thinking of getting this helmet....or is it a gimmick?

[MHVFD33]

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/pr...d_4_nfpa_1971/


i'm looking to get a new helmet. this one caught my eye but i don't know if its a gimmick or not. any suggestions of other helmets/brands? i'm sort of on a budget here so no carins/msa sam houston suggestions please.

[johnny46]

What kind of chin strap does it have?

[MHVFD33]

the only thing it says about the strap is "chinstrap with postman's slide"

[johnny46]

I'd write to them and ask if it's the gator clip style or the Reynolds Adjuster, and the Nickel content of the actuator--you want less than 8%. Postman's slide is pretty much industry standard, but the gripping mechanics between the two styles I mentioned can be pretty different. The adjustment finial should also be indented to milspec, not to ANSI, otherwise it's pretty much useless in the field.

[snowball]

This is true, I've seen those ANSI straps fail horribly. One blew apart and left a guy with a "Hangmans Scar". Luckily it came apart and didn't cut his throat too badly.

You might also want to make sure that the light system is UL tested. I know it says that it can be used in volitale and hazardous conditions, but it does not mention anything about IDLH atmospheres. I would be hesitant to take that into a methane rich environment. Everything nowdays has to be UL tested and certified explosion proof.

[FiremanLyman]

I'd write to them and ask if it's the gator clip style or the Reynolds Adjuster, and the Nickel content of the actuator--you want less than 8%. Postman's slide is pretty much industry standard, but the gripping mechanics between the two styles I mentioned can be pretty different. The adjustment finial should also be indented to milspec, not to ANSI, otherwise it's pretty much useless in the field.

This is classic. Saving this advice for a book or something.

[CGITCH]

Are you sure you want a UL certified explosion proof? The light would end up being half-inch thick cast iron that has to be held on with 3/8 lag bolts.

[GTRider245]

I'd write to them and ask if it's the gator clip style or the Reynolds Adjuster, and the Nickel content of the actuator--you want less than 8%. Postman's slide is pretty much industry standard, but the gripping mechanics between the two styles I mentioned can be pretty different. The adjustment finial should also be indented to milspec, not to ANSI, otherwise it's pretty much useless in the field.

You can't buy comedy like this.

[BULL321]

I'd write to them and ask if it's the gator clip style or the Reynolds Adjuster, and the Nickel content of the actuator--you want less than 8%. Postman's slide is pretty much industry standard, but the gripping mechanics between the two styles I mentioned can be pretty different. The adjustment finial should also be indented to milspec, not to ANSI, otherwise it's pretty much useless in the field.

I had to do a double take, Hell just for one second I thought Johnny was being serious! This could be the post of the year.

Hey rook, he's just screwing with you. If you want to spend your own money on this helmet go ahead. It looks like a good idea and Bullard make a good helmet, Its not a Cairns but its close.

[npfd801]

I had to do a double take, Hell just for one second I thought Johnny was being serious! This could be the post of the year.

I second the motion!

[BKDRAFT]

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/pr...d_4_nfpa_1971/


i'm looking to get a new helmet. this one caught my eye but i don't know if its a gimmick or not. any suggestions of other helmets/brands? i'm sort of on a budget here so no carins/msa sam houston suggestions please.

That helmet is hideous. Buy a Cairns G5A, N5A, or N6A.

[JD1234]

If you could change those front white LEDs for Blue LEDs and make them flash, then I would be all over this helmet. Wouldn't need a blue light for my vehicle--I could just wear my helmet in my car on my way to the firehouse.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Bullard makes great thermal imagers...
Helmets? Not so much....

[ChiefKN]

Wow... are helmets really 300 bucks?

There's a whole lot of other things i'd buy first.

[Rescue101]

Wow... are helmets really 300 bucks?

There's a whole lot of other things i'd buy first.

$300? You want COW,think a LITTLE higher. T.C.

[ChiefKN]

$300? You want COW,think a LITTLE higher. T.C.

For that kind of money it better come with <8% nickel composition in the actuator.

[Tony4310]

A local fire truck dealer here sells em and has one on show. They are bright,but not as bright as a flash light in my opinion. That is why I'm buying a cairns and not that helmet.

[Rescue101]

For that kind of money it better come with <8% nickel composition in the actuator.

Nickel? It this age of PLASTIC? Which one YOU want in a FIRE,hehe T.C.

[shenry32]

I'll be nice to the rook. Although I do like where the thread is going.

I actually just saw this helmet when the Bullard guy brought me out a demo TIC. It's a helmet with a built in light. Nothing too special. If you have the extra cash, buy it. I'd probably recommend saving a bit more and buy a Cairns, but then again, you also were probably issued a helmet already. By a nice flashlight and save some money.

Bottom line, its a nicer setup than a helmet with a headlight strapped on the front, but its still just a gimmic.

[WD6956]

My local dealer has them in stock and i played with one for a bit. Nice idea, but i would never use one, even it was free.

First and foremost, the lighting pattern is not great. Next chance i get, ill bring my camera down there and take a picture of it in the dark. But it's not a tight beam or even a well shaped flood. It's just kind of a blob.

The other issue is run time. I have no idea how long it will last. It will be awhile till that can be confirmed.

Otherwise the design is sleek. The switch is on the rear brim and is easy to use. It does not add much noticeale weight and there are no wires to snag and there is nothing to get knocked off your helmet. Having to use special shields is a pain in the *** though. Another annoying issue is since it's integrated into the helmet, if it breaks, now you have a useless device stuck on your helmet. Who cares if it's covered under warranty when you have to send your entire helmet out to get it fixed?. I prefer a detatchable light so that if there is an issue, i can just replace the light without worrying about having my helmet OOS.

I could see it being useable for a slow department for basic navigtion. But i would not use it for much else.