How uncomfortable are HANS devices supposed to be?

wastintime · 11-03-2005, 02:37 PM

Hey everyone,
I'd been thinking of getting an R3 devince, but OG racing was having a halloween sale, so I broke down and bought a HANS device. I just installed the anchors into my helmet... what a PITA.

I sat in my car for a few minutes and played with the belts and everything... it's pretty uncomfortable, maybe that's just the padding that came with it, but I'm not sure... I was just wondering what the average person's impression of wearing it was. I couldn't see myself wearing it for long without going crazy. BTW, I have a Model 20 Large, they said the Model 20 was what everyone gets, and it should work for the angle my seat is at (15 degrees).

Thanks

addictionMS · addictionMS's Garage

I have had one for two years and have not had a problem. I am a pretty thin person so I have little natural padding, and have been ok.

I suspect it is a pretty personal thing how it fits,

I have driven a three hour stint with mine on and was in no pain....maybe I am the lucky one....

Jim

Jeff Jagusch · 11-03-2005, 04:43 PM

Not sure how it could be uncomfortable as it just sits over your shoulders and should actually pad the shoulder harness?
The only trouble that we have had was getting the belts mounted correctly (should be level to slightly lower than the heigth of the Hans while sitting in the car).
I found the helmet mounts to be easy to mount?

I could'nt imagine racing without it now!

Jeff

wastintime · 11-03-2005, 05:35 PM

I guess I'll just have to try it on the track and see... I'm mainly worried about 3 hour stints in enduro races, and things like that. Lol, I didn't feel like driving around town with it on to see. My next track date is Nov. 17th, so I guess I'll see how I like it then.

It's not so much that that it hurts my shoulders or anywhere that the harnesses press on me, it's my neck. It just feels like I can't lean my head back or hold it up, I don't really know how to explain it, it just feels awkward.

11-03-2005, 07:02 PM

I used mine for the first time this past weekend at Infinion Raceway. I was amazed that I really had no problems getting used to it. The strap catches just as I swivel my head to see out my right side mirror. My mirror is mounted a little far back, I can still see out of it, I'd like to rotate just a little more. Other than that it was comfortable. If when you lift your head the back of your helmet hits the top of the Hans, you can move the Hans back. It doesn't need to be against your neck.

John Rogers · 11-03-2005, 08:12 PM

I bought mine at the CA Speedway and had the rep try several on me and they also put on the helmet hardware and adjusted the straps. So far there have been no issues with it being uncomfortable or rubbing on my kneck? As a matter of fact I find I can tighten the belts even more than before and they do not bother my shoulders like they used to.

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

Do you naturaly have good posture? Just wondering as that may affect things if you are used to keeping yourself at an oddneck angle, and suddenly are straight. (Although if it doesn't fit right, it could also be the other way around).

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

can i ask you how much it was at the og sale... i didn't go to it but i also didn't realize those would be on sale too

wastintime · 11-04-2005, 09:34 AM

See, I find that I can't tighten the belts as much as I used to. I used to like really tight shoulder harnesses, but now I feel like I can't tighten them as much as I used to. I don't really know what to say about posture... I see your point, but I never thought it mattered when you're starpped tight into a race seat.

Dave,
I hate to tell you this, but OG had everything on sale, even their clearance items that were already discounted were on sale. It was pretty cool too. I ordered mine online, and if you put "Trick or Treat" in the special comments box they sent you something cool. I got a model 935 lemans racecar. I don't have the invoice with me, but I want to say I paid $750 for it. Not a huge discount, but hey... it helps right? Shipping's free with them too.

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

maybe i'll have to wait until the season opener sale or something, thanks

logician · 11-04-2005, 01:54 PM

Andrew, one thing that I do to tighten my shoulder straps is exhale and lower my shoulder while I tighten the strap. That probably applies Hans or not. I haven't noticed any discomfort with my Hans for a 1.5 hour enduro stint.

-Juan