.
Also remember, you may join a company down the track that requires you to wear the helmets from their s.e. room. So the helmet that you do purchase now starts collecting dust like mine.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Snowy Mountains, NSW, Australia
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All he asked for was suggestions. And from the looks of it, thats all he got. I dont think anyone was ramming any particular brand or type down his throat. He did ask for suggestions in the first place.
Isnt that what forums like these are for?
Angus
Isnt that what forums like these are for?
Angus
Join Date: Jan 2006
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I made a thread on here a few weeks ago to try and help me decide between an Alpha Eagle or the 200 (by the way thanks for all the help on that one guys). I eventually decided on the 200 just because I liked the feel slightly better, and I actually like the visor mechanism on the 200 better as well. They both look like great helmets though.
I currently have a gentex sph-4 with the oregon aero upgrades and really have to complaints about it, the web lining definitely makes it nice and cool, and its pretty comfortable. My advice would be to spend the time to go to dealers and try the different brands on, you may find things you personally like/dislike about certain brands or models that don't get covered on here.
I currently have a gentex sph-4 with the oregon aero upgrades and really have to complaints about it, the web lining definitely makes it nice and cool, and its pretty comfortable. My advice would be to spend the time to go to dealers and try the different brands on, you may find things you personally like/dislike about certain brands or models that don't get covered on here.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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they make both an earseal kit and a earcup foam kit (called softseal and hushkit respectively if i remember correctly). the ear seals are really soft leather with memory foam as filling. very comfortable, my only complaint being that they get as hard as rock when they get cold and then it takes a pretty strong effort to get your melon into the helmet.
the hushkit cuts down on a lot of the reverberated noise in the hard earcups, its basically just some layers of foam that surround the headphone. ive been really happy with both, and i think the combo of the two kits cost me about $80 canadian (don't quote me on the price, it was a while ago).
the hushkit cuts down on a lot of the reverberated noise in the hard earcups, its basically just some layers of foam that surround the headphone. ive been really happy with both, and i think the combo of the two kits cost me about $80 canadian (don't quote me on the price, it was a while ago).
Join Date: May 2006
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hey guys.
on the job in the mountains. wore a gentex SPH4 (an old style) not bad but the cups didnt sit right around my nut (gotta skinny head) so. and it was probably one size to big. but none the less gave me an idea and with excellent advise from all you guys
(B sousa
) i think ive got it nailed.
Cheers all.
BP.
on the job in the mountains. wore a gentex SPH4 (an old style) not bad but the cups didnt sit right around my nut (gotta skinny head) so. and it was probably one size to big. but none the less gave me an idea and with excellent advise from all you guys
(B sousa
) i think ive got it nailed. Cheers all.
BP.
Last edited by bladepitch; 3rd May 2007 at 07:10.
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Never used them myself, but have talked to several that have. The SPH-4 was a US mil helmet, now replaced with the HGU-56 with the US Army. Apparently it has better crashworthiness, it comes in more sizes (in theory better fitting), it has a thermoplastic liner which can be molded to fit the user's head better - it's also designed to support NVGs, and CEP which enhances audio feed while providing better hearing protection to the wearer. The guys I've spoken to seem to love them, though a few mentioned issues with dust clogging up the visor mechanism when in a sandy environment.
The Eagle seems to be more popular with civilian users, as does the Gallet - though in the past I understand Gallet had some issues with showing that their helmets provide an acceptable level of protection in impact tests. Maybe someone better informed can confirm or deny that.
Hope that helps. Like I said though, I've never used any of them, so I can't recommend any from personal experience
The Eagle seems to be more popular with civilian users, as does the Gallet - though in the past I understand Gallet had some issues with showing that their helmets provide an acceptable level of protection in impact tests. Maybe someone better informed can confirm or deny that.
Hope that helps. Like I said though, I've never used any of them, so I can't recommend any from personal experience
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Snowy Mountains, NSW, Australia
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Thanks somepitch. Will look into it.
Hey Bladepitch, if you are flying in the snowys (nsw) at the moment, be careful, the BOM is predicting snowfalls on the mountains tonight and tomorrow night. That will be the first snow falls of the year and it not even ski season yet. Im just up the road in Queanbeyan, and its been getting down to 1 and 2 deg overnight here!!
What company do you fly for and what machine are you flying for dog tracking?? Might pop down and say g'day on a day off!
Cheers
Hey Bladepitch, if you are flying in the snowys (nsw) at the moment, be careful, the BOM is predicting snowfalls on the mountains tonight and tomorrow night. That will be the first snow falls of the year and it not even ski season yet. Im just up the road in Queanbeyan, and its been getting down to 1 and 2 deg overnight here!!
What company do you fly for and what machine are you flying for dog tracking?? Might pop down and say g'day on a day off!
Cheers
Join Date: May 2005
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Helmets: Should you? and Which?
Hi All,
Can anyone point me in the right direction? I'm chasing some information/documentation on the wearing of Sunglasses/Prescription Glasses whilst wearing helmets. Does it effect noise attenuation, debris protection or survivability in the event of bird strike, crash/hard landing etc etc. I know that there are thousands of us out there are wearing presciption glasses, but given that most helmets come fitted with visors is there any real need to wear sunglasses?
Thanks in advance,
Nomex.
Can anyone point me in the right direction? I'm chasing some information/documentation on the wearing of Sunglasses/Prescription Glasses whilst wearing helmets. Does it effect noise attenuation, debris protection or survivability in the event of bird strike, crash/hard landing etc etc. I know that there are thousands of us out there are wearing presciption glasses, but given that most helmets come fitted with visors is there any real need to wear sunglasses?
Thanks in advance,
Nomex.
Join Date: Jul 2005
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I cannot offer you references you seek, I am not aware that any exist in the form you seem to be looking for however, I have been wearing specs with helmets for over 17 years now. My experience is: I have not noticed or detected any effect upon noise attenuation. I use bifocals but have tried the varifocal which are completely useless. Even with the modern wide focal parameters offered by pentax, they reduce your peripheral vision by a considerable amount. As for Sunglasses, well I suppose its personal preference and circumstances. Sometimes I do, sometimes I do not. If I am into sun on a cloudless day then I do and have the tinted visor down as well its very calming. My advice is to go for titanium frames. I have discovered that constant on/off with the specs [not sensible to don helmet with then on] does reduce the frame life dramatically. HTH
Join Date: Oct 2003
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There are variable-focus bifocal lenses that do work. They're called SmartSegs here in the US. They're a traditional bifocal lens with a line, but the bifocal segment is a variable focus, changing from about 3 or 4 feet at the top to maybe 18 inches at the bottom. Peripheral vision is unaffected, as the part outside the bifocal is the same as the top of the lens, and there is no blurry part. I've been wearing them for years, and I love them. Changing focus is simply a matter of moving your head very slightly. They work just like regular bifocals, but better. I was comfortable with them as soon as I put them on.
I have titanium memory-metal frames, with very thin wire temples, and they don't affect the noise attenuation much, if at all, and they're comfortable under the earseals, unlike most I've tried in the past. I can easily don a helmet while wearing them, and actually prefer that.
I have titanium memory-metal frames, with very thin wire temples, and they don't affect the noise attenuation much, if at all, and they're comfortable under the earseals, unlike most I've tried in the past. I can easily don a helmet while wearing them, and actually prefer that.