Need a new helmet. Tell me what you have, like, dislike.

[BlueFirePony]

Couldn't be happier with my Impact ... helluva name, though.

Did Impact ever get their issue resolved with the certification labels? Have not looked in a while...

[Adam Ginsberg]

FWIW, I was in the same boat for the start of this year - having to replace an SA2000 helmet. Late last year, after much searching, I got lucky in finding a local racer who bought a Bell that was too large for him, couldn't return it, and had to sell it (only tried on for fitment, never worn for racing, but the online retailer wouldn't take it back).

It's a Bell Sport SA2010, with a new set of FIA Hubbard and Dowing HANS posts already installed. Some features this helmet has that are improved vs. my Simpson - larger eye opening (great for those who wear corrective glasses, or sunglasses), and more frontal area (more room from the helmet to your nose/mouth) that has eliminated the fogging problem I had before.

Bell has some close-out specials on SA2005 models that might help you save a few bucks, but, IMO, getting an SA2010 model makes more sense, and they are nearly the same price (for the Sport model via SafeRacer.com) as the SA2005 close outs.

Regarding the SAH helmets - I've found units with that designation start out as higher end models to begin with.

[AllZWay]

I also have the Bell Sport... second one actually and it is a great helmet and especially for the money.

[Tobey]

Never bought a new helmet since NASA allowed the SA-2000's to run to the end of 2011. I need one now if I plan to run the MSR-C event.
Anyone have any updates?
I want HANS ready and SA-2010. Other than that, I'm not too set on anything. Deals are good as I'm a broke ass right now. G-Force is a good price, but I haven't seen any that are HANS ready.
Anyone here get good deals? Donavan? Mosty boys?

Glenn:
I just bought a GForce Sidedraft. It's SA2010 with pre-installed HANS anchors. From their website, it looks like most of the SA2010 helmets have anchors.

[marshall_mosty]

I have a bell S2R SA2005. They didn't have top mount for cooling back in 2004, so when I bought this, it was my only option to run the helmet blower. However, I"m not a big fan of a helmet blower (didn't work very well) so I will go back to a standard type Bell for the next (SA2015) cert that I will need in the net 5 years or so.

The large was just a tick too large for me, so wearing a balaclava works to close the gap.

[GlennCMC70]

Ordered a Bell today. Should be in by weeks end. I've only had Simpsons before now. Pickedit up from PST at MSR-C.
Thanks for all the input. I hated the G-Force. I liked the Simpson Voyager Evolution, Impact's fit nice as well and obviously the Bell's. It all came down to price between those.

So I need a dyno, hubs, new pads and a set of tires that will make the weekend and I'll be all set for MSR-C.
Oh, and I gotta finish the trailer - been "remodeling" since Oct or so.

[GlennCMC70]

Post weekend update.
I love this Bell M4! My old helmet was some odd form of torcher compaired to the Bell M4. I am speachless over the difference.
It is very comfortable, light, and doesn't peal my ears off taking it on and off. I've never had a visor before, so that was odd at first. I don't like having the visor adjusted where the bottom edge is in my field of vision. So I either have it almost closed or open all the way. I did get a bit warmer w/ it closed. Took a couple sessions to get used to needing to raise the shield if I wanted any air that I deflected to my face for cooling to do any good.
Best $400 I spent in a very long time.

I highly recommend this helmet! Thanks to all those who offered input about what they liked and had good luck with.