http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6089
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Gentec, Gallet to name a few. Gentec conjures up military surplus, and are used
widely by hotshot crews, Park Service, and probably other agencies. Gallet is
top-shelf, with good ANR, quality visor options, custom fit, etc...
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Oregon Aero seems to do a thriving business in providing fixes for helmets that
have become uncomfortable.
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Bottom line: Gallet helmets are designed for the forces we'll see when we crash
our Cubs, while Gentec helmets are designed for the forces you'll see when you
punch out of your F-22. In short, the Gallet helmet is the right one for most
of us. That being said, I prefer the Gentec single knob visor design.
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Keep in mind the fast jet helmets are designed to protect your head during
ejections, cat shots, and to keep your noggin safe when it's bouncing off the
canopy during high g maneuvers. Probably fine for most GA flying, but they are
not designed to protect you from high impact. That is the job of the helicopter
helmets. They're bigger and heavier but offer a higher degree of protection.
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Gentex (not Gentec) is the primary supplier of aviator's helmets for the military. They produce several varieties of helmets, for a variety of applications. They are NOT ALL designed for use in fighter aircraft. In fact, the most widely used helicopter helmets are Gentex helmets.
That said, I really prefer the Gallet helmets, for several reasons:
1) the only vendor for civilian purchase of new Gentex helmets has a TERRIBLE fitting system, and has an even worse track record of getting helmets to fit their customers.
2) the Gallet helmets are lighter than almost any of the Gentex helmets.
3) the Gallet helmets, sold by Merit Apparel, DO have a GREAT fitting system (order the Oregon Aero Fit kit--it's worth it).
4) the Gallet ANR in my opinion, is a better system than the Gentex ANR system.
Fit is everything with helmets.
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If you have a military helmet (or headset) the impedance is different so you'll have to get a converter for civilian radios.
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http://www.oregonaero.com/p69-2001.html
redirects to
http://www.oregonaero.com/aviation-helmet-upgrades/aviation-helmet-upgrades
http://www.oregonaero.com/aviation-helmet-upgrades/aviation-helmet-components#zetaliner
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Peltor G78 - adopted from racing, an off-the-shelf, but lot cheaper than
traditional aero helmets.
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BTW I hate Gentex though I wear it regularly.
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DO I found a LOT of our "loaner" helmets were cracked, or otherwise compromised.
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[Best is] MSA Gallet, period. Nicely equipped with dual visors, Oregon Aero
seals, CEP's and fit kit will push about $1600.
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Gentex cracks if dropped.
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I've been flying with a DC-K helmet with LightSpeed Z's installed for several
months and it is pretty darn nice, not perfect but definitely better than a
ball cap. Can't say I would/could wear it for a long X-country ...
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http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=106288#p106288
A-Alpha Halfshell helmet with a David Clark headset -- pictures
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unlike Gentex, Gallet helmets are crash rated for rotary applications.
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http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/dchelmet.php <---- unsure if ok
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* Rob Hamers at Merit Apparel in Florida
http://www.meritapparel.com/pages/products/product.html
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I'm not sure what the Gallet dealers are putting out, but Gentex helmets are
indeed rated for rotary application, you just have to select the applicable
model. The HGU-33, and HGU-55's were originally designed to protect mellons
from ejections, thus more kevlar in the top of the helmet, the HGU-84s, and
HGU-56s are specifically designed for fore and aft impacts more likely in
helicopters (or bush flying, pipeline patrol, wildlife survey's, etc)
