Food for thought...safety equipment

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by Damn True

Lot's of stuff can (and often does) go bad on track. The "Well I won't be going all out so...." that many in our community use to talk themselves out of safety equipment seems horribly naive and short sighted.

I tried on the Sport and the Pro versions (HANS) at Wine Country and I believe the weight diff is about 1 lb or so. Could barely tell the difference, but the price was about $400 or so different.

[Tom.A]

After watching that video it does make me think I should get one. A quick scan of Summit shows anywhere from $600.00 to $1200.00. Seems like a big gap and I have some reading (many choices) to do but does anyone a quick review of what they picked?

[Damn True]

Originally Posted by Flash68

I tried on the Sport and the Pro versions (HANS) at Wine Country and I believe the weight diff is about 1 lb or so. Could barely tell the difference, but the price was about $400 or so different.

No difference in their ability to protect you. The delta is mainly in comfort and hardware.

One think to keep in mind is comfort in your seat. We have a driver that just cannot wear a HANS in our car. The combo of his body and our seat doesn't work for him...doesn't bother anyone else but he has a NecksGen that he wears only when racing our car.

Wait to buy your device until you can strap yourself in (tight as hell) with a HANS on.

.....point being, you want to make sure you actually wear it. If it isn't comfortable you are more likely to blow it off.

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by Damn True

No difference in their ability to protect you.

One think to keep in mind is comfort in your seat. We have a driver that just cannot wear a HANS in our car. The combo of his body and our seat doesn't work for him...doesn't bother anyone else but he has a NecksGen that he wears only when racing our car.

Wait to buy your device until you can strap yourself in (tight as hell) with a HANS on.

.....point being, you want to make sure you actually wear it. If it isn't comfortable you are more likely to blow it off.

I've heard that.....Hans and seat need to work hand and hand. I think you just confirmed my suspicions.....hence the adjustable HANS.

[Damn True]

Originally Posted by Track Junky

I've heard that.....Hans and seat need to work hand and hand. I think you just confirmed my suspicions.....hence the adjustable HANS.

Don't be unequivocal about it. I know a few guys, very skinny dudes, that don't dig HANS and prefer the Safety Solutions. In their case, very little upper body musculature results in the HANS digging into the collar bones.

Try a few, again, strapped in tight as hell into your car.

Don't freakin buy online. It ain't worth saving $50 if you don't know EXACTLY what fits.

[intocarss]

Originally Posted by Damn True

Don't be unequivocal about it. I know a few guys, very skinny dudes, that don't dig HANS and prefer the Safety Solutions. In their case, very little upper body musculature results in the HANS digging into the collar bones.

Try a few, again, strapped in tight as hell into your car.

Don't freakin buy online. It ain't worth saving $50 if you don't know EXACTLY what fits.

The lady at Hans told me if you are over 210# and have a bigger chest to wear A 30*. I was 215# with an up right seat and the 20* dug into me.. I went to a 30* and it was a great fit

[Damn True]

I should say that I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from getting a HANS in favor of something else. I've no dog in that fight. Frankly, HANS is the best solution in most cases, but there are a few cases when it isn't.

What I'm saying is that you should ensure that whatever you get is the absolute best possible fit for you and your car. If it isn't comfortable, if it isn't transparent, if it annoys or distracts, you'll be less likely to wear it all the time. And that one time you don't because (whatever) may be the time someone else makes a mistake in front of you.

[SBDave]

To those that race and use these devices I'm curious how long a typical race is (and what kind of racing your doing). In my off road races I'm in the car 3hrs minimum with no breaks unless we flat (or need to pit). So weight of items becomes more critical (helmet in particular... Hans not so much).

Dave

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by SBDave

To those that race and use these devices I'm curious how long a typical race is (and what kind of racing your doing). In my off road races I'm in the car 3hrs minimum with no breaks unless we flat (or need to pit). So weight of items becomes more critical (helmet in particular... Hans not so much).

Dave

Dave -- Good question.

At the track days I've been too --- 20 minute sessions... with 40 or so minutes in between.


I have a carbon fiber helmet -- recently bought - because of the Lotus being open cockpit and the high wind velocities hitting my fat little head --- and I also bought a HANS device. My regular helmet works(ed) just fine in the Mustang... and in there - it's difficult to get the helmet and HANS on --- so I gave up using the HANS in the Mustang. After watching the video -- I'm going back to wearing it regardless of how difficult it seems to be. Because it just isn't that hard.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Damn True

The Gen II devices all have sliding tethers. Turning your head is no problem.

I can turn my head plenty --- way more than I need to - WITH my HANS on.