full face helmets

[aggie04 0]

If you have a full face helmet...what kind is it and do you like it and why. I am trying to decide on a helmet and would like to know others opinions.

I saw there is another thread on this...i specifically want to know peoples thoughts on the factory diver and the oxygen or oxygenA3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A life without a cause
is a life without an effect

[skybytch 273]

I've owned an Oxygn helmet for a couple of years; have only put an hour or so of tunnel time and 20-ish jumps on it. I chose the standard Oxygn over the Factory Diver or Oxygn A3 for a couple of reasons. I don't like a fixed lens (Factory Diver) and I prefer an internal audible mount (Oxygn A3 has an external mount).

imho, the downsides to the Oxygn/Oxygn A3 include the chance of the lens coming off in freefall, learning the trick to closing the lens correctly and the hassle involved in changing the lens.

I much prefer to jump my open face helmet; much better peripheral vision and I like to feel the wind in my face.

[F16Driver 0]

I've got a Bonehead Havoc. I love the fit and feel. You also don't have to worry about it coming open in freefall because of the ratchet system on the front of the helmet.

"I promise, I will never die."

[Samurai136 0]

Everyone on my team except Inside Center has the A3. IC has a Parasport Z1.

photo 1Our point takes good care of his helmet. Basically he doesn't open the visor a lot which keeps it from getting scratches. OC opened his visor a lot and never snugged up the screws, loose visor. It opened once in freefall and was ripped off by the relative wind. Now he wears goggles. photo2
I opened my visor frequently enough to get lots of scratches and was too lazy to replace the lens. I just took it off and also wear goggles. In photo4 my A3 is the blue one with the platinum finish.

The Z1 is also a good helmet. You can kind of see in photo 3 that the Z1 has a slightly narrower field of view than the A3. If you take care of your helmet the visor it will last forever.

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[darkwing 5]

In many ways, helmets are like shoes. No one kind is best for everyone. YOU have to try some on and check them out. I personally have owned a Z1, but am blissfully happy now with my Bonehead Havok, mostly because of my glasses.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[wojoe 0]

I jump a Parasport Z1. The Pros of this for me is that I can move the face shield up and down with more ease than the A3. This makes it REALLY easy to unfog the lens during canopy flight or leave it open until the last minute before launching an exit. It also has a fairly secure locking mechanism. It's really easy to work wearing winter weight gloves and also to open/close with one hand (though this does take practice ). The cons are that you only have one choice for audible location unless you want to spend an extra 25-30 dollars for the ST1. That and the peripheral is not as wide as I would have liked it. It works for me but your personal preference might say otherwise. You could also look into the Bonehead Mamba. The peripheral looks a bit wider with the same ease of opening closing with the exception of having to use 2 hands!

[marten 0]

Anyone tried the Stinger?

http://www.phoenix-fly.com/products/helmet_stinger.html

[ltdiver 3]

Check out the Bonehead Mamba. The visor opens easily but is completely secure in freefall. No hang-ups like the Z-1 has with the liner being pulled out. Anti-fog lens included.

I have one and used is exclusively for the "Jump for the Cause" Record jumps. Worked extremely well and never had a problem with higher altitude fogging.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[riggerrob 643]

I have worn a Bonehead Hovak for the last couple of years.
There are three reasons that I got a Havok.
The first is my huge jaw, that only fits in a handful of full face helmets.
The second is my glasses, which are compatible with even fewer full face helmets.
The main reason I wear my Havok is fear of PFF students bloodying my nose.
I also wear it when doing tandems on really cold days ... well below freezing. .... you know .... those days when it feels like God buried an ice pick between your eye brows.