has contributed 27 reviews

(Review ID:1169)

11 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

great head gear!

Rated by: mpuente on 2005-01-23 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Z1 in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: warm & quiet
Cons: can't use camera on it

I love mine, it fits well and keeps my head warm. When I first used it the visor opened in freefall but that was because I hadn't snapped it shut before exiting the plane. I thought it was closed but you have to actually feel or hear the button on the chin "snap." The pull tab on the back is used just to reduce the cold air from reaching the head, not to keep the Z1 from falling off. The chin strap is required to use---of course. The size can be changed just by using different sized padding. Very convenient.

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(Review ID:1132)

13 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

A nice fullface, no major problems

Rated by: bch7773 on 2004-12-05 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Z1 in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: Comfortable, Stays closed in freefall
Cons: Hard to talk in it

I got my Z1 over a year ago and put about 150 jumps on it. I have had no major problems with it at all. I only had it pop open once in freefall, after receiving a hard kick to the face that i think would have knocked me out if it wasn't for the helmet. The few times that I've left the plane without closing it, I've been able to shut it in freefall, no problem. Never had a problem with the liner, or the latch for the faceshield.

The paint on it seems to scratch easily, but a wet rag removes 90% of the scratches, which apparently are just surface scratches.
The only problem I have with it is that its almost impossible to talk to people when you are wearing it. But i think this is just a general fullface problem.

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(Review ID:1002)

6 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

Definately not recommended

Rated by: Srinard on 2004-06-19 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Z1 in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: It's cheap - how much is your life worth?
Cons: Loose fit and lack of coverage

Both a DZO and myself experienced helmet falling off after opening on more than one occasion. Luckily she caught hers and I did not.

The helmet felt snug before leaving the plane as all straps were tightened. A hard opening caused a whiplash effect, resulting in the back of my head slipping out of the helmet.

A year ago this happened and I was fortunate enough to catch it.

This has happened to AerOhio DZO and USPA Midwest Representative, Sherry Butcher.

Moreover, what if I had fallen and the helmet came off; how much protection could that really give someone?

Mentioning protection, the helmet does not provide that much coverage of the cerebellum, mendulla and spinal cord- the lower back part of the head. This area of the brain controls vital life skills, motor skills and coordinationl.

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(Review ID:910)

5 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

Z1 -- one of the best, but none are very good

Rated by: headoverheels on 2004-01-19 (user profile) (user reviews)

Review of: Z1 in Unknown Tag: 'cat_linked'

Pros: Maybe best fullface
Cons: Face shield cracked after 6 jumps

The most disappointing thing, so far, is that the face shield cracked after 6 jumps, starting just above the hole for the latch. The chin strap cuts into my neck, which I knew before I bought it --not too bad, but I don't fasten it until just before exit. Downward visibility toward the handles is a bit limited, such that seeing a chest mount altimeter takes an effort. This is also true on the other full-face helmets I've tried.
I have to open the face shield quickly after canopy opening, or my eye glasses will fog. It makes for warmer jumping in the winter, but I don't jump in extreme cold.

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