ragingbull 0 #1 May 13, 2005 Hi guys, I am wonderind what kind of helmet I should buy for BASE jumping. I'd definitely want to attach a camera to it. My current favourite is the Optik Illusion, but I'm not too sure if it would make a good BASE helmet. It surely is a excellent skydiving camera helmet with jaw protection, but I'm not sure about the visibility for BASE use. Though, as I can see from the pics on http://www.boneheadcomposites.com, it must be about the same as with the RatHat. I haven't decided yet, since the choice isn't that easy, for my new helmet should be usable for skydiving as well as BASE. Does anyone have some experience with that kind of helemts used in BASE? "freedom is just another word for nothing left to loose" (Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base736 0 #2 May 13, 2005 This question comes up a lot. I'm just going to repeat myself here, so ignore me if you've heard it before. I have yet to meet a skydiving helmet that I like as a BASE helmet. I'm not saying they don't exist, and I'm not saying you'd be wrong to choose one anyway. My feeling is that the difference goes like this: In skydiving, your primary concerns are small bumps and scrapes (with the plane, or a botched landing maybe near a small rock in the field) and larger hits from stuff that is, relatively speaking, soft (somebody's foot, for instance). Given that one sometimes experiences hard openings, the ideal helmet is lightweight, with a hard shell to protect from sharp trauma and a little padding -- usually just a quarter inch or so of pillow lining -- for comfort and to help distribute other impacts. In BASE, your primary concerns are bigger bumps and scrapes (say, a large rock in the landing area) and large hits from hard stuff possibly at speed (like the object). These are the sort of impacts that will turn a skydiving helmet into a colourful spray of carbon fibre without dissipating much energy. What you need in BASE is a hard-shell helmet with an inch or so of crush material (foam), and optionally chin protection. There are some pretty light-weight helmets available that fit this description. My suggestion is a good skate/ski/mountain bike helmet. ProTec has served me well in one pretty bad situation. Want to fly camera? Rivet a camera mount to one of the above (I can help you out there, as I'm sure a number of people can). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakboy066 0 #3 May 13, 2005 I would have to disagree with the other guys post.Carbon fiber is 1 of the strongest materials that they are making helmets out of today(except maybe the kevlar helmet).I think your optik would be great.As long as you stick with a top mounted camera you are doing well.That Illusion looks pretty bombproof.I am looking at buying a bonehead of some sort for base and skydiving.I use a Gath with a carbon fiber top mount.It works great for both base and skydiving.i HAVE QUITE A FEW BASE JUMPS WITH VIDEO WITH THIS CONFIGURATION.(MAYBE60-100)Hope this helps. STAY WITH CARBON FIBER YOU CAN'T GO WRONG. c-ya,mIKEhttp://freakboy066.tripod.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaapSuter 0 #4 May 13, 2005 QuoteCarbon fiber is 1 of the strongest materials that they are making helmets out of today(except maybe the kevlar helmet). There is a lot more to helmets than just the strength of the outershell. Other critical factors include the material, shape and thickness of the inner shell (the foam), and possibly even more important the shape and tension on the outer shell. Manufacterers of approved (Snell, DOT, etc.) helmets put a lot of time, effort and money into research that tries to find out how impact forces are distribituted across the surface of the shell. The shape and tension on the helmet plays an important role in this. Ever wondered why helmets can't be used anymore after they have been involved in impact, even when they still look fine? It's because the tension and integrity of the outer surface may have been compromised. This is not some marketing bullcrap to sell more helmets, this is actually true. I don't know how Bonehead helmets are manufactured or how many money they put into research, but I'll stick to approved helmets for my base jumping, just to be sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #5 May 13, 2005 QuoteI use a Gath with a carbon fiber top mount.It works great for both base and skydiving.i HAVE QUITE A FEW BASE JUMPS WITH VIDEO WITH THIS CONFIGURATION.(MAYBE60-100)Hope this helps. STAY WITH CARBON FIBER YOU CAN'T GO WRONG. When you say it "works great" can you be more specific? How many hard impacts has your setup taken? Any damage to the helmet or jumper from those impacts? It's generally been my experience that skydiving helmets are much worse in terms of impact protection than a variety of other helmets available at lower costs. Most of the camera helmets I've seen are primarily camera mounting platforms rather than protective helmets.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crwper 7 #6 May 13, 2005 Put another way, imagine if you had the hardest material imaginable. Nothing could break it. To protect your head, you build a helmet out of this material. Now imagine that you hit a rock because of an off-heading opening. The force of the impact will be transmitted directly to your head, because the shell material is so hard. Now, it might be spread out a bit spatially (i.e. instead of getting all the force on a sharp edge you'll get it over a large part of the surface of the helmet) but it will not be spread out in time. A good helmet does both, which is the point of having some kind of crush material on the inside. Now, if you were building a helmet for minor impacts and light weight, you would probably be smart to choose a light, strong shell with a lightweight liner for comfort. That's what most skydiving helmets are built for. Like the other posters, I don't really know what testing the manufacturers of these helmets do, but I know I'm not really comfortable using them in the BASE environment. Michael Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakboy066 0 #7 May 13, 2005 I have modified the gath with some impact padding on the inside.My setup works for now,but I would rather have a Bone head of some configuration.The Bonehead would take a hell of an impact,and would not break,and if you are wearing a chincup you would have some face protection.Unlike most of the inexpensive helmets you talk about.They do not offer any facial protection. Also with the inexpensive helmets they do offer in most instances more padding,but they would split open easier than a Bonehead. OF COURSE THIS IS JUST MY OPINION.http://freakboy066.tripod.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakboy066 0 #8 May 13, 2005 I would do more research if I were you.Bonehead makes more than just a Skydiving helmet.They make several DOT approved motorcycle helmets.They also make equestrian helmets.They also make helmets for pilots.I would have to say I would pick a company that made all these different tipes of helmets before I picked A skate company,BUT THAT'S JUST ME! What is your approved basejumping helmet?http://freakboy066.tripod.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaapSuter 0 #9 May 13, 2005 QuoteThe Bonehead would take a hell of an impact,and would not break... ...with the inexpensive helmets they do offer in most instances more padding, but they would split open easier than a Bonehead. A helmet that breaks on impact is not necessarily a bad thing. Breaking any material takes energy. That's energy that's not transfered to your skull, and thus not hurting your head. Helmet theory is very complicated and involves many fine balances between different factors. It's not just a matter of getting the strongest material. Sometimes a softer or more fragile material can actually work better! Because making a good helmet is so complex, I prefer to spend my money with the company that makes helmets designed for impacts similar to the ones encountered in base. Preferably a company that has a large installed user-base. The more customers a company has, the more money they can put in R&D. Hopefully, this improves the quality of their helmets. Check out the Snell Memorial Foundation. They are a non-profit organization and their website has a lot of useful information. I challenge any skydiving helmet manufacterer to submit their helmets for Snell testing. They'll never get approval, but just to see where they are on the scale of protection. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakboy066 0 #10 May 13, 2005 I agree ,and if you were to take a bonehead ,and put some impact padding in it you would have an all around great helmet.If you choose one of those skate helmets you are only getting the padding and that's it.When I get a bonehead I am going to put some impact padding in it. I HOPE THIS HELPS THE PERSON THAT STARTED THE THREAD.PUT EXTRA PADDING IN YOUR ILLUSION,AND YOU WILL HAVE A VERY SAFE HELMET FOR BOTH SPORTS.http://freakboy066.tripod.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakboy066 0 #11 May 13, 2005 So you still have not told me what helmet you use.Also I do see your logic,and I do agree with some of it.Maybe we should take this up with Bonehead,and have them make a Base specific helmet,and camera helmet.Does this helmet you use have facial protection.If it works so great let me and everyone else know what it is.http://freakboy066.tripod.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaapSuter 0 #12 May 13, 2005 QuoteI would do more research if I were you.Bonehead makes more than just a Skydiving helmet.They make several DOT approved motorcycle helmets.They also make equestrian helmets.They also make helmets for pilots.I would have to say I would pick a company that made all these different tipes of helmets before I picked A skate company,BUT THAT'S JUST ME! I was unaware of that. My apologies. I just checked their website and haven't been able to find out more about their non-skydiving helmets. Do you have a link? Thanks! QuoteWhat is your approved basejumping helmet? I use a Mace full-face with chincup mountainbiking helmet. For skydiving I use an NVertigoX freefly helmet. For on my motorcycle I use a Snell approved Shoei helmet. For skiing and snowboarding I use a Giro helmet. For outdoor climbing I use a Petzl. On a bicycle, I use a cheap unknown brand shitty helmet. I'd love to wear my motorcycle helmet with everything I do, but it's always a trade-off between comfort, weight, visibility and protection. For base my parameters are different than for skydiving, that's for sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakboy066 0 #13 May 13, 2005 "A helmet that breaks on impact is not necessarily a bad thing." If my helmet breaks open most likely so is my head.I would like to have the best off both worlds.A helmet that will take an impact and will not break,but that has enough padding to give my head some protection.http://freakboy066.tripod.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaapSuter 0 #14 May 13, 2005 QuoteSo you still have not told me what helmet you use. Does this helmet you use have facial protection.If it works so great let me and everyone else know what it is. Here is a thread I started about helmets a while back. It has a picture of the Mace fullface helmet I wear. So far I've put 16 base jumps and about 8 skydives on this helmet. I absolutely love it. Peripheral vision is great. Protection seems to be good, but untested so far. The weight is good. It fits snugly and comfortably and doesn't shift around even at terminal velocity. Finally, it has a protruding chincup that stays between my face and a rock. QuoteMaybe we should take this up with Bonehead,and have them make a Base specific helmet,and camera helmet. I think that would be a great idea! I'm worried the market might not be big enough to justify the R&D. If you send them an email though, you can tell them I'll be interested too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #15 May 13, 2005 Quote"A helmet that breaks on impact is not necessarily a bad thing." If my helmet breaks open most likely so is my head. Most modern helmets are designed to break in an impact. It's the same principle as crumple zones in an automobile body.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakboy066 0 #16 May 13, 2005 http://boneheadcomposites.com/http://freakboy066.tripod.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #17 May 13, 2005 QuoteBonehead makes more than just a Skydiving helmet.They make several DOT approved motorcycle helmets Actually all of their shells that they used to sell that where the open ear design like the Crusier and some othre ones were specifically marked as not DOT approved and were not legal in helmet States. I'll do probally the best thing that can be done and alert Bonehead to come take a look at this thread and give their thoughts on certification of their hemets and just what their intended uses are.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #18 May 13, 2005 The Optik Illusion is a great helmet, I personally jump one myself and am very happy with it for what I use it for. However, if you're looking for a helmet to provide you with some protection specific to BASE hazards there aren't any skydiving helmet on the market that would give you the protection your looking for. The PRO TEC/Cascade is a fair prospect if you upgrade the liner. The basic foam liner that it comes with is pretty much crap for anything beyond falling off a skateboard. However, if you upgrade the liner with the liner upgrade kit from Oregon Aero you will have a pretty good protective helmet. It's what we're authorized to use for HALO ops and actually turns that cheap plastic shell into a decent helmet. The amount of money the liner kit costs will be money well spent if you ever do hit your melon on something hard"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hottamaly 1 #19 May 13, 2005 Bonehead here. Our helmets are not and never have been DOT rated. You would need something like a motorcycle helmet to get the impact absorbsion you would want for base jumping. Our military helmet is BIG because we have put in some styrofoam in it to help with impact absorbsion but it still won't pass the Snell test past a ski helmet penetration. Some of the other posters here are right, it's not just in the shell, you need good shock absorbing padding in a helmet to protect your skull. As one poster put it, our helmets are basically made for scuff and rash protection and not designed to disperse an impact. You guys wouldn't wear something that big, it aint cool! I hope this clears things up. Skydiving gave me a reason to live I'm not afraid of what I'll miss when I die...I'm afraid of what I'll miss as I live Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaapSuter 0 #20 May 13, 2005 QuoteI hope this clears things up... Thanks for joining us Linda! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hottamaly 1 #21 May 13, 2005 QuoteQuoteI hope this clears things up... Thanks for joining us Linda! No problem. Nice to be here. Skydiving gave me a reason to live I'm not afraid of what I'll miss when I die...I'm afraid of what I'll miss as I live Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakboy066 0 #22 May 13, 2005 My apologies.I was under the wrong impression about those brain buckets that you were making.What would it take to make a basejumping helmet that would do all that we are saying here,and acomodate a topmount camera.Ofcourse it would have to be lightweight,offer good vision,have some facial coverage,and take the impacts we are talking about.http://freakboy066.tripod.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #23 May 13, 2005 QuoteYou guys wouldn't wear something that big, it aint cool! You mean something like this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites whatever 0 #24 May 13, 2005 Quote...but I would rather have a Bone head of some configuration.... I would say you already do.... but, let's talk about helmets: - I'm astounded that someone with the amount of basejumps and skydives stated in your profile would have such ignorant views on helmets. - several people have contributed a lot of valid information here and even the manufacturer of your most beloved camera mounting platform a.k.a. Bonehead Composites Helmet have pointed out they do not make DOT rated helmets. - if impact protection is important, buy for that and modify to accomodate a camera, being careful not to compromise the protection by adding the camera - if camera mounting is your only priority get a camera helmet cya sam PS - 2k Composites make far better carbon shells than Bonehead. soon to be gone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freakboy066 0 #25 May 13, 2005 Where the hell did you come from?You should read my last post.I apologized about being misinformed about the helmets being DOT.Also I said that I would also modify my bonehead with extra foam.tHAT IS ALSO WHAT i SAID TO THE ORIGINAL PERSON WHO POSTED. READ EVRYTHING BEFORE YOU POST!! SOME GUYS ALWAYS HAVE TO GET IN THE MIX?http://freakboy066.tripod.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 0
whatever 0 #24 May 13, 2005 Quote...but I would rather have a Bone head of some configuration.... I would say you already do.... but, let's talk about helmets: - I'm astounded that someone with the amount of basejumps and skydives stated in your profile would have such ignorant views on helmets. - several people have contributed a lot of valid information here and even the manufacturer of your most beloved camera mounting platform a.k.a. Bonehead Composites Helmet have pointed out they do not make DOT rated helmets. - if impact protection is important, buy for that and modify to accomodate a camera, being careful not to compromise the protection by adding the camera - if camera mounting is your only priority get a camera helmet cya sam PS - 2k Composites make far better carbon shells than Bonehead. soon to be gone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakboy066 0 #25 May 13, 2005 Where the hell did you come from?You should read my last post.I apologized about being misinformed about the helmets being DOT.Also I said that I would also modify my bonehead with extra foam.tHAT IS ALSO WHAT i SAID TO THE ORIGINAL PERSON WHO POSTED. READ EVRYTHING BEFORE YOU POST!! SOME GUYS ALWAYS HAVE TO GET IN THE MIX?http://freakboy066.tripod.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
