HANS Device, Who's using one? Options

[nine14cats]

I'm thinking of buying a HANS Device for the track.

Anyone using one? How does it feel when in the car? How restrictive?

Thanks,

Bill P.

[nebreitling]

my gf (paralegal, law student) worked on a case where a Hans device literally saved the life of a driver.

the guy with the Hutchens device was not so lucky. nasty lawsuit, Hutchens was found liable.

(i have neither, but lets just say i'll be going with hans when the time comes)

[nine14cats]

Hi Nathan,

I've heard the HANS has worked when the circumstances dictated it. They are pricey (about the cost of a set of slicks) but pretty cheap insurance if you ask me. I just worry a tad while my wife is out on the track. And the new car will have some serious power, so I'm trying to upgrade all of the safety equipment.

Thanks,

Bill P.

[seanery]

Bill,
I've thought about this for a long time. If/when the bluecar is done I will definitely have one. I haven't been too concerned with doing a couple DEs here and there with whitey cause it's slow and I'm using stock seat belts so my whole body would move and (hopefully) not snap the neck like if strapped in with a proper harness. I think the HANS is well worth the cost of admission. The other alternatives look a little...well K-Mart-ish for my taste.

[slivel]

Also, does anybody have any experience with the Isaac device? http://isaacdirect.com/

I too am in the market for a head and neck safety system.

Steve

[john rogers]

I bought a Hans device earlier in the year and really like it. Since I am getting old and it is hard to get into and out of the 914 with the door bars, so I put it on once I am inside and then attach the helmet. It is easy to hook and unhook and I did try getting out with it and the helmet and I did it okay. The only restriction it causes is some head turning restriction which hasn't caused any problems. It does spread out the load of the shoulder belts so after a race weekend my sholders don't feel any after effects of the belts as they used to. When I bought mine I had a race supply shop fit me and install the helmet fasteners which never hurt the custom paint job on the helmet. I'd say get one as it is pretty cheap insurance.

[seanery]

Steve,
the isaac seems promising. The racer comments are good, and the simplicity is nice. I wonder about comfort of the pins on the back and shoulders though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[slivel]

A friend of mine has a HANS and one problem that I saw with his (it might be a fitment issue) was that at the end of a track session when he returned to the pits, one of his shoulder belts had all but slipped off of the HANS. I don't know at what point this happened but in a collision I could imagine that one side unrestrained would be worse than no HANS at all. Anyone else experience belts slipping off of the device?

Steve

[nine14cats]

I really like the theory about the decelleration using the shock absorbers on this design. And getting in and out looks pretty easy.

Anyone use the ISAACS?

Bill P.

[BMartin914]

I think that it is more than possible that the HANS device could have saved D.E.'s life.

Good bet if you ask me.

[TimT]

I plan on getting some sort of head/neck system. I want the HANS, but I often find myself riding shotgun in a students car, often with just 3 point harnesses, the HANS doesnt work in this application.

I generally hope I keep my students in line and am helpfull to them as they learn to drive on a racetrack....but I have one off at about 70 mph where we hit the tirewall, its quite a helpless feeling as you are sliding towards something and have no control over your destiny... and you were the not one controlling the car when control was lost (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Which is why I want a head and neck restraint system that works while I instruct.

The Hutchens device, and the Simpson system look promising..

I have an interesting comparison of the various Head/Neck systems in *.pdf format..

can we upload them here?

This post has been edited by TimT: Nov 30 2004, 08:47 PM

[john rogers]

With mine I have not had any troubles with the belts sliding off. My seat is an aluminum set with the belt openings close together and they are just about the width of the belts (+1/2 inch or so). I talked to the designer last summer and he noted some belts do not work correctly with the Hans device and may have to be replaced and also that if the seat is fitted correctly with the belt openings in the correct position to your shoulders there is not an issue of belt slipping. I have noticed you have to be careful to make sure the belts are over the corners of the Hans device and make absolutely sure the adjustment buckles are clear as they will slip on the hard surface. As Tim noted they would not help if you were ridding in a car without a 5/6 pt harness system but I very seldom do any instructing so it was not a concern for me.

[fiid]

The entire Formula-1 field started using Hans devices a while ago. Some drivers have reported that they have trouble getting comfortable with it, but it seems like it's well worth it.

It should be a Mastercard ad:
Hans device: $xxxx
Walking away after wrecking your race car: PRICELESS

The other thing the F1 guys have been doing is switching to Carbon & Kevlar fiber helmets, which apparently are a lot lighter and stronger than the current breed. It's expected that the price of these will lower significantly in the coming couple of years. I haven't looked - are these things available in a reasonable price range yet??

[carr914]

For those who already have a HANS - What seatback angle did you get? I race an open wheel car plus my teener and am wondering which to get.
T.C.

[drew365]

I'm also interested in getting a HANS Device. Here is a thread from Corner Carvers.com about it.
HANS Device

[nine14cats]

This has turned into a great thread (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

I've talked to the HANS dealers and the majority of sales for enclosed race cars is for a 20 degree seat back. The ISAAC device wasn't really matched to a seatback angle as the device anchors to the belts, not underneath them.

I really don't have a decision yet on which way to go. I'll have to talk with more people and hopefully more people chime in here to help me make an educated choice.

Thanks folks!

Keep it coming! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Bill P.

[Jeroen]

I saw them priced for about $900 recently
I'm definatly gonna get one when I'm ready
Been in a 30mph head on collision and didn't like what happened to my neck at all
Don't wanna try that again at track speeds
Cheap insurance...

[campbellcj]

Ditto (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

The only other one I'd consider might be the Isaac but at this point one major plus for the HANS is simple market acceptance -- the aftermarket as well as trackside personnel are "familiar" with it now. The last thing you want in a major SHTF ("stuff hits the fan") is for the corner workers or EMT's to have NO clue how to get you free of the car...

FWIW Schroth makes a HANS-specific shoulder harness. Apparently it is specifically designed to not interfere or move around with the HANS in place. No personal experience but as I have Schroth belts already, I'd possibly go that route.

I need a new helmet next year too...gonna be a $$$$ year I think. Not even counting the new engine I "need" as well (IMG:style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)

[givory]

I also got one prior to the past season to use in a vintage racer, with a 6pt harness, and here's what I found with my experience:

[1] side vision: MUCH better than I expected. In fact I thought installation was wrong as there was so much side-to-side freedom of movement [it wasn't].

[2] belt slip: I have to be careful with my set-up to ensure the belts sit perfectly on top before I tighten, and that the shoulder belts are cinched down very tight in order to keep the belts on the device. Ideally my belts should be a touch closer together, but that's major surgery on my car.

[3] head forward: If your seat is very upright like mine, you might find the device pushes your head forward a bit, but not a comfort or safety issue.

[4] helmet installation: I was extremely nervous about punching holes into my brand new kevlar helmet, but it worked just fine. Just go slow and measure a lot more than twice!

[5] ease of attachment at the track: after a handful of practices, you'll have it on very quickly - either in the car or out [easier out].

[6] snagging on fast exit: fortunately I have done it REALLY fast, and my normal exit is straight up. But no snags so far.

[7] piece of mind: now that's a benefit you feel every lap.

And I read all the discussions of Hans vs Isaac for months ....

Gavin

[machina]

Here is a thread from Corner Carvers.com about it.

Thanks for the tip, that is an awsome site. The polar opposite of any boxster forum I have been to. Adding it to my Favorites.