Cant decide on a ballistic helmet

[Ironman8]

I own 2 MICH helmets (side cut and standard) and my issue helmet is an OpsCore.
If you are running NODs the OpsCore is hard to beat... but it's huge. It has to be larger to accommodate the suspension tightening system.
I love the side-cut MICH for weight, size, and frontal protection; it's one size smaller that the OpsCore and also has the OpsCore harness (minus the dial system).

I bought my last one through Grey Group because I like those dudes.

Dave,

Wondering if you could explain a little what you mean about the OpsCore being huge? This is the first I had heard that...

Also, how does the MICH with OpsCore harness hold up to the weight of a PVS-14?

Thanks! I always trust your reviews.

[Dave L.]

Dave,

Wondering if you could explain a little what you mean about the OpsCore being huge? This is the first I had heard that...

Also, how does the MICH with OpsCore harness hold up to the weight of a PVS-14?

Thanks! I always trust your reviews.

I can wear a MICH with 1/2" pads (#4 IIRC). The OpsCore helmet has to have the very large and bulky dial system in the back that pulls the front and rear pads together working like a vise on your skull. So with my already borderline dome, I have to wear an OpsCore in size L/XL size (which is huge).

Now, if you are running NOD's all the time, I believe the OpsCore FAST helmet is probably the best as far as stability goes. It will keep your NODs in front of your eye without bouncing around.

Adding an OpsCore H-Nape harness to a MICH will help, but it wont be as good as the FAST/dial system. If buying a MICH, get an OpsCore harness for it.

Also, thinner pads usually mean less protection from any type of blunt force impact... like falling off a fast rope or tripping on a body...
Take that into consideration.

I have no experience with the OpsCore dial system installed on a MICH, to which you would also have to go up in helmet size.

If I was going to buy another helmet out-of-pocket, it would probably be the Crye AirFrame. M4Guru told me about his last year and it seems like a great product.

Here's a pic of my MICH fresh after paint:



Hope that helps guys.

[Iraq Ninja]

Dave,

Wondering if you could explain a little what you mean about the OpsCore being huge? This is the first I had heard that...

Also, how does the MICH with OpsCore harness hold up to the weight of a PVS-14?

Thanks! I always trust your reviews.

Not Dave, but...

Not huge, just a little "big boned" but I never noticed it. The light weight and comfort makes it worth it.

My OpsCore was the from the very first lot they made, and I wore it daily for many years. Only failure was on the glue used on the pads, but they gave me a complete new set after they upgraded the glue.

No issue with PVS 14s from my experience, nor the PVS 7s either.

I had a repaint it a few times, but it now sports a First Spear cover. I got tired of waiting for the Big Name companies to bring theirs to market.

[Dave L.]

Just wanted to show you guys a better view of the dial system and how much space it takes up...









The system works well at stabilizing the heavier NODs.

HTH.

[Ironman8]

Helps alot! Thanks to both of you for the response...when I finally pick up some NODs, I will use a helmet solely for that purpose. It would be cheaper to go with a different non-ballistic helmet, but my line of thinking is, it might as well be ballistic if I'm gonna be wearing it

[patriot_man]

Depending on how long you having to wear NODs on your head as well as the protection you need you should consider a lightweight ballistic helmet or even a non ballistic OPS-CORE base jump helmet. I used to run a BAE 2001 with dual tubes and a counterweight and it was not comfortable. If you've got the money don't skimp out. I've sold my helmet and am looking for a better alternative.

Elaborating on zodtgr8's post. I contacted OPS-CORE regarding the Maritime and they do not plan on releasing it to the general public or even for individual military/LE sale rather only available by direct US government contract only. They did state it did have a different composition from the normal FAST that also helps the maritime achieve its low weight. I just hope they plan to implemented the new material on the current FAST high cut, don't really care about the higher cut on the Maritime.

[G-lock]

E-bay can be an excellent source of helmets both new and used. I scored a new MSA ACH for 150 shipped.

Botach also has good prices on helmet, but be sure you are aware of their issues, check stock and be willing to risk dealing with them, that said, I personally have had no issues with them, but I've always ordered stuff that was verifiably in stock.

As always, YMMV...

[Dave L.]

Im looking for a IIIa helmet for when the shit hits the fan...

Do you have any current hobbies that involve wearing a helmet?
Reason I ask is, should you get a helmet, practice wearing it for a few hours. You don't want S to HTF and on day 2 you can't turn your head... Military personnel train long and hard wearing helmets and still get sore necks (Keep some Avil/Tylenol in your IFAK ).

Also, if you are not getting NOD's, look helmet without any mount holes drilled. Don't waste money on rails if you don't need them.
Spend your money on a good harness and pad set like OpsCore H or X Nape systems and a set of Team Wendy pads FIRST.

[Reagans Rascals]

Opscore FAST or an surplus MICH will be the cheaper options than something like the Crye helmet

I myself have an Opscore Carbon I use for skydiving and various other things and its awesome, granted its not ballistic, but its the same basic thing just not made from unobtanium and unicorn dicks

[trinydex]

MSA and BAe Eclipse are the current standard for a new MICH/ACH style helmet. It' just a question of what cut you're looking at
2000 cut is the standard cut issued to the majority of troops

2001 cut is the high cut for those who need clearance for commo headsets.
2002 aka "Gunfighter" cut is a mid height cut that give a little bit of extra protection over the ear area, but still has some extra clearance for headsets that the standard 2000 cut doesn't allow.
New ACH style helmets go for about $500 from most retailers

If you're on a budget, you can find a standard 2000 cut helmet on the surplus market for around 200ish, give or take depending on what it comes with (NODs mount, aftermarket pads/straps, etc)

If money is no object, OPS core's and Crye Precision have some very awesome lids worth considering.

Ops Core's FAST helmet offers the super stable head-loc and Occ-dial strap system (a plus if you need a stable NODs platform), ARC rails and provides the same coverage as a Gunfighter cut helmet for less weight.
They currently go for about 900ish (depending on whether you want the VAS NODs shroud or not) at TNVC, but are backordered due to Ops Core filling their .mil contracts.
Crye's AirFrame looks like a FAST helmet on steroids. The shell is a two-piece design that allows for passive cooling. The rear shell covers more of the Nape area and still weighs 20% less than a gunfighter helmet.
They go for just under 900 at OPTactical with the ARC rails included (you can order it without rails direct from Crye for about 40 bucks less)


FWIW, I have a BAe Gunfighter cut helmet that I got second hand, but ever since visiting both the Crye and Ops Core Booths at SHOT (which were back to back to eachother), I've been daydreaming about a new lid for the not too distant future... currently leaning toward an AirFrame.

Been needing this explanation. Thank you.