The Hybrid Pro Rage is a bit more complicated to fit and put on. There are three strap adjusters (for the chest strap and two waist straps). A one-time adjustment (driver suit on, driver sitting with harness buckled) is needed to make everything tight.

At every track session, you have to remember to put on the device before you enter the car. There are three additional straps to deal with (chest strap and two waist strap buckles that must inserted into the harness buckle). For the helmet attachment points, Hutchens includes quick release straps. I'm not sure what the usage scenario would be. Even with the helmet released, you're still wearing the hybrid on your chest and shoulders. IMHO, the quick-release ropes are yet another item that could get hung up on something during an emergency exit (there really shouldn't be anything like that in your car, but.....).

Dealing with this should become a matter of routine with practice & usage, but I can see how it would be perceived by some as a hindrance.

The Hans device is more intuitive and easier to put on. The only major user error I've seen is with people occasionally forgetting to put the harness belts snugly over the shoulder guides.

So, with the perceived complexity of the Safety Solutions devices, the demise of the DefNDer, and the wording of the SFI spec ruling out the Isaac, there isn't much to compete with Hans.

If NASA mandated the use of HNRs but didn't require the SFI spec, I would choose the original damper version of the Isaac. I haven't personally used it, but a friend does track days with the Isaac. It really is a model of simplicity and effectiveness.

I may still order the DefNder in the near future, but for the time being I need something rather immediately, with the NASA race just one week away.

 

care to share the two outfits that have defnder in stock (if they still do?)

 

trackmart.com is the dealer in Canada. Contact info is at the bottom of the web page. Shipping time to my California address was less than 72 hours. I do not have any info on the NZ dealer.

 

There's a new SFI 38.1 rated H&N system for club racers looking to get one...well priced too.

http://www.necksgen.com/index.html

 

^ The Necksgen is the DefNder 2.0. Same physical address, different phone #.

Here are the changes / improvements over the DefNder 1.0:

- lower profile belt wings (more Hans-like)
- body forming pads instead of adjustable pads (1.0)
- different helmet mount
- simplified tether tension adjustment (single adjustment for the 2.0, whereas the 1.0 had four, two on each side). This makes the initial setup faster and easier.
- hard mount & quick release mounts available
- 4 adjustable angles (10-40*) for the rear bill, which is a greater range than offered by the 1.0

The last feature is the most compelling reason to get the Necksgen over the Hans or the DefNder. When trying various angled Hans devices (above), I found a noticeable difference in fitment between driver's head/neck area and seatback. Having several angles available when test fitting the unit should be a big plus.

(Incidentally, I bought the DefNder 1.0 last year, before the Necksgen was available. The low profile bill gave it a clear advantage over the Hans for my purposes. It was a toss-up between the Hybrid Pro Rage and the DefNder, but ultimately I kept the latter).

 

Good to see there are some new options.

 

Big fan of the Necksgen. Good to see they are being rewarded for their innovative edge again. I will never buy a HANS on principle. I hate companies that lean on lawyers and legal avenues so heavily to stay on top in market share instead of winning in fair competition of product development and evolution.

 

Well I see the struggle continues as Necksgen is at least temporarily shut down for patent infringement. Seems a pretty sad day when safety is patented....

 

It's a major shame too, as I'm on my 2nd year using my NecksGen and have been completely happy with it.