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heximp
Jan 23, 2006, 11:04 AM
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Did anyone else have problems with this helmet? Mine cracked at the lip and I had never even used it. The helmet was on the top of my pack on it's first outing. I ran into another person complaining of the same event and I am wondering if this is common. If so, does black diamond know and does it compromise the overall safety of the helmet:???
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granite_grrl
Jan 23, 2006, 12:31 PM
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I've had mine for 3 years and have never had this happen (never heard of this happening before either). While I'll trash my helmet (carried on outside of pask, scraped on rock, etc), I don't abuse it (won't just throw it down on the ground or anything).
I would be concerned about the shell cracking or splitting. I'd take a photo of it if you have a digital camera avalible, and express your concern to BD.
Hope you helmet is an isolated incident. I was thinking of getting a new helmet soon, and would go with BD again because Petzl helmets don't fit me worth a crap.
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cjstudent
Jan 23, 2006, 12:31 PM
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yea mine cracked too. I am in the process of sending it back to BD.
I also work for my universities outdoor programs as a climbing instructor, last semester we had about 3 helmets that cracked on the lip due to being rough handled in transport i believe.
i am now a Petzl Ecrin Roc believer
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brent_e
Jan 23, 2006, 2:28 PM
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Mine cracked, too. I was messing around on a tree with my pack on, and fell about 4 feet right onto my back. My crampons were in my bag, too, so they kind of met and not I have a little scar on my helmet! I'm still going to use it, though. How large is the crack on yours?
Brent
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cjstudent
Jan 23, 2006, 6:15 PM
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I wouldnt climb with a helmet that has a crack in it. Black Diamond will probably replace that thing.
Or the petzl ecrin roc, more expensive, but in my opinion its better. Feels like it has more "beef" to it.
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mother_sheep
Jan 23, 2006, 6:20 PM
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Mine also cracked but only because I think I ran it over with my car.
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chossmonkey
Jan 23, 2006, 7:13 PM
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I'm kinda wondering why this is in the Access section?
That's what you get for buying a light weight helmet. Any helmet will break if you hit it hard enough. How much force it takes depends on the design.
Specific gear for specific usage. It wouldn't be the helmet of choice if you know you are going to be pelted with rocks multiple times or are rough with your gear. If light weight and just in case protection are what you want or need there is nothing wrong with it.
For rough usage the Petzl Ecrin works nice but they are heavier and more expensive. Probably reasons why most people didn't buy them in the first place. :wink:
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hosh
Jan 23, 2006, 7:37 PM
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also got a crack. Dont' even know how it got there...
hosh.
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veganboyjosh
Jan 23, 2006, 7:49 PM
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i got one, and i like it. alot. granted, it's my first helmet, and it was the cheapest at the store at the time.
i think the only thing i would look for in a new one is longer chinstraps. when i'm wearing a warm hat(purposefully avoiding the term beanie when discussing my helmet...), the straps are a touch short. they still reach, but it'd be a little more comfortable if they were longer.
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cracklover
Jan 23, 2006, 9:20 PM
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Mine cracked too. Did not abuse it at all, it was just in the top of my backpack. Switched to a petzl, and have been happy with it for a year or two.
GO
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phaedrus
Jan 23, 2006, 9:55 PM
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phaedrus moved this thread from Access Issues & Closures to Gear Heads.
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cracklover
Jan 23, 2006, 10:19 PM
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GO moved this thread from Gear Heads to Head Gear.
GO
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veganboyjosh
Jan 23, 2006, 10:24 PM
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In reply to: GO moved this thread from Gear Heads to Head Gear. GO
why oh why do i get to give out trophies only on days when there's no awesome posts?
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euroford
Jan 23, 2006, 10:41 PM
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i'm a big believer in hard plastic helmets and not those jinky foam bike helmets. this is probobly becouse my heart lies in ice, trad and aid so i expect my lid too take some abuse and then ask for some more.
i once had a BD half dome, i cracked it dropping it on a parking lot while offloading gear from the car. i threw it out, went helmetless for the day and then scored a Petzl Ecrin Roc.
i've been a happy man ever since.
i generally expect good things from BD stuff, but this lid ain't one of them.
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macherry
Jan 24, 2006, 2:10 AM
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my bd half dome never fit my head properly. went back to my old camp rockstar.
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nedsurf
Jan 24, 2006, 2:47 AM
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I like my half dome. don't have any problem with it. I want a HB carbon helmet though. they're so cool! :lol:
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heximp
Jan 24, 2006, 9:44 PM
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The crack is two inches on the front lip of the helmet. I did not abuse it. The only use it ever saw was being carried from my car on the top of my pack. The only pressure on it was being strapped and compressed down upon my gear. It never has been on a climb, dropped, or even scratched. Next helmet is going to be Petzl after this experience...
Though I did send it back to BD for a new one. We will see if it does it agian.
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jimdavis
Jan 25, 2006, 1:33 AM
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In reply to: I like my half dome. don't have any problem with it. I want a HB carbon helmet though. they're so cool! :lol:
I think HB went under, and that helmet is not that well padded...it flexs a lot laterally too.
I like it for ice, cause I fell better about taking an Adze to the helmet with this one, than with a pure plastic helmet...but thats about it.
Cheers,
Jim
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phugganut
Jan 25, 2006, 2:41 AM
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I've had 2 of them crack on me. However the first one doesn't really count against BD b/c I dropped it off of an 800' cliff :oops: :oops: :oops:
I recently noticed a small crack from the back lip a couple of inches long on the current one . Not sure how long it's been there.
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robbovius
Jan 25, 2006, 3:40 AM
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I've had one about a year and a half and it sees all sorts of mishandling. I've dropped it on the ground, bashed it into doorjambs, hit roofs with it on my head climbing up under them and knocked it around in my closet, etc etc. no cracks, no nothin'. my climbing aquaintaces rag on me because I bought the metallic purple.
coming from the world of motorcycles, and having worn those lids 30+years, Climbing helmets don't have anything like enough EPS filler to attentuate the blow from a big headfirst fall, but I wouldn't want to have to climb in even a motorcycle halfsie, weight wise.
maybe if it breaks I'll get another, different lid, but for now my half dome is workin' fine.
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deleted
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Apr 16, 2006, 10:20 PM
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I've known a few guys who had a bad experience with BD standing behind their stuff. Granted, it's great quality, and I'm a big fan, and I have never had anything screw up on me...
Good luck!
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rockrat_co
Apr 16, 2006, 10:38 PM
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In reply to: Mine also cracked but only because I think I ran it over with my car.
You think??? :lol:
Nonetheless,
It must be a specific batch of faulty plastic or something of the sort. I have a friend who caves and climbs with a Half Dome, and its seen no such cracks. He's been using it for about two years now.
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treez
Apr 16, 2006, 10:55 PM
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I've had mine for about 3 years of regular use. Recently I took a 30 foot fall on WI and remember hearing it hit the ice hard. No cracks in the helmet, but Curt thinks I have brain damage.
I also have to max out the chin strap in winter and it's still a little tight and the buckle's wierd cause the doubled over end is under part of the buckle.
I think I'll get a new one when I can work and climb again.
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redlegrangerone
Apr 16, 2006, 10:59 PM
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One of my partners had his on the outside of his pack. When he dropped the pack at the bottom of the climb, it broke in half. Like my Ecrin. :lol:
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treez
Apr 16, 2006, 11:01 PM
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In reply to: One of my partners had his on the outside of his pack. When he dropped the pack at the bottom of the climb, it broke in half. Like my Ecrin. :lol:
Do you mean your Ecrin broke or you like your Ecrin?
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redlegrangerone
Apr 16, 2006, 11:04 PM
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I like my Ecrin. His BD broke.
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kman
Apr 16, 2006, 11:21 PM
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Ren has had 2 (I think it was 2) crack at the lip on his aswell. Once in baggage handling at the airport and once some where else. His were recent purchases.
I think perhaps they are having issues with the newer ones. I have one that's a few years old an I have mishandled it in many different ways. Even dropped it down a scree field. Not even a hint of cracking on that older one. I decided to replace it with a new one (because of the scree field thing) and it seems like the plastic is a little thinner than the old one. It also seems like they added more foam to it to make up for the thinner plastic. Has anyone else noticed this or is it just me???
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cal_gundert05
Apr 16, 2006, 11:22 PM
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For what it's worth, it sounds like all these cracks are because the helmet's being squished (a lot or a little) from the sides.
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rhythm164
Apr 17, 2006, 12:56 AM
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I recently switched form the Ecrin to the Half Dome, and I havn't had any problem on ice or rock. I also have a friend whos had her BD for ages and it's still solid. I hear alot of people say it's doesn't fit them or it broke when they sat on it, ect, but I like it and have had no such problems.
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lichenmuncher
Apr 17, 2006, 1:10 AM
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:roll:
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tradclmbr
Apr 17, 2006, 1:55 PM
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The much bigger problem in my opinion is the fact that the rivets connecting the straps to the helmet WILL rust out over time. Its happened to me twice now (with BD and in talking with one of there reps its a problem they have not corrected).
I bought it at REI so return isnt an issue......and while I fully planned to switch brands because of this, trying on the others led me to conclude that Ive just gotten way to used to the BD HD fit and all others felt awkward (Petzl elios felt okay, but had a flimsyness to its feel I know I should trust, but just didnt like). Also I kicked the helmet of a 400' dome once and was shocked to see it at the bottom with no noticeable damage (so not sure about the cracking issue)
So Im on my third HD that Ill keep an eye on and replace when it rusts out. check your helmets folks, its not an area you look at ever day on your helmet so Im sure some of you will be surprised!
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sspssp
Apr 17, 2006, 6:32 PM
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If you are going to wear a helmet, I can understand wanting something you have confidence in, but there are newer helmets that are a lot lighter than the HD.
Shaving weight wherever I can...
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mankypin
Apr 17, 2006, 6:48 PM
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I've cracked two of the half dome's dead center in the front, friends have done the same. Anytime you crack the lid the structural integrity is compromised, shit-can it and buy another to protect your grey matter. You can be sure BD knows about the problem and could care less. If anyone gets a replacement helmet from BD it'll be a friggin miracle. Petzl seems to make a more durable helmet, never heard of problems with ecrins or the lighter duty (elios) jobs they sell. You will also find that the foam cushion in the top of the BD helmet will commence sliding back and forth after about 8 months. It doesn't come out, it's just another indicator of the workmanship that'll bug the crap out of you.
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tradclmbr
Apr 17, 2006, 6:55 PM
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Whats lighter? Elios? just curious and yes weight is definately a factor for me, but more of a factor is whether it has a bulky feel (e.g. if I can forget Im wearing it all the better). Bike style helmets definately have that awkward feel to me even if they are lighter
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bluering
Apr 17, 2006, 7:37 PM
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I've owned a bd half dome for about 3 years and have really beat it up. I have absolutely no complaints. Great helmet. I have never tried on a Petzl helmet though.
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redzit
Apr 21, 2006, 8:52 PM
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I'm another one of these people who likes their HD. Mine is about 3 years old and has taken a lot of abuse.
I am going to guess that there is a problem either with the plastic in a recent batch of helmets, or that there is some sort of internal stress in the helmet, and that is more likely a result of some malcontent part of production process.
Perhaps those of you that have had your HDs crack could post the manufacturing date and retail date
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tradmanclimbs
Apr 24, 2006, 1:55 PM
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I am usualy a big BD fan but I broke 2 HDs. The first broke in luggage and was brand spankin new. BD replaced it. the 2nd broke after about a year. I replaced it with an ellios. The strap system on the ellios is much better than the HD.
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ao
Apr 24, 2006, 2:55 PM
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I hadn't thought much about my HD helmet until I read this post. I was thinking that's too bad, all those climbers with the same prob with their helmet, good thing that's not me! Well, over the weekend I realized I should probably *check* my helmet, and what do you know, a crack on the lip! I don't abuse my helmet, I've had it for about 3.5 yrs. It's a shame, b/c I really do like it, but I might think twice about getting a HD when buying my next helmet...
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saulokin
Apr 26, 2006, 10:04 AM
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With all of these helmets failing in the parking lot, it is a wonder no one has gotten hurt.
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tradmanclimbs
Apr 26, 2006, 12:09 PM
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actually its a wonder that BD has not commented on this thread. many gear companys monitor these boards and speak up when they are getting bashed. EX the OP link cam thread. Omega pacific rep chimed in on the first page with advice and info on the issue being discussed.
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saulokin
Apr 26, 2006, 12:56 PM
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I am just glad I ran across this thread. I was considering buying two of these helmets. I think I will pass.
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tradmanclimbs
Apr 26, 2006, 9:37 PM
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unless they changed the plastic since in the last 2 yrs they do break really freaking easy!!
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jimdavis
Apr 27, 2006, 1:00 AM
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In reply to: actually its a wonder that BD has not commented on this thread. many gear companys monitor these boards and speak up when they are getting bashed. EX the OP link cam thread. Omega pacific rep chimed in on the first page with advice and info on the issue being discussed.
Eh, BD isn't know for the best customer service out of the bunch. Unless this gets big, and people stop buying them...I wouldn't expect a public statement.
Then again, maybe they're working on a solution now, and we'll hear from them shortly. Who knows?
My HB Dyneema is holding up well though! :D
Cheers,
Jim
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ottoman
Apr 27, 2006, 1:28 AM
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After climbing for a while, i decided to get a helmet. A BD, so far i have been pleased with the performance. If it can last half as long as i have been climbing i'm good to go. Climbing since 1980. :wink:
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