Icon134 0 #1 March 17, 2008 It's possible that this has been discussed... but My girlfriend is looking at getting into camera flying. She has the requisite experience and is working closely with all of us other local camera flyers for advice and such. Our biggest consern is what helmet to get. In the long term she would like to be able have both still camera and video camera and I have conserns about the versitility of sidemount options. To some extent we have been leaning towards the bonehead Flat Top narrow or the Vapor Narrow. But since I haven't seen either of these helmets I'm hesitant to shell out money only to find that it won't fit her head. So I figured I'd come in here and see if there was any advice on the best option for someone with a smaller head that wants to fly camera.Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #2 March 17, 2008 I just had mine custom made, not sure what your local options are though. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BirdWoman 0 #3 March 17, 2008 I have a very small head myself and went with the Bonehead Optik, and size XS. I baked it for a total custom fit and 800 jumps later it still fits like a champ. It's comfy, snug and sturdy to easily support my PC9 and rebel XT on the top. Not to mention she could use it for stuff other than video flying, like freeflying/wingsuit/tracking/etc. Just a thought because it has worked so well for me..."I don't know where it is that I'm going, but wherever it is there I'll be!" --quoted by me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar 5 #4 March 17, 2008 You could order up some new pads and shims and fill your FTP to see if it fits tight enough. While yes it would cost some for the pads and shims cheepr then a FTP or FTN. point is if your shell fits then another shell should fit. I might have a package of shims in my storage crap bin.you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinjin 0 #5 March 18, 2008 i have a small head as well and started with an optic which i loved and now in a FTP... look at the measurements on the bonehead site as it is pretty accurate.. and if you have any doubt call linda at bonehead as she is very helpful and will give you solid honest information about their products...dont let life pass you by Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #6 March 18, 2008 As someone who's battled this exact challenge for the years of cameraflying I've done, let me chime in here for what it's worth... My first camera helmet was a Bonehead daBomb. Second a BatRak. Went to the BatRak to get a side-by-side when the heavier digital SLR's came out. Unfortunately both helmets are discontinued, but you might find some used. Both work well for small circumference heads. The FTP -and- the Vapor (both regular and narrow) have the exact same shell size as the full versions. You'd have to stuff the helmet with alot of foam to get it to work...Which would be okay except that the foam expands when climbing to altitude, and then shrinks as you come down in freefall. If your helmet is amazingly (and painfully) tight at altitude, you -might- not have it too loose at pull-time. I can't say, but my gut feeling is that it would come off easily. I've wanted a FTP (or Vapor) for a long time, but if I was to go anywhere near that kind of helmet I'd have to have a custom helmet made. The excessive foam problem just wouldn't be worth the risk (and pain). If your girlfriend is interested I could possibly part with my daBomb as I haven't used it for years. Video camera mounts on top, stills up front on a "z bracket". Just my little noggin's .02 worth... ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sasteam 0 #7 March 19, 2008 OK, how about recommendations for manufacturers of custom-made helmets? I'd be interested - I'm on the other end of the spectrum (large noggin).Crazy Ivan and the Crew (2005-2006) Team Insane (2004-2005) Insane in the Airplane (2003-2004) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #8 March 19, 2008 I have a big melon. Only helmet that seems to fit are from Bonehead. I know DSE just ordered a helmet from TonFly and he also suffers from big melon syndrome.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #9 March 19, 2008 if you have a large head, and I do, the Bonehead FTP is easy to fit, but I also got pretty excited about the new Tonfly system, and bought one, as reviewed on the homepage of DZ.com. Incredible service, fast delivery, good communication. My Bonehead FTP will remain my primary helmet, but for everything else...Tonfly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #10 March 19, 2008 Quote OK, how about recommendations for manufacturers of custom-made helmets? I'd be interested - I'm on the other end of the spectrum (large noggin). The only camera helmet 'manufacturer' who makes custom helmet that I know of these days is Wes Rich. Or, you can buy his manual which teaches you how to do it yourself. Here's a priceless video of our own The111 doing the deed http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3072695;#3072695 ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deci 0 #11 March 19, 2008 I've been battling this same exact problem. And I've done the searches, and there isn't that much info out there for us with small heads. Bonehead FTP and FTNarrow - WAY too big. One shell size, and way too much padding. I think i'd have over an inch of padding on each side in this helmet. Bonehead Optic Illusion - just tried one out last weekend. Size XS at the Ranch Pro Shop. It actually felt good, but when i looked in the mirror - i had over an inch gap on each side of my cheeks (just beyond where the chin cup attaches). It looked ridiculous. I haven't found anything stock that fits anywhere close, although i haven't tried them all. So I'm in the process of building my own Custom helmet in Fiberglass/Carbon. Made a negative mold of my head, positive of the negative (replica head). And the new helmet shell has been made from the positive mold. I'm waiting for some warm weather to get started again on this. Bottom line here - try before you buy. Don't order online unless you know what you're getting. This is so critical for us with small heads.CSPA D-1046 TI Coach2 RiggerA JM SSI SSE GCI EJR Canadian 102-way record holder bard.ca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #12 March 19, 2008 Thanks all... I think we may have to consider trying to construct a helmet by hand for her. I'd kind of like to learn how to do it myself (although I do like my bonehead FTP (but I have a reasonably sized head) How can I go about getting the manual to learn how to make a Wes Rich helmet? I imagine he has a website... but google didn't turn up anything... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar 5 #13 March 19, 2008 From:http://www.skyxtreme.com/news1.html http://www.rimworldvideo.com/ The Phyxius Project from Rim World Video in DeLand, Florida was made available on Thursday, January 10, 2002. Wes Rich, the company owner, announces that he has produced an instructional CD on how to construct a custom fitted camera helmet for any videographer wishing to build his own helmet. The CD has step-by-step instructions, tips, and over 100 photographs. "It opens in any web browser and allows the builders to print out the instructions or photos for any of the steps for easy reference no matter where they have set up their work area." Rim World Video also offers a Phyxius Project Construction Kit that includes the hinge, latches, construction plate and hardware shown in the CD. The Phyxius Project CD retails for $75.00 and is being offered to equipment dealers. At this time the construction kit will only be available through Rim World Video for $85.00. Rim World Video can be contacted at 1280 Biscayne Blvd. #6 in Deland, Florida 32724- 2165. For phone calls use (386) 738-0805 or email RimWorldVideo@hotmail.com until the permanent web site is completed. Wes Rich also states, "Due to response from videographers who have inquired about the Cranial Camera Mount system I feel it is time to offer this CD. Many camera people cannot travel to Deland for the fitting and would like a way to construct one themselves. With ten years experience in building camera helmets, the CD has the up to date techniques that I use." Must not have googled it right. you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #14 March 19, 2008 Might also want to direct him to THIS THREAD so he can see what he's getting into. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydog.paul 0 #15 March 20, 2008 2Kcomposites are making a small helmet for the girls. it is a smaller version of there new helmet called fusion it is made for head 55cm and smaller. I also have a very small head and have all ready placed my order for one it look cool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horny955 0 #16 March 24, 2008 I can recomend 2kc they supplied a helmet for my wife(ff3) she needed so extra padding around the jaw area which was done as part of the price and the fit is awsome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
