Head and neck restraint range of motion question

[NP75]

I am supposed to be co-driving for the first time in a couple of weeks. I suited up with all the safety stuff yesterday and went to belt into the car. I cannot stand the limited range of motion in the DefNder head and neck restraint when belted into the car, and it was unpleasant with it on out of the car. I found that I could not rotate my head more than perhaps 10 degrees left and right, and if I look up the helmet smacks into the angled pad at the back. The stabilzer bars on the sides only have slightly more than a fingers width of clearance to the bottom of the helmet, greatly restricting my ability to tilt my head left and right or shrug my shoulders. Now perhaps it is not strictly necessary for me to have a great range of motion for my head to co-drive, but I personally find it unacceptable. I was wondering if anyone has experienced this lack of range motion in the DefNder or other retraints? Could it be possible that I don't have it adjusted correctly? Are the other restraints allowing more range of motion? It looks like none of them have the stabilizer bars to restrict the side to side tilting motion. I would appreciate any input on the range of motion in the various restraints.

[Xman]

I think you don't have it adjusted correctly. Try loosening up the straps just a little bit. I had someone help me with the instructions and it worked out much better.

[slidewayswrx]

I believe the defNders have better range of motion than many on the market. I have a defnder and it didn't bother me on stage at all. Re adjust it maybe. The dirty drifters crew all have different set ups and we stood around passing them around to each other and the defnder seemed to win out over the hans and hutchins in our crew

[UP2MTNS]

it does sound like something's not right, but I can tell you the limited range of 'head turning' in a hans really bothered me outside of the car and while just sitting there....but during the race...didn't even notice, I doubt you will too.

and you have no reason to 'look up' when in a rally car....wouldn't worry about that too much.

[BenSlocum]

I shortened the tethers on my HANS to give as little range of motion a possible on stage. When stages get extremely rough, like Echo Lake at LSPR, the short tethers and minimal movements keep my head straight and my eye focused on the notes much better than I have done on that stage with a wider range. I've also found it better on even medium rough stages.

I guess it's personal preference.

[Rally EVO]

Did you adjust the angle of the top yolk on your DefNder? There are two hex key screws back there that you need to remove and reinstall after you adjust it to the proper angle. If it's not correct and you are not tight enough in the belts, you will run into the side supports as you describe.

I would read through your instructions again and have someone assist you in getting it fit properly. Sounds like you just need to dial it in.

As a DefNder owner as well, I only had this issue you describe BEFORE I got it adjusted properly for my body.

Best,

Scott
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[NP75]

Thanks for all the replies. I let the straps out and it got better for the head turning angle. I started playing with the angle adjustment at the back as well last night. I am planning to wear the thing for a while every night till the rally in an effort to get used to it.

[UP2MTNS]

Thanks for all the replies. I let the straps out and it got better for the head turning angle. I started playing with the angle adjustment at the back as well last night. I am planning to wear the thing for a while every night till the rally in an effort to get used to it.

wear it to work....good conversation starter ("yes....I race rally cars.") and spread rally awareness ;)

[RichardM]

wear it to work....good conversation starter ("yes....I race rally cars.") and spread rally awareness ;)

YOMANK!!

[NP75]

wear it to work....good conversation starter ("yes....I race rally cars.") and spread rally awareness


I was actually thinking about it. There are only three of us at my work and the other 2 already know all about my rally interest, so it won't do much for spreading the word. It might trip out the UPS and Mcmaster Carr delivery guys though.