Good source for Snell 2000/05 Helmet?

[HIFI]

I'm thinking of doing my first DE at the end of the month... do you know of any good, reasonable sources for a basic helmet? What should I expect to pay? Thanks

[drburton]

I would recommend that you look locally in your area and ask your local PCA where other members are buying. The important factor is that the helmet fits correctly and you won't know that if you order on the internet. Each manufacturer has a different fit, so some may fit you better than others.

Since safety is important (how much do you value your head), get something made for car racing of quality - Bell, Simpson. I ended up paying about $360.

[HIFI]

Thanks, I am going to a racing shop also, but if I can save considerably more money, I may order over the internet.

I agree about the value of my head; however, if it is Snell SA2000/5 certified, shouldn't it have been through some pretty decent testing (not to say they're all equal, but...)? I'm totally ignorant here, so correct me if I'm way off base.

Also, what are the pros/cons of open face vs. closed?

Oh, and I'm 6 foot tall, I'm assuming I'll pass the broomstick test??

[NickCats]

HIFI,

You may want to try Northstar Motorsports :

http://www.northstarmotorsports.com/products/sfID1/13/sfID2/13/manufacturerID/86

I bought the Bell Mag 4 a couple of months ago for $289.00 for autocross.

They are local so I was able to pick it up there, but I had to pay sales tax.

It is Snell SA2005 approved, and I assume open face is also good for DE.

Hope this helps...

Nick

[drburton]

I think your needs change between a DE event and Autocross. Keep in mind for most DE events you are going at high speeds, in my case 130mph+. A closed face helmet is much safer. At the event I went to I don't recall seeing a single driver with an open face helmet.

The important part is 'fit'. When I went to the store my head fit in different sizes based on manufacturer, large for Bell, extra large for Simpson. Also, the overall fit of the helmets was very different. Dependent on the size of your head you could be a perfect fit for a helmet or you could fall right in between two sizes etc..

The guy I purchased from sells many of the helmets to local PCA members and has an example of a guy who bought a 'G Force' helmet on the internet to save money. Ended up going off the track at over 100mph and the helmet flew off his head b/c it didn't fit right. He escaped major injury but fit is really important.

Maybe I'm a bit over the top about this but I'll pay an extra $100 to make sure if the unlikely accident does occur my head will be safe.

HIFI, do you wear glasses? The reason I bring this up is because certain helmets fit better than others with eye glasses. So, trying them on prior to purchase is important.