fmmobley 0 #1 September 29, 2005 I am considering buying either a used Bonehead Mamba or a used Parasport Z1. I haven't seen any reviews on the Mamba. I would love to hear your opinions on either helmet. Thanks in advance...... Marion Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #2 September 29, 2005 Both are great helmets, but one is likely to fit you better than the other one. That one is your best choice. Unfortunately, without trying them on, you'll never know which is the better fitting helmet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justinb138 0 #3 September 29, 2005 I love my Mamba.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #4 September 29, 2005 Mamba....period. The Z-1 is an injection-molded-plastic toy. The Mamba is a proper skydiving helmet. It's also got a much-user-friendlier latching mechanism. It's also made in America by a good friend of mine. It's also very tough! Quick story: Larry Sherling, the former general manager of SkyCAT gear shop) just had his Mamba blow (or get yanked) off his head on exit yesterday. The helmet landed from 12,500 feet about five feet from a guy on our skydive and only suffered a cracked visor frame; still totally usable. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #5 September 29, 2005 QuoteThe Mamba is a proper skydiving helmet. In other words, it's a carbon-fibre toy . To the best of my understanding, CF helmets aren't gonna provide any more impact protection than injection-molded-plastic. Since neither helmet comes with that funky foam used in motorbike helmets, I don't think either will do much more than protect from a knee in the head on a badly executed block. QuoteQuick story: Larry Sherling, the former general manager of SkyCAT gear shop) just had his Mamba blow (or get yanked) off his head on exit yesterday. The helmet landed from 12,500 feet about five feet from a guy on our skydive and only suffered a cracked visor frame; still totally usable. Another quick story: a couple of weeks ago, a girl at our DZ had her Z1 get yanked off her head at about 12,000ft. Upon recovery, the helmet was found to be totally undamaged; not even scratched. Seems an 'injection-moulded plastic toy' can be good for something . I've no experience with the latching mechanism of the Mamba, but I'll happily concede that the Z1 is kinda fiddly the first couple of times you use it. After that, no worrries. And it is damn secure; I've not heard of one opening in freefall. Not relevant to the original poster, but for others it's also worth pointing out that while you can get a Mamba in lots of different colours, you can't get the visor colored. You can with the Z1. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #6 September 30, 2005 I'm gonna be getting a mamba. I love the design and that it comes with the bakable liners for a custom fit. I could care less about if the visor frame comes painted (not getting a painted one). I might put a blue stripe down the middle of it though. about the different helmets breaking or not. Come on man more than likely the two helmets landed completely differently, plus on different types of ground.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sleddog 0 #7 September 30, 2005 After having a collision in freefall, & getting a bloody nose, I decided I should consider a full-face. I have to wear glasses, so wanted something that would fit over them. I called 3 dealers about getting helmets to demo.(offered to give them my Visa as deposit) Was told it couldn't be done. At Couch Freaks, one of the guys jumping with us had a Z-1 that fit over my specs, little tight but it worked. When I called to ask about ordering one I was told I should try a Mamba 'cause it had a little more room for glasses. All right, but they didn't have one to try! I called Bonehead explained I wanted to try one before I bought it, because of glasses etc. They said absolutely , no problem. Gave them my Visa # & had it a few days later. I had intended to get a custom color & was going to send it back. But after trying it, decided to keep it. I called them & told them I was going to keep it, they said ok. THEN they ran my Visa through! BTW I really like my Mamba............! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos340 1 #8 September 30, 2005 QuoteAnd it is damn secure; I've not heard of one opening in freefall. Ummm.. There is Video somewhere of mine. called it the daffy duck dive. Exit doing a 3way with Video. Exit Funnels to hell (A special Talent of mine!!). My visor Flies open. No problem I have left the plane without closing my Visor before.. Just reach up and close it.. Well I do this and it flies right up.. I do it again while continuing to back slide away from the others.. Repeat about 5 times and realize the Latch is broke. Finally have both hands holding the Visor down (sensitive eyes) and trying to fly back in. Never quite get there (98 jumps at the time). It was definitely a Funny dive watching me Close the Visor.. Pop back open.. Close the Visor.. Pop back open.. Close the Visor.. Pop back open.. try to fly back in with elbows bout and both hands holding visor closed. Almost get there and then realize I have to let go of the Visor if I want to take grips.. Forget that.. Track away and pull. So uhhh.. Yea.. Z1 visor can open in freefall and stay that way if the latch breaks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damion75 0 #9 October 1, 2005 QuoteAnother quick story: a couple of weeks ago... Yet another quick story... Friend of mine at the UK nationals took her helmet (factory diver) off on landing and promptly lost it in a wheat field... it ended up being returned by the farmer after it had been through a combine harvester... it was not completely undamaged! *************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jkbernstein 1 #10 October 2, 2005 There was another conversation about this recently. As I said before, I love my Mamba. It fits great, even on my tiny head. (Unlike most helmets, which have one shell size and different amounts of padding, Boneheads actually come in different shell sizes.) It's very comfy. The visor stays shut unless I open it, and the chinstrap keeps it secure on my noggin. Big thumbs up all around. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamostar 0 #11 October 3, 2005 QuoteQuoteThe Mamba is a proper skydiving helmet. I think your d license number in your profile is fuctSig lines are so stupid. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Joellercoaster 6 #12 October 3, 2005 And I think you need to look more closely at where he jumps.-- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Joellercoaster 6 #12 October 3, 2005 And I think you need to look more closely at where he jumps.-- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
