How do you compare harnesses?
 

I'm looking at different harnesses at the OG Racing website, and I can't figure out what the differences are between a few models.

G-Force

http://www.ogracing.com/media/catalo...01blue_web.jpg

Sparco

http://www.ogracing.com/media/catalo...h-nr-web_4.jpg

To my uneducated eye, they appear to be pretty similar. I can't determine what is supposed to make one better than the other. :?

I'm not trying to be cheap - I prefer the term 'thrifty' - I just want to know if they both do what I'm hoping - harness me safely into my seat, and work with a HANS device - with similar efficacy, or if there is a reason to buy the twice as expensive and possibly 'better' model.

I will have to be able to explain this to the Homeland CFO, and she's not a track person, so use small words, if you care to educate me. :lol: I appreciate all informative replies! :cool:

The most obvious is the bottom one has 2" shoulder pieces vs. 3" on the top one though both brands probably can be got with both. Some HANS and the small NecksGen require 2" harness. Sans HANS, which isn't recommended by anyone, you'd want 3"

That's an easy question -- one is made by Sparco and one by G-Force!





(Ken, best to head to OG and check out belts in person. Generally the cheaper harness have stiffer belts with more abrasive edges vs silky-smooth. And the latches are different as well -- mo' money usually results in a better rotary latch. Plenty of people use G-Force and are happy with them. In my experience they are less comfortable then Sparco. Is that worth $150+ difference? that is subjective. I don't think one will perform any better then the other in a crash, as they are made to meet the same SFI (and possibly FIA) specs).

Difference tend to be in hardware and furniture. As mentioned some are made for Hans and some aren't. If the cert is the same then all with that cert pass same tests. I like the traditional snap closed ones so cheaper than the twist release.

I also like the 6 point ones. If you ever had occasion to need one in a frontal hit you'd understand why ;)

Ken,
David D hit the head on the nail. I'm a big fan of OG, but for my driver's belt in the 911 I went with Schroth, which OG doesn't sell. I bought the cheapest G-force for the passenger, and regretted my cheapness for 4 years until earlier this summer when I replace it with a Schroth. The driver's seat of both cars has the 2" shoulder, and the passenger seat has 3" shoulder in case the passenger doesn't have a HANS (alas, no passenger seat in the Miata).

Don't listen to Trak Ratt for your passenger belt. Fine if you want "latch link" for your own belt, but I've had to actually unbelt and get out of the car to help passengers who aren't used to them. Get your passenger a cam lock (twist) style belt, and since you won't be having a regular passenger for long, feel free to buy less-than-the-most-expensive belt for your passenger -- they're all safe.

There are lots of variables. As mentioned, the thinner shoulder straps are designed to fit nicely over HANS shoulder pieces. There is also the manner that the sub belts attach. I have ones similar to your photo for my passenger seat with the subs attaching to a single buckle into the bottom of the twist lock. My driver's side has the sub belts attach to the lap belts. It is more complicated to buckle up, but there is one less metal piece to be uncomfortable by your junk. I did not get it for the passenger because it would be a pain to teach each passenger how to attach the subs to the lap pieces before buckling them. Other variables include "pull up" vs "pull down" lap adjustment straps. If you get narrower HANS straps, how to they narrow? in the weave or folded? Finally, how flexible or "soft" are the belts? Some are very stiff and less comfy, others are nice and flexible. You may want to try a bunch out at the next event to see what lock you like, what tightening you like, and what brands feel comfy.

FWIW I got Schroth and they are very comfy once they are adjusted and tightened for me despite mine being a bit clumsy to buckle up without practice. They were pricey, but the home CFO was not interested in economizing on safety.

Ouch! Sounds painful! :lol::lol:

ed

FIA = 5 years use in CR. SFI=2 years use in CR. If the seat and mounting system works with, 6 point is now recommended over 5 point. Some brands will reweb the setup at the end of the cert time for a fraction of the new price some do not.

Oh, it is. The good news is it clears right up if you rub CAM2 fuel on it 3 times a day

Hmmm. Not sure when the 2" wide harnesses became available but when I bought my G Force 5 points (and a HANS at the same time) I was directed by the OG salesman to buy the 3" model. I don't recall 2" being available then so maybe that explains it.

Now I am wondering if I should keep running 3" with a HANS.

Related to the OP question: is there any difference in recycling the harnesses? I believe the webbing can be replaced but am unsure if this works for all brands. That could help decide which to buy.