This helmet rocks out. Admittedly, I only have 6 jumps on it, but here are my initial impressions:
Pros: Space. It's like a living room compared to a Z1. It's a wide helmet, but the padding is nicely set up (and there is a serious layer of Pro-tec thickness padding) so you don't feel or look like Darth Vader (*coughHavokownerscough*)
View angle: Peripheral vision is fantastic, both in FF and under canopy. - The visor release is two metal studs on each side of the lower visor edge, with a flared thumb latch beneath them. You need both hands to raise the visor (I do so after controllability check), but it's a breeze compared with the little latch button on a Z1, and easy to do with gloves on. Glasses would be no problem.
Interior setup: There's a serious layer of interchangeable Pro-tec thickness padding, with two internal audible pockets, well-located over your ears and sewn into the liner such that I can't see tape ever being a necessity.
Venting: Two mouth vents and two subtle pass-though vents on the rear of the helmet do a great job of providing airflow, without a claustrophobic feeling or any whistling in FF. No fogging whatsoever, even on the one cold day in Texas when I got minor frostbite on my fingertips (splitfinger gloves a bad idea) in freefall.
It works: The chin strap feels secure, and I haven't had the helmet move around at all on exit or during opening; taken two door hits during overenthusiastic exits, neither of which I felt. Minimal paint scraping afterwards.
Cons: - This is mainly cosmetic, but there's no place to tuck the excess chin strap webbing. The visor also sucks up smudges and skin oil, (from what I've seen) moreso than a Z1 or Oxygen.
- No manual, care instructions, visor replacement instructions, or any manufacturer information in the box.
An excellent piece of hardware, provided reliability holds up.
FreeZR
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in Helmets
Pros: Space. It's like a living room compared to a Z1. It's a wide helmet, but the padding is nicely set up (and there is a serious layer of Pro-tec thickness padding) so you don't feel or look like Darth Vader (*coughHavokownerscough*)
View angle: Peripheral vision is fantastic, both in FF and under canopy.
- The visor release is two metal studs on each side of the lower visor edge, with a flared thumb latch beneath them. You need both hands to raise the visor (I do so after controllability check), but it's a breeze compared with the little latch button on a Z1, and easy to do with gloves on. Glasses would be no problem.
Interior setup: There's a serious layer of interchangeable Pro-tec thickness padding, with two internal audible pockets, well-located over your ears and sewn into the liner such that I can't see tape ever being a necessity.
Venting: Two mouth vents and two subtle pass-though vents on the rear of the helmet do a great job of providing airflow, without a claustrophobic feeling or any whistling in FF. No fogging whatsoever, even on the one cold day in Texas when I got minor frostbite on my fingertips (splitfinger gloves a bad idea) in freefall.
It works: The chin strap feels secure, and I haven't had the helmet move around at all on exit or during opening; taken two door hits during overenthusiastic exits, neither of which I felt. Minimal paint scraping afterwards.
Cons:
- This is mainly cosmetic, but there's no place to tuck the excess chin strap webbing. The visor also sucks up smudges and skin oil, (from what I've seen) moreso than a Z1 or Oxygen.
- No manual, care instructions, visor replacement instructions, or any manufacturer information in the box.
An excellent piece of hardware, provided reliability holds up.