Hans v Simpson hybrid in SR3

Hans v Simpson hybrid in SR3

Author
Discussion

Gc285

Original Poster:

1,216 posts

193 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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Anyone have recommendations. I am erring towards Simpson as they seem more comfortable, but not sure if they are proven in an off.

jpivey

572 posts

218 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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I'd say it must be proven to be on the market there not going to sell a safety item without it being fully tried and tested, if I hadn't got a Hans good chance I'd try the Simpson, hopefully none of us will need to test either to see if they work.... As that's means I'll be needing to buy a new front for my PR6 then.

Gc285

Original Poster:

1,216 posts

193 months

Saturday 21st February 2015
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I have neither so need to buy something.
I know they must meet the relevant safety standards.
I haven't tried either but have read a few threads on them and the Simpson seems to come out on top for being comfortable but obviously dearer.

BertBert

19,025 posts

211 months

Saturday 21st February 2015
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Is there any difference in the required harness geo for the two? The one thing that does make a big difference to whether they are safe or not is that.

I don't know anything about the Simpson, but have had to learn about the hans harness requirements for my Reynard.

Bert.

rfairwea

14 posts

125 months

Sunday 22nd February 2015
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I use a HANS in my SR3...honestly, I don't even feel it. It's quite comfortable - I can't tell I have it on once buckled in. Contrary to some reviews, there is no pressure on the collarbone area and I only have she stock pads (not the gel ones). I also use one on my Porsche race cars and am very pleased.
The HANS is much easier to get on/off as well (notice straps/buckles on the Simpson). I leave my helmet attached to the HANS...easy on/off.
One note...make sure your shoulder belts are properly aligned per the instructions with either device. I've seen may folks install belts incorrectly which diminishes the effectiveness of the device.
I'd suggest...both are quality products but I prefer HANS, Whatever you do, wear a good head & neck restraint at all times on the track. We only get one life!
All the best,
Rick

splitpin

2,740 posts

198 months

Sunday 22nd February 2015
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Notwithstanding that to my eyes the Simpson looks rather like a pretty complicated multi-part 'contraption' (the sort of Heath Robinson looking thing one would come up with to differentiate one's product in an already over-populated marketplace and to avoid paying a licence fee to 'Hans'?) whereas the 'Hans' looks more like a very simple few parts 'device', I would (and will) tend to stick with what the professionals use from choice and where cost is not a material consideration >




As to comfort, is a wearing a 'Hans' anymore more uncomfortable than say someone who doesn't normally wear a tie suddenly having to wear one for some special occasion? Personally I doubt it; sure it feels odd and most people are very aware of it to start with, but most people seem to quickly get used to it, especially as the benefits (hopefully remaining totally theoretical for all!) tend to vastly outweigh the downsides. TBH, I only ever saw one superior feature on the Simpson, that being it's transferability between cars requiring different angles; that advantage has now been removed by the adjustable 'Hans'. In addition, just like a helmet, a FHR needs very careful looking after eg bagging and storing and again I think a 'Hans' is much easier/user friendly in that regard.

HTH

Cheers

Trev

Dibba

62 posts

217 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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This is a subject that I am also interested in.

I have used a Hans for several years and agree with all of the comments regarding comfort (you really do not notice it when racing) and also the correct alignment of belts for it to work at optimum.

The potential attraction / advantage of the Simpson Hybrid over a Hans for me is that it claims to offer protection from side to side movement of the head in a side impact / violent spin.

As per Trev's comment, I have also stuck with a Hans to date upon the theory that if the F1 boys use them they must be the best for the job, however in an F1 car, protection from side to side movement from a FHR is not required due to the protective foam side pieces installed to do exactly that job. Similarly in Touring Cars etc - the seats have ears built in to perform this function.

I tried a Hybrid on at Autosport show and it definitely limits the distance that your head can move in a side impact. How effective I am not qualified to know. The other question I had which could not be answered fully was how effective a Hybrid was in a frontal impact compared to a Hans.

If anyone has any confirmed data or information then I would be extremely grateful.

double d racing

306 posts

198 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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Hans device - becomes natural after the first use..
One word of caution. In my car I have the narrower seat belt strap fitted ( drivers side only ). A scrutineer spotted this and asked to see my Hans device. He pointed out (very politely etc )that you MUST have a Hans device to go with the narrower belts. If you don't have Hans then you should not ( must not ! )use these type of belts. The wider ( normal/standard )belts are quite acceptable with or without the Hans.
Hope that helps
DD

Gc285

Original Poster:

1,216 posts

193 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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double d racing said:
Hans device - becomes natural after the first use..
One word of caution. In my car I have the narrower seat belt strap fitted ( drivers side only ). A scrutineer spotted this and asked to see my Hans device. He pointed out (very politely etc )that you MUST have a Hans device to go with the narrower belts. If you don't have Hans then you should not ( must not ! )use these type of belts. The wider ( normal/standard )belts are quite acceptable with or without the Hans.
Hope that helps
DD
Why....or Am I being brainless,,,

splitpin

2,740 posts

198 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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Gc285 said:
Why....or Am I being brainless,,,
No you're certainly not ............... you're just trying to be logical in a way that (as ever) the Grey Book seems completely incapable of. It's a mystery to me as to why their 'Shades Thereof' has been such a roaring success at the Box Office.

I think the (probably at best questionable) logic goes like this> when the standard FIA requirement is for 3" torso belts, 2" Hans friendly to the upper/shoulder part of the torso belts are only accepted by the FIA because they have been test proven in combination with a Hans; therefore FIA Compliance is for the belts strictly in conjunction with the Hans that they have been slimmed down from 3" to 2" to better fit- i.e. with no Hans present, then on their own, the (presumably weedy?) 2" belts are no longer deemed to be FIA Compliant.

It probably makes about as much sense as being asked to stick yellow tape on the battery earth lead, just in case the scrutineer is not around at the time and the marshals mistake the black earth lead for the red live lead; but to be fair, head and neck safety is way more important than a battery earth lead!

BertBert

19,025 posts

211 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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Maybe a narrow shoulder belt without Hans is not as safe as a wide one. Just a shot in the dark.
Bert

andylaurence

438 posts

211 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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The wider belt is not for tensile strength, but to spread the load. It's required so that your internals don't try to exit through the gap between the belts. When you fit a HANS, that provides the wide base to manage your internal organ location and so the 2" straps are just fine as they won't interact with you like cheese wire...

BertBert

19,025 posts

211 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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I was thinking more of shoulder/collar bones.

Gc285

Original Poster:

1,216 posts

193 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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Im still undecided.
I like the idea of side impact protection and perhaps a head prop in rh corners. which is not something that radicals supply.
I also like the idea of it being possibly more comfortable, but getting it off seems to be easier with the hans as I think it can be pulled off with the helmet.

Does anyone here use the Simpson in a radical?

Steve57

2,159 posts

242 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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https://www.radicalonline.co.uk/products/AH0054-%2...

Radical do these for side protection. anyone used one?

AJWSNR

70 posts

122 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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I have used both HANS and Simpson and would prefer Simpson as much more comfortable .i run a pr6 on hillclimbs and in and out of car and just pop connections to helmet and can wear Simpson harness all day..it needs to be purchased with quick release pins.

BertBert

19,025 posts

211 months

Friday 27th February 2015
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Steve57 said:
https://www.radicalonline.co.uk/products/AH0054-%2...

Radical do these for side protection. anyone used one?
I think I have one of these in my stash of bits. Happy to sell at modest cost!
Bert

Gc285

Original Poster:

1,216 posts

193 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
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I have decided on hans rather than hybrid,
I assume 30 degree angle is essential.
Will belt position need to be changed to hans spec?
The Adjustable one comes with sliding tethers and is a touch lighter. the 30 deg one is heavier.
Any recommendation on which one or alternatives?
cheers andy

Pat Cash

312 posts

230 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
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BertBert said:
Steve57 said:
https://www.radicalonline.co.uk/products/AH0054-%2...

Radical do these for side protection. anyone used one?
I think I have one of these in my stash of bits. Happy to sell at modest cost!
Bert
Bert - Did you get a taker for this in the end? If not, I'm interested...!


BertBert

19,025 posts

211 months

Wednesday 27th May 2015
quotequote all
Pat Cash said:
Bert - Did you get a taker for this in the end? If not, I'm interested...!
Yes it went I'm afraid.
Bert