To Gecko or not to Gecko....

[Ribomaniatic]

I have, for a long time, admired Gecko helmets, and thought how nice it would be to be warm and dry...

But are they practical, as a purely rain and cold stopper, or are the limitations, such as a lack of decent communications equipment for a 6.5m hinder them too much...

Looking at the Weymouth forecast, I find myself more and more drawn to them!

Josh

[chewy]

Excellent bit of kit, ours are cut away at the back so your lifejacket doesn't rub on it.
Loads better than using a bike helmet!

[Tony]

I bought a Gath Jedi helmet instead of a Gecko. Haven't used it yet but it looks sooo cool.
http://www.gathsports.com/

[Bigmuz7]

Looking at your tag line is it a Star Wars thing with you Tony ?

[Tony]

Originally Posted by bigmuz7

looking at your tag line is it a star wars thing with you tony ? :d

..................................:d

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Tony

..................................:d

You should get an iPod Touch, if for no other reason than the light sabre ap!

As for Gecko helmets, they are very useful indeed! I used to have a very wet jet RIB that I took out in all weathers and having the helmet totally changed the level of comfort.



http://shop.malthouse-marine.com/ind...d=212&parent=0

[Tony]

Originally Posted by malthouse

You should get an iPod Touch, if for no other reason than the light sabre ap!

As for Gecko helmets, they are very useful indeed! I used to have a very wet jet RIB that I took out in all weathers and having the helmet totally changed the level of comfort.

Is the water taxi still running this time of year?

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Tony

Is the water taxi still running this time of year?

The last we heard it was running from 10am to 4pm with a two hour break in service for lunch and stopages for low water or bad weather.

Mind you, if your coming over and need a pickup we should have our SIB in the water soon and we do like to extend a good Alderney welcome.

[Tony]

Originally Posted by malthouse

The last we heard it was running from 10am to 4pm with a two hour break in service for lunch and stopages for low water or bad weather.

Mind you, if your coming over and need a pickup we should have our SIB in the water soon and we do like to extend a good Alderney welcome.

Give me a weather window and I'm comming!!

[Mollers]

Back on thread, Bedajim and ourselves did two lumpy trips to the Scillies this year. Jim and Missus were fully Gecko'd we were not. The 2nd trip back was 3 hrs of walls of water constantly over the head, my eyes were in agony. It was so bad that I had to close them momentarilly to allow my tears to flush the salt out. This itself was dodgy as I needed to see what was coming on a split second bases. We surf as a family, so briny in the face is not uncommon, but when driven in by wind over a period of time, it's a different matter.
I will be buying helmets over the winter.

[chris123]

I find the Gecko helmets uncomfortable particularly over long periods, even with the inflatable liner. I think this is because my head is on the large size - it took me a while to find a bike helmet I was comfortable with.

I would suggest buying from somewhere you can try one on before you buy - though if you buy mail order, you might be covered by the distance selling regs?

Cheers

Chris

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Mollers

I will be buying helmets over the winter.

Good choice. If you are getting more than one let me know and I can sort out a good price for you.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by chris123

I find the Gecko helmets uncomfortable particularly over long periods, even with the inflatable liner. I think this is because my head is on the large size - it took me a while to find a bike helmet I was comfortable with.

I would suggest buying from somewhere you can try one on before you buy - though if you buy mail order, you might be covered by the distance selling regs?

Cheers

Chris

Gecko are not far from us.

[Siochair]

Has anyone tried the Gath RV Kitesurf Safety Helmet? I like the idea of the retractable visor.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by chris123

I find the Gecko helmets uncomfortable particularly over long periods, even with the inflatable liner. I think this is because my head is on the large size

I nearly bought a pair with comms last year. Now you've spooked me since I thought that was the whole point of the inflatable collar so that it woud be a snug fit whatever size/shape your head was ? Can you explain more about how you found it uncomfortable Chris

[Sammo]

I use Gecko's through the RNLI, when in a rough sea they are the best thing I could ask for, I've had times on ribs where the rain has come down so hard I have had no choice but to stop and sit it out, where as when I've had a Gecko on I can just keep going, and also with the ear piece for the VHF attached, I never miss any important messages etc.

the Gecko with the inflatable lining took time to get used to, but now I can wear them for hours without the need of adjusting it as it was uncomfortable, which is very handy when your doing 20kts plus in a sea.

[chris123]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

I nearly bought a pair with comms last year. Now you've spooked me since I thought that was the whole point of the inflatable collar so that it woud be a snug fit whatever size/shape your head was ? Can you explain more about how you found it uncomfortable Chris

I think the inflatable liner helps, but there is only so much variation it can accommodate.

The problem I have is that the helmet is too tight across my temples. I can feel it slightly as soon as I put the helmet on, then the discomfort increases with time. It is worse when the weather is hot (IIRC your head expands slightly in hot weather)

The Mk 10 Gecko specifies a head size of 57cm to 62cm - on a cool day like today, with my hair as short as it ever is, my head measures a smidge over 62cm.

I had a similar problem with bike helmets - I tried several different helmets before settling on the Arai which fits me perfectly.

I know there are some people who have the opposite issue, and find the Mk 10 Gecko too big.

Oh, and just in case anyone one is wondering, I don't look like this

Cheers

Chris

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by chris123

I think the inflatable liner helps, but there is only so much variation it can accommodate.

The problem I have is that the helmet is too tight across my temples. I can feel it slightly as soon as I put the helmet on, then the discomfort increases with time. It is worse when the weather is hot (IIRC your head expands slightly in hot weather)

The Mk 10 Gecko specifies a head size of 57cm to 62cm - on a cool day like today, with my hair as short as it ever is, my head measures a smidge over 62cm.

I had a similar problem with bike helmets - I tried several different helmets before settling on the Arai which fits me perfectly.

I know there are some people who have the opposite issue, and find the Mk 10 Gecko too big.

Oh, and just in case anyone one is wondering, I don't look like this

Cheers

Chris

I'm of a similar constuction, I have an XXL swede.

[Brian]

Is it just me?
I find the thought of sucking and blowing into a tube that someone else has slobberred over, just revolting.
I wont buy a Mk. 10 for that reason.

I'll stick to my 2 Mk. 9's: one has a full face visor; the other a half face visor with the earpieces drilled out. Depending on circumstances I use one or the other.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Siochair

Has anyone tried the Gath RV Kitesurf Safety Helmet? I like the idea of the retractable visor.

I did, and then bought the Gekkos. Why! Do you want one?