scotts 0 #1 September 11, 2002 I'm getting a good deal on 1 of these helmets. My choice of either. Any suggestions as well as pros/cons are appreciated. Also, has anyone heard/have a Sky Systems helmet sized (XL point 5). Sounds odd, but they say it's a valid size. Thanks in advance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #2 September 11, 2002 Too bad you not getting a deal on a Z-1 - Seem like that the full face to have at our DZ- I have one and love it- It opens and closes really nice and has room for two dytters- The STI is supposed to be even better yet- Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sinkster 0 #3 September 11, 2002 I say go with the A-3, that's what I use and I love it. I don't have first hand experience with the other one, but the A-3 is a newer design and I swear I read an anecdote on rec.skydiving about someone liking the A-3 over the 'normal' Oxygn. Try a search in google groups maybe to find more info. I don't recommend the Z-1 because of a lot of posts about bad quality on some of them as far as durability goes. Plus they are far heavier because they are made of plastic vs. a kevlar/carbon fiber composite with the A-3. I also think the A-3 gives more peripheral vision although the difference might be negligable and I like the no button flip-up. You usually get what you pay for. Oh, I have heard of the XL .5 as well from some post in rec.skydiving about helmets one time. EDIT: I found the post on wreck.dot go to http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&threadm=7mvmn8%245oa%241%40mail.pl.unisys.com&rnum=2&prev=/groups%3Fq%3Doxygn%2Ba3%2Bvs%2Boxygn%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26hl%3Den. Quotes from post for lazies: "1) What is the difference in the Oxygn helmet and the Oxygn A3? I believe the A3 has an external port for an audible. I have the regular Oxygn with the flip up visor. I like the helmet but do not flip the visor up much. Although it has proved to be useful during the summer heat when wearing the helmet for takeoff." "1) As others have mentioned the difference is the external audible port vs. internal. Also, the A3's have no "button" for opening the visor. (big improvement) I've broken two lenses opening and closing my "standard" Oxygn. Try opening the standard without smearing the lens or cracking it. It's not the easiest until you get the hang of it." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflyswc 0 #4 September 12, 2002 QuoteOh, I have heard of the XL .5 as well from some post in rec.skydiving about helmets one time. XL.5 is a size that sky systems offers (one above XL) It is not a different helmet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #5 September 12, 2002 QuoteToo bad you not getting a deal on a Z-1 - Seem like that the full face to have at our DZ- I have one and love it- It opens and closes really nice and has room for two dytters- from personal experience, it has a very very tight fit with the ditter inside, I cant use a L Z1 if it has a ditter inside but without the ditter it fits perfect. HISPA 21 www.panamafreefall.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samurai136 0 #6 September 12, 2002 My freeflyer bud has a Z1 and says air rushes through the seam on top of the face shield. I've got an A3 and the seal around the face plate allows no air in while freeflyin'. The platinum finish is nice too. Ken"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sinkster 0 #7 September 12, 2002 Have you had any problems with the face shield flipping open while freeflying due to the high winds/different angles? I want to try some freeflying, but am afraid to with my A3 without first removing the shield and then just wearing goggles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #8 September 12, 2002 I haven't done any head down with the Z-1, but I can easily see how the open seam would creaate a challenge. Don't most freeflyers wear open face anyways? (Next on my list of stuff to buy is a Bonehead-) Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sinkster 0 #9 September 12, 2002 yeah, i just don't want to shell out the jack for one Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Samurai136 0 #10 September 13, 2002 No problems w/ the shield flipping open. When the helmet is new, the shield is TIGHT and takes quite a bit of effort to open and close. Since, you are opening and closing the face shield you'll be aware when it begins to get loose. By 'loose' I mean easy to open. Just snug up the screws on the hinge so it requires about as much effort as new. I don't use a lot of force to snug them. I dunno if the the screw is a standard size to all skysys helmets, but I keep a 5/64ths Hex wrench in my gear bag. the wrench was part of a set I picked up at the hardware store for less than 2$. Also, I don't do a lot of freeflying. I do like the experiencee tho w/ the full face. Fast. Quiet. Smooth air flow. Relaxed. Seeing the horizon 'the other way' Ken"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Jumperpaula 0 #11 September 13, 2002 Im fixing to get an Oxygen too, but I've had some friends have problems with the protrack on the outside of their helmet. Even with extra bungy straps it can still be kicked or bumped. I'd rather have my protrack on the inside of my helmet, since Im not the kind of jumper who checks it or resets it alot during the day. Have any solutions for that with the A3? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Samurai136 0 #12 September 13, 2002 I haven't been able to get my protrack out of the mounting clip L&B provides for external mounting Ken"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Sinkster 0 #13 September 14, 2002 Does anyone know if mounting the pro-track on the outside increases the accuracy of the device at all since it is right by the air stream? (i dont know anything about the technology behind it) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites scotts 0 #14 September 14, 2002 There is a thumb ramp on the mounting clip to release the pro track. Whether or not it helps on the A3, I don't know. L&B recommends you mount it on your leg for the cleanest air possible. Tolerances listed are from their user manual. Exit alt. +/- 1.2% Deployment alt. +/- 100ft. Freefall time +/- 1 second Speed when mounted on wrist/leg +/- 3mph Thanks for the responses, they have raised more ?'s than I expected. BEER with me! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kallend 1,683 #15 September 14, 2002 I've spoken to 2 skydivers in the last week who have lost their Protraks after having them knocked off outside mounts in freefall. Pretty expensive just to look "cool". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kallend 1,683 #16 September 14, 2002 Quote Also, the A3's have no "button" for opening the visor. Nor does the standard OXYGN. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Samurai136 0 #17 September 16, 2002 I'm sure if you called L&B and told them the clip failed and sent them a busted clip, they'd send you a new protrack, tho... Ken"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken 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
Samurai136 0 #10 September 13, 2002 No problems w/ the shield flipping open. When the helmet is new, the shield is TIGHT and takes quite a bit of effort to open and close. Since, you are opening and closing the face shield you'll be aware when it begins to get loose. By 'loose' I mean easy to open. Just snug up the screws on the hinge so it requires about as much effort as new. I don't use a lot of force to snug them. I dunno if the the screw is a standard size to all skysys helmets, but I keep a 5/64ths Hex wrench in my gear bag. the wrench was part of a set I picked up at the hardware store for less than 2$. Also, I don't do a lot of freeflying. I do like the experiencee tho w/ the full face. Fast. Quiet. Smooth air flow. Relaxed. Seeing the horizon 'the other way' Ken"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumperpaula 0 #11 September 13, 2002 Im fixing to get an Oxygen too, but I've had some friends have problems with the protrack on the outside of their helmet. Even with extra bungy straps it can still be kicked or bumped. I'd rather have my protrack on the inside of my helmet, since Im not the kind of jumper who checks it or resets it alot during the day. Have any solutions for that with the A3? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samurai136 0 #12 September 13, 2002 I haven't been able to get my protrack out of the mounting clip L&B provides for external mounting Ken"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sinkster 0 #13 September 14, 2002 Does anyone know if mounting the pro-track on the outside increases the accuracy of the device at all since it is right by the air stream? (i dont know anything about the technology behind it) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scotts 0 #14 September 14, 2002 There is a thumb ramp on the mounting clip to release the pro track. Whether or not it helps on the A3, I don't know. L&B recommends you mount it on your leg for the cleanest air possible. Tolerances listed are from their user manual. Exit alt. +/- 1.2% Deployment alt. +/- 100ft. Freefall time +/- 1 second Speed when mounted on wrist/leg +/- 3mph Thanks for the responses, they have raised more ?'s than I expected. BEER with me! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,683 #15 September 14, 2002 I've spoken to 2 skydivers in the last week who have lost their Protraks after having them knocked off outside mounts in freefall. Pretty expensive just to look "cool". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,683 #16 September 14, 2002 Quote Also, the A3's have no "button" for opening the visor. Nor does the standard OXYGN. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samurai136 0 #17 September 16, 2002 I'm sure if you called L&B and told them the clip failed and sent them a busted clip, they'd send you a new protrack, tho... Ken"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
