[Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by vranko

x2. I like my my HANS Sport II.

x3. HANS Sport owner here. I tried both out on track before I bought and simply could not tell the difference.

Originally Posted by Irfan

Thanks, makes sense that the weight difference shouldn't really matter compared to the pressure from the straps.

That's exactly it. If you're cinched down as tight as you should be, a couple of ounces of plastic plus or minus makes no difference.

[N Fotouhi]

I see that HANS has Sports and Adjutable series now. Like others I see no reaon to go Pro. However, I recomend sliding teter and quick release. I have quick release and Carolyn has the non-quick release. I think I like mine better, but she seems to have minimal problem with hers.

[Trak Ratt]

My Sport is '08 vintage so maybe back in the market...

[Potomac-Greg]

Originally Posted by LPM911

A lot has changed since I got my HANS, but I have the sport model. The higher end models are carbon fiber and offer no safety advantage.

I switched from R3 (now Simpson) to a HANS Sport. The Sport is heavy, but other than the burden of carrying it to tech or putting it on, it really makes no difference once you locked down. I still carry some ballast to "make weight" in my class, so I'm not worried too much about a couple of pounds.

R3 is great for street cars and padded seats, and there's less fussing to get shoulder belts on; but the HANS has been a huge improvement in comfort with an unpadded shell seat. I just wish I had 2" shoulder belts to make them sit better on the HANS tabs.

[Vicegrip]

All the chatter about using the R3 with 3 points is 100% unfounded by any testing. People only Think that it adds some safety to a 3 point system.

[N Fotouhi]

Originally Posted by Trak Ratt

My Sport is '08 vintage so maybe back in the market...

Why? As long as you did not wear to bed and fell off or more likely got push off by L, it should be good. I think HANS will recertify. Talk to Mark F.

Originally Posted by Vicegrip

All the chatter about using the R3 with 3 points is 100% unfounded by any testing. People only Think that it adds some safety to a 3 point system.

Agreed. I never wore mine with 3 points. I bought it because I thought that it is less sensative to bad belt fitment, but that is another issue all together.

[Potomac-Greg]

Originally Posted by Vicegrip

All the chatter about using the R3 with 3 points is 100% unfounded by any testing. People only Think that it adds some safety to a 3 point system.

What's unique about the R3 is that it does not use the harness at all to restrain the head. You wear a "spine" that straps around your rib cage and runs up behind your head like a HANS. The helmet is attached to the spine which is like a splint on your back. The seat harness doesn't interact with it at all. So (logically) if a three point system halts your forward progress like a harness, then the R3 will kick in and arrest forward head motion.

I kind of doubt that a 3-point will stop forward motion nearly as much as a harness will, so perhaps the need for any head-neck system is reduced.

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by Trak Ratt

My Sport is '08 vintage so maybe back in the market...

Ops, should have checked the rule book before getting all irksome over something that is a non-issue!
“8. A head and neck restraint certified as meeting the standards of either SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858 is required. There is no expiration date for head and neck restraints;”

[Dandelion]

Originally Posted by Potomac-Greg

So (logically) if a three point system halts your forward progress like a harness, then the R3 will kick in and arrest forward head motion.

I kind of doubt that a 3-point will stop forward motion nearly as much as a harness will, so perhaps the need for any head-neck system is reduced. But if the R3 doesn't work with a 3 point, then it wouldn't work with a 4, 5 or 6 point either.

The design of a 3-point belt is intentionally to allow your upper body to fold a bit over your waist - this is how it helps prevent submarining. 4-point belts have a loop on one of the shoulder belts that designed to give in a hard forward impact, so that the same folding over occurs. HANS didn't recommend their product with 4-point harnesses for some time; Schroth now claims to have a 4-point system that's compatible with HANS.

5 and 6 point belts are designed to keep the shoulders as tight as possible against the seatback, in contrast.

Hence...I would be suspicious of the R3's efficacy with 3 (and even 4) point belts...but not with 5 or 6.

ed

[Vicegrip]

Ding! 3 point systems don't put the same forces on the body that 4 or more point systems do.