Topic: Neck Safety Device Comparison
I'm looking to upgrade from the donut to an actual neck safety device, and I had a few questions.
I searched around and found bits and pieces of info in multiple places, but what I'd like to do is get a complete list of the pros and cons of the different options that are out there. I thought maybe you all could help me compile all of the relevant information about the different options out there so people (like me) can make an informed decision.
Here are the different options I've found so far. The name of each device is a link to the manufacturer's website:
Devices that are currently available:
From what I've seen, these usually cost between $600 and $1,000 depending on the model you get. This system requires a seat belt system with two shoulder belts. The system works with either 2" or 3" belts. If you use 3" belts, you'll need to be careful with how you align the belts on the harness so that they are seated evenly. If you use 2" belts, then everyone who will be driving the car has to use the HANS device, as it helps to distribute the load from the belts over a wide area on your shoulders. These can have sliding tethers so you can turn your head, and I think all of the newer models come with the sliding tethers.
These cost around $650 for the R3 rage, and $1,000 for the R3 (which is made of carbon fiber). The R3 Rage is no longer in production, but some companies still have them in stock. As described here, it doesn't rely on the seat belts, so it can work in any car. It looks like you can get these with sliding tethers at no additional cost so you can turn your head, but I don't know if all of the models have this.
There is a straight model and a contoured model. The straight model is for seats that have a relatively straight back, and the contoured model is for seats that have a slight bend in them. This image shows the different types of seats. The straight R3 is for the 0-10 degree seat; the contoured R3 is for the other two seats.
The yellow straps that go under the helmet are quick release straps. They disconnect your helmet from the restraint in case you need to get out of the car in a hurry so your helmet isn't restricted in any way.
Instructions are here: http://simpsonraceproducts.com/pdf/R3_I … Manual.pdf
Simpson Hybrid Pro Rage/Hybrid Pro/Hybrid/Hybrid X
From what I've seen, these usually cost between $600 and $1,000+ depending on which model you get. These devices require a 5 point (or more) seat belt system, as they hook into the main buckle. You can choose between fixed and sliding tethers so you can turn your head.
The yellow straps that go under the helmet are quick release straps. They disconnect your helmet from the restraint in case you need to get out of the car in a hurry so your helmet isn't restricted in any way.
A quick description of each model under the Hybrid line:
-Hybrid X: Maximum protection, minimum range of motion. It has tethers in the back, on the sides, and in the front. Mainly used in drag racing. SFI 38.1 certified. Most expensive.
-Hybrid: Slightly less stabilization as compared to the hybrid X, but also allows you to look around more. SFI 38.1 certified, FIA and NACAR approved. Slightly cheaper than the Hybrid X.
-Hybrid Pro: Appears to be about the same stabilization as the Hybrid, but might be a little less stabilizing. Primarily carbon fiber. SFI 38.1 certified. Slightly cheaper than the Hybrid.
-Hybrid Pro Rage: Appears to be about the same stabilization as the Hybrid, but might be a little less stabilizing. Made with a mix of carbon fiber and some regular old plastic. SFI 38.1 certified. Several hundred dollars less than the Hybrid Pro.
Full details on each model here: http://simpsonraceproducts.com/head-neck/
Instructions are here: http://simpsonraceproducts.com/pdf/Hybr … Manual.pdf
The Isaac device ranges from $200 up to $3250 depending on model. The cheap one is the first picture above; the mid-level one is the second picture above. It relies on little shock absorbers instead of webbing to slow and stop your head. The company that builds these claims this is an advantage because the shock absorbers allow you to move your head around at the speed it moves while driving, but they'll lock in place if they're pullled on quickly as would happen in an accident. Webbing tethers allow you to look around as well, but your head will move forward in case of an accident until all of the slack is taken up. This means your head accelerates forward for a bit, and is the abruptly stopped; whereas the Isaac shock absorbers stop your head before it has a chance to first fly forward. I don't know if this is a valid advantage/disadvantage or not.
One concern with this design is that it secures you to the car, and doesn't have a quick release. As far as I know, this is why they aren't certified with SFI or FIA. Apparently, they aren't that difficult to disconnect, but it is something to be aware of.
This looks to be the next version of the DefNder brace, and it looks like it's made by the same individuals, except under a different company name. Both DefNder and NecksGen have the same business address, and it has the same features as the DefNder. The only obvious difference I can see is that the part that extends up behind the helmet looks a little shorter. It is SFI 38.1 approved. It sells for $599, and includes a case and some other gear.
Update July 2013: Necksgen appears to be in legal battles again. From their website:
Until further resolution, NecksGen has been instructed by the US District Court in Atlanta to cease production of the standard three sizes of the NecksGen head and neck restraint. In this legal struggle with HANS, and now Simpson Performance Products, NecksGen has never been found guilty of patent infringement. Unfortunately the biggest loser in their ongoing effort to unfairly control the neckbrace market is the racer.
NecksGen has always prided itself as being an innovator of new design and in giving the racers an affordable option in the head and neck protection marketplace while still focusing on quality and versatility. NecksGen thanks its many loyal supports who value the free market and have supported the company by becoming a NecksGen customer.
NecksGen will continue to be innovative in its design and will work tirelessly to continue its philosophy that puts the racers' needs ahead of the bottom line.
Update 2014: Looks like they're selling again!
Devices that are either no longer in production, or are only available in one or two places:
These are no longer being produced, but when they were, they wen't for ~$550 new. They are similar in design to the HANS devices, but they have a few additional features: they include additional straps on the side for lateral stability, and the support that goes up behind the helmet can be adjusted to different angles.
Despite the fact that they are no longer in production, any units that are already out there are still SFI certified. Side note: many sources say that HANS sued Defnder for patent infringement, and that's why they are no longer producing these. However, the guys that started this company actually were previous employees of Leatt. Leatt sued them for violation of intellectual property rights (in addition to the lawsuit from HANS for patent infringement). Leatt was awarded $200,000 dollars, as described here:
http://www.leatt-corp.com/stat_archive.htm
I'm not sure how things were settled between Defnder and HANS.
The Leatt Moto R costs ~$700. It's SFI 38.1 approved. The wings on this device work with standard 3" belts. This brace looks somewhat similar to the HANS and Defnder devices, but it attaches in a unique way. It connects to the chin straps on the helmet, as opposed to being screwed into the shell of the helmet. You can just see the strap in this photo as it goes along this drivers neck. This makes for an obviously easier initial install and set up (which, ultimately, isn't that big of a deal), but they claim it also allows you to move your head much more freely. A good video of the device is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d666W3nAzA
Hutchens Device (I couldn't find a manufacturer page for these, so this is just a link to the wikipedia article)
There are a couple different versions of this, but they aren't very common among the vendors I looked at. It's a harness that wraps around your body, and doesn't rely on the seat belts. This article provides more detail on them.
I only found this for sale in one place. I only found it because it was referenced in one graph as not rating very well compared to other devices. More information can be found here. This device is only approved for use on a few specific G-Force helmets.
Some data:
SFI and FIA are the two main bodies that certify these devices. This is the link to the full description of the SFI 38.1 certification.
Unfortunately, as described in this article on the politics of the certification stuff, the general public doesn't have access to the original data gathered from any tests that are done.
Therefore, all of the data in this section (and on any website) should probably be taken with a grain of salt, because it will probably only contain the data that a certain manufacturer wants you to see.
Having said that, here are is some data:
Isaac is hosting a bunch of graphs here. These graphs show a few interesting points...one thing that jumps out to me is that HANS devices can actually increase lateral shear loads at the neck to over double what they are at the baseline (at least according to the data Isaac wants us to see).
According to this graph, the Simpson Hybrid provides better protection than a HANS. I looked up the article they say the data comes from, and it does exist:
http://papers.sae.org/2006-01-3631/
But, again, who knows if it's biased or not. I also don't know if those graphs tell the whole story, or if they just cherry picked a few pieces of data from the article.
These graphs came from here:
The Isaac website has a set of graphs as well. Here is one:
In order to compare this graph to the other graphs I posted, you need to get everything in the same units. While not exactly the same, these two graphs are fairly close to one another. For example: the Isaac graphs had a baseline of 1,156 pounds of force for the baseline, while the Simpson graphs had a baseline of 1,256 pounds. So, the values probably aren't exactly accurate (and who knows which graph is right or wrong), but rough comparisons can probably be drawn.
According to the graphs, the HANS device allowed the test dummy to feel either 320 pounds of force at its neck or 494 pounds at its neck (depending on which graph you trust); the Isaac unit allowed the test dummy to feel 300 pounds of force; while the Simpson Hybrid Pro allowed the test dummy to feel 105 pounds of force.
So...how do I choose?
After doing all of this research, the main point I concluded was that all of these devices work, and they all work well. There are a few questions you can ask yourself that will help you decide which particular model works best for you:
- Does it need to be SFI rated? If so, any of the devices other than the Isaac will work.
- Do you want to use it only with a racing harness, or do you want to use the device with a 3 point harness as well? If you only want to use it with a racing harness, any of the devices will work for you. If you would also like to use it in regular cars with 3 point harnesses, the R3 is the only device that will let you do that.
- Do the models that go down your back make the seat uncomfortable for you? If so, you'll want to go with the NecksGen, HANS, or Isaac.
- Do the models that go over your shoulder hurt your collarbones? If so, you'll want to go with one of the Hybrid models, the R3, or the Isaac.
- Do you want to use the device in cars with different seat back angles? If so, you'll want to use the Necksgen or the Isaac, or one of the Hybrid models (I think). The HANS devices come in a variety of angles, but each unit is fixed at one angle so you can't adjust for different seats. The straight R3 requires a seat with an angle of 0-10 degrees, and the contoured unit works on seats from 0-30 degrees. I've read that the Hybrid models will work with a variety of seat angles, but I'm not 100% sure on this. I'm guessing the Hybrid Pro Rage would work because it has the smallest back panel; whereas the Hybrid or the Hybrid X would be the least flexible because it has such a large back....but they might be fine at a variety of angles as well.
Recertification:
If you need to recertify your Simpson gear, here's a site with information: http://simpsonraceproducts.com/sfi-38-1 … tion-fees/