Gath vs. Protek

[indyz 1]

Does anybody have an opinion on the Gath vs. a Protec? I'd prefer to not spend a lot of money on a helmet, and going from under $100 for a Gath or Protec to $170+ to a freefly helmet is a pretty big jump. It seems like a Protec offers just as much protection as any other openface helmet that I've seen around the DZ. Based just on that it would be an easy choice, but I've tried on every Protec that I could get my hands on and the ones that fit me just aren't comfortable. I haven't seen a Gath to try.
I guess my real question is, does the Gath provide more or less protection than a Protec, or does it just come down to looks?
--
Brian
Homepage

[MarcusV 0]

Hi Brian,
a) the Protec provides definitely more protection than the Gath (guess why AFF students all wear Protecs at least here in Germany ;-))
b) the Protec is ugly (guess why you recognize people wearing pink Protec's as AFF-students immediately ;-))
c) the Gath may fit quite comfortable, it may look cool, it's good for installing your first camera on it, but it's no real protection.
d) Including myself I know many people being satisfied with their Gaths for thousands of jumps, especially when you don't want to spend much more than 100 $ and rather invest your money into jump tickets.
Last year tore my chin strap of my Gath with 2 pro-dytters and a Sony PC 4 at 5000 ft. In the evening we found my Gath lying near the manifest, wet, dirty, impacted with an average speed of 106 km/h. Everything was okay, some scratches, but nothing else. The dytters are still in use, the camera works absolutely perfect, and my Gath helmet was just dirty! Today I love it.
If you have more money to spend, go with a bonehead or hawkeye.
Blues Marcus
--
Perfect speed, my son, is being there. - Jonathan Livingston Seagull

[billvon 3,120]

>I guess my real question is, does the Gath provide more or less protection than a Protec, or does it just come down to looks?
Protec provides way more protection. I've been amazed at what they've protected people's heads from.
-bill von

[Jessica 0]

Also, a Pro-tec is around $30, yes? Anyway, it's significantly less than a Gath.
I've used a Pro-tec for a year and a half, and it looks super dorky, but other than that, it's great.

[indyz 1]

So I guess a ProTec is the brain bucket for me, at least for now. Does anybody know actual sizing? All I see is S, M, L, and XL. I know I have a big head , but I don't really want to guess on mail order.
--
Brian
Homepage

[JumpinJohn 0]

Just talk to Anita at manifest this weekend. She usually keeps some in stock so you could try it on before you buy it, also just try on the student ones and pick which size fits best, pick a color, and have Anita order it for you. I've been thinking protec would be my first helmet too, but the more i think about how much I wanna freefly, i think i'll get a hurricane cause of the audible port.

[Jessica 0]

There's an audible port in mine. The person who had it before me modified the liner somehow, I guess, and duct-taped the vents. Works great. Looks stupid.

[Kirils 1]

A Gath offers about as much protection as a frap hat.
Skydiving is not a static excercise with discrete predictability...

[AggieDave 6]

Found on Para-Gear's website. If you go to just about any major website you'll find sizing charts. Here it is for a Pro-Tec, anyways Hat Size: 6 5/8" 6 3/4" 6 7/8" 7" 7 1/8" 7 1/4" 7 3/8" 7 1/2" 7 5/8"
Circumference CM: 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61
Circumference IN: 20 7/8" 21 1/4" 21 5/8" 22" 22 3/8" 22 3/4" 23 3/8 23 3/4" 24"
Size: SMALL LARGE
MEDIUM X-LARGE
Crap, that didn't turn out right, so heres the link to Para-Gear's chart: http://www.paragear.com/headgear/standard/basetemp.htm#Pro-Tec
"Alright, at 4500 lets break it, turn 360 and track away..."

[LawnDart21 0]

Gath helmets offer about as much protection as hairspray. Go with the Protec.
"I live to EFS"
Tom

[FallinWoman 1]

Hey Brian.
Tina just bought a Gath....talk to her or check hers out on saturday.
I got a Protec...ugly, but safe. I have my Protrack rubberbanded to the inside....not beautiful, but functional and cheap!
See ya soon!
Anne

[jfields 0]

I'm also in the stylish ProTec club. I have my ProTrack installed and it works great. It is very easy to hear and sturdy. I used those little automotive plastic ties after drilling a couple small holes for them to route through. The only thing I have to do is sand down the ends where I cut the excess length of ties off.
Justin

[mccordia 74]

Ski/Snowboard helmets are also a pretty good option, and often in the same price-range as a Pro-Tec, while looking cool like a Gath helmet, and it offers real protection to your skull when you bang into the door :)
This is a nice one>http://www.cebe.com/pls/shop_cebe/page?i_sid=28533351699977159983366&i_param=MENU_2:16489|OBJET_CENTRE:16565|
Cya,
JC

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Quote

Protec provides way more protection. I've been amazed at what they've protected people's heads from.

Abso-fucking-lootly! If you want protection, get the ProTec. If you want something to block the wind and keep your hair out of your face, get the Gath. I can get "stock" ProTecs for $30 at any of about 10 places in town. Hell, I can get CHROME ones and candy apple red shorties for $16 in town. Much more stylish than the stocker and they sell them at bicycle shops everywhere. I cannot believe that they charge like $100 for the gath. The thing is like .20 cents worth of flexy plastic.
I still keep a modified protec for students and another for riding my harley.
Chuck
My webpage HERE