I'm getting ready to jump into something a little more regulated than the ubiquitous self-tech "show up and drive" HPDE style event (specifically Miata Challenge) and I'm looking for legit entry level safety equipment. I'm buying a new helmet (probably a Bell Sport or M4), GForce FIA 6pt, and I'd like to get some sort of HANS/HNRS type device. Wife is pushing me to do this after she found out I'm still using a borrowed M2005 motorcycle helmet Yes I need a seat, but we have a bajillion threads on those already.

I've stumbled into the NecksGen Rev: NecksGen Head and Neck Restraint Products



Its not significantly cheaper than most of what I would consider "entry level" HANS/HNRS devices, but it is a lot smaller, lighter and simpler than what I'm seeing out there on the market. It has the same SFI 38.1 rating and claims to offer an interference free fit and full range of motion/vision.

NecksGen Rev: $599
Simpson Racing Hybrid Pro Rage Restraint: $595
HANS Device Sport Series II: $599

Fair warning, I really like the Rev and it may take a lot to talk me out of it. The Simpson looks really complicated and the Sport II is effectively the same design as what I've actually played with previously. In another life I got a chance to wear a first or second generation legit NASCAR HANS device + helmet and it was full of suck and fail, so the super-simple Rev is very attractive as an entry level minimalist device. I've not had a chance to try anything newer recently and I can't find any local vendors, so buying/trying/returning is usually how this works for me.

I'm interested in feedback from anyone who has actually used/worn one of these specific devices, or the opinions from folks who have used a HANS/HNRS becauseracecar. Remember I'm not running W2W so a $1,200 HANS is not something I need to dump cash into at the moment. Direct experience and educated feedback are welcome. I'll probably drop this question on the Miata Challenge or 949R FB group a bit later and see what they have to say, but I figured I would start here.

What I'm not interested in is the peanut gallery of noobs shitting up this thread with the usual uninformed opinions, suppositions and generally uneducated fuckery.

In return I offer this, which should appeal to about 90% of you:


Thanks!

 

While slightly uneducated, I feel im in the same boat. My wife has been pushing me to get a HNRS for a while now as well. I tried on the Rev at the SafeRacer(maybe OGRacing?) booth at a NASA event this past summer. I remember it being as you describe, minimalist, easy to use/fit/wear. Ive been very slow to board the safety train, only last year did I purchase a driving suit when I jumped to TT after 5 years of DEs. I'll be watching this thread for help on my next purchase as well.

 

No worries! You have more insight than I do, you have at least touched the thing Hopefully we can all get edumicated, I know you and I are not alone in this.

 

I use the original necksgen and like it quite a bit. (I used it with a schroth profi II-3, 3" shoulder belts). And it's very comfortable and easy to use. My father has a simpson hybrid pro-rage and it's a decent enough device. It's a little cumbersome for my usage. I find both of these setups more comfortable than my buddies HANS sport that I have tried. Full disclosure... I haven't worn the Hans device while driving in anger... only just to strap in and try it out for fit. (I also have a very old collarbone injury that seems to be bothered by the Hans and minimalist padding).

You might want to post to the miata challenge facebook page. IIRC Eric Green has a defender that is expired but can easily and cheaply be re-webbed and certified from necksgen for very cheap.

 

I've been casually shopping these since I bought a lemons car. I like both the necksgen and the pro rage designs. Mainly because they have lateral support beyond what is required by SFI. However at least with the SCCA, you have to send HNRs back to the manufacturer to be recertified every once and a while, so the companies stability is important. And if SFI doesnt matter to you, why in the dick are you looking at anything other than the ISSAC, the ISSAC is the best HNR on the market and its not SFI certified because HANS wrote the certification requirements. And **** HANS.

 

necksgen is not out of business.

 

I've been using the Simpson Rage for a Gear and it's not complicated at all. But get the quick release thingies, the HANS stuff can be a bitch to use when stressed.
The only role for the Simpson harness is to get the block in the right place between your neck/back and the seat. It's all hold in place by the normal harness and the Simpson harness takes no load.

 

Read the article wrong. HANS sued DeFender people, necksgen is similar to the Dfender and not sued. My bad.

 

necksgen == defender, They did get sued when they were defender... then they changed their name... then they got sued by leatt (parent company) and had to change the design.

 

Who said NecksGen is going out of business? Recertification is the same with belts, helmets and seats to some extent. $1,450 in safety gear every 5-6 years is not a dealbreaker so don't care. Maybe someone will invent something better by then.

Who the **** said anything about not caring about SFI? Jesus Leafy, how did you get that out of what I wrote?

That's the ONLY thing I said about SFI, so where did you get this 'don't care about SFI' inference? I'm starting to understand why 18psi dumps on you all the time

The Miata Challenge Points Calculator specifically states "SFI approved HNRS" so there, though I guess I should have mentioned that.

 

I said that relating to my previous sentence. Some things like HPDE (which you said you wanted it for) and other less formal race series (lemons, circle track, etc) dont require SFI cert on HNRs, thats where the ISSAC is a better choice, since its the best/safest HNR.

 

The only thing I would suggest is to wait just a bit longer when the 2015's come out. You are basically robbing yourself of 4 years of validity.

 

Cheapest ISAAC with QD hardware is the Intermediate @ $900. That's not exactly entry level. I also don't feel like I should be drilling a bunch of holes in a helmet that has standard HRNS mounting holes in it already.

No SFI still kills it, regardless of your opinion about SFI.

Also, reading their website also reminds me of the singh grooves people

 

I thought it was only helmets that were on the fixed 5 year cycle? Please correct me if I'm wrong on this because now I'm doubting. I thought I had read that SFI requires inspection and recertification of head restraints and belts every 5 years, Helmets had their own system (see below) and I'm still not 100% on seats, though I thought it was "rolling" 5 years, like belts.

The most recent revision for helmets was SN2010 and from what I can tell, most organizations are still accepting SN2005 until the 2015 revision comes out next year. Don't get me wrong, I see where you are coming from, but 6 years is fine out of an entry level SN2010 helmet that in all truth is less than $300 anyway. I'd be more upset about a $600/900/1200 HNRS than I would about a $300 helmet, but even that is negligible.

 

Interesting, I'll have to look around in the interwebs for some more data on the Rage. My main concern with most of these devices is restriction in how far I can turn my head. Have you noticed any issues and have you tried any other devices? Do you notice the "block" at all in your back?

Been reading Hustler's https://www.miataturbo.net/race-prep...-me-out-66019/ thread and its also got good dataz, though his requirements are far more hardcore than mine.

 

My statement was specifically about the helmets that have to be certified within the last 10 years. So all of the 2005 helmets are about to become crew/fuel helmets. Contact me that happens. I'll but the cheap ones.

I have no knowledge of safety devices and their rating system.

 

Hah, gotcha. If I buy before the SN2015's come out, it will be a SN2010 so not an issue until 2020. In that case I'd probably still look for a new SN2010 because they will most likely get marked down.

That's specifically what I am looking for, but thanks for playing.

 

I have a hybrid pro rage and definitely wouldn't call it complicated or cumbersome. I'd definitely be cross-shopping a Rev if I were buying right now, but Hans has never appealed to me.

 

No problem with the passenger mirror and the block is not noticeable at all. Just a normal OMP ARS seat with nothing special.
And I don't even have the sliding version.

 

I've only been wearing my HNRS (necksgen) for about 18 months. I can honestly say I don't really notice it any more. TBH it never bothered me once. I also tend to wear mine a bit on teh tight side as far as tethers go. When I read (and re-read) the setup instructions I'd say I have my teathers 20% tighter than they recommend... but I like how it engages sooner and catches my head.

The only time I ever really notice the HNRS is when something goes complete screwed and I've lost control of the car. That's the only time I've noticed that I try to move my head in a direction that's not within the range of the HNRS. For example the first time I spun my car and I tried to look over my shoulder I definitely knew it was there. In reality it actually does some good because you should most likely just keep your head forward and use your mirrors in that situation any way.

IMO go for it... (sounds like you are). The only negative thing I can really say about these is that it makes strapping into the car a bit more of a ritual. It's not that bad but it definitely add's 1/2 things to the pre-flight checklist.