Head and Neck Restraints - what's the news these days?

KendtEklund · **Joined:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:29 pm **Posts:** 1204

Just curious about what has panned out on the various lower-cost alternatives to the HANS:

HANS sport?
DefNder?
Safety Solutions?
Leatt?

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:27 pm

buy a Hans.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:30 am

KendtEklund wrote:

Just curious about what has panned out on the various lower-cost alternatives to the HANS:

HANS sport?
DefNder?
Safety Solutions?
Leatt?

Some folks seem to like the Defnder better as I think it gives them better ability to turn head. Other than that no idea. Kevin Butler I think has a defnder ask him what he thinks.

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:57 pm

RobLupella wrote:

...Kevin Butler I think has a defnder ask him what he thinks.

Naw, I use an R3 Rage - it's the econo version of the R3 from Safety Solutions. Other than the slight limitation of head turning, I don't know I have it on.

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

Kevin Butler wrote:

RobLupella wrote:

...Kevin Butler I think has a defnder ask him what he thinks.

Naw, I use an R3 Rage - it's the econo version of the R3 from Safety Solutions. Other than the slight limitation of head turning, I don't know I have it on.

same here, love it

Stacy King · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:16 am

Apex Performance was at CMP with us this weekend and had some samples/demos on hand. They pointed out some key features (and both Brad Mackey and M. Vitacco tried some on.)

Here are my observations when comparing the Defender and the HANS:

The HANS tether attachment and quick-release mechanism alone seems to be worth the $100 premium over the DeFender's. It can easily be attached and released with one hand, by the driver. The Defender's seems to require two hands, and would take quite a bit of practice to do it smoothly. Having a helper would make things easier, but that's not always realistic.

The HANS sliding tether is a true sliding tether, where the Defender's is a sliding tether PLUS a fixed redundant strap. The redundancy is good, but it looks like it would hinder being able to look left/right.

The HANS does not interfere with the bottom of the helmet. The Defender has a plastic "collar" that is tall enough that the helmet bottoms out on it unless your neck is long enough.

The Defender has better rearward clearance... the back of the helmet seems to hit the tether guide less than the HANS. The HANS is taller in back, so it looks like it would feel much like having a headrest pushed too far forward, and might require adjusting the seat to a more reclined position. There are different HANS models for different seat angles...the Defender is adjustable in this regard.

The Defender seems to have better harness guides, but at the same times, these guides could potentially be areas of concern for getting snagged on buckles or tangled harnesses in the need for a quick escape from the vehicle.

Just my observations.

While everyone is thinking about this subject... THSCC will be requiring head & neck restraints for all TIME TRIAL participants beginning in 2011 (along with the updated minimum helmet spec of SA2005.)

-Stacy

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:42 am

anyone from Apex Performance mention when the SA2010 helmets might be available Stacy?

Stacy King · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:52 am

steve remchak wrote:

anyone from Apex Performance mention when the SA2010 helmets might be available Stacy?

Bells are available right now... in fact, Brad and I both bought new helmets this weekend. (They have the Sport for $279 + bag & balaclava + free shipping)... THSCC members get 10% off that I think.) White, Black and (I hesitate to say cause I bought one!) Orange!!

However, shipments were shorted, so supplies are limited right now.

http://www.apexperformance.net/CartGenie/prod-2112.htm

The difference in comfort was night and day when compared to the Zamp or G-Force

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:04 am

Stacy King wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

anyone from Apex Performance mention when the SA2010 helmets might be available Stacy?

Bells are available right now... in fact, Brad and I both bought new helmets this weekend. (They have the Sport for $279 + bag & balaclava + free shipping)... THSCC members get 10% off that I think.) White, Black and (I hesitate to say cause I bought one!) Orange!!

However, shipments were shorted, so supplies are limited right now.

http://www.apexperformance.net/CartGenie/prod-2112.htm

The difference in comfort was night and day when compared to the Zamp or G-Force

i'm a Simpson man myself.

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

steve remchak wrote:

i'm a Simpson man myself.

you sure are homer

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:10 am

Jason Tower wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

i'm a Simpson man myself.

you sure are homer

nice....... :lol:

Stacy King · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:18 am

steve remchak wrote:

i'm a Simpson man myself.

I was too... until I put on a Bell.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:40 am

Sort of to the point, I think 5 years is long enough for my helmets. Therefore I bought a SA2005 on closeout (exactly like the SA200 I have now) about four months ago and it's still in the box to be used next year.

You can now find SA2005's on special since the 2010's came out so that may be a consideration for some.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 11:46 am

Stacy,
I will say that when I tried both I found the Dfender seem to have better left-right-and up-down movements than the HANS, but then again, I have a longer neck.

Stacy King · **Posted:** Mon Oct 18, 2010 11:52 am

I'm just relaying what I heard from Vitacco, and from what I witnessed while Brad was trying both on (back-to-back) sitting in his car.

Even Apex was saying that the Defender is NOT for people with short necks, and I can see why... but it also depends on helmet style. The G-force helmets I've noticed aren't very "low" as far as how far they extend down below a person's jaw-line. In fact, I've noticed while on grid that I can actually see people's chins when they are wearing some of the G-force helmets, but usually not other brands.

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