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Traditional Helmets


 
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Favorite Manuf...
Bullard
12%
 12%  [ 4 ]
Morning Pride
25%
 25%  [ 8 ]
Cairns
61%
 61%  [ 19 ]
Total Votes : 31

Author Message
Robert Neer
Regular
Regular


Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Posts: 291
Location: Greenville, Il
PostPosted: Sat 15-Nov-2008 20:09    Post subject: Traditional Helmets Reply with quote
Our District has decided on getting us all new helmets.... We have them talked into traditionals... we think. There is only one other guy, other than myself, who has ever worn one.

So whats everyone preference? I need pros and cons of what you wear. I need manuf. and styles. I have always liked my Ben Plus II I had on my old Dept.

We will probably get full face shields on them. Doubt the chief will like the bourkes.... But ya never know....

So lets hear it gents......
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brewmeister
Frequent Poster


Joined: 06 May 2007
Posts: 1328
Location: Austin, TX
PostPosted: Sat 15-Nov-2008 20:39    Post subject: Reply with quote
Our department issues Cairns 1010 and they're nice. I got to demo a MP Ben II and I felt it was a tad bit more comfy compared to the 1010. A bit more balanced.
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bobcoop06
Regular
Regular


Joined: 01 Jan 2007
Posts: 180
Location: Culver, IN
PostPosted: Sun 16-Nov-2008 00:43    Post subject: Reply with quote
I wear both a 1010 and 660c Metro. While I feel a little less restricted with the salad bowl, I still prefer my traditional. The faceshield on my 660 is bulky and likes to sneak down on me when I don't want it to. The bourkes on my 1010 would be less of a hassle than the shield if they were still actually usable. They are a bit curled and smoke stained now, so really the only purpose they serve is for style points. If you can go with with the Defender option, they are definitely the way to go. There when you need em, stowed out of the way when you don't. Plus they are up in the helmet so they are much more protected from heat, debris, and scratches.

If nothing else, do what I do... just keep a nice pair of safety glasses IN A CASE in your bunkers!


Oh, and just for another comparison, I wore a Paul Conway traditional once just to try it... much lighter and more comfortable than the 1010. Food for thought.
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dynastar666
Turbo Poster


Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 2347
Location: Ithaca, NY and Burlington, VT
PostPosted: Sun 16-Nov-2008 00:54    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have a Cairns 1010 and a Bullard UST. The 1010 is heavy and not as comfortable as my UST. It also seems to be a bit heavier. I have also tried on a Ben II before and it was extremely comfortable, though the rear portion of the helmet brim is very flimsy and thin feeling.
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dustymedic
Contributing Member


Joined: 03 Feb 2007
Posts: 2624
Location: Columbus,OH-IO!
PostPosted: Sun 16-Nov-2008 08:07    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm on my second Ben II. Love them!!!
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ResQguy
Regular
Regular


Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 660
Location: Maryland/DC
PostPosted: Sun 16-Nov-2008 08:31    Post subject: Reply with quote
You should have included Phenix! They make a great leather.
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MJohnston4
Regular
Regular


Joined: 22 Oct 2005
Posts: 97
Location: FG, Oregon
PostPosted: Sun 16-Nov-2008 14:18    Post subject: Reply with quote
Traditional wise, I have used Paul Conway helmets and think they are great. But I went to leather now and got a Cairns.
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Robert Neer
Regular
Regular


Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Posts: 291
Location: Greenville, Il
PostPosted: Sun 16-Nov-2008 14:20    Post subject: Reply with quote
I doubt they will spend that much for leather. Dont i wish. I had never seen the Defender glasses before. Anyone use them? They look good.
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bobcoop06
Regular
Regular


Joined: 01 Jan 2007
Posts: 180
Location: Culver, IN
PostPosted: Sun 16-Nov-2008 16:52    Post subject: Re: Reply with quote
[quote:8aa19abd06=\"Robert Neer\"]I doubt they will spend that much for leather. Dont i wish. I had never seen the Defender glasses before. Anyone use them? They look good.


Simply amazing.

Here is all the information and opinions you could ever want...

http://forums.firehouse.com/showthread.php?t=98632&highlight=cairns+defender
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fireguy942
Regular
Regular


Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Posts: 282
Location: Concord NH
PostPosted: Mon 17-Nov-2008 09:37    Post subject: Reply with quote
I love my Conway American Classic! Just remember that face shields are no longer NFPA either so buying a traditional with them not only makes them look worse, it wont make them NFPA compliant either. Goggles are the way to go, or just get everyone a pair of safety glasses to keep with their gear. I'd say keep it old school and get bourkes and keep safety glasses to wear, that's how I do it even though I do have goggles on my Conway as well, I hardly wear them.
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Redsquirrel
Regular
Regular


Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Posts: 53
Location: Georgetown, MA
PostPosted: Mon 17-Nov-2008 10:07    Post subject: Reply with quote
My first volly dept I was on we wore the Cairns 660C metro. We had no choice, so I loved it. Now, at my full time dept, I have a Cairns 1044 with the Defender shield. I hate the thing, but I have no choice. It feels flimsy and the padding isn't that comfortable. At my call dept, I have a Paul Conway American Heritage leather. I love that thing. It's really wide at the base (compared to N6A or N5A), but it's comfortable.

One thing I don't like are the face shields. I love the bourkes, so some of my friends have the new Ben II lids with the NFPA compliant Bourke shields.

All in all, it's up to personal preference. Most guys I know swear by the Cairns Leather helmets, but they don't fit my head well (I had a Sam Houston but sold it).

My best advice is to get a couple vendors to drop off different helmets and find out which one is liked the most.
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WCFR Lieutenant
Contributing Member


Joined: 08 Jan 2008
Posts: 230
Location: Loganville, Georgia
PostPosted: Mon 17-Nov-2008 11:10    Post subject: Reply with quote
I use a Cairns 880, but the county issues 1010's. The 880 is a lighter helmet and it has a lower profile than the 1010.
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