Gone are the days when you just throw a helmet on your head. Most are wearing accessories with/on their helmet such as NODs, earpro or a light (or two), some are using HEADS, others strobes, fewer still O2 masks, and so on. Nothing probably illustrates the concept more than this photo from Smith Optics Elite Division. We’ve had readers claim that this is ridiculous and that guys aren’t wearing this much on their helmets, but they are, and more.
We’ve also had some specific questions about what is mounted on this helmet. The Regulator Boogie Goggles from Smith integrate directly with the Ops-Core helmet’s Accessory Rail Connector. They’ll be available from Smith once the glasses are released.
For the cover, we went to Orion Design Group, the originator of the photo for some backstory and this is what they sent us…
Once again we were tapped on the shoulder by our industry affiliates, who have been getting inundated with info requests on our helmet cover, so we decided to step away from the range and the drawing board for a few minutes to update everyone out there in cyber space. We are proud to announce one of many collaboration design projects with FirstSpear, our version of First Spear’s “Hybrid Cover”. Now you might ask yourself WTF is a hybrid anyway? Well simply put, a hybrid is any piece of gear made out of two or more different textiles (fabrics) to support the functionality of the design. In this case 520E (tweave) and mesh. First Spear’s design team which is top shelf and is stacked with years of Industry and end user experience recognized that helmet covers made of NyCo just plain suck. They fit the helmet sloppy and wear out quickly, so FirstSpear built theirs from a 520E tweave which accomplishes a few things. First being that it’s a four way stretch it hugs the helmet and fits great. Second tweave is way more abrasion resistant than NyCo so it’ll last longer. Thirdly, because it’s DWR treated it will shed precipitation and dry out way faster if you spend some nights in the rain and snow. Since we work hand in hand with SOF units and we design our “Man Prey” line specifically for them we approached First Spear and added some end user features, specific printed Quiet Loop placement for IFF and flat elastic tie down points for cable routing along with an ANVS 6/9 NOD counter weight/battery pack pouch. These covers will be available for the Ops-Core FAST and Maritime cut helmets, in a variety of patterns including our own. To pre-order, or for any questions please send an email to brian@odg-usa.com. To all those who go in harms way thank you for service, and to our fans thanks for your patronage and patience the website will be up late spring……”CHOOSE YOUR PREY!”
Tags: FirstSpear, Ops-Core, Orion Design Group, Smith Optics Elite Division
“We’ve had readers claim that this is ridiculous and that guys aren’t wearing this much on their helmets,…”
Well, I guess if you’re assigned to a conventional unit this may be a valid statement. However, my MICH has rails, MS2000 strobe and a Surefire helmet light. And that is pretty standard in the team. Mark my words. It won’t be long until we see this transition from SOF to conventional.
Helmet continues to be the best place for a camera, which is a phenomenal tool for training at home and information-gathering downrange. I knock politely at many more doors than I kick down these days and can attest to the value of helmet cam as a tool for cake-eating pogues like myself. I alternate between a Contour and a Sony Mini 550 (for low light work).
I would hope so. Personally I have a standard ACH, or maybe not so standard it has the fancy TBI recording mechanism in the dome, but other than that it’s joe-schmoe. No rails, no nothing. I still have a flashlight, my NOD mount and an IR strobe on it. Why is one or two more things that crazy?
Couple of helmet covers coming out for the FAST and the Airframe, however it’d be great if there were some high speed covers for the 2001 cut MICH.
Too many things on helmets IMO. But you still have to throw it on when you need it so i don’t see what they mean about “gone are the days” when the stuff is already on it or not.
A quick survey of the FB responses to this pic on the Smith page shows a lot of Airsofter critiques. Them vs the man in the pic wearing kit much like he did overseas protecting their rights to dispense 6mm plastic death in Mom’s back yard.
Mission drives the gear, not seeing much I’d want to give up on dark night in a dangerous place.
I still run a MS200, ContourHD, and a surefire helmet light on my lid and at one point a counterweight. I’ve seen plenty of infantry NG (of all units) who were running Ops-Core rails w/ lights and cameras too. It’s not just SOF using this gear these days. The cameras are especially useful for post-mission review and when you have 5 different angles and POVs it makes all the difference.
Well said paul.
New materials took off weight from a helmet.
New gadgets “replace” the weight.
BTW, i doubt about the functionality, the retention of glasses is giving as seen in the above picture.
In some specific cases, i think, it could be dangerous for the operator.
From what I have heard, this is one of multiple strap systems from Smith for the goggle.
i just dropped a halo sf team yesterday and if you don’t think the dudes are piling that stuff on their helmets then some folks are crazy
Hi,
Do you have any name for the counter weight pouch you got on?
It’s part of the cover.