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Hi everyone, I wasn't sure where to post this. I have a friend that's looking at the HHV standard helmet made in China and the HHV Lite made in the USA, does anyone have experience with either of these? I'm sold on Ops-Core helmets but he's balking at the price. Thanks.
I don't have any experience with HHV, but I recall Augee Kim writing a pretty compelling takedown somewhere in one of the FB groups.
If price is such a concern, there are still plenty of quality brands that have big contracts. HighCom, 3M, Galvion, Team Wendy/Avon, etc. Galvion and Team Wendy even have pro deals for individual purchases, and TW is coming out with a new line of helmets cheaper than their Exfil series (the new Epic series). I would take any of those over HHV.
I would also question the need for a high cut helmet if you won't be running ear pro integrated with the helmet.
I'll also note that you can find OpsCore's last generation helmet for decent discounts if you look hard, though it may still be out of their budget.
There's no way I'd touch Chinese armor for duty use.
With that said, I currently have a Galvion Caiman that I was issued, and it is supremely comfortable and lightweight. I mean, it is really comfortable...I've worn this thing all day without much discomfort or neck strain at all. Flip side of that is that if I get domed, I'll probably get a TBI from the backface deformation present in poly helmets.
Traditional kevlar is heavier, but it's much more protective. The DEA and FBI created a new helmet standard in 2019 in order to mitigate brain damage from backface deformation, and so far the only helmet to pass it (I believe) is the Busch AMP-1....a high-cut aramid construction.
For our end users here, this is a demonstrative primer on the issue that should gain your buy in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3494i4DKJA
The new Team Wendy Epic Specialist helmets are fantastic.
Really good suspension, really good shell shape and they come with everything you need and nothing you don't. Their NVG shroud and ARC rails are functional. I also like that there are no thru holes in the helmet as they mold their screw posts into the helmet itself.
These helmets are still at this time a limited release but street price seems to be under a grand. Not bad.
From the few videos I've seen - no, not real testing - I'd stay the hell away from HHV or similar products ... the armor equivalent of TQs on eBay.
I'm still using an older OpsCore, have talked at length with a TeamWendy rep and seen a variety of their stuff. Crye, Galvion, OpsCore, & TeamWendy would all be solid choices.