Next! Need help with Head and neck restraints

[ddg]

Fellaz,

I'm also looking at Head and neck restraints, Hans is very expensive. The guys at the local circle track race shop (where I orderd my Ultrasheild) said the "Defender" was total crap, they VERY strongly recomended the "Safety Solutions" design, I've been looking at the "Hybrid Pro Rage Head and Neck Restraint"

 

I'd love some input as to what's cost-effective and is comfortable, I have a 19" neck and a big ass head (XXL helmet) so fitment is very important!!

 

thanks,

 

Dan

[kbrew8991]

each one has some upsides & downsides - kinda like picking a car. Try them all as best you can, do your own digging for info/specs/etc, and then pick what will work best for you.

[Legends21]

Fellaz,

I'd love some input as to what's cost-effective and is comfortable, I have a 19" neck and a big ass head (XXL helmet) so fitment is very important!!

I also have a big ass head (size 8 ) and a fairly large neck (18"). I purchased a Hans Sport and I found it very comfortable. I will point out that my aluminum race seat has an offset built into the back head rest to accommodate the Hans device (Butlerbuilt Sportsman with the Advantage option, similar to the photo included below).

 

Good luck

 

Dale

[DanSTi]

I have been unfortunate enough to test the function of the HANS device and it was very effective. It's also perfectly comfortable with the right harness. There's a reason that almost all professional racing series require the HANS specifically. You can get the Sport model for under $700.

[kbrew8991]

I have been unfortunate enough to test the function of the HANS device and it was very effective. It's also perfectly comfortable with the right harness. There's a reason that almost all professional racing series require the HANS specifically. You can get the Sport model for under $700.

ehh, they might require FIA cert'd devices instead of SFI I'd bet. Of course HANS is the only one with FIA approval at the moment, but I've heard rumors that Safety Solutions (R3, Hybrid, etc) are on the path to get that approval as well.

 

again - there are upsides and downsides of all of the choices we have in the club racing world. Consider your seat setup, belt setup, window size, your size, phase of the moon, etc. Pick accordingly

[Bluevelocity]

I'm pretty sure that HANS is making a less expensive fiberglass model now, have you looked into that one. I flat out love my HANS although it's never been tested. (knock on wood)

 

Erron S.

[soundguydave]

I would be VERY interested in exactly why the race shop you mentioned considers the Defender "absolute crap." I've got one, in the original baby-puke green, and while I haven't needed to test it for functionality (knock wood, cross fingers, etc.), with the belts tight, I can affirm that the tethers do what's advertised, both in the longitudinal and lateral axes...

[Legends21]

I also looked at the Defender and it offered some adjustment that was very intersting interesting to me. The only reasons I purchased the HANS Sport was the pending law suite against Defender at the time and the fact that I purchased the Hans Sport for a really good price.

 

At this time, I would go with either the Defender or the Hans Sport with the sliding tethers.

 

Dale

[ddg]

I would be VERY interested in exactly why the race shop you mentioned considers the Defender "absolute crap." I've got one, in the original baby-puke green, and while I haven't needed to test it for functionality (knock wood, cross fingers, etc.), with the belts tight, I can affirm that the tethers do what's advertised, both in the longitudinal and lateral axes...

 

The owner of the shop was very adamant about the Defender, saying an ex employee of another company had stolen the design and called it Defender etc. etc, he seemed to take it very personaly, maybe he knows the company owner who's design was stolen.....?

Edited July 15, 2010 by Guest

[Bruce L.]

here's a place to do some of your own research. I wouldn't put too much stock in your circle track connection.

http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Head_and_Neck_Restraints

 

bruce

[soundguydave]

I would be VERY interested in exactly why the race shop you mentioned considers the Defender "absolute crap." I've got one, in the original baby-puke green, and while I haven't needed to test it for functionality (knock wood, cross fingers, etc.), with the belts tight, I can affirm that the tethers do what's advertised, both in the longitudinal and lateral axes...

 

The owner of the shop was very adamant about the Defender, saying an ex employee of another company had stolen the design and called it Defender etc. etc, he seemed to take it very personaly, maybe he knows the company owner who's design was stolen.....?

 

So.... if that's the case, then he's really saying that his buddy's design is "absolute crap..." In any event, there are far too many other sources that are positive to let the one dissenting voice possibly eliminate Defender from your consideration. Bottom line, though, is that HNR of some sort is still just a really good idea.