Petzl roc muff modification

[timberfell]

I just got back from 2 arbormaster training sessions in Mass. A few guys there turned me onto the Petzl hemet, sure looked like it would be more comfortable to wear than my much hated Husky.
Ear muffs for me are a must so I ordered the muff/visor kit along with the new hlemet. It came in today and I have to say I really like the helmet but the muff system is horrible. The plastic clips pop out of the cheesy brackets when I rotate the muffs and I have to push the helmet up to manage to get the muffs on my ears! Has anybody had the same problem and figured out a better alterative with this helmet, I'd like to start wearing it but if I have to go through this hassle, I am returning it. I guess if all else fails I could drill a couple of holes, but for the price I paid for the muff kit I think it should be better. I didn't notice how the guys at the course had the muffs attached.

Kurt

 

[lync]

earplugs

i would just go for the .99c earplugs. Tie the string to the rear of the suspension so you dont loose the plugs.

Corey

 

[Tom Dunlap]

For about the same price you can get a helmet with more protection and built in helmet pockets.

Look at the Talion/Padific Helmet. Sierra Moreno sells them. Be sure to get the helmet pockets added.

http://pacifichelmets.com/


http://talioncorp.com/


At last year's ITCC a large percentage of the climbers and techs had these helmets. If you were to take out the people who worked for a "sponsored" company and had to wear the company sponsored helmet, I think that the about 70% of the climbers had the Kevlar helmets.

Tom

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Those Kiwi helemts (since they are made in New Zealand) are the most comfortable I have ever had.

The only drawback is the visor is a little long for me, I may take it to a fiberglass shop to be trimmed down one of these day. It's not that big of a deal.

Since I paid 0ver $90 for it, I don't want to grind it down myself.

 

[timberfell]

I emailed Pacific helmets to get a price on the new RC 2000 helmet. It doesn't have a visor, and looks similar to the Petzl. It is 84.95. I am waiting for a email back with a dealer who has one in stock. The Petzl is on it's way back to Sherrill, I know I won't be happy with the chinsy ear muff setup. Thanks guys.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

You can find the number to Siera Moreno at WWW.Arborists.com

OK it took some searching so here is the number on the on the page.

1-800-262-0800 East coast buisness hours.

 

[seanlarkin]

We will be carrying the Kevlar helmets very soon, maybe in a month or two.

Timberfell, Did you have any trouble with the instructions for the bracket/muff assembly? I'm not trying to be a smart-ass; I actually laid out those instructions and want to know if I need to elaborate on anything. I am sorry that you didn't like the muff set-up. We've been telling Petzl for years that they need to produce Ecrin helmets with the muffs on them, but they haven't yet.

-Sean

 

[timberfell]

Actually Sean there were no instructions with the kit. I think I got it figured out though, I don't see many ways to screw it up. I looked at a few pictures and pieced it together with the plastic screw that holds the bracket on going through the vent hole and the earmuff clipping into the bracket via a tab on the earmuff. Basically the problem is the little plastic tab that holds earmuff in the bracket isn't long enough, so when I turn the earpiece the whole thing comes out, it's frustrating just to do it in the house let alone a tree. I just think this helmet is not designed to be used with earmuffs, and I think the setup is trying to do something it can't. Thanks.

Kurt

 

[seanlarkin]

Originally posted by timberfell
I don't see many ways to screw it up

Well, you obviously didn't watch me trying to set it up for the instruction photos! Actually, you are accurate in that there aren't a whole lot of options for putting the muffs on.


I know you yu said the Petzl helmet is already on the way back, but here is a PDF of the instructions anyway, in case you (or any other BB) are curious.

Petzl Bracket PDF



-Sean

 

[hillbilly]

Kurt, I have the helmet you're talking about, RC2000.
It also goes under the name WR5K, same helmet.
It looks alot like the helmet John and Tom are talking about,
but without the brim and with the addition of some water
draining holes. It is originally designed as a water rescue
helmet, the holes are filled with rubber plugs.
When it's hot, or whenever I need to perform water rescue(?) I
remove the plugs.
Make sure you order it with the attachment clips for muffs, they
are not there by default.
You will need to file some on your ear muffs to make them fit
the attachment clips, not a big problem.
I got mine through an importer of ambulance helmets
here in Sweden, it took 3 months and costed me around $100.
It was definately worth both the wait and the money.
An outstanding helmet.

 

[timberfell]

hillbilly,

I placed the order for the helmet today. I went through the facory directly because they have to special order the helmet from New Zeland due to my earmuff clip request. They also said it would only be the second rc2000 they did the earmuff modification to. Hey, yours must be the first right? They tell me it will take about 6 weeks and will cost $100. I can't wait to get it and try it out . You have the peltor earmuffs for it right?

Sean,

Thanks for those pics. I did have it together right, maybe it was just defective or something. Thanks a bunch for taking concern in the matter.

Kurt

 

[hillbilly]

Kurt, yes mine was the first they did the earmuff mod. on.
They were a bit curious why I would want earmuffs on a
water rescue helmet.
I have the husqvarna muffs, might be peltor that makes them though.
You will have to file on them since the
New Zealandian-attachment-clip-standard
is a bit narrower than our.
Or you could by some New Zealandian ear muffs.
Many times I leave them off since I mainly do pruning and
get by with my Zubat and earpluggs. I like to wear glasses instead of the visor.
On ground I prefer a the Husqvarna helmet with visor and muffs.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Did you specify for North American muff clips? The ones that come stock are metric and will not work on out standard muff tabs.

I have clips on my helmut I would ahev to special order muffs for or trim down the sides of the tabds on NAS muffs

 

[timberfell]

Jps,

According to Pacific, they only have metric tabs. They did tell me that I would need to shave a couple of thousandths off my muffs, no biggie. They were extremely helpful over the phone and via e mail. If I remember right Kate was the woman I talked to, she really knew her stuff.

Kurt

 

[TREETX]

Know where to get a pacifico kevlar helmet in the neon yellow?

Sierra didn't have them - just yellow and orange. $100 w/muff clips. $75 w/out.

 

[timberfell]

Call the factory direct. The # is in a JPS post above.
Kurt

 

[TREETX]

That is a number for a vendor,....on the east coast....of the United States. Just curious if anyone knew where w/out special ordering from NZ. I have seem a few arbos with them.