Gecko Helmets

TIM · 02 September 2002, 10:13

I am thinking of buying a Gecko helmet, What are the like??? I know that they would be good on head safety, as one of my friends nearly knocked out his front teeth!!! when his face met with a stainless steel hand hold.

The other thing that I am trying to find out is, are they any good in spray and waves????
And do the visors 'salt' up in heavy spray/waves???
How do you clean them out on your rib????

And is there something better, or are they no good????

Allen · 02 September 2002, 10:52

There is an earlier thread about this subject. Last year I think. You should find the information you require there.

Brian · 02 September 2002, 10:59

Loadsa people moan about these helmets-but then again some people would still bitch if you hung 'em with a new rope!
I think they are great.
For:
keeps your head warm and dry (the warm bit not often mentioned)
allows you to see
stops your head bashing against bits of boat and fellow crewmembers (or scurvey dogs as they are sometimes known)
that will do for now
Against:
do get a bit misted up but can be kept clear by applying some gunge or other from Halfords-alternatively get half-visor instead of full-face visor
cant hear too well, i.e. scurvey dogs whingeing about your driving (not quite sure which category this fits in?)-just glare at them and get them to speak up (if they dare!)
can be awkward to stow when not in use

Yes they are good in spray and waves
No they dont get salted up, and ..
Dont understand your question about CLEANING and ON THE BOAT (why are they in the same sentance?)
Havent heard of a better brand.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WEAR MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

Julian · 02 September 2002, 11:09

Tim

I've used Geco helmets for several years now and I agree with Brian. They are great. I've not had problems with them misting as I keep the visor slightly open to allows the air in. They keep you warm and dry and you can see in the rain and waves. I would reccomend them to anyone. Dont forget the RNLI use them too.

Ribald · 02 September 2002, 13:29

Really good bits of kit. I have the half face visor which, when worn with beard, keeps the face nice & warm.

No probs with misting. Some people advocate the use of dirt-bike type goggles but these are not suitable for us poor sods who are as blind as bats without glasses

The s/s ear openings allow you to hear what the scurvy crew are saying about your driving or if a conn rod is about to break loose in the engine.

Stowage not a problem - I use one of those w/proof stuff sacks strapped to the A-frame.

You may get mistaken for RNLI/harbour master/Police when wearing one

Alan · 02 September 2002, 16:34

Gecko helmets are great when its raining and rough but being blessed with a larger than average sized noggin I find that I get a headache after 30-45mins of wearing one. You certainly look the part tho'!

BTW Ribald you can get goggles for spectacle wearers. I have a set of Oakley H20 "L" frame goggles which are designed to go over glasses.

Alan

Ribald · 02 September 2002, 18:02

But do they keep your head warm???????

Richard B · 02 September 2002, 20:46

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WEAR MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

- err, why is that, Brian? I'm intrigued

- I was just about to go down to the local motorcycle dealership and see if they could do something for a bit less folding (cheapskate that I am!) I sorta guess that you mean that full-face helmets are a bad idea (but don't the racers wear those?) or is there another reason?

MarkWildey · 02 September 2002, 21:22

I’ve had a Gecko helmet for 7 odd years and it’s been great. The win whistles through it but I understand that later models have some foam in them to overcome this. They are light which compared to my previous bike helmet is a big improvement. In a big sea the weight of the motorbike helmet could cause potential injury to the neck due to sudden changes of movement.

I think the previous thread offered some alternatives to Gecko, so check them out.

I expect Gecko will be at the Southampton boat show

Regards

Mark

jools · 03 September 2002, 02:09

Quote:

Originally posted by Pepper

- err, why is that, Brian? I'm intrigued - I was just about to go down to the local motorcycle dealership and see if they could do something for a bit less folding (cheapskate that I am!) I sorta guess that you mean that full-face helmets are a bad idea (but don't the racers wear those?) or is there another reason?

I believe its because of the wieght - you would seriously damage your neck when in rough weather - The Gecko's are nice and light

At the moment I just use goggles (do a search on eye protection) Maybe a Gecko would be good for the winter!

Jools

Richard B · 03 September 2002, 07:06

Thanks, Brian , Mark and Jools. Once again RibNet members have stopped me making fundamental and potentially dangerous mistakes!

OK - I'll forget the motorcycle helmet idea. And I've looked at a boat show preview, Geko have got a stand this year. (D53 if that helps anyone)

Cheers,
Richard.

Brian · 03 September 2002, 08:17

Motorcycle helmets
I believe the reason is "the bucket effect". If you go overboard the helmet acts like a bucket, picks up water and then snaps your neck.
Correct me if I am wrong (Mr. Gecko??) but dont Gecko helmets a) have light-breaking strain chinstraps so helmet comes off and b)is shaped such that the bucket effect is minimised? It is certainly cut very high at the back of the neck-maybe for this purpose.
Read on this forum (Gaelforce??-someone who worked in The Coroners OFFICE) who had a spate of motorcycle helmeted bodies being pulled out of the Solent.
Chilling enough for me anyway.
I have usually found that if someone makes a specialist product. There is usually a good reason for it.

John Kennett · 03 September 2002, 09:03

Quote:

I have usually found that if someone makes a specialist product. There is usually a good reason for it.

Money?

John

TIM · 03 September 2002, 09:10

Well that me sold!! I dont think they are the most pretty things in the world, but I think that diving or motorcross goggles would look a bit stupid.

Alan · 03 September 2002, 10:34

Couple the goggles with a woolly hat and you get a warm bonce!
Cheaper than a Gecko but if you want the serious kit then theres no doubt they're the things to go for. Then be really flash and get the integrated communications system (intercom etc) and you can talk to your crew and use your VHF at normal speaking volume rather than HAVING TO SHOUT ALL THE TIME!!

Alan

John Kennett · 03 September 2002, 19:11

Quote:

motorcross goggles would look a bit stupid.

Nah, goggles are way cool! And you can wear them over glasses -- well I can anyway . . .

Don't forget though, if you wear glasses, goggles or a visor, or if you have any sort of windscreen, Rain-X is your friend! I've said it before, but it's worth saying again

John

Daniel · 03 September 2002, 21:07

Gecko were at RIBex, and i very nearly got one at the special show price - this was a helmet, the most popular options etc. etc. at about £30 less than list price HOWEVER i spent all my cash on other things and, after checking with the Gecko guy, confirmed that the 'show offer' will be available at the southampton boat show - so guys wait 'till then a save a few £'s!

Richard B · 03 September 2002, 22:18

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian
Motorcycle helmet...snaps your neck....Chilling enough for me

Err, yeah, and for me too! Now, I'm not medically qualified, but I reckon that snapped neck isn't quite the effect that I'm looking for

Jelly · 05 September 2002, 11:30

Greetings All

Gecko was the first on the market, but having seen some in house company trials a couple of years ago, please keep the visor closed and lubricate the press studs holding the visor on.
The reason is that the visor didn't come off on impact with the water and hence when open gave a pronounced bucket effect - detrimental to the neck!
Admittedly helmets used were ones in from off shore and not maintained.
There are other ones on the market now which have nylon bolts holding visor and chip strap on which break off on impact before you do.
I got one from www.icomuk.co.uk with a comms rig for my IC-M1v handheld which I find much more comfortable than my old helmet and I can hear the radio!
Jelly

wavelength · 05 September 2002, 18:24

Well we have 2 geckos and an open face motorcycle helmet bought for way less than half theprice of the gecko ribex show prices. Bought the geckos at 2001 ribex, velco fixed inside size adjusters are for ever falling out cos the velcro comes unstuck from the helmet liner. Liner becoming detached around the bottom edge from the helmet shell. Local sewing shop must think we are a bit kinky with the amount of stick on velcro we have bought.can't hear with the ear plugs in, whistle like hell with them out but they are a lot smaller to fit in the pods - the m/cycle hlmet is a pain to store when not wearing it. Was worried about weight of m/cycle helmets but having tried them consider problem does not exist with modern helmets. I can hear with the m/cycle hemet, it doesnt whistle, no foam velcroed bits to fall out and in mid winter its lovely and warm.
Lots of debate in offshore/rescue circles about virtue of helmets and the bucket effect - Personally I never fasten the chin strap.