more on my helmet

[daveeisler]

Description
Designed by pilots for pilots, these brand new Full Face flight helmets feature built in microphone and speakers for General Aviation type radios and voice-activated intercoms. The helmet provides superior head protection and the audio components allow you to connect with your aircraft's avionics for crisp and clear communications. The interior environment of the helmet is naturally insulated from wind and engine noise, which allows clear, distortion-free audio under all flight conditions.HELMET FEATURES:* Tough, full-face composite thermoplastic shell with clear coat. DOT approved* Multi-position ratchet-adjustable face shield* Air intake channel with defogging exit ports* Thickly padded liner with soft, breathable terrycloth for comfort* Protective cheek pads* Fully adjustable ventilation ports for winter or summer operation* Nylon webbing chin strap and stainless steel buckle* Size choices: Medium; Large; Extra Large* Weight 3.0 lbs. * Color choices: White, Red, Black, or Blue. AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS: * Dual high-fidelity speakers. Frequency response: 20Hz-20Khz, impedance: 200 ohms, power: 1.0 Watts* Sensitive Electret condenser microphone with built-in windscreen. Frequency response 50Hz-10Khz* 7 ft. Fully Shielded Neoprene-insulated kink-resistant cable* Switchcraft Mil-P-642A brass microphone and headphone plugs for positive connection (M642A/5-1 and M642A/4-1) Note: The audio component is for dual plug GENERAL AVIATION "David Clark" type radios and voice-activated intercoms. Single-plug intercoms with dynamic microphones and low impedance 8-16 ohm speakers (such as Comtronics) may not be compatible. Please determine suitability for your existing communications system before bidding. The helmet in the photos for pictue send e-mail to daveeisler@optonline.net

[joeheli]

Please send me some pictures on my email josetimbal@yahoo.com or gyrojose@yahoo.com
Thank you

[gyropilot]

I hesitated posting anything about this flight helmet because I hate to potentially spoil a guy's sale, but I decided I would anyway, because if I were a potential buyer, I'd want to know everything I could before spending my hard earned money...

The description of this helmet sounds *very* similar to one sold regularly on eBay by member "pcorrell". An example can be found here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

If it is, the following warning applies:

I purchased one of these helmets back in 2002 from Phillip (the eBay seller) for use with my open-frame GyroBee after first emailing the seller and asking a few questions. I wanted to know about the construction (specifically if it had ear cups or not to block outside noise) and if he thought it would stop enough of the engine noise for me to hear the radio. I was assured it would, but if it didn't I could return it.

I even emailed a few of the buyers on eBay who'd purchased this helmet and all either hadn't used it yet, or if they had, they didn't like it and recommended I *not* buy one. Well I did buy one anyway because I was really getting frustrated trying to find a full face helmet that would work... and I knew I could return it if it didn't.

After receiving it and trying it, I was very disappointed overall. The helmet itself is an inexpensive (some might say *cheap*) plastic motorcycle helmet which runs undersized. Looks like something you could buy for less than $50.00 at JC Whitney. Headphone speakers were embedded in the foam padding inside the helmet... no ear cups. A tiny non-aviation mic of some sort had been embedded in the chin bar.

At the time I checked the sellers buying history on eBay and it appeared he'd purchased the speakers, cheap microphones, and other components in bulk from the electronics section on eBay.

At home I tried on the helmet (rather *squeezed* into the helmet) and tried to use my Icom A22 with foam ear plugs in place. With the radio volume on high, I could barely hear the radio! Without earplugs I could then hear the radio, but I still couldn't hear myself speak when transmitting, and I knew the noise of the engine would be a problem. In short, I was skeptical it was going to work, but I was determined to try it out.

I went to the airport, donned the helmet (sans earplugs), fired up the Rotax 503, strapped in, and proceeded to the taxi out for takeoff making radio calls... despite not being able to hear myself transmit and despite being *deafened* by the idling Rotax engine not 6" behind my head! I prerotated and took off, but aborted at 50' AGL and landed due to the *pain* of the screaming 503 in my ears. As expected, the helmet offered next to no hearing protection (duh!).

This helmet might have been adequate in a relatively quiet fully enclosed cockpit, but not in an open-fram aircraft with the engine anywhere close to the pilot.

Needless to say I quickly returned it and I did get my money back. The seller seemed to be a cooperative and honest guy overall.

Not long after returning that eBay helmet, I purchased a high quality full-face Shoei motorcycle helmet (which fits my head like dream BTW). In addition to fitting the helmet with a real aviation electret mic on the chin bar (touches my lips like it should), I use a CEP system with it... which are those small hearing-aid-like transducers with foam earplug tips. These transducers fit snuggly in the ear canal (like a regular foam earplug) to block the ambient noise, while providing audio from the avionics. I run my Icom A22 volume level at about 1/2 and can clearly hear myself when transmitting. I've had no problems communicating with ATC and other aircraft using this setup... been using it for 2 flying seasons now and love it.

My apologies to Dave. Maybe you had a better experience with your helmet.

[daveeisler]

I tried this helmet before I got it and it worked well with my Sportys radio , the cheapest radio you can get. And it could be returned within a limited time and I have had it sitting in my closet for several months and as I said on a prior note it is the e-bay helmet . Also a size 10 Nike is not the same as a size 10 rebock. the fact that you paid 3 times the price does not get you 3 times the helmet . And it is a DOT rated helmet. It also has mil spec hardware unlike your's. I hate to defend my self or the guy I got it from, but in this case I feel you are way out of line.I do like to see unbiased reports on things but again I have to disagree.

[gyropilot]

Originally Posted by daveeisler

It also has mil spec hardware unlike your's. I hate to defend my self or the guy I got it from, but in this case I feel you are way out of line.I do like to see unbiased reports on things but again I have to disagree.

Dave,

The helmet I received had *exactly* the same hardware yours has. The only thing "mil spec" (not that *that* means anything) on your helmet is the audio plugs and maybe the connector cord.

Good luck with your sale.

[daveeisler]

mil spec does mean a lot . This helmey is just what the ad sai and for the money it is worth it, if you want the very best then you should first buy new and second buy the best. In your case of needing extra ear wear this I do not need with any of my headsets, also if you want the best then you should not use a handheld. Lastly all radios and engines cause different RF problems. maybe your helmet works with your radio, this was not the case for me as I put in a Collins radio out of a Piper. Check in the CPS catalog on RF interferance.

[barnstorm2]

Helmet Review:

"Ebay Helmet"

I have owned one of these helmets now since about October. I am happy with it and feel for the price I got exactly what I wanted. Would I like a better helmet? Sure! Would I like to pay the going price for a better helmet? NOPE.

PROs:

Full face.
Plendy volume with my ProV hand-held radio
1/2 to 1/3 the price of the other helmets I priced
Nice Long cord which I have abused yet still works fine
( I have already gone through a Sporty's PTT switch )
Standard GA cords
Has maintained finish with little care and a couple of drops.
Has vents that cool you off in the summer.
With a little anti-fog spray kept clear and warm in 17F weather for an hour of flight time.


CONs:

Took a few hours for the foam padding to conform to my face well.
NOT a high priced helmet, though as a motorcyclist I can state that it is not the cheapest either.
Speakers are not padded. I plan to add some at some point. - This is my biggest complaint.
Mike does not sit on your lips as one with a stalk does. I raise my voice alittle and it seems to work just fine.


Notes:

Quick release strap would be a nice addition, esp. in the winter when you are wearing gloves.

When I bought this I could not afford better. Now I don't feel any need to upgrade as I am content with it.

So far I have abused this helmet and it's cables much more than my Centronics helmets but it has had no problems, however the centronics helmets have developed 'opens' in the mike cables and I have to zip-tie the wires to keep them from cutting out!

[gyropilot]

Originally Posted by barnstorm2

I have owned one of these helmets now since about October. I am happy with it and feel for the price I got exactly what I wanted. Would I like a better helmet? Sure! Would I like to pay the going price for a better helmet? NOPE.

Since we're showing headshots, here's mine in a Shoei RF-900:

[daveeisler]

Now that the controversy is over , We can all agree that if you got the big bucks the Shoei is the best helmet, And that for the price of $ 125.00, you get a good helmet at a great price. I feel this is an accurate statement , like my radio I have the sportys hand held, it is the cheapest you can get , but it works just fine. Sure I could spend double on other hand helds or even a panel mount from Bendix along with a full color GPS for about 10 grand. but why!
I want to thank all of you who replyed here I learned a lot. One idea is to start a new catagory called " Product review" and keep this as an ongoing column. What do you think and if you like it how do we start it. Dave

[Curran3]

Thanks for the info guys. I really like the idea of a product review section where we could share experiences with various aftermarked suppliers.