Emerson FAST Helmet w/ Flip Down Visor
 

So yesterday Venture came by to pick up my Mauser L96 sniper rifle to fix her up after she came down with a problem.
While browsing his site for possible future purchases I found he was selling Emerson FAST Helmets with a flip down visor for half price.
While I used helmets back when I first started in airsoft, I went helmetless after I found the helmet I used was to bulky and heavy, but I figured that I would give a helmet another go, and this helmet was the right price.
When he came by with the helmet, I immediately tried it on and fell in love with it.
Its lightweight and you can customize this helmet the way you want with a GO Pro Camera, night vision or whatever else you want.
Plus it's got velcro places to attach patches, name tags, etc to give you the look you want.
Here is the helmet.

Emerson FAST Helmet w/ Flip Down Visor
 

I'm very curious about the same model, from Venture, or whatever least expensive source. My main concern is the sizing. I fit L to XL, and I know a lot of this gear is made with asian sizes in mind. Also wondering how safe the visor is for airsoft, and wether it'll fit over glasses or not.
Care to share your insights?


Location: YYZ VOR 062 radial, 17.5 DME FL5280

I bought 5 of them for my team (aliexpress) they are Emerson airsoft... and we did some testing firing with a PTW red cylinder from a distance of 20 inches +-. It did just the regular mark any bb (0.28g) would do from that distance, no scratches at all.

About the size, from the 5 the ony one a bit tight is mine one (I guess I have a big head). But removing the back pad fixed the situation.

Perfect, I'm sold! Thx.


Location: YYZ VOR 062 radial, 17.5 DME FL5280

Hey Siggypoo. Well, I did some research, plus, a fellow airsofter said he tested out the visor with one of his 500fps sniper rifles and the visor sustained no damage...Now...That is good news, but...I'd rather not be the guy that the visor doesn't work for, so I will be using safety glasses underneath the visor, just to be on the safe side.
But I will be testing this out tonight, so look back for my test results. I'll let you know Siggy.

I've got one of these as well. The visor is basically just an acrylic which really isn't that strong. If it was lexan I'd be a lot happier but then it would cost a lot more as well.

What I do is wear my revision sawfly under them with a clear lens. I have the visor in black tint. So I pull the visor down when needed in really bright conditions, then lift the visor up in darker conditions.

Is there a rating stamp anywhere on them? If not, depending on the field regs you might not be able to use the shield as eye pro. I know for NSA games, no CSA stamp=no dice.

Some fields used to go so far as to say authentic eyewear only no "made in china". I remember knock off Oakley's, Bolle's and ESS lenses being sold with the "stamp" on em but they were far from ballistic grade. I suspect a spit ball could had penetrate these lens'! Now I'm not saying China can't make a good product but user always has to beware parts unknown no matter the origin.

It's nice and all, but how narrow (or large?) is the gap between the visor bottom and your face? Any chance of a BB getting there easily? Or is it the "same" as shooting glasses that aren't full-seal?

Also, the mannequin's nose is inside the visor as well; wouldn't that cause heavy fogging?

Mannequin head is small. The visor will go down as much as you need, but you'd want a mask or something for your lower. Either way, you can buy without the visor, or just keep it up.


Location: YYZ VOR 062 radial, 17.5 DME FL5280

I will be doing further testing later tonight once I get home from work tonight, so expect some more pictures tonight and more info. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.I will be more than happy to answer any and all as to what I can.
I don't plan on using just the visor as eye protection, i don't care how strong anything claims to be, I will be using ballistics glasses as well....just to be on the safe side. Cant be to safe when it comes to your eyes.

So folks, here is the result of the ballistics glasses. Being worn under the visor are the Classic Army eyewear I wore during my first few months of airsoft which I then converted to full blown goggles.
There is enough space between the visor and glasses that they wont interfere with each other.
Unless someone is shooting from directly underneath you, there is no chance a BB can find its way in to the vicinity of where your eyes are.

I don't see any kind of rating stamp on the visor, but as stated, I will not be using JUST the visor. I care to much about my eyesight to risk it even if the visor was safety approved.
Watched a video of the same helmet visor being tested, still don't trust it, sure it might withstand shots, but with my luck I'll have the one helmet with a visor that totally disintegrates with a BB shot.

Emerson FAST Helmet w/ Flip Down Visor
 

Screw the bucket, I want the shirt, lol!
Okay, if we're talking about the bucket, how big a guy are you? I'm 6'9", and proportionately pretty big all over. That pumpkin protector fit your nugget comfirtably?
I'd do as Waylander said, and use a tinted visor with untinted protective eyewear under. Remaining thing is for me to get Rx safety glasses. ClearlyContacts.ca here I come.


Location: YYZ VOR 062 radial, 17.5 DME FL5280

i'm about 5'7ish. The helmet fits me quite comfortably. Didn't have to take out any pieces. It was a good snug fit.
My last helmet I had bounced around alot, was heavy. This thing is as light as a feather, fits like a glove.
I'm sure it'd fit you too. You may need to remove one or two pieces, but I am sure that it'd fit.

There are a few things about this particular model helmet I don't really like.

1, the Styrofoam filler doesn't breathe as well as other styles so your head can get a bit hotter but the styrofoam is what creates the space for the visor

2. I don't like this style strap that comes under your jawline, I prefer chin straps that cup your chin

3. I also prefer the ones with the dial on the back that allows you to adjust the fit there.

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/2...8I-EM5658H.jpg

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/2...8I-EM5658H.jpg

unfortunately, it seems to be either / or. You can't get the suspension style chin strap model with the visor. I might see if I can dremel out a similar cavity for the visor in the other model, just need to make sure there's enough left to secure to the helmet so it doesn't move around.

Oh shit, no headband is a deal breaker for me

I have that model (emerson, as pictured above) and live it, very comfy; chin strap is "ok" for me but I have to tighten it a bit much for the helmet to stay in place, impeding ability to open my jaw to some extent...

And there I was hoping I could eventually buy a visor and add it to my current helmet. Looks like it won't be possible based on above post :/

That does look like a very purdy Brainbucket. As stated, not to sure how much I'll be using this helmet. If I like the way it looks/feels I may upgrade to something better, but for now, we'll see how this one fares.

As a note, you can buy the replacement padding, suspension strap system separately. That means just pull the one piece styrofoam padding from your current one and replace with the new pieces. Takes about 15 min to replace and cheaper than buying a new helmet. The plastic helmet itself is exactly the same.

Where would one find these replacement pieces?

Either ebay or aliexpress (chinese ebay). The one I found on ebay is $33 plus $5 shipping, on aliexpress its $33 and free shipping (USD)

Search for EMERSON FMA Dial Liner Kit FAST Helmet and you'll find them.

Aliexpress is my default goto store for pretty much everything
Its so much cheaper
Be ready to wait for shipping though, but the cash you save is worth it

(I wouldn't compare it to eBay that much though but it sure is "close"; it is the "retail portal" version of alibaba, which is for wholesalers/manufactures in China.
On Ali express you can buy from "individuals" running online stores or directly from manufacturers, which is great)

Sweet. I've never heard of this place, so I'll definately take a look. Thank you.

It's very similar to ebay. Buyer protection, ratings... etc. Only difference is no personal sellers, it's all retailers/manufacturers. For cheaper, chinese made stuff it's my first stop.

Same here. That and DH Gate.


Location: YYZ VOR 062 radial, 17.5 DME FL5280

Excellent. Thank you Waylander. I'll definately be looking tonight when I get home tonight.

Everyone should be running eyepro under the visor. Just saying.

The pictures of the eyepro under the visor were very helpful! Thanks for that.

Agreed. One can never be to safe.I like my eyes the way they are, and you're very welcome. Glad they helped.

Hello,

Can I ask how the fogging went? (or hopefully didn't)

alibaba group -> the company that owns all the platforms below
alibaba -> B2B (international)
taobao -> C2C (China)
tmall -> B2C (China)
aliexpress -> B2C and C2C (international)

Check out their single day sales record on 2014-11-11 (aka Singles Day or the Anti-Valentine's Day) -> $9.3 Billion
tons of stuff go on sale with unbelievable price that day.

+1 for AliExpress.
Amazing site, already bought a ton of great things there, and the amount of money saved makes me smile. Did have a 2 or 3 bad orders, but some of those were due to my improper research. If you stay smart and do your research, most of the time you will get a quality product for a good price.

Only pet peeve is waiting around a month for the item to arrive, but I got used to it.

Same here. A couple of meh orders, but overall, just a nasty wait time. I found one fast bucket there for $28 with free shipping. Only thing holding me back was the size issues.
Usually anything you wear is wise to stay away from on AliExpress, if you're bigger like me. As for other stuff, it's always been fine.


Location: YYZ VOR 062 radial, 17.5 DME FL5280