OregonMaule wrote:***THREAD HIJACK***

Here is some more free advice:

Don't drink alcohol
run w/scissors
eat fast food
ride bikes, ski, play sports w/no helmet
drive fast
play in avalanche country
swim or boat w/out wearing a life jacket
shoot or be around loud noises w/out ear and eye protection
go anywhere w/out a gun
text while driving
speed
fly w/out a 406 PLB/ELT
fly w/out a wing man or letting someone know your route
don't drop the soap if your in jail
FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS FLY NOSE WHEELS OR DRIVE FORDS

***HIJACK OVER*** we now return you to your regularly scheduled program.***

You forgot don't water ski with your airplane...

where there is confusion there is money to be made.

Would look into the Pro Tec... but this thread has been wandering all over the landscape/// still interesting to read though.
So..... it works, or does not work.... with Zulu 1 headsets???? The headband on a DC is pretty bulky... so if that worked with foam trimming... would the Zulu work?

Anybody with clear experience carving one out to fit would be much appreciated if they chime in here.

If not... will look at the one Spruce is offering. Their online page even spells out a model for the Zulu. Just don't like the look of the solid shell. Probably be hot in AZ and CA where I fly mostly.

Can't remember who started this thread... but it is a good one. My two crashes have been straight ahead rollovers... so no side impact. YET. I think I can overcome the geek appearance resistance to wear one for insurance....

Thanks guys.

I have a big head and use an XXL helmet, so this info may not be the same for a L or XL helmet. The DC works with the ProTec. The Zulu's dont. I have both and can only use the DC's. I actually think the DC's are way better for ANR, but no where near as comfy as the Zulus over time.

You do no foam trimming with the ProTec. In the top center there is a 6" open cell foam pad that is held in with 4 bits of velcro. I just pulled it out and let the DC band fit in there.

FYI... I think the ProTecs run small. I ordered a large of these a couple of years ago for some SWAT training and it was too small. Had to order and XL, but that was also a bit tight. For the flight helmet, I just went ahead and ordered an XXL and it is great.

Greg-

Thanks Greg. I am sorry the Lightspeed won't fit. They are the only I have worn for extended flight without the head in a vice ... symptoms in a few hours.

I get it. I was bummed that mine didnt fit. I have a brand new pair that are just sitting in the box. Not to move thread, but I wish I had bought the Bose. On my flight from LA to BOS I was able to swap back and forth with both and I think the ANR are no where near as good. Got sold a bill of goods at Oshkosh.

They seem to hold their value... so put up a for sale sign, and I bet someone will grab them.
Another thread drift... If I might be so bold.
At the gym where I work out... a spin instructor with long blond hair... fine body... fine mind shows up for her classes on her road bike with no helmet. Riding the streets of our little retirement town, where a motorcycle or bike is likely to be the LAST thing some geriatric (Gump excluded... think he is in NV) will notice. Or a texting social networking fan...
It just amazes me that the way we want to be judged for our appearance holds more power than avoiding injury. Seems only the Paramedics... and those who have bled, get the point.

flightlogic wrote:Seems only the Paramedics... and those who have bled, get the point.

Indeed. (sorry for the graphic post... but it's true)

We did a roll over on the highway a bit back. As I was walking up to the Mercedes SUV that had rolled more than once sideways down the on-ramp (on the other side of the highway) I noticed a lump of something in the foreground about 50' in front of the car (now on its side.) Turns out it was the top of her noggin. Helmet sure would have helped in that one.

bigrenna wrote: The DC works with the ProTec. The Zulu's dont. I have both and can only use the DC's.
Greg-

I was down the rabbit hole RE: this helmet thing and just saw that the ProTec A Alpha has now been upgraded to the A Bravo. The literature says: PT A-Bravo Half Shell for Peltor, Bose, Sordin, LightSpeed, and Dave Clark head sets. Interesting...

I wonder if they changed the design a bit to work with more headsets? If so, that would be really cool.

My problem thus far has been with passengers. It's always an uneasy look when your passenger sees you put a helmet on and then you toss em just a plain-ol headset. You see them thinking "do you know something I don't know?"

Since I was fixin to get a second anyway... I just ordered a A Bravo. I will report what I find RE: fitment of the Zulus. (fingers crossed)

Greg-

In a different lifetime I rolled to different types of accident scenes, and for variety I worked at a
Trauma Center ER.
Lives can change drastically VERY unnecessarily in a MIGHTY big hurry.....

Just sayin' somethin' bout "Humpty-Dumpty"-and all....
lc

Got the new Protec A-Bravo today and brought it down to the hanger... No surprise. The Lightspeed will NOT fit inside the helmet. In a nutshell, its the design of how the ear cups attach to the headband. The DC ear cups stick out a bit which allows the headband to be recessed inside the helmet where as the Lightspeed headband is flush with the outside of the ear cup. Hard to explain, but they just wont fit. I ordered an XXL and it wouldn't fit inside that. They are jokers for listing all the headsets in their literature. I didn't try it, but I am pretty sure that the Bose will not work as well. Sending it back and sticking with my A-Alapha.

Sorry guys...






This is the A-Alpha with DCs next to the new A-Bravo.

Damn.... figured if they listed the Zulu... they had at least tested it.
No such luck.
Appreciate you finding out for all of us though... saves the shipping.
Merry Christmas

Borrowed a set of Bose from my hanger mate yesterday and tried them also with the A-Bravo.... No dice!

SOL boys-

The DC helmet and Zulu works well and requires no modification. It is a little on the warm side in Oklahoma heat and a bit long cross country uncomfortable for me (neck issues) but when playing with the Super Cub or flying over rough country I typically wear it... granted it was at the end of a couple hour cross country that I could have used it as I accelerated the rebuild schedule by a couple of years but that story requires motivational beverages.

Good call on the zip tie to hold in the headset. I will finally install mine. I've been too lazy for the past six months to do anything with it. I can't remember if this was already discussed but a key component for survival would be shoulder harnesses. They are very inexpensive (>$300 in my C-150). All it takes is one actual use and you would value them >$1,000,000,000,000. The BAS brand are great as they retract but aren't available for my bird. I didn't really use the helmet as my cross country commute has plenty of fields en route. I do plan on flying west where there are nothing but rugged woodlands this spring. Hopefully I'll get mine up to speed and post photos. By the way, has anyone investigated the helmet mounted lighting options? I got both rails installed and I've see the (expensive) choices out there. My final selection is the Energizer Hard Case Tactical LED Helmet Light. It runs for about $50 street to $100 depending where you're shopping. The reviews make this a prime choice over the other options. Anyone here prefer green, blue, or red for night ops? I don't have that much night experience; less than 10hrs.

I mean no offense here, but since you are obviously a believer in head protection, why spend all this time, money and energy trying to make a flight deck style helmet into an aviation helmet??

Why not just buy a helmet that was specifically designed and tested for aviation use instead of trying to cobble something up.

Helmets are designed for very specific applications, and I fear your choice may or may not provide the level of protection you claim to seek.

There is a lot of design and testing that go into the design of an aviation helmet.

If you are really serious about helmets, I'd advise you look at one of the latest generation AVIATION helmets, instead of trying to cobble something together. The first test of your "helmet" might be a real dissapointment.

FWIW

MTV

Im with MTV.

It always amazed me that when flying noisy turbo props the pilots that were to cheap to purchase BOSE or more comforatable equipment.

It took me 30 minutes to read this thread. At the end of it, I did what most of you recommended. I called Rob at Merit and shovled out $3k for an ANR Gallet 250 setup. Rob works on Saturdays and took 20 minutes to explain to me why I am making a good decision and what make his helmets top of the line. Easy sell..

He told me it will be done after the holidays. I will report back what I think of it. I have used Lynx helmets flying ultralights and hated them.

I only needed to hear the story of BERK to convince me. 3 grand is cheap compared to the cost of a burial, of course when your dead who cares????

I am excited to get it.

+1 more for the real deal... but since I have yet to actually wear a helmet in a GA application myself, I guess I have no room to preach...

But I wll point out that while it is possible to spend 3K on a Gallet, it is also possible to save some coin and get one for close to the kind of money I see in bigrennas pics... (Lightspeeds and foamie)

1) An LH050 is quite a bit cheaper than the top of the line LH250, and is the identical shell (minus the second visor) In fact in the confines of most GA airplanes the less bulky 050 is probably a welcome thing.

2) Hammers is going to do his best to peddle CEP's $$$ which are great.... If your hops are an hour or less... But you can do ANR dirt cheap... with basic skills and a kit from Headsets inc.

3) There are alternatives to the super cushy Oregon Aero stuff ( Zeta liner, Hush cups) out there now at a fraction of the cost, and in some instances the quality and comfort of these are better.

I have built up 3 LH250's like this, mostly because I find it more appealing to build up a new one (with the tax break) than refurb one that's had a couple thousand hours of sweat and chemical ran through it. I am in the process of building up an LH050 this time (night ops really don't justify a second visor) and this helmet will barely break $1500, with ANR, comfort liner, and hush cups... and best of all, a REAL visor that has been tested crash worthy. Because at the end of the day, the vast majority of GA fatalities that could have been prevented with a helmet that I am aware of involve a face plant to the yoke, stick or panel... and all the foamie Zulu's in the world are not going to prevent that.

Take care, Rob

Rob wrote:+1 more for the real deal... but since I have yet to actually wear a helmet in a GA application myself, I guess I have no room to preach...

But I wll point out that while it is possible to spend 3K on a Gallet, it is also possible to save some coin and get one for close to the kind of money I see in bigrennas pics... (Lightspeeds and foamie)

1) An LH050 is quite a bit cheaper than the top of the line LH250, and is the identical shell (minus the second visor) In fact in the confines of most GA airplanes the less bulky 050 is probably a welcome thing.

2) Hammers is going to do his best to peddle CEP's $$$ which are great.... If your hops are an hour or less... But you can do ANR dirt cheap... with basic skills and a kit from Headsets inc.

3) There are alternatives to the super cushy Oregon Aero stuff ( Zeta liner, Hush cups) out there now at a fraction of the cost, and in some instances the quality and comfort of these are better.

I have built up 3 LH250's like this, mostly because I find it more appealing to build up a new one (with the tax break) than refurb one that's had a couple thousand hours of sweat and chemical ran through it. I am in the process of building up an LH050 this time (night ops really don't justify a second visor) and this helmet will barely break $1500, with ANR, comfort liner, and hush cups... and best of all, a REAL visor that has been tested crash worthy. Because at the end of the day, the vast majority of GA fatalities that could have been prevented with a helmet that I am aware of involve a face plant to the yoke, stick or panel... and all the foamie Zulu's in the world are not going to prevent that.

Take care, Rob

Hey Rob - could you detail your process described of building up the LH 050? Sounds interesting.

Rob can you take some snapshots; I'm interested in seeing them. Also, have a shoulder harness should alleviate the issue if face smashing so long that it doesn't fail. Granted, they would be worthless in the event the dash or yoke comes into the face!

I hate to make this a circle, but with the Headsets Inc ANR kits that Rob mentioned and the fact that you can pickup a cheap used SPH-5, why not go that route and spend a few bucks refurbing it and spend under $750?

For example, I just found this on eBay for $495 (and no, I am not selling it nor know the guy):

Search for item: 330846482769

"This Gentex SP5 helicopter helmet is in excellent condition. The electronics where recently overhauled by Gibson & Barnes and Oregon Aero upgrade components have been added. These include the Hush Kit, Soft Seal Ears Cushions, and Leather Mic Muff Cover, which together provide for outstanding audio clarity and comfort. The mic boom has also been ugraded to the flex type. The two visors (clear & grey) are clean and scratch free and there is an NVG mount as well. This helmet was used for about 150 hours of utility/fire, so there are a few minor scratches/dings on the outside of the helmet from normal use. I am also including a helmet bag, earcup spacers, and an extra TPL (thermoplastic liner) for custom fitting. The size is XL (most people are an XL, see sizing chart). "