vonzipper

Just want to be clear... I don't have any personal experience with the relative sizes of helmets from any of the manufacturers. I am simply stating what I learned from months of reading every thread I could find on the subject. My research seemed to show the helmets that best suited large-sized heads were, and in no particular order... Altmann, CB, and LW. The CB and LW are currently hard to find: that's why I went with the Altmann. On the other end of the spectrum, SC was unamiously considered the smallest in all the postings that I saw. Individual opinions may vary... I suppose!

I just ordered an Altmann. They're supposed to one of the larger helmets. PM Spike for details if you're interested.

Looks great! Where did you have your soft parts made?

I know MC has a nearly a year-long wait time for their armor, even though they're still quoting 28-32 weeks in their correspondence. I'm wondering if the wait time from MC soft armor is as long? Has anybody ordered just soft parts from them recently? If so, what was your experience? I'm also interested to any suggestions or recommendations for soft armor vendors. I'm looking to purchase a completed or nearly completed soft parts: I want to limit the sewing to the very minimum!

Jim, Thanks! Is the hardhat liner a must for Lancer or is that just a personal preference? Any suggestions on the 3M bolt cover and hardhad installation? Eric

Forgot to mention... Thanks to everyone! I appreciate all the input and help in making my selection. BSN forums are a tremendous asset! Thanks!

I went with the Altmann: placed my order this weekend. Spike says 4-5 week turn-around!

Can anyone shed some light on the advantages/disadvantages of the 2 piece undersuit versus the single-piece jumpsuit? I wear a single piece flight suit in my job as a helicopter pilot and know it's extremely comfortable but does pose some logistical problems once or twice a day! I imagine it's even more of a chore with cumber buns and armor! Seems to me it would be more convenient to wear the pants of the two piece while traveling to and from trooping events , adding the top and everything else once you arrive. I've never trooper before so I'm Just wondering what other issues would favor the two piece over the one piece or vice versa.

Thanks for the info. and the pics: it looks great. I'm surprised by how big the SC looks next to it. From all I've heard the SC was the smallest lid around and the Altmann was supposed to be one of the biggest. I don't see much difference.

Howard, Congrats! I'd love to see your Altmann. Please post your pics as soon as possible as well as your first impressions. How long did it take to arrive? Anything you don't like? Thanks!

I appreciate everybody's input on my helmet question! never imagined there would be so many variables to consider. Having said that, I am beginning to narrow down my search. I am going back and fourth between the Altmann and the MLCv3. I like the idea of a sturdier helmet like the MLCv3, but am concerned it may be too small for me. The Altmann seems very nice and is ready to wear right out of the box, but a little more expensive. I also recently saw some mention of the Chef helmet but haven't seen any photos of it yet. Hopefully, Chef can shed some light on this. Thanks, again to everyone for their advice!

I guess I asked for that one, Chef! I should have said which fanmade/reproduction helmet would you buy! Anyway, I saw an older thread where you had your own version of a biker scout helmet. Are you still producing it? If so, do you have pictures you could post?

I'm considering purchasing a MLCv3 helmet for trooping. However, I am concerned about the size of my noggin being too Iarge to fit properly inside the MLC. I wear a 7 1/2" hat and have a 23.5" circumference head. I'd like to hear from some scouts that wear the MLCv3 lid, to see just how big of a cranium will squeeze comfortably into the MLCv3 so I can avoid a costly mistake! Thanks!

Issac, PM sent

Isaac, If you don't mind can you share your observations of differences in quality and appearance between the Altmann and CB lids?

I agree. I think my confusion is a result the different interpretation of the terminology "lens/visor" that MLC used. To me, the term lens has a completely different meaning than visor and don't see how the two would be used interchangeably except, maybe, for someone communicating in English as a second language! Having said all that, I've got to believe it comes with what most of us would call a "visor"

My interpretation is that it definitely doesn't come with the lens. And I get that. But, I'm not sure about the visor. I read on one website that it doesn't come with a visor. I wrote MLC for clarification and he wrote back that it doesn't come with a "lens/visor". To me the visor ought to be an integral part of the helmet but the website entry (thedentedhelmet.com) and the manufacturer's comment in his e-mail leave me to wonder. I think it may be a misunderstanding of the language/terminology. Surely, if it didn't come with a major component of the helmet, like the visor, it seems to me that folks on this forum would have mentioned that. Right?

Still not clear as to whether the MLC comes with a visor or not. Maybe it depends on where you get it from? I contacted MLC by e-mail and he stated "we don't provide any lenses/visors due to the ff." Not sure if its a language issue with the word "visor". Has anybody who purchased directly from MLC have the visor included? I'll send MC an e-mail and see what they say about the visor being included....

I just read on another website that the MLC helmet doesn't come with a visor. Is that true?

I'm considering a fiberglass helmet: either a MLC or NI product. Does anyone have any experience with one or both models?

I'm on the fence between SC and MC armor. I'm 6'2" and 210 pounds. Any other scouts in that size range wearing the MC armor? I'd be interested to hear how the MC fits and what recommendations you may have. Thanks!

If money were no object, which lid would you buy?

Can anyone provide a comparison between the MLC and NI lids?

Okay. Thanks!

Haven't looked at the MLC. I heard the fiberglass wasn't a good idea for large heads because it won't flex to allow your head to fit into the opening. Is that a legitimate reason to discount the MLC? I haven't heard of NI at all. What's it made of? Where can I find out more about it?