MWGemini 0 #1 October 17, 2004 Not sure if this belongs here, or in general skydiving, or in gear, but on page 30 of the October Parachutist, there are two freeflyers in a closeup shot wearing white helmets with the word Babylon printed on the side. I've done a google search for this, but found nothing relevant. Any idea what this is, and who makes it? Also, how useful would a helmet like that be? Wouldn't it allow a lot of air into the helmet itself? Has anyone here used it? How did you like it? Does the visor retract into the helmet? Thanks for any info you can provide! Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #2 October 17, 2004 I can't identify the fliers but the helmets and jumpsuits were custom made for last years X-fest. I think the helmets may be gaths. BTW this years X-fest starts in T-minus........... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #3 October 17, 2004 Custom made, huh? Any idea if there are plans for them going into production? Thanks, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edwinsneller 0 #4 October 17, 2004 Those are made by Gath. I don't think the ones in the picture are custom made other than the application of the decals. A friend of mine had one but this was about 5 years ago. The visor wasn't very smooth to open and close. I'm pretty sure you can still buy these from Gath.--- Some days it's not even worth the effort to chew through the restraints. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlindBrick 0 #5 October 17, 2004 Bayblon is the team not the helmet. As mentioned it's a Gath. http://www.gathsports.com/cart/index.php?product=RV -Blind"If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #6 October 17, 2004 Yeah, you'll see one of those Gath helmets with the visor every once in a while. I wasn't impressed by them at all or Gaths in general for that matter. They're really thin worthless plastic that does exactly nothing but keep your dytter and hair in place.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #7 October 17, 2004 Thanks for all those who replied. You're right, they are made by Gath. I've been able to find a little bit more about them, but still haven't found any detailed reviews. From some of the pictures I have seen they appear to be pretty flimsy. If anyone has ever jumped one of them and could tell me their thoughts, I'd be interested to hear them. Thanks, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #8 October 17, 2004 QuoteFrom some of the pictures I have seen they appear to be pretty flimsy. If anyone has ever jumped one of them and could tell me their thoughts, I'd be interested to hear them. I haven't jumped one but I've sold a few. I would agree that they appear to be flimsy - there isn't much padding and the sides are very flexible. I tried several on and didn't like the fit on my head - but that doesn't mean that they won't fit your head better. They were originally designed as surf helmets, not skydiving helmets, so they lack a built in place to mount an audible. If no one on your dz has one you might find them in stock at a surf shop (if there's one near you). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #9 October 17, 2004 QuoteThey were originally designed as surf helmets, not skydiving helmets, so they lack a built in place to mount an audible. Not quite, Gath has a "skypack" that has items to make the Gath a "skydiving" helmet. I've seen a couple of the retractable visor Gaths with the "skypack" stuff installed. It addresses the audible issue. Still a flimsy helmet not worth more then keeping your hair in place, though...IMO. Skypack link: http://www.gathsports.com/cart/skypack.php--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #10 October 17, 2004 Well, if the plastic is thin enough to flex, then I don't want it. Since half the time I would be using it as an open face helmet, I want it to be rigid the way the open faces that I've tried are (only open face helmet I've tried on is a Bonehead). The factory diver that I'm currently using is probably not any thicker, but the design of the helmet makes it feel very solid, regardless of whether it is or not. After looking closer at that picture, it almost seems like the guy on the right is getting choked by the chin strap, which pretty much answers the question about airflow being a problem. If I can find somebody with this helmet around my DZ (doubtful) or demo it, then I'll check it out, but I'm not willing to drop $169 on something that doesn't seem all that great a product. The picture in the ad made it look like a pretty cool idea, but maybe that's all it is. On a side note- I grew up in San Diego and never in my entire life (and yes, I did surf) have I seen a surfer wear a helmet. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlindBrick 0 #11 October 18, 2004 Quote From some of the pictures I have seen they appear to be pretty flimsy. I don't know if they still do, but Gath used to have literature that stated the sole purpose of the helmet was to protect your head from spray. -Blind"If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #12 October 18, 2004 I don't have mine in front of me at the moment, but it's something like "This helmet is designed to protect the wearer from weather and minor bumps and scratches. It provides no collision protection." The helmet itself is a thin plastic layer with minimal padding inside. It'd help if you hit your head on the door and maybe from a kick in freefall (though there's minimal face protection). Note: I've got one without the silly visor. They're reasonably common in Australia among low-time jumpers, though I've never seen one with the visor. Most people buy them through surf shops. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #13 October 18, 2004 They are Gaths, airflow isn't an issue, I have one that used to have a visor. You don't end up hanging by your head. Everybody I've met, that has had a Gath with a visor, has said they blow off in a stand up. You know what, I lost my visor over Spaceland, in a stand up. I've even got its loss on video somewhere, as I was experimenting with a video wrist mount that day. They are nice lightweoght helmets, but they are not purpose designed for skydiving. If you are serious about helmets, support a company that does specifically build stuff for our sport, or wear a protec. Personally I like them as they are cheap, comfortable, and serve to control my hair, store dytters on, and they can be cheaply adapted to act as camera brackets. Protection value is marginal, however there is not a helmet manufacturer out there that actually tests their helmets to any recognised or applicable standard. "The picture in the ad made it look like a pretty cool idea, but maybe that's all it is." That is all they are. eidt...Babylon are a European Freefly team based out of Empuriabrava.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #14 October 18, 2004 Quotehowever there is not a helmet manufacturer out there that actually tests their helmets to any recognised or applicable standard. Pro-Tecs are. Well, some of them are tested to the ASTM F-1492 standard. Not that that standard does us a fuckall of good in skydiving, but its nice to know that the helmet will hold its own when confronted with an impact.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #15 October 18, 2004 QuoteGath used to have literature that stated the sole purpose of the helmet was to protect your head from spray. Still do on a lable inside the helmet - but you missed out UV light - v important risk an' all Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #16 October 18, 2004 "Well, some of them are tested to the ASTM F-1492 standard. Not that that standard does us a fuckall of good in skydiving, but its nice to know that the helmet will hold its own when confronted with an impact. " Up late Dave? It all depends on the impact energy, and how its applied (anvil shape, energy pulse duration etc). That standard is for helmets designed for skateboarding and trick roller skating. Different impact characteristics to our specific set of requirements, your points well made, are taken though. Developing a specific set of tests for our sport would be a great college project if anyone has the time and inclination.....I made a list of current test standards somewhere , I'll see if I can find them again...... Edit> Aha...This thread... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1153538#1153538-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #17 October 18, 2004 Yeah, had to finish up two history papers. Now I'm up early again, atleast I got a few hours of shut eye.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
